NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 185, 13 October 1876, Page 11

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

++ The atrocities committed in Bulgaria by the Turks, as reported in the San Francisco mail telegrams, are of a nature too shocking to contemplate. It was for some time believed in England that they had been exaggerated, but it turns out that such was not the case, and the particulars now given are horrible in the extreme. There appears to be some contradiction between the news received by the mail and that to hand by cablegram, as to the part which Eussia is destined to act, and, indeed, most probably this is still doubtful in Europe. Much as we dread the advance of Eussian influences, we cannot but look with approbation on the prospect of a just measure of punishment being inflicted upon the perpetrators of such appalling cruelties. We could have de3ired that this might have been done by a powerless suspicious than that of the Czar, and, indeed, it would seem but a sorry way of executing justice, to give an avenging sword into the hands of semibarbarous hordes, themselves capable in turn of cruelty but little inferior to that they are elected to exact the penalties of. However, above all, it is fitting that an example should be made of men who have actually committed excesses, the bare outline of which it is impossible to read without revulsion. The Most Eev. the Lord Bishop of Duneiin, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation at Tokomairiro on Sunday last. Nineteen persons were admitted to the Sacrament. It has been thought advisable to postpone the musical festival at St. Joseph's Church, Dunedin, for some weeks, as the organ will not be available in time to admit of the performance taking place prior to the departure of His Lordship the Bishop of the diocese on his purposed visit to Auckland and New South Wales. A longer period for rehearsal will thus be gained, so that the music selected will be thoroughly practised by those who are to take part in it, and a genuine success will be the result. A most successful 'examination was lately held at St. Mary's Catholic School, Invercargill, which is under the care of Mr. Sproule, assisted by Miss Thompson, and which has an average attendance of 16. The Eev. Father Higgins, who conducted the examination, professed himself much pleased at its results, congratulating the pupils on their improvement, and the teachers on the fruits of their efforts. Feom: Meanee, Hawkes Bay, we hear of a presentation made to Mr. and Mrs. Huntly, the late master and mistress of St. Mary's School, on the occasion of their resigning their position in the establishment referred to, owing to the failure of Mrs. Huntly's I health. It is pleasing to note the affectionate terms in which the pupils of the lady and gentleman in question take leave of them, as ! it speaks volumes, not only in favor of the teachers, but also of j those in whose behalf their efforts have been expended. The critic of the ' Oamaru Evening Mail,' a high authority on j matters theatrical and generally artistic, speaks as follows of the ' " Californian Diamond" : — " ' Little Nell' possesses a wonderful versatility, and her capability of sustaining personations of a widely- ! different character is really astonishing. Whether as the Irish Bridget or the Dutch Johanna, you see before you a perfect type of the nation and character represented. The great charm in "The Diamond,' however, is that she appears so heartily to enter into and enjoy the eccentricities which she portrays, that her merriment becomes infectious, and her audiences are forced to laugh both with and at her. She possesses a powerful, yet sweet and pleasing voice, great facial play, and a most wonderful command over her right optic." The plans of the conventual buildings to be erected in Dunedin. have been prepared at the office of Mr. Petre, architect, in Bondstreet. The style chosen is the Anglo-Saxon, which combines simplicity with dignity, aud is particularly suitable for monastic establishments. The buildings, when completed, will consist of a church occupying the centre with a wing on either side, and will not only be a credit to the Catholic community, but an ornament to the city generally. For the present, however, it is contemplated to take ia hand one wing only, which will serve as a Convent for the Dominican Sisters, and will be so constructed as to enable them to carry out the ordinances of their rule in their integrity. The material of the buildings will be concrete, which is said to be as durable and much less expensive than stone, and of the good appearance of which a striking example may be seen in the extensive premises of Messrs CargiU, in Bond-street, erected, also, from the design and under the able direction of Mr. Petre. We trust that the Catholics of the province, will come forward liberally, so that we may ere long be enabled to reckon the Convent, now in prospect, amongst accomplished facts. The Eev. Father O'Leary has been appointed on the mission at Invercargill, where he will assist in the labors of the Rev. Father Higgins.