NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 84, 5 December 1874, Page 7

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Owxng to the fact that there is no medical man located at St. Bathan's, the formation of the Medical Aid Club has been temporarily deferred. A committee, however, has been appointed, and we understand there is a probability of a branch of the Hibernian Society being opened in the district, as also of other benefit societies. By such an arrangement a sufficient sum would be guaranteed to a medical man, and thus the object sought by the club would be attained. With regard to the Hibernian Association, we have been informed that eighteen months since a dispensation from the Executive Directory at Melbourne was obtained for the establishment of a lodge at St. Bathan's, the preliminary expenses of which have been already defrayed, and as the late president of St. Joseph's Lodge, Dunedin, Mr. F. Bunny, is now a resident of the district, we have little doubt he will receive the necessary authority for opening the contemplated branch. We IiEABK that the Bey. Father Bolland, who was removed some bix months ago from the West Coast, has been re-transferred to that district. We understand the rev. gentleman will be placed in charge of the Grey Biver Valley, lately vacated by the removal of the Bey. Father Pertrius to Wellington. The ' Thames Advertiser 1 states that a letter has been received by a gentleman resident in Shortland, from the Bey. Father Nivard, who left New Zealand some time since for the Chinese mission. At the time of writing the rev. gentleman was in the enjoyment of excellent health, and making rapid progress in acquiring the Chinese language. The Choral Society gave their second concert of the season on Tuesday evening, in the university Hall, the piece chosen being Sullivan's .Oratorio of " The Prodigal Sou." The attendance was good, but no doubt, owing to the late attraction of Madame Goddard's concerts, as much time as usual had not been devoted to rehearsal, and, as a consequence, it was not so successful as others given by the society. The second part of the programme was of a miscellaneous nature, introducing selections from " Lucrezia Borgia," and " Lucia di Lammermoor," in addition to several choice songs. The concert, as usual, was under the conductorship of Mr. Towsey, the principal vocalists being the Misses Dick and Marshall, and Messrs. Newbury and Towsey. The International Bine Match between the Irish and American Teams took place on the 26th September, and terminated in a victory by 3 points in favor of the latter, a result which, however, would have been reversed but for an unfortunate mistake on the part of one of the representatives of Ireland. The distances were 800, 900, and 1,000 yards, at which 15 shots were fired at each range, six competing i on each side. As 1,080 was the highest possible score that could be obtained, some idea of the shooting may be realised when it is stated that the Americans scored 934, and their opponents 931. During the match, Mr. Milner, one of the Irish team, fired by mistake at a wrong target, at which lie made a bull's eye, which, if added to the score of hia side, would have made the Irishmen 935, against 934, thus leaving them, winners by one point. The target used on the occasion was of iron, cix feet high, by twelve -wide, the bull's eye being three feet square. The highest scores during the match were made by Fulton tot the Americans with 171 ; a: id Bigby, of the Irish team, with 163. The Irish Team was accompanied to America by Sir Maurice Brooks, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Lord aiid Lady Massarene, Viscount Ferrard,Alderman Manning, of Dublin, and a number of Irish ladies. A detailed account will be found in : "other column. Ihb contemplated trip of I_ i3srs. Williamson and Sheelian, the Super, utendent and Provincial E^reforsp of Auckland, has been abandoned at the remonstrance of Colonial Secretary. While paying due deference to the notificatioi n-o»i the Government, the Superintendent defends the necessity and -wisdom which prompted the step, and duclareß that the Premier bof ole his departure was aware and approved of the design. " peaking of the Most Bey. Dr. Bed wood, in a paragraph before tbc-ijArival of his Lordship, the ' Colonist' says : — " We understand t)f&4if& Bishop of Wellington is expected tp arrive in Nelson about fhe&A of the present month. Bishop Bedwood has many old friends ajv^geJiool-fello'Wß in Nelson, wio will be glad to see him once more, and there are numerous friends of his family outside of his own Church, who will -welcome him on his return to the scenes of his boyhood. It is said that the Catholic Church is at the present time more than usually vigilant in selecting for the office of Bishop, none but men of the most approved ability and force of character,' and the new~ Bishop of Wellington is reported to be a more than ordinarily able

man. . His Lordship's family came to New Zealand when hewasquito a child, and he received his education at St. Mary's, Nelson, under the direction of the Bey. Father Garin^ T>is is the. first instance of a youth educated in this Colony rising! to ; such a high and important ecclesiastical distinction. Many old settlers will rejoice to do honour to Dr.- Francis Bedwood, the worthy son of an honored father. Differences of faith need not defer paying proper respect to men of ability and position in other communions, and especially they should not do so in a case like this, where we are hound to the individual by so many local ties and pleasant memories of byegone days." It max be remembered that on the hist visit of Smith's Combination Troupe to this City, an item in the performances given to juveniles was a monster head, which appeared on the stage. At the v time, the Press were unanimous in denouncing its introduction, and we regret learn that a continuance of it as part of the programme has been attended with melancholy results. The • Thames Advertiser' states : — "A very melancholy case of insanity occurred in Auckland during the visit of Smith's Combination Variety Troupe, about three months ago, which, we are sorry to learn has, contrary to expectation, proved permanent in its effects. The unfortunate sufferer is a little girl living on the west side of the city, who attended the exhibitions, and was thrown into a violent state of terror by the appearance of the huge and ugly head of ' Grandfather,' who is made to devour two little boys belonging to the Castro family. Many children who attended the exhibition afterwards suffered severe nervous disorganisation, particularly from terrible dreams and startings, but in all instances in their sleep, so far as we have heard, with the exception of the poor child now alluded to, the effect of the fright gradually -wore off. "hi the case of the little girl mentioned, however, reason seems to have been completely unhinged, and the child, previously an intelligent, sensitive girl, shows signs of permanent imbecility." The opening and consecration of the newly-erected Catholic Church, at Greenstone, formed quite an interesting event in that district on Wednesday week. The church, we understand, is a very neat and substantial structure, picturesquely situated on the hill at the entrance to the new township, and a building which reflects credit upon the liberality of the congregation, upon the industry of the pastor and committee, of which Mr. F. Keenau is chairman, and upon the builder, Mr. J. H. King. At the ceremony of opening (says the ' Hokitika Leader') the officiating clergymen were the Bey. Fathers Ecuyer, Martin, M'Guinness, and Chareyre, the latter being the local pastor. After High Mass and the Benediction, Father Ecuyer preached an eloquent opening sermon, and the congregation testified their interest in the work by a liberal subscription, which will go far to freeing the committee from any liabilities. In the celebration of the Mass, the Misses Fitzsimmons, of Hokitika, sang, and Mr. Gossou accompanied on the harmonium, and it is scarcely necessary to say that their contribution to the solemnity of the service was, in an artistic point of view, admirable. Other residents of Hokitika intentifed to have been present, but illness and the unpleasant weather of the previous day interfered. As it was, there Avas a large attendance from all parts of the surrounding district, and there was a general expression of satisfaction with the building, and the appropriateness of the several services by which its opening was accompanied. The fancy bazaar and gift auction, given in aid of St. Patrick's Church Building Fund, Naseby, has proved a thorough success, a sum of over £240 being realised for the laudable purpose for which it was organised. The local journal devotes a large amount of space to a detailed description of the amusements and prizes, and speaks of the untiring efforts of the lady stall-holders on its behalf, to whose unwearied zeal the success is mainly attributable. An original item in connection with the programme was a " Grand Donkey Procession," in -which this patient and enduring animal was richly caparisoned with festoons and diminutive flags.

" A srRAJf ge eumottb," says the ' London Universe,' '"' is going the rounds about the little gentleman who played such a conspicuous part in the Orton trial. It is said that Dr. Kenealy has purchased au estate in the county of Cork, and that he has determined to call it the Tichborne Dole." It is to be hoped, for the sake of the. good people of Cork, that there is no truth in this doleful story, and that this anti, Irish Irishman will devote all his time and presence to bis pet project "TheEnglisliman."