COMMONWEALTH NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 27 November 1919, Page 30

COMMONWEALTH NOTES

?•; • NEW SOUTH WALES. . - A very big gathering of people responded to the invitation of the Rev. Mother and' the Community of the Little Company of Mary to be present 1 at the 30th annual meeting held at Lewisham Hospital on Wednesday, October 29. His Excellency the Governor was present, and Lady Davidson, who had a prior engagement at Ashfield, came onto Lewisham later in the afternoon, and evinced much interest in a tour of inspection. His Grace Archbishop Kelly, with Rev. Mother Xavier, personally welcomed the Governor and conducted him to the platform erected in the big marquee, which was crowded with visitors. On the platform' were also his Lordship Bishop Hayden (of Wilcannia-Forbes), the Very Rev. M. J. O’Reilly), Rev. T. Phelan, P.P., Rev. P. J. - Murphy, Adm. St. Mary’s Cathedral), and a number of leading citizens. His Grace Archbishop Kelly formally welcomed his Excellency the Governor, who said that though it was his first visit, he really knew Lewisham Hospital by heart, because since Lady Davidson’s visit there some time ago she literally quoted it right and left, and spoke of it as the bestappointed hospital she had ever seen. He wished to tender his homage right there to the Rev. Mother and the Sisters for their magnificent work. The annual report of Lewisham Hospital showed that the Catholics treated represented a minority. A very representative audience (says the Catholic Press ) gathered in O’Brien’s Hall, Tumut, on the 22nd ult., to hear Rev. Father Devine’s lecture, under the auspices of the Catholic Federation, on “The Child, the School, the Nation.” They came expecting to be entertained and enlightened, and their anticipations' would seem to have been realised by the event, for, during a speech occupying an hour and a quarter, the lecturer held his audience in close attention. The fact is the best tribute that can be paid to Rev. Father Devine’s ability as a public speaker. His subject was difficultit contained many views new to his audience; it traversed very delicate ground at times; but at no time did he offend the susceptibilities of his hearers. Rev. A. Hay-Holden, Presbyterian minister, after thanking the lecturer by seconding a resolution to that effect, made passing comment on a fact stated in the course of the lecture relating to church attendance of Catholics and Protestants. He then spoke briefly of his personal knowledge of the educational system of Scotland. Each denomination had its school, with its religious teacher. The school day opened with prayer and praise, and not only did the teacher give religious instruction in the school, but was also expected to show a good example on the Sabbath Day by regularly attending church and keeping the Sabbath holy. This was the system in Scotland, and that was the reason why Scotland has always been such a power in the land, and has always played such a part in the world’s affairs. The speaker agreed with the lecturer that secular education alone could never make a man, nor yet a true citizen. He was pleased to hear the lecturer (an Australian) refer to the future of the Australian people, and he agreed that they will never become a nation until the child is taught to know and realise that its true life begins in eternity. This can be done only by definite and regular religious instruction in the schools. =-'■

VICTORIA. The Catholic Young Men’s Society, Melbourne, to the number of some 1500, were present on Sunday, November 2, in St. Patrick’s Cathedral at the general Communion. Mass was celebrated at 8 a.m. by his Grace Archbishop Mannix, his Grace Archbishop Redwood, S.M., and CoArchbishop Dr. Barry. Dr. Mannix and some of the visiting prelates were present at the Communion breakfast in the Cathedral Hall at 9 a.m. Speeches were delivered by Archbishop Mannix, Archbishop Redwood, Mr. J. ' Scullin, ex-M.H.R., and others. The toasts honored included “His Holiness the Pope” and “The Hierarchy and Clergy.” At 11 a.m. the Bishop of Ballarat (the Right Rev. Dr. Foley) pontificated in the Cathedral. Archbishop Mannix presided ‘ and several of the visiting prelates were also in the sanctuary. The choral part of the Mass was of special excellence. At 3 p.m. Dr. Mannix and the visiting prelates attended a sacred concert given by St. Augustine’s Band in the Fitzroy Gardens. There was a great gathering, and the prelates were given a most cordial welcome. At 7 p.m. Solemn Vespers were given in the Cathedral, at which Archbishop . Mannix presided. The Very Rev. Father W. J. Lockington, S.J., preached. His theme was “Ideals of the Irish People.” >' J */ - [A report of Father Lockington’s discourse appears on another page in this issue.—Ed. N.Z.T.'] .

The Auditorium in Melbourne in which the Irish Race Convention took place is "a very spacious building, designed to accommodate a huge audience in its pit, dress circle, and galleries. But if it had been .double the size it would not. have held one-third of the crowd that gathered before the Convention was opened (says the Freeman’s Journal), The people overflowed the footpath on to the tramway line, and it took the police all their, time to keep the traffic clear. . When the doors were opened there was a terrific rush in which would-be spectators and official delegates , became almost inextricably intermingled. Heavever, the committee in charge of the arrangements managed to stem the tide, and those who had a right to a seat were not disappointed. The delegates .occupied the floor space facing the platform, and the Irish cause in Australia , never ought together a. finer body of men. The two great balconies were packed almost to suffocation with a privileged audience, amongst which the fair sex was conspicuous. Outside in the street those who had been turned away remained to cheer the distinguished visitors as they arrived. His Grace Dr. Mannix was enthusiastically hailed when he appeared on the scene, and Hon. T. J. Ryan is not likely to soon forget the warmth of his reception. Then as the prelates from the various States made their appearance they ■ were warmly , welcomed by those within and without , the Auditorium. His Grace the Archbishop of Sydney arrived after the proceedings had commenced, and with him. was his Lordship Dr. Dwyer, Bishop of Maitland. Headwinds and a choppy sea had delayed the passage of the Wandilla, on which they travelled, and the boat was only berthing at about the time the Convention met. However, the Archbishop of Melbourne’s car was awaiting them, and they were hurried to the historic scene, and took their seats amid a burst of applause. It was a brave sight this platform of which nearly all our great Church dignitaries were gathered together, supported by priests and laymen prominent in our communal life. And as the audience realised what it meant — powerful amity of the friends of Ireland in Australia on behalf of self-deter-spontaneous cheering broke out, to be renewed enthusiastically when Dr. Mannix arose to deliver his opening address. Thereafter the building almost continuously shook with applause, the various speakers without exception captivating the assemblage. The venerable Archbishop of Wellington, Dr. Redwood, electrified the audience when he spoke, as an Englishman, of Ireland’s ill-treatment. Our own Archbishop, addressing himself to the practical side of the self-determination movement, was in magnificent form, and made a great impression on the Melbourneites by his direct and stirring words. The enthusiasm evoked by the sentiments of the various speakers bubbled over again when Dr. Mannix announced that the subscription list had been spontaneously started by handsome donations from Mrs. Ryan, Archbishop Kelly, and Bishop Carroll of Lismore, who had been unable to attend. But it reached its apex when the business was finished, and the gathering rose to sing “God Save Ireland.” We have often heard it sung, but never before with such a ring and such an elan.

QUEENSLAND. The annual Retreat for the students of St. Leo’s University College, Brisbane, was conducted this year by the Very Rev. A. T. Herring, S.M., of Temuka, Christchurch, New Zealand (says the Catholic Advocate of November 6). The eloquent Missioner’s scholarly addresses were followed with great interest by the students, and the Retreat was brought to a successful conclusion after three days of devotional exercises, by a general Communion of all the students. Father Herring was entertained to dinner in the College, by the Rector on Monday evening, when the occasion was taken to present the kindly Missioner with a suitable presentation from the students, and to voice the thanks of all to him for conducting the annual Retreat. Father Herring, in his reply, said he was particularly taken with the esprit de corps of the young men in residence at St. Leo’s, and he hoped that they would always maintain the grand spirit and fidelity to their College which they now possessed. He thanked the Rev. Rector for inviting him to St. Leo’s, and said he deemed it a great privilege to conduct the first Retreat he had ever given to University students. He congratulated the Archbishop on the establishment of the College, and regarded it as the most important project, and, indeed, one of the most successful his Grace had launched since his advent as Archbishop to the archdiocese.