NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 179, 1 September 1876, Page 11

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Mb. Muebay, our Canvasser and Collector, intends visiting Oamaru and neighborhood in about a fortnight. We perceive that strenuous efforts are being made by the Eev. Father Kirk for the improvement of the Catholic schools at Wanganui. Mrs. Cordoza, the L*dy who has hitherto conducted these schools with much ability and success, will shortly be reinforced by a gentleman who is a first-class teacher, and a lady assistant of high reputation. At a meeting of the parishioners of St. Mary's held lately for the furtherance of the object in question, a strong protest was entered against the injustice of the Educational Board, and a fixed determination expressed of maintaining Catholic schools notwithstanding all difficulties. A subscription list was then opened, and the best proofs given of the sincerity of the professions made by the liberality of the amount subscribed. The • Wanganui Chronicle' of a late date, remarking on the proposed grant of .£SOO to the Catholic schools at Wellington, says: — " Disgusted at the wrangling and the rancorous opposition to which Mr. Bunny's suggestions gave rise, Dr. Bedwood declined, on behalf of the denomination of which he is the Head, to accept a gift which could only be obtained ' grudgingly or of necessity.' Herein, we doubt not, his Lordship has the great majority of Roman Catholics with him ; but we cannot suppose that either he or they will regard this decision as in any way affecting their right to a share of that State aid which is to be participated in by all other religious bodies. Roman Catholics may feel that a sum of .£SOO is not worth quarrelling about j but when it comes to a question of permanently sacrificing their rights in this matter, they will doubtless begin to feel that peace, great a blessing as it is, may be bought too dearly, and that this is an instance in point." We understand that the Most Rev. the Lord Bishop of Dunedin has been appointed administrator of the diocese of Auckland, during the vacancy of this See. On Monday evening last a meeting was convened by His Worship the Mayor, at the Head Quarters Drill-shed, for tlie purpose of considering the changes which are now being carried out in the Government of the Colony. About twelve hundred persons attended. The proceedings were orderly and decidedly anti-centralistic. A number of the lads who serve at the Altar have been busily engaged for the last week or two in making a collection to provide a. new carpet for the sanctuary, that which at present covers it having become shabby from long use, and we believe their quest has been attended with considerable success. In the Altar Society, however, which is now established, means will be found of furnishing all such requisites in a more satisfactory manner. This Association has a. two-fold object, for, besides that alluded to, by being undertaken for the propagation of the faith, it is also intended that it shall assist the missions of the Church in foreign countries by alms and prayers, and those persons who join it will have the advantage of many indulgences granted by the sovereign Pontiffs, Pius VII , Leo XIL, Pius VIII., Gregory XVI., and his Holiness the present Pope. We take the following from the ' Wakatip Mail ' : — " A fatal accident occurred on Monday night or Tuesday morning to a child between five and six years of age, the son of Mr. J. S. Aldred of this town. It appears that deceased and two other lads named Richards and Shore — the one about five and the other about eight years old — went out on the cistern hill of the Shotover Gorge on Monday afternoon. The latter two returned about five o'clock, but said nol hing about their other companion until px'essed later in the evening, when Richards confessed that deceased had fallen over the cliff opposite Jack's Hotel, Shotover Gorge. A great number of townspeople then went out with lanterns, but their efforts were unavailing. On Tuesday morning about eight o'clock, however, indications were noticed on the range above by deceased's brother who traced them down to where the body was found among the ferns opposite Jack's hotel. The body was still warm as if life had only quite recently departed, and it is supposed that the little fellow had probably fallen almost unhurt on one of the grassy ledges of rock during tbe earlier portion of the night, where he had perhaps cried himself to sleep, and on being awakened with the cold had wandered in darkness over the fatal edge. The whole depth he fell must have been 500 feet, but it was no doubt the last fall (nearly 100 feet) which sealed his fate. The aid of Dr. Jackson was called, but the child's neck was broken and of course life was extinct. According to report great blame is attachable to the lad Shore for concealing the accident, as ib is most likely that had the boy been extricated some five hours earlier his life might have been saved. Mr. Beetham, coroner, held an inquest on the body at the Supreme Court Hotel, when a verdict of accidental death was returned. A series of pen and ink sketches of the various preachers, who have for some time engaged the attention of congregations in Dunedin, and which appeared under the heading of " Pulpit Pictures," by Didymus, i i our contemporary the ' Saturday Advertiser' kas been i sued in a neat , volume, illustrated by portraits of the gentlemen treated of. This work

■will, no doubt, prove acceptable to a large circle of readers in New Zealand, and may be looked upon as a creditable addition to Colonial literature. The Hibernicon at the Temperance Hall lias been drawing good houses during the week notwithstanding the many counter attractions. The panorama (which in itself is well worth seeing) consists of 40 views of Irish and American scenery, and includes " A scene in New York," "A voyage across the Atlantic," " The beautiful lakes of Killarney," "City of Dublin and Harbor by moonlight," "The Giants Causeway," and last, but not least, "Donnybrook Fair," all of which are really excellent paintings, and far superior to anything ofjjthe kind previously exhibited in Dunedin. The scenery is effectively described in a very pleasing comedy, written by Mr. Garnet "Walsh, which gives the company an opportunity of displaying their versatility, and in this they succeed admirably. Me. Daebeil's new drama — " Transported for Life " — occupied the boards of the Queen's Theatre during the greater parr of the past week, and drew considerable houses, who testified, in the warmest manner, their high appreciation of the author's latest success The " Trump Card " — another of Mr. DarreH's pieces — was played on Wednesday evening, but will be replaced on this (Thursday) evening by " Peg Woffiington ; " or, " Masks and Faces," on which occasion Mrs. Darrell will take her benefit. The Lingards have had a very successful season at the Princess. " Our Boys " has been repeated during the week, and seems to be gaining, instead of losing, in favor with theatre-goers. We understand this is their last week in Dunedin. We understand that nearly all the Otago Co-opemtive Store Company's shares have been applied for. This speafis well for its ultimate success. The Provisional Directors, however, have notified, in our advertising columns, that the share list will close on Saturday, the 23rd September next. Those anxious to secure shares should do so at once before it is too late. As will be seen by reference to our advertising 1 columns, the Otago Poultry and Canary xVssociation will hold their first show in the Friendly Society's Hall (Queen's Theatre) on the sth and 6th September next. Without enumerating all the prizes, some of which are really valuable, we may mention that Messrs. Esther and Low, George-street, have kindly given a chest of tea, and Mr. Kennedy, of Princes-street, a pair of boots.