NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 102, 10 April 1875, Page 12

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Wb teg to inform our country subscribers that our collector, Mr. John Murray, trill leave town during the course of the -week for the purpose of collecting accounts due the Tablet. We make this intimation so that persons indebted to us, having had timely warning, may be prepared for his visit. Wi are pleased to have to inform our readers that Ms Lordship the Most Rev- Dr. Moran, has kindly consented to deliver a lecture in this city in aid of the fund fox the erection of a Church in Port Chalmers. The subject chosen by his Lordship is •* The Bankruptcy of Liberalism," ■which, considering the present anomalous state of affairs in Europe, will be fraught with interest. The evening upon which the lecture will be delivered has not yet been fixed upon, but we understand it will be sometime toward the close of the present month. It is a prevailing opinion that editors are, in a great measure, exempt from the ills and inconveniences of ordinary humanity. If there be any grounds for the supposition, the Auckland brethren are a notable exception. From a local journal we learn that not only are a couple of editors in that city prostrated with the measles, but that its spread threatens the existence of journalism in that devoted locality. It would appear the run-boys of one of the offices are-down with the epidemic, and the journal in question contains an apology to its readers for the consequent non-delivery of their papers. "We have often heard that " music hath charms to soothe the savage breast," but we were not previously aware it had the effect of causing a canine " shuffling off the mortal coil." According to the 'Westport Times/ a dog recently died in that town — and several others are seriously indisposed — from the effects of the performanceof theWestportTownßand. .The compliment is a graceful one, and the delicate manner in which it is conveyed forms its greatest charm, and will, no doubt, be duly appreciated by the clever musicians alluded to. The public will learn with regret of the death of his Honor Judge Gray, which took place on Sunday hist, at Lawrence. The event "was not unexpected, as for some time past the deceased gentleman had been gradually growing weaker ;• but there can be little doubt that the efforts ■ made on his last official appearance were too great a tax upon his strength, and hastened the end. Prom the columns of the ' Guardian' we clip a very lengthy and comprehensive obituary notice, but we take leave to correct one error which appears in it. Mr Wilson Gray did not arrive in New Zealand in 1863, as stated, but in October, 1862, in the steamer Aldinga. This, however, is of little moment, and we feel assured the career of a man who had won the esteem and respect of the community will be read with interest. The funeral took place on Tuesday, and was the largest ever seen in Dunedin. All classes of the community joined in the procession, and all creeds met to follow the remains of one so universally respected and regretted. The Catholics of Dunedin were represented by his Lordship the Most Uev. Dr. Moran, the Vicar-General, and the Hibernian Society, who mustered in good numbers. The countrymen of the deceased wore the distinguishing mark of a green ribbon on their breast. Thb final cricket match for the Challenge Cup was concluded on Saturday evening, resulting in a victory for the Merchants and Agents. The struggle had been narrowed down to a contest between that team and the Press, and although the Fourth Estate went to the wickets with 12 runs to their credit from the innings of the previous Saturday, they were easily disposed of by their i opponents — a result mainly owing to the magnificent batting of Macfarlane, who scored 40, not out. Although, on Saturday, the - Press were disposed of for the low score of 49, their hopes were raised on their taking the field by taking two wickets without a single run being scored. However, fortune declared otherwise, and the Merchants and Agents became the champions of the season. Mb. Justice Williams, in his charge to the grand jury of Christchurch, in opening the Criminal Sessions, denounced in rather emphatic terms the purely secular education of the rising generation, expressing an opinion that if we wish to reap the benefits conferred by education, moral and religious instruction must be combined. It has been asserted that the education of the masses, without the safeguard of a moral and religious training, often places facilities in the hands of the weak for the commission of crime, and the remarks of the learned judge would go to bear out the assertion. In referring to the frequent occurrence of forgeries, his Honor said that " ignorance was the parent of many crimes, but that it required a certain amount of education to perpertrate frauds successfully. As education was more widely diffused it might reasonably be expected that crimes of violence would diminish, but it would be unfortunate if crimes of fraud increased. Noble efforts are being made to promote education, but education to be complete must develope the moral sentiments as ■well as the intellectual powers. Children ought to be taught to admire what is noble and generous, and detest what is mean. We must, in fact, look to the education of the emotions as well as to the mechanical requirements of knowledge, if we wish to reap the full benefits of education as a preventative of crime." Th* usual fortnightly meeting of St. Joseph's Branch of the Hibernian Society was ne ld on Monday evening in the schoolroom attached to the St. Joseph's Church; the President, Bro. Burke in the chair. Bro. John Keef c, who recently met "with an accident, by which he had received severe injuries, was placed upon the sick fund. Some correspondence was received from Melbourne, amongst ■which was one from Bro. Griffin, the representative of St. Joseph's Branch there, the information therein contained of his having been raised to the position of a member, of the Executive Directory, being a source of great satisfaction and pleasure to the lodge. The

advantage of having an old New Zealander in such a position, towatch over the interests and represent the wants of the lodged in ' Hew Zealand, seemed to .be apparent to every member present: The. President called the attention of members to the alter** tion of the time of meeting which will be in future 7.30. Bro. J. J; Connor proposed, and vice-President Bro. Morooney seconded, that " the Members of this Lodge attend the funeral of the late Judge Wilson Gray." Both proposer and seconder bore testimony to the • high and noble character of deceased. The resolution was warmly received, every member voting for it. Mr. Patrick Carmody was elected a member, and after some further business the meeting closed. On Friday evening (says the ' Napier Telegraph') the members of St. Mary's congregation assembled for the purpose of presenting to the Bey. Father Goutenoire a valedictory address and testimonial in recognition of his services. The congregational present consisted of a beautifully worked and mounted crucifix (manufactured by Mr. W. Shanly, on whose artistic merits it reflected the highest crenit), and a purse containing twenty guineas. The following iB a copy of the address ; — " Eev. and dear Father, — It was with feelings of deep regret that we learned you were about to leave us, and the pain which the announcement occasioned us was lessened only by the knowledge that the change would be for your benefit, as it was absolutely necessary for the restoration of your health, which, alas, has been much impaired by the performance of the arduous duties which you have had to perform during the absence of the Vicar-General. During the short period of your Ministry amongst us, you have by your manifold acts of sympathetic kindness and generosity, coupled with an untiring energy and sacrifice of all personal comforts or conveniences, and by a thorough identification with the wants and wishes of the congregation, enshrined yourself in the hearts of all. It was therefore our sincerest wish that you should be allowed to remain with us, but Providence has ruled it otherwise, and we pray that wherever you may go the stars of heaven may shine on your path, and that in the ever-varying scenes of life all dangers maybe averted from you "We fondly hope that the bracing air of southern climes may soon restore you to health, and that once again your I lot may be cast in this picturesque little town, of which no doubt memory will oft recall to your mind the sweet recollections of the past. And now, dear Pastor, with sincere wishes for your welfare, we must say farewell. — Signed, Justin McSwkney, John O'Connkll, J. Cosgeovb." The rev. gentleman expressed his gratitude for the kindness and generosity of the congregation, after a lengthy and feeling reply. Wb would draw attention to an advertisement in another column with regard to the " Colonial Building and Investment Company" (Limited), which is to be registered under the Joint Stock Companies Act. By the course proposed to be adopted the Company offers great inducements to shareholders and borrowers, and it is confidently anticipated that a highly remunerative business will be done. It would take too much space to enumerate the objects of the Company but we would advise those in search of freehold properties on easy payments, and those that have a little money to invest, to read and study the Prospectus which appears elsewhere.