Diocesan News.

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

Diocesan News.

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

(From our own correspondent.) March M. Rev. Father Melu, of Jerusalem, has been in Wellington this week. He returned home on Friday last. The Fabian Dramatic Club's performance of the ' Wearing of the Green,' at Masterton on the 13th and Kith inst., resulted in an addition of about £ 10 to the funds of St. Bride's Convent. Deep regret will be felt at the news that Trooper Ernest Smith, of the First New Zealand Contingent, is dangerously ill at the Capo. Mr. Smith was one of th 9 early students of St. Patrick's College, and was a general favorite with his fellowa. It is definitely decided to build the new cathedral at the corner of Tory street and Buckle street. The architect's estimate of the cost of the building, providing accommodation for 4000, is £40,000. His Grace the Archbishop and Rev. Father Ainsworth have already collected in cash and promises upwards of £13,000. The subscriptions in cash to the funds of St. Bride's Convent, Masterton, now amount to almost £800, besides which donations in the way of furniture, etc., to value of over £Bt> have been made. Included in the latter is a handsome £»J0 piano. The Very Rev. Dean McKenna deserves great praise in this matter, as so handsome a result is in very great part due to his never-flagging energy. Great preparations are being made for the Easter Carnival. As the opening day draws near the ' Birth of the British Empire ' is engaging considerable attention from people of all creeds. At

present the rehearsals are held in the schoolroom, Guildford Terrace, but it is expected that early next week feignor Borzoni and his 200 performers will be able to use the Drill shed which, is now undergoing much needed repairs and wherein the Carnival is to be held.

In acknowledgment of the congratulatory message forwarded to her Majesty the Queen by the Wellington branch of the H.A.C.B.S , his Excellency the Governor has now received a reply, and has sent to the President, of the Society the following wire :— ' The Governor, having cabled to the Secretary of State for the Colonies for presentation to her Majesty the Queen the resolution pa«oed by the Irishmen of Wellington, has received from Mr. Chamberlain a reply. It begins : " Her Majesty the Queen command'? pip to cordially thnnk the Irishmen of Wellington for their kind and loyal message which has given her Majesty much pleasure. (Signed) J. Chamberlain." '

When the Marist Brothers' Old Boys" Dramatic Club announced its intention of producing as its initial effort in the Opera House Boucicault's great Irish drama, ' The Colleen Bawn,' the opinion was freely offered that the undertaking was rather ambitious. Wednesday night's performance, however, dispelled any such idea, and resulted in a really creditable production. The house was packed, and the applause awarded the performers showed how thoroughly the efforts of the Club were appreciated by the large audience. The evenne?s of the performance, which was the subject of general remark, reflects credit on the performers and the stage manager, Mr. G. Harpur — a professional — who, in addition, gave an exeellt nt portrayal of Danny Mann. The cast of characters waa as follows : — Eily O'Connor, Mis-s L. Collins ; Anne Chute, Miss E. O'Sullivan ; Mrs. Cregan, Miss E. Collins ; Sheelah, Miss E. Read ; Kathleen Creagh, Miss Maher ; Ducil Blennerha?6et, Mias Twohill ; Myles-na-Coppaleen, Mr. E. Twohill ; nardress Cregan, Mr. R. Marshall ; Kyrle Daly, Mr. F. Dunne : Father Tom, Mr. T. Walsh ; Squire Corrigan, Mr. D Kelly; Hyland Creagh, Mr. A. Kellam ; Mr. O'Moore. Mr. J. Walsh ; Barney, Mr. J. M. Pike ; Corporal, Mr. Tom Marshall.

While in Masterton on his way to Auckland his Excellency the Governor accepted an invitation from the Very Rev. Dean McKenna to pay a visit to the Catholic schools in that town. On arrival at St. Bride's Convent his Excellency was received by the Vtry Rev. Dean and the Superioress, the pupils of the Convent and St. Patrick's School being drawn up in lines from the gates. In the large schoolroom the following address, beautifully illuminated by the nuns, was read and presented by Miss Hourigan, supported by Masters R. Miller and C. Smythson : — ' May it please your Excellency, — We, the pupils of the Brigidine Nuns, assemble to offer your Excellency a respectful and heartful welcome to our schools. We regret your amiable consort, Lady Ranfurly, has not been able to accompany you, but ws hope at some future period she, too, will honour us with a visit. We fully appreciate your Excellency's kindness in coming at a personal inconvenience, and are grateful for the favor. We trust the remainder of the time during which your Excellency will preside over the destiu'es of Xew Zealand m.iy be bright and happy, and when you will have ieuu nud to the i.utu 1 lc of the Wtst your recollections of the Pcail of the Pacific may be such as to make you regret having Icit our Southern Laid, f-itcnt d on lvhalf of the pupils : Elizabeth C'ollertnn, Gertrutl. Hoiloway, Frank O'Connell, Fred Dupu. — His Excellency, in reply, thanked the children for their address and complimented th'-iu oil the very excellent report he had ju^t heard from the Nupenortc-s o' their work in the school. It was with wry great regn ton her p. .it an lon his own that Lady Ranfurly had been compelled to al> vv.t her-elf, but the journey from Wtllin»ton had so tat gueii her thai she found it iinpo --lble to accompany him. He looke 1 en his to* mof cilice in New Zealand, owing t" the n rt -ao part this couim., i- p oying iv upholding the Empire at, the uiort important in the history ot the Colony. The events which were now transpiring on'y cemented more closely the colonies in a brotherhood as children of a great aDd glorious Empire. When the time arrived ior bis departure from New Zealand he would leave it with the deepest feelings of regret, for everywhere in New Zealand he and Lady Kanfurly had been received with the greatest possible kindness and hospitality. — After being shown through the convent, the Sisters presented to Lady Ranfurly, through hib Excellency, a bouquet of beautiful flowers, and at hia request the pupils were granted a holiday.