NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 17, 26 April 1900, Page 20

NEW ZEALAND : GENERAL.

The Makikihi correspondent of the Timaru Herald states that the grain yields are well up to the average. Feed threatens tote very scarce this winter, as the rain came too late to be of much use to the grass. Turnip crops as a rule are a failure. More rain is wanted, as many wells are either dry or very low. There are several very good articles in the April number of The Austral Light, among the contributors being his Grace ,the Archbishop of Melbourne, the Rev. Fathers O'Reilly, Murphy, and Magennis, Rev. Dr. Bevan, Marion Miller, and 'Una Roe.' The illustrations are very fine, especially that entitled « NoK Me Tangare.' The marriage of Miss Kate Donnelly to Mr. John Fraser was solemnised by the Rev. Father Cahill at Mr. T. M'Dermott's residence on April 18 (says the J3ugh Advocate), when a large gathering of friends of both bride and bridegroom were present. The following were amongst those present at the ceremony :— Mr., Mrs., and Miss J. Donnelly, Feilding ; Miss Morrissey, Hawera ; Messrs. Fraser (2), Napier ; Mr. and Mrs. W. Norrelf, Pahiataa ; and others. The happy oouple have the best wishes of their many friends in Dannevirke. According to the Balclutha Free Press ' Miss Annett, the Catholic school teaoher at Rongahere, who has been subjected to Buch brutal persecution by some sectarian fanatic during her bojourn there, has received an appointment at Pateoroa, said to be promotion. The young lady will carry with her the good wishes of the balk of the Rongahere community, born of appreciation no less of her innate good good qualities and teaching ability than admiration for her pluck in sticking to her post in the face of circumstances which most women would have found unendurable.' General regret was felt at the announcement of the death of Mr. Richard Direen, who was accidentally killed on the railway at Deborah on the 16 th inst. The deceased, who was a railway employe, was travelling from Oamaru to Waimotu by the Palmerston train, and when at Deborah a gust of wind blew his hat off. He alighted from the train to recover his hat, when, it is stated, he was knocked down by an engine that was engaged in shunting. The deceased, who was 41 years of age, was brother of Mr. Andrew Direen of Oamaru, and was born at Clashaveha, Coolaugh, County Kilkenny.— R.l.P. ' A correspondent writes : The Waihao Catholics are losing a very old friend in the person of Mr. Lowe, for 10 years schoolmaster at the Waitaki settlement school, who is leaving by the Gothic on next Thursday for Dublin. Previous to leaving the school where he labored so long and successfully, the parents of the children tendered him a social and presented him with a gold pendant and watch key. Mr. Lowe also received from the Education Board a very flattering testimonial in return for the good passes which he has succeeded in obtaining at the Government examinations. We wish him bon voyage and success, The Premier received advice on Sunday that the Monowai with the Fourth Contingent on board had arrived at Porfc Natal (Durban), and was to leave at once for East London, about 22 hours' steam from Durban. From East London the men were to go on to Bloemfontein, the oapital of the Orange Free State. In a very short time they will be in the thick of the fighting. There is almost direct railway communication between East London and the capital of the Orange Free State. Ten horses were lost on the voyage between Albany and Durban. The Monowai left Port Chalmers on March 24, and Albany on April 3, so that the trip was just made in four weeks. We (Bush Advocate, April 19) must congratulate the Catholics of the Ormondville district on having such a packed house at their concert last evening, the large hall being full to overflowing. The Rev. Father Cahill occupied the chair. An overture on the pianoforte having been played by Miss Maroney, songs were given by Misses Boyle and Maroney, and Messrs. Curran, Wright, Maycook, Murray, O'Leary, Moran, and Reynolds. Mr. Curran danced several etep dances in excellent style, the concert concluding with a step dance by Messrs. Curran and Fitzgerald, accompanied by Mr. Fitzgerald on the violin. A dance took place afterwards which was a great success. Mr. J. Drew made a capital M.C., and Miss Boyle and Miss Maroney played the dance music. Under the able management of Mesdames Moran and Skinner an excellent supper was dispensed, and was done ample justice to. A quiet wedding (says the Wakatipu Mail) took place on Easter Monday, at the residence of the bride's parents, the Gorge Road, Queenstown. The contracting parties were Mr. C. P. Johnston, Government Audit Inspector, and Miss Mary M'Ewen, daughter of Mr. Neil M'Ewen. The oeremony was performed by the Rev. Father O'Donnell. The bride wore a travelling costume of dove-grey cloth, trimmed with cream satin and guipure lace, and a large velvet picture hat. The two bridesmaids were Miss Mamie Walsh and Miss Fitzpatrick, cousins of the bride. Mr. Johnston was attended by Mr. J. C. M'Bride. The groom's present to the bride was a handsome travelling bag and to the bridesmaids brooob.es set with pearls. The presents were numerous and costly— coming from all parts of New Zealand — as the bride is well known and immensely popular. After the ceremony, the happy oouple left for Lake Wanaka, en mute for Dunedin through the goldfields.

The Auokland Receiving, Forwarding, and Parcel Delivery Agency (Messrs. Simson and Co.) are prepared to forward goods to all parts of the Colony. They are baggage agents for Messrs. Cook and Sons. Parcels intended for town and suburbs delivery should arrive at the office, 4 Commerce street, not later than 4.30 p.m. on all week days exoept Saturdays when the hoar is 12.30 p.m. — # %