INTERCOLONIAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 38, 18 September 1902, Page 7

INTERCOLONIAL.

The Christian Brothers in Melbourne celebrate their first centenary on September 14, whtn there were special services in the Cathedral. In an article contributed to the Advocate stress is laid on the fact that the majority of the Brothers here are Australian natives. Among recent arrivals in Sydney is the Very Rev. Father Meyer, Vißitator of the Sacred Heart Missions in Australasia. During bis absence, which extended over Beveral months, Father Meyer visited the mission stations in New Guinea, New Britain, Marshall Island, and other islands in charge of the Sacred Heart missionaries. Late news from the Islands (says the Freeman's Journal) seems to indicate that disaster has overtaken Father Rouillao's gallant little barque Eclipse, which was Btranded some time ago on the windward side of Guadalcanar Island. On making inquiries at St. Patrick^ we are informed that the Titus, which arrived in Sydney last week, had not brought the usual mails from the Marist mission station, where Father Rouillac ia settled. This was owing to the fact that stormy conditions prevented the Titus from landing. Consequently the Marist Fathers in Sydney have no intelligence regarding the safety or otherwise of the romantic schooner and her intrepid captain. Sincere regret is felt in South Australia at the death of the Rev. Alfred Rees, C.P., Vice-Rector of the Papsionist Monastery, Glen Osmond. In company with Very Rev. Hi lary Mara (rector) and Rev. Bernard Robertson, Father Alfred went for a bathe in the Glenelg baths. To the dismay of his companions, the rev. gentleman was eeen to struggle in the water, but they, being unable to swim, called assistance. All efforts by the doctors to restore animation failed. Dr. O'Leary gave it as his opinion that the rather weak constitution of the rev. gentleman, added to the extreme cold of the water, contributed much to the fatality. The deceased priest was one of the meet zealous of the devoted band of missionaries of the Passionist Order. The H.A.C.B. Society in New South Waleß (writes the Sydney correspondent of the Adelaide Southern Crosx) ih making great headway. They are enjoying what may be described as a second spring. Since the beginning of the year they have eecured over 1000 new members in this State, and scarcely a week passes without the formation of two or three new branches. The Bishops are doing everything in their power to push on the society. There are 23.000 Hibernians now in Australasia, and their funds amount to £140,000. Our friendly societies are the bulwarks of the Church in Australia, and one of the greatest influences we can command in uplifting our people. Where the Catholic friendly society is strorg the Church is also strong, and — a matter also of much importance — Catholic journalism, which means active Catholic thought, is also prosperous. Somebody has said (wiites a Melbourne correspondent) that the Catholic Church has taken pos-stsßion of Eastern Hill. There are good grounds for the statement. We have St. Patrick's Cathedral, the St Vincent's Hospital, St. Patrick's College, the new Convent of Charity, the new Catholis hail about to be commenced, and the St. Joseph's Providence for Working Girls, which has just been completed at a cost of £3000. Seven religious and educational buildings within the radius of a few acres, and on the most picturesque and commanding en.inei cc of 'Marvellous Melbourne,' is a fact v»Lich fpeaks much for the prcgret-srf Catboliciiy in this Stale. The proximate value of these Fevtn buildings is about half a million sterling, and the new St Vincent's Hospital when completed will add £30,000 more to these valuable assets, in Catholic hards. His Lordship Bishop Doyle, of LinnGre (says the Catholic Press), is to be congratulated on the splendid fight be made for the principle that all all presbyteries should be frte frcm rates. At the beginning the local Council behaved harshly, and his Lordship treated them as they deserved. The case came before the District Court, and the Judge upheld the ccntention of the Bishop that the Council had no claim on him '1 he Full Court, however, was appealed to to settle the question, ar.d they have laid dov»n that presbyteries are rateable. Then the Bishop showed the magnificent generosity for which he is noted. He announced his intention not only to pay the amount of the verdict, but aUo back moneys on which the Council has no legal claim. He also expressed his gladness that the question which has caused trouble in the municipalities throughout the State is finally settled. Bishop Doyle has done more for Lismore than any other man, and he has rendered gnat services in public matters in other parts of the diocesee. Started only eight years ago by a community of Sinters of Charity from the Mother-house in Sydney, St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, has made rapid strides in popular appreciation of a great work splendidly carried out. Ibe eighth annual report, recently presented, shows that no fewer than 30 026 attendances are recorded in connection with the out-patientb 1 department Of a total of 10,440 patients treated during the year, SUS wore inpatients, of whom 474 were discharged cured or relieved. Of the patients enumerated, 34 f>B were non-Cat holies. The staff of physicians, purgeocs, specialists, etc , makes an imputing guarantee of Bcientifio resources of St. Vincent's, which ia now oie of the best training schools for nursts in the Cod momualth. The total receipts for the year amounted to £3321, and the expenditure of £3205, the overdraft of £806 -with which the year's operations began being reduced to £(j ( ,)2. That such a great work (hays the Freeman i Journal) could be carried out with such economy would seem ridiculous did we not know that it is conducted by the noble order of charity. Knowing that, one is not surprised to learn that £486 (say £9 per week) is the amount spent on salaries.