Commonwealth Notes

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 9, 11 March 1925, Page 43

Commonwealth Notes

NEW SOUTH WALES. The Rev. A. J. Martin, chaplain to the Australian Navy, who for the past year has been cruising round the world on H.M.S. “Adelaide,” was in Rome on December 30. He had the privilege a few days later of an audience with the Holy Father, and was the first Australian to have that privilege in the Year of Jubilee, 1925. Father Martin also had interviews with Cardinals Bourne and Mercier. In our issue of the 11th inst (says the Catholic Press for February 26) it was stated that the Broome branch of the Holy Name Society, happily inaugurated by his Lordship Right Rev. Dr. Coppo, S.C., was the first to be established in Australia. We are informed that the society was introduced some years ago into the Commonwealth by the Dominican Fathers. _ A flourishing branch exists in St. Laurence’s Church, North Adelaide. Branches are also to be found in the Melbourne archdiocese. There is a branch in Helensburg, N.S.W. The Holy Name Society, a Dominican affiliation, is centuries old. It has achieved notable success in U.S.A., the membership there aggregating nearly 2,000,000 men. [We print this paragraph owing to the fact that the statement referred to was extracted by us from the Press. Speaking at Lithgow the other afternoon (says the Freeman's Journal) his Grace Archbishop Kelly said Australia was essentially an agricultural and industrial country. This meant that energy must be expended if developments were to occur. Those who merely looked for gold would not do much for their country. Lithgow was distinctly an industrial centre, for God had given the district a wealth of minerals which Australia needed. But Lithgow’s industries would not flourish as they should,. and the amount of money that would circulate in wages and thus give employment to others would not be as great unless everyone in the industry was prepared to make it a success. Every working man and woman should be a capitalist, should save some of their wages and employ those savings in producing more. It was upon the proper employment of their wages that prosperity would depend, and upon the manner each endeavored to improve himself and herself. He would not have a man at the head of a union, or even an official who had not been a prosperous man in other things, who did not own his own house, or who was not capable of advising and planning for the improvement of his fellows, and of carrying put those plans. A man without any stake in the country was not the man to lead or advise others who had. They were like clouds which scattered in the time of drought. Mere words were nothing. Like the tree that did not bear fruit, they were not of any valuevery often not even for firewood. Every man who lived- within his wages was a capitalist, and as a capitalist he should use his money wisely, and every man who worked in an industry should have ’ the success of it at heart. That was the spirit they got from the Catholic schools. .

VICTORIA. Mandeville Hall, Toorak, which a few decades ago was the palatial residence of a wealthy landowner, and was lately acquired for a convent by the Loreto Nuns, was blessed and formally opened on a recent Sunday afternoon. His Excellency the Apostolic Delegate officiated, and was attended by his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne, the Rev. Father M. I. O’Brien, I*.P. (Toorak), the Very Rev. Father J. S. Bourke, S.J., and the Rev. Father J. Foster, S.J. Over a thousand people assembled in the spacious grounds, where the St. Vincent do Paul’s Boys’ Orphanage Band played appropriate musical selections. Father O’Brien, P.P., on behalf of the Mother Provincial and community, cordially welcomed his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate and his Grace the Archbishop. The establishment of the Sisters of Loreto in the parish had the warm approval of his Grace, and the parish was indeed blessed in having the Sisters, who were capable of giving the highest education to their pupils. His Excellency said he did not know how long he would be left in Australia, but he was delighted that his sojourn had been long enough for him to be present on that memorable day, to have the privilege of blessing such a beautiful building. The Archbishop, who was greeted with sustained applause, said that though perhaps he had more words in English at his command than his Excellency, he failed in regard to gesture. His Excellency was able to convey with a gesture more than he (the Archbishop) could do in the course of a long passage. In addition to thanking him for his address, he had to thank his Excellency for the privilege he had conferred on the Sisters by coming at such inconvenience to bless and formally open the new Loreto Convent. “Having heard many boys’ bands in England and on the Continent, I maintain that St. Augustine’s Boys’ Band, Geelong, can still, with justice, lay claim to being the best boys’ band in the world,” said Mr. A. H. Baile, conductor of the fine Newcastle: Steel Works Band, which has only recently returned from a successful tour abroad. These remarks were made on the occasion, of a visit lately paid to St. Augustine’s Orphanage by the members of the Newcastleband at the invitation of Rev. Brother Crowley. Amongst the visitors were the Mayor of Geelong (Cr. Ritchie), Mr. W. Brownbill, M.L.A., Cr. J. A. Thear. After St, Augustine’s Band had rendered several musical items, the party was shown over the institution. Jlefreshments were served in the library. Brother Crowley, in welcoming the bandsmen, referred to the kindlyi spirit shown by the Newcastle band to the St. Augustine’s boys when they had met in competition two years ago at Ballarat. Newcastle bandsmen then offered to assist the St. Augustine’s Band with a concert in Newcastle if the Geelong boys should make a tour. It was gratifying to know that iSt* i Augustine’s had two of their old boys present who had assisted the Newcastle band in obtaining great , honor abroad. The-

mayor said they were proud as Australians of the success of the Newcastle Steel - Works Baud. The band had made a wonderful impression on those who had heard it. These remarks were supported by Messrs. Brownbill, Thear, and Percy Jones. Mr. Baile said the band was delighted with its reception in Geelong. Ho referred in complimentary terms to the ability of , Mr. Percy Jones, and paid, the above high tribute to St. Augustine’s Boys’ Band, with which’ Professor Beard was enraptured, and which Mr. Ord Hume pronounced “the best boys’ band in the world,” saying: “If this band would travel the world it would paralyse the world.” Besides winning the A grade championship contest and Quick Step in Australia, St. Augustine’s Band permanently holds the Sutton Shield, the Boosey Cup, and the Sutton Cup. • QUEENSLAND.J With a view to providing for the future needs of the Church, his Grace the Archbishop, with his usual foresight, has just purchased a charming elevated site on the Brisbane River, a few miles above the property recently acquired as a site for a college (writes the Brisbane correspondent of the Catholic Press). This, latest site contains 49 acres of excellent land, yielding fruit and vegetables of many varieties. The principal portion of it is a glorious hill immediately over the river, and known as Mt. Hominey. The view from this hill is really incomparable. It was regarded by its discoverer, Dr. Simpson, as the finest elevation on the banks of the Brisbane River. The vistas of. scenery make a truly delightful picture, while the isloation and solitude.give a sense of peace, not always to be found within eight miles of a capital city. It is not unlikely that this site will later be used for a novitiate. By purchasing it now his Grace has secured it for the Church at a figure that would not probably purchase a tenth pait of it five years hence. Mt. Hominey overlooks the 700 acres of land on the opposite bank of the river, which were the princely gift of-a leading Brisbane Catholic (Dr. J;’ . O’Neil Mayne), to the University of Queensland, in connection with the Chair of Agriculture, v which is just about to : be established.