Commonwealth Notes

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 37, 20 September 1923, Page 35

Commonwealth Notes

NEW SOUTH WALES. Rev. Father W- J. Lockington, S.J., late Superior of the Society of Jesus in Australia, who was recently lecturing in Britain on his homeward journey, was accorded a private audience with the Pope. His Holiness was graciously pleased to accept from him a specially-bound copy of his well-known book, The Soul of Ireland, which, it is understood, will be added to the special section of the Vatican Library devoted exclusively to Irish literature. Father Lockington, who reached Australia the other week, is giving his lecture on Lourdes at Perth. He obtained a fine collection of additional lantern slides. Sydney just now (says the Freeman’s Journal for September 6) is busy entertaining a number of prelates from the various States en route to the Bathurst celebrations. As guests of his Grace the Archbishop at St. Mary’s Presbytery are the Archbishop of Melbourne (Dr. Mannix), the Archbishop of Brisbane (Dr. Duhig), their Lordships the Bishop of Ballarat (Dr. Foley), the Bishop of Sandhurst (Dr. McCarthy), and the Bishop of Kimberley (Dr. Coppo). Elsewhere are the Bishops of Maitland (Dr. Dwyer), the Bishop of Armidale (Dr, O’Connor), the Bishop of Lismoro (Dr. Carroll), and the recently consecrated Bishop of Gcraldton (Dr, Ryan). A special carriage by the Bathurst train has been reserved for the party on Friday morning.

VICTORIA. At a. General Chapter of the Irish Augustinians on June 19, the Very Rev. Father L. Maddock was elected Prior of Echuca in place of the Rev. Father M. V. Foley. Prior Maddock was stationed at Ivy ab ram, one of the three Augustinian establishments in Victoria. The Rev. Father P. Bolger, 0.5. A., has been transferred from Dungarvan, Ireland, to Australia.

Yet another Victorian has set a good example to our wealthy Catholics by remembering charities in his will. Hugh McCartin, late of Leongatha, stock and station agent, who died on May 24, left estate valued at £42,604 18s 9d. This consisted of realty £24,671 ss, and personalty £17,933 13s 9d. Testator bequeathed legacies of £IOO to each of the following charitable institutions: St. Vincent's Hospital, the Little Sisters of the Poor, Northcote; Convent of Good Shepherd, Abbotsford; Catholic Foundling Hospital, Broadmeadows; St. Joseph's Home, Surrey Hills; St. Vincent de Paul's Girls' and Boys' Orphanages, South Melbourne. The balance of the estate went to his relatives.

A recent endeavor to discover the oldest living Australian native has resulted in that honor being claimed by Mrs. Williams, now of Ararat, who was born in Melbourne on September 18, 1838, just 85 years ago, when the site of the future city was a dense scrub, peopled by blacks. Interesting reminiscences were obtained of those far-off days, when raids by the blacks upon the scattered homesteads of the white settlers were of frequent occurrence. Mrs. Williams was married in the Catholic church at Kilmore in the year 1858, and travelled by bullock waggon to the goldfields at Ararat, where she has continued to reside since the death of her husband many years ago.

The annual Wattle Day appeal, on behalf of the children's charities of Melbourne, was favored by brilliant sunshine, reflecting its beneficent rays within the hearts of the generously charitable public, and on the sweet, golden blossoms that each year make their eloquent, though silent, plea for the tiny flowers of the great human family whose little lives have already been shadowed by pain and suffering within many a hospital ward, or who, on the very threshold of life, have been abandoned by their natural protectors to the kindly hands of strangers in a foundling institution. A severe 1 , handicap was imposed on the unselfish workers' efforts by the refusal of the Melbourne City Council to allow the erection of temporary kiosks or decorated motor cars as depots for the display, of goods for sale. The president (Mrs. S. Winter), however, anticipates that the total receipts will exceed £6OOO this year, as against £5293 \ 9s Id last year. Two thousand helpers took part in the work. Among the Catholic institutions to benefit by the Wattle Day appeal are the following: St. Anthony's Home, Kew; Broadmeadows Foundling Hospital; St. Vincent de Paul's Girls' Orphanage and Boys'

Orphanage, South Melbourne; St. Joseph's Home, Surrey Hills; St. Joseph's, Grattan Street, Carlton; Santa Oasa Rest Home, Queenscliff; St. Augustine's Boys' Orphanage, Geelong; and St. Catherine's Girls' Orphanage, Geelong. i

QUEENSLAND. The establishment of a farm college in connection with the Church in Queensland has now passed the negotiation stage, his Grace Archbishop Duhig having completed arrangements with the owner of the ideal property at Mapleton (Mr. James Miller), and is taking over at the end of October. The ground is over 100 acres in extent, nearly 40 acres of which are planted, and producing a marvellous orange crop. It is beautifully situated, and from all sides there can be seen a panoramic-view which cannot be surpassed from any other part of the Blackall Range, of which it is a part. The residence is a fine, commodious one, and can easily accommodate at present a dozen students. Regarding the soil, like all the land in that area, it is rich and deep, and the district is blessed with an unfailing rainfall. By the purchase of this property, and the encouragement given thereby to young students to fit themselves to go on the land, his Grace is showing his practical turn of mind, and giving effect to his constant advice to the young generation to develop our primary industries more than has been the practice of our Catholic people hitherto. The property is being taken over as a going concern, the purchase comprising everything concerned with its working, including packing sheds and instruments, spraying machine, horses, cows, waggons, and other plant. Quite recently (says the Catholic Advocate, Brisbane) his Grace the Archbishop, accompanied by the Vicar-Gen-eral of the Diocese, Monsignor Byrne, and Father Denis Ahern, inspected Booval House and grounds with a view to purchasing same for use as a convent. His Grace has since successfully negotiated for the property. The house is a two-storey brick residence, and the site is considered tle finest in Booval. It commands a glorious view, and is visible on every side from the railway. The parishioners are very pleased that the property has been acquired at the very reasonable figure of £.950, and under Father Ahern leadership they are working enthusiastically to pay for the place and prepare it for the coming of the Sisters. It is most fortunate that this property was on the market, because it would have taken at least three tunes the amount of the purchase money to build a convent, apart altogether from the acquisition of so suitable a site. It is interesting to note that one of the early Governors of Queensland was a guest in this house on the occasion of his visit to Ipswich.

WEST AUSTRALIA. The Sisters of the Sacred Heart Convent, Highgate, are pleased to inform all clients of "The Little Flower" that a Novena of Masses will be offered in preparation for her Feast Day, September 30, for the intentions of those who have contributed towards the erection of the convent chapel in memory of Blessed Teresa. The donation of one brick will entitle subscribers to a share in these privileges. <><X>_

HIBERNIAN CLUB, PORT CHALMERS A highly successful euchre party was held by the members of the above club in St. Joseph's Convent schoolroom, Port Chalmers, on a recent evening. The attendance was excellent, and included a number of visitors from St. Joseph's Ladies' Club, Dunedin. Bro. J. Eagar, on behalf of the club member, extended a warm welcome to the visitors, and expressed the hope that they would all enjoy themselves. The prize winners were (ladies), Mrs. Duncan and Miss Knott, (gents) Mr. Butt and Master Monti. A pianoforte duet by the Misses Lindsay, a pianoforte solo by Miss F. Montgomery, and a recitation by Miss Mary Geddes added much to the pleasure of the evening. The Misses Hart, Craig, and Borlace, aided by their capable assistants, dispensed supper sustaining the reputation they now hold in this respect. The chairman (Bro. W. D. Mead) in thanking the ladies for their assistance, and all present for their attendance, expressed' the wish that the visitors from Dunedin would favor them by another visit' on a future occasion, h (Applause.) : Community singing (Miss Hart presiding at the piano) brought a very happy evening to a conclusion. r