NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 14, 5 April 1900, Page 19

NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

Jeremiah Hogax, who was recently injured by a fall from a cart at Southbridge, died in the Christchurch hospital on Thursday. We have received parcels of used vStamps for Rev. Father Kreymborg's mission from Misses G. and B. Lavery, Westport, and Miss Ellie O'Connell, Xaseby.

It is understood that the Government have decided to keep the First Aew Zealand Contingent up ti their full strength, and the required number of men will shortly be despatched.

A Greymouth correspondent writes :— ln the examinations for teachers' certificates held last January Miss Annie Malone obtained an E certificate. Miss Malone was prepared for her examination at the local Convent of Mercy

A GJiAKD art union will take place in connection with the h-izaar which ih to be held in Wellington during Easter week in aid of the funds for f uniting the new Basilica of the Sacred Heart Ihe prizes offered are very fine oil paintings. Those who hold books of uokets are requested to return blocks and remittances by April 28. It h expected that the new church will be ready for opening towards the end of June. The half-yearly meeting of the Ashburton Catholic Literary Society took place on Wednesday evening of last week when there was a lar<*e attendance. Mr. P. Hanrahau was elected secretary and two nominations for membership were received. After the transaction of the routine business the proceedings took the form of a Parliamentary debate. Mr. L. Hanrahan acted as Speaker Mr. M. J Burgess (Premier) brought in a bill to provide for an increase in the defences of the Colony and military training for all males between the ages of IS and 45. Mr. Burgess, in a lengthy speech, pointed out the grave necessity for this bill, and also the benefit it would be to the young men of the Colony in the way of instructing them in the art of warfare. Mr. M. Moriarty (Opposition) in a racy speech adduced some strong arguments as to why it was not desirable to go to such expense as the bill provided in defending this portion of the Empire. After the bill had been under discussion for a couple of hours a vote was taken, the result of which was that the measure was carried by a large majority.

Another large congregation was present last night in the Sacred Heart Church to take part in the concluding service of the Mission, (says the Jnangaliua Times, March 28), which has been ao phenomenally attended uuring the past ten days. An admonitory address, delivered with impressive earnestness by his Grace the Archbishop, w.-n mi! >stiruted for the accustomed sermon and at the conclusion of the exhortation the imposing ceremony of the renewal of the Baptismal vows took place. Before the close of the service his brace and Rev. Father Ainsworth expressed their hearty thanks for the liberal manner in which every member of the congregation had responded to the appeal for the Cathedral Fund the total amount subscribed in Reefton having reached the sum of £790 10s £160 being in cash. Hia Grace also made the announcement that he had that day received the resignation of Very Rev Father McNamara whose health precluded him from continuing the onerous duties of parish priest in Reefton. The Archbishop leaves to-day for Cronadun, Boatman's, Lyell, and Murchison. Rev Father Ainsworth will beat the Progress Junction on Saturday next and at the Inkerman on Monday and Tuesday thence proceeding to the