DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 34, 23 August 1900, Page 18

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

The Rev. Father O'Donnell, Queenstown, on behalf of himself and his people, returns his sincere thanks to all who assisted in making the art union drawn last week a success. A list of the winning numbers, and also of the names of those from whom blocks and remittances have been received, appears elsewhere in this issue.

The foundation stone of a new chapel in connection with Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, was informally laid by his Lordship Bishop Verdon on Sunday. The new ohapel, which is to be erected in briok, will add considerably to the architectural features of the College. It is to be about 50ft by 23ft, in addition to which there will be a sacristy and a private room, each 15ft by 13ft. The chapel will be connected with the College by a covered passage. There are now 11 students in the College, and others are expected shortly.

The boys of the Marist Brothers' School, Invercargill, arrive in Dunedin on Friday evening to play their football match with the the Christian Brothers' School team. A very interesting contest is expected, as both teams have excellent records. The Invercargill lads have played 11 matches, won 11, scored 100 points, whilst but six were scored against them. The Christian Brothers' boys' record reads : — Matches played 12, won 11, drawn one ; points for 370, points against 11. The match takes place on the Caledonian Ground at 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Mr. W. H. Haydcn will act as referee.

A meeting of ladies connected with the Cathedral parish was held in St. Joseph's Hall on Wednesday evening of last week for the purpose of forming a ladies' club. His Lordship Bishop Verdon was present and explained the objects of the proposed olub. After discussing various matters it was decided that the olub be formed, and

an adjournment was made until Sunday evening in the same plaoe, when there was a representative attendance. The subscription was fixed at 3s per annum, and it was decided to hold the meetings on Wednesday evenings. A gymnastic class will be formed and a lady instructor appointed. The election of a committee resulted as follows : — Miss A. Heley (president), Misses X, Falkner and M. Drumm (vice-presidents), Miss Staunton (treasurer), Miss L. Morkane (secretary), and Misses M. Murphy and £. Johnson. A debate on the question as to whether women should be eligible for election to Parliament took place at the weekly meeting of the South Dunedin Catholic Literary Institute. The Rev. Father Coffcy occupied the chair. The debate was opened by Mr. Foley in an excellent speech, and the arguments brought forward by that gentleman in support of the proposal for the removal of the bar which prevents women from entering Parliament, indicated that he had made a careful study of the details of his subject. Messrs. Carr, Hoare, Fitzgerald, Miscall, Buckley, and Kehoe also took part in the debate. The opinion of the majority of those present was, however, against the proposal.

A letter was received by last mail by Rev. Father Murphy, Adm., St. Joseph's Cathedral, from Rev. E. P. O'Donnell, who was bo well and favorably known during the twelve months of hii ministrations among the Catholic body in Dunedin. Father O'Donnell had a pleasant voyage to Sydney, by Melbourne, and after a stay of a few days with hie relatives in the former city proceeded to Bathurst, for which diocese he was ordained. A few weeks ago the rev. Father was appointed assistant priest in the important mission of Coonamble, abont 1 00 miles from Bathurst. The district has been rendered notable within the past few weeks by the fearful murders committed by the blacks, and Father O'Donnell's ministrations have brought him into the neighborhood where the criminals are still at large and well armed. He reports that the women and children in the outlying districts where the murderers are concealed hare been removed from their dwellings to safer quarters in the nearest townshipt. Father O'Donnell is very favorably impressed with all the parts of the Bathnrst diocese through which he has passed, and is much struck with its present prosperity and future prospects ; but he finds few cities fit to compare with Dunedin for beauty of situation and surroundings, and says he Bhall ever retain pleasant recollections of his sojourn in New Zealand.