NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 174, 28 July 1876, Page 11

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

We are pleased to see that the report of the Inspector of Public Schools in Nelson so favourably mentions a, number of Catholic schools. Of St. Mary's boys' school, Nelson, under the direction of Mr. Richards, it is said, " Good order was maintained, under obvious difficulties, and the boys throughout were well taught, the arithmetic being exceptionally good. Not one boy in the firstclass failed to solve correctly every question in the highest paper of arithmetic set." Of the girls' school, taught by Sisters of Mercy, we are told " This school well deserves the high reputation it has attained for good organisation and sound teaching." Of St. Mary's, Ahaura, also under the Sisters of Mercy, we find " Great improvement has been made in this school during the past year. The number of good readers has been nearly doubled, the hand-writing is more shapely, and no scholar in the first class failed to pass in an arithmetic paper which required a knowledge of proportion and practice." And of St. Patrick's, Charleston, conducted by Mr. O'Donahue, we read, " The present master had been at work only a month at the time of my last inspection. He had contrived, nevertheless, in that brief space to reduce to perfect obedience the rather unruly scholars with whom he had to deal.' We have received from the Government printer No. 8 of Hansard Labbikinisji continues to exhibit varied phenomena. Last week the inhabitants of Addington were alarmed by a fire which was kindled " for fun" by certai* youths infected with this disorder, and by which an out-house was burned. Fowl-stealing, it appears, is also a favorite frolic in the same neighborhood. The earthquake shocks which were felt last week, evidently affected the bottom of the sea to a considerable degree, as when the City of New York was making the run from Lyttelton to Port Chalmers, it was observed, in one part of her course, that the water was muddy. The arrival of the s.s. Taupo at the Kattray street whavf is a marked event in the annals of Otago Harbor. This vessel belongs^to the Union Company, and is the largest thatj has ever been moored at the wharf in question. Her advent was hailed with muck satisfaction by the citizens of Dunedin, many of whom visited her in her new position, and were highly pleased with her superior fitting up and accommodation for passengers. The pity accorded to people suffering from sea-sickness is generally regulated by the belief that their agonies are wholesome. We are, however, warned that the affection in question is sometimes dangerous, by a melancholy occurrence that lately took place at Wanganui, where a youug lady, who had gone there from Canterbury for the purpose of being married, died soon after landing, in consequence of having burst a blood-vessel in her illness on the passage. The Rev. J. Golden has opened a new church at Ohaupo, Auckland. The building is handsome, and does much credit to the inhabitants of the district where it has been erected. It is said to stand on a site, from which a magnificent view of the surrounding country is commanded. Those parties who were disposed to make capital out of the alleged touching of the s.s. City of San Francisco on a sani-bank at Port Chalmers, have no doubt been disappointed by the successful entry made by the City of New York. So timid had Captain Cavarly became, owing to the reports bruited about, and which are credibly affirmed to have no foundation whatever, as it is denied on competent authority that the City of San Francisco touched as asserted, that he prevailed upon the CLiief Harbor Master to give him a, written guarantee before he would allow his vessel to cross the bar, a most unnecessary precaution, since there was, in fact, not the least likelihood of any catastrophe occurring, as the sequel proved. The ' Melbourne ' Argus,' speaking of the rescued Fenian prisoners, says: "The prisoners were actually taken away while wearing the convict garb by the master of an American ship, who despatched a boat ushore for "the purpose. It is impossible to suppose that the man did not know very well what he was doing, and his proceedings are precisely as if a French boat were to run to the hill of Portland, and take away as many convicts from there as could crowd into her. The Imperial authorities are bound to take cognisance of the episode, and to demand substantial redress. We shall be told, no doubt, that the escaped convicts are political refugees, and attention may be drawn to the fact that Communist convicts frequently arrive in Australia without the permission .of their gaolers. But the attempt at a parallel will deceive no one." Thb ' Westport Times' says : — " The English birds so numerous in and around Nelson have made their way across the ranges to the Coast, as evidenced by the number of green linnets observable in the paddocks at the Orawaiti, and even as near town as the gardens around the Eev. Father Walsh's residence. Between the Orawaiti and Waimangaroa Calif ornian quail are becoming plentiful, and larks are heard on the Pahikis, although hawks make them their special prey, as at Waite's, Pahikis, and Addison's. While on the subject a reminder to the parents of lads in the district may not be out of place. Shanghai shooting is a favorite amusement among the youngsters, and the more tame the birds are the better shot they afford to these young

sons of a gun. Whether native or acclimatised all is game that comes within shot of these young Iprowlers, and there is reason to believe that they do mischief." A new church has been opened'at A shburton in Canterbury. The Rev. Father Chervier, assisted by the Rev. Father Claffey, officiated on the occasion. Wi have received from Mr. J. A. Macedo, of Princes street, a card on which the name of God is printed in forty-eight languages. The letters are appropriately and tastefully gilded, and the card is extremely well designed and finished. Of the study which it presents it is needless to say that it is of deep interest. It will be seen by reference to our advertising columns that Mr. G. Eve is prepared to furnish gentlemen with clothing of superior make, and good material at moderate prices. Mr. Eve declares himself fully satisfied of the necessity of combining the useful with the agreeable, and while he pays particular attention to the cut of the various garments made in his establishment, he farther takes care that they shall be thoroughly serviceable.