Intercolonial

New Zealand Tablet, 19 October 1916, Page 49

Intercolonial

Among the D.S.O.’s in the latest list of honors (says the Southern Cross ) is a Catholic chaplain, Captain the Rev. John Joseph Kennedy, of Victoria. He carried wounded men from the front trenches to the dressing-station under heavy fire during a whole night, performing most gallant work. This is the second D.S.O. gained by the Australian Catholic chaplains, the other being the Rev. J. Fahey, of Western Australia. '

The annual report and balance sheet of St. Vincent’s Hospital for the year ended June 30, 1916, shows that the work for the year, as compared with previous years, has increased considerably, and that the expenditure has increased proportionately (says the Melbourne Advocate). The number of inpatients treated was 2754 outpatients, 17,307, while the attendances totalled 85,211. The casualties treated at the hospital numbered 4421, and the dental cases 1184. The receipts for the maintenance of the hospital totalled .£15,664, while the expenditure was £17,458. The overdraft was £5045. This overdraft included £3251 brought forward from the preceding year. The Sisters of Charity hope that the treasurer will recognise the claim of St. Vincent’s Hospital to an increased grant.

Chaplain Father P. Hayes, of Western Australia, who has been recuperating in England after a spell in Egypt, writes an interesting letter to a friend in Perth, in which he says: ‘ I am very comfortable just now, and so are all the men, in a nice country part of England. The Australian troops were amazed at the first sight of England. Just out from the burning sandy deserts of Egypt, the contrast was almost too much for them. They absolutely fell in love with the never-ending green fields. We were riding through the best part of England at the best season (June). Certainly it looked splendid. The people, too, were very kind and enthusiastic, cheering all along the line, and providing refreshments at two stations. The hospitals here are splendid. I visit a big military hospital very regularly. The English patients and nurses are surprised at the friendship between Australians and priests. Even the English priest also visiting told me that our fellows were far freer and nicer than his own. Fathers Fahey and Brennan are in France. I don’t know when my turn will come. I am prepared to go at any moment. So far I have got on exceedingly well.’

Consequent upon the consecration of the Right Rev. Dr. Foley, as Bishop of Ballarat, a number of changes in the diocese have been made (says the Sydney Freeman). Rev. Father M. Shanahan, parish priest at Hamilton, has been appointed Dean of Ballarat, but will remain in his present charge. Rev. Father P. Kennedy, Administrator of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat, has been promoted to the charge of Colac parish, in succession to the late Dean Nelan. Rev. Father P. Devane, of Bungaree, is to be transferred to Terang in succession to Bishop Foley. Rev. Father J. Kerin, of Koroit, has been appointed Administrator of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat, in succession to Rev. Father Kennedy. Rev. Father J. McAuley, of Warrnambool, is to be transferred to Koroit. Rev Father M. Mulcahey, of Ballarat West, for some years private secretary to the late Bishop Higgins, is to succeed Father McAuley at Warrnambool. The new Dean of Ballarat is probably the oldest priest in the Ballarat diocese, to which he has been attached for over 40 years. He was stationed at Clunes in its prosperous years. The new Dean is popular with all denominations. C

No naval secret is more carefully guarded .than that of the code-book. The box in which this volume is kept is weighted with lead and perforated, so that it will sink on thrown overboard last act of a captain when a ship is taken into action.