NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 10, 8 March 1900, Page 20

NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

The seven nursing sisters selected by the Otago Committee left Dunedin on Monday for South Africa by way of Melbourne.

We understand that the sum of £8.">0 was netted at the recent bazaar in Tiraaru in aid of the fund for the erection of a new Catholic church.

All Government railway workshops are working overtime constructing rolling stock to overtake the pressing demands of a plentiful harvest.

Speaking at the turning of the first sod of the Paeroa- Wain i railway last week the Premier said that last year New Zealand, with a population of 800 000, exported over 11 million pounds' worth. No other British colony could s-how such a record.

The date of the sailing of the Gymeric with portion of the fourth contingent has been deferred until about t^e 24th itif-t. She will sail from Dunedin, and will take about 2">o men and 'M) 0 horses. It is not yet decided how the remainder of the contingent will be shipped.

Mr F. W. Petre, architect, Dunedin, has received instructions from the Rev. Father Regnault, S.M., to prep-ire plans for the enlargement of St. Patrick's Church, Waimate. The additions include transepts and side chapels, which will double the seating accommodation at present provided.

Sergeant Mitchell, of Napier, who has been promoted to the position of Sub- Inspector at Wellington, has left for his new Bphere of duties. His many friends will learn with pleasure of Sergeant Mitchell's promotion, which was fully deserved, as there is no more courteous and efficient officer in the force.

Mr. R. A. Louchnan and Mrs. Loughnan arrived in Wellington last week from Australia, where they had been for the last three or four years. Mr. Loughnan, as a journalist, is well known all over the Colony, having been for many years editor of the Lyttrtton Times, and later of the New Zealand Times.

In the course of a speech delivered at Auckland on Saturday in connection with a presentation to the Minister of Railways, the Right Hon. R. J. Seddon said that as regards finance and the present position of the Colony that after meeting the charges of the contingents there would still be a surplus of £300,000 Four months ago the Ministry saw there was going to be trouble, and that money would be dear, so they made arrangements for public works finance for 10 months ahead, or, in other words, for a million of money. In respect to money for the purchase of lands, they had obtained £300,000 at £100^, while only a week before New South Wales has offered 1 per cent debentures at 99 J. As to the defences of the Colony, he could say emphatically that there was no cause whatever for apprehension .

The H m. J. O. Ward, Minister of Railways, was on Saturday afternoon the recipient of a handsome presentation from the Li erals of Auckland in celebration of his rejoining the Ministry The presentation consisted of a beautifuliy-finishe 1 gold medal with a gold sovereign case attached, enclosed in a s-ilver casket. Tbe medal is a massive gold one. with two clasp- bearing the dates 1801 and 15.).). Mr. Ward, in acknowledging the presentation, d he was deeply indebted to them for their mark of appreciation. Although there had been many able men in the ranks of former Governments, it had fallen to the lot of the present Administration to put on record legislation which was regarded a« being in the van of progress. It had been a special plea u ure to know that he was asked to rejoin the Ministry without making any request to any of his former colleigues that he should be considered iv the inarter. He was also glad to know that it had- been done with the sanction of the great majority of the people,

It is expected that there will be a very large influx of visitors into|Dunedin from country districts for the purpose of witnessing the departure of the contingent for South Africa. It was computed that on the occasion of the departure of the first contingent from Wellington upwards of ."iOiJ persons had to walk the streets during the preceding night for want of accommodation. In order to provide against such a contingency in Ounedin the local committed have requested Messrs. Baker Brothers, Colonial Bank Buildings to compile an official list of available residential acommodation for visitors. Messrs. Baker Brothers are acting gratuitously in this matter, and during the week preceding the dep.irt ire of the contingent their office will be open every evening until 10 o'clock in connection with the matter. Intending visitors, who are un ible to secure hotel accommodation, should communicate without delay with the firm.

At the last meeting of the Ashburton Catholic Literary Society the members took the opportunity of the approaching departure of the hon. treasurer and one of the founders of the Hociety — Mr. Moison — for France to present him with a token of their esteem in the shape of a handsome dreeing case. Speeches were dt livered during the evening by Mr. L. Hanrahan (president), Mr Cooper (ex-president), Mr. R. J. Henry (vice-president), and others, in ■whirh reference was ma~e to the great in t» rest taken by Mr. Moison in the hociety bince its foundation. In replying Mr. Moison thanked the speakers for the kind n marks male regarding his services. His great object in the society was to make himself worthy of their company, and judging by their present and their kind remarks towards him that evening he had gained his object. The society was the only successful one of its kind in Ashbutton, and was no doubt a credit to the Catholic young men and ( heir elders. As regards his visit to Paris, he was pleased to state that it "would only be a short one, and the members could rely on him to do all he could in the way of furthering their interests. Speaking personally, h« considered the pociety had been a great benefit to him in various ways, and he was sorry that he had not its aid many years ago. Mr. Moison, in conclusion, heartily thanked the members for the handsome present given him.

After a concert given about the middle of January by the pupils and employees of the Foxford Technical School, v ider the care of the Sisters of Charity, an encouraging address was delivered by the Right Itev. Dr. Lenihan, Bishop of Auckland, on ' Native Music and Home Industries.' The Most Rev. Dr. Lyster, Bishop of Achonry, presided. In the course of his speech the Bishop of Auckland said : — Looking at your district, one carries away the conviction that the rains you experience give you altogether too noble an expanse of water, that your farms must suff r considerably, and that if you conteat yourselves with simply looking to the soil for your support, poverty and suffering must be your portion. being the rise, the Sisters of Ch irity have come into your midst and have erected thi?se looms which are acquiring a worldwide reputation , and I trust that this industry, still in its infancy, is but the forerunner of the comforts ani comparative affluence you are one day to enjoy. Much has been done for the district by the establishment of this factory, but much more remains to be done, and you yourselves must help in every way, so that you may ensure for yourselves pe.tce.ful possession of y >ur homes, and that your sons and daughters may remain at home to comfort and console you. What is to be your work so as to secure contentment ? The Sisters have .shown you what they are ready to do on your behalf. They want now to retain you in your own country. They want to see you able to earn your own livelihood at home, so that no necessity will arise for you and your sons to go across the sea to find money for rent during the harvesting season, and that your d lUghters mar have means at hand to deter them from seeking service in the employ of others. For this reason they propose to establish home industries, bo that your hands need never be idle. Woollen goods of every imaginable description could be made, and they are ready to supply the wool and teach your children to occupy their leisure hours of the long winter eveninga in some rational pursuit.