INTERCOLONIAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2, 11 January 1900, Page 20

INTERCOLONIAL.

Miss Maud McCarthy possesses a most valuable violin, a genuine Guenerius, with an authenticated history of its descent — a brother violin to that played on by the famous Paganini.

At the annual dinner of St. Joseph's College (Sydney) ex-pupils the Rev. Father Herbert, of St. Patrick's College, Wellington, was present, and responded to the toast of ' Success to the Ex-Students' Union.'

The Rev. Father Hegarty, CM., who was for some years on the Vincentian mission at Ashfield, has left for the Melbourne House of his Order. It was intended to make him a presentation before leaving Ashfield, but the rule of the Order debarred any such demonstration.

A Sydney Coroner's jurymanj uryman a few days ago caused not a little sensation by appearing with the Victoria Cross on his coat — as every V.C. ia entitled to do to the day of his death, and entitled also to the salute of every military man who passes him. The old hero was Mr. A. J. Heap, who won his cross at Delhi in the Indian Mutiny in 1858 by carrying a wounded officer off the field in the face of a hot fire.

• Miss Amy Castles, the young Victorian singer (says the British Anttralasian), whom the Australians have boomed so tremendously during the past six month*, has oome over from Paris to spend a few days in London. At her interview with Sir Hubert Parry, principal of the Royal College of Music, she sang 1 one or two numbers with which her name has been constantly associated in the colonies, the distinguished conductor himself playing the young singer's accompaniments. That the Australians have not overrated the marvellous qualities of her truly remarkable voice may be gathered from the fact that Sir Hubert at once offered to have her trained at the Royal College entirely free of charge. This generous and very flattering offer Miss Castles is hardly likely to accept, as a Continental training is considered essential to an operatic career.' A letter received in Melbourne recently from Mien Castles contained a communication from Sir Hubert Parry. While expressing his appreciation of the wonderful quality and freshness of her voice, Sir Hubert Parry adds that it shows no signs whatever of ' forcing or strain.' He regret* that she was not permitted to accept his offer, but assures her that it remains open to her at any time. Friends and musical experts in London were unanimous, Miss Castles adds, in recommending her the Continental training, under the teacher of the greatest singers of the century, Madame Marcbesi.