NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 203, 23 February 1877, Page 11

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Many of our readers, and especially those who have children attending St. Joseph's female school, Dunedin, will learn with much regret that the Dominican Bister, who has been for some years especially charged with the direction of the institution in question, is on the eve of leaving this Colony for Ireland. For some time this lady has suffered from weakness of the eyes, and it was intended that she should visit Melbourne for the purpose of consulting an eminent occulist in that city, but as an opportunity has offered for her to accompany a family of the highest respectability to London, she has decided on availing herself of it, and she will set sail from Port Chalmers on Saturday next in the Calypso.

The Dunedin and Port Chalmers Regatta, to come off this day, is no doubt looked forward to -with anxiety by many of our readers. Amongst the various athletic and pleas urably exciting sports that take place from time to time, there are none more calculated to afford amusement and interest to the spectators, or healthy exercise and useful training to the competitors than the various kindß of boat races, and it is always well when advantage has been taken of the provision for them made by nature that they should be sustained and encouraged. We therefoie hope to see the day kept up with spirit, and every available position from which the contests may be viewed occupied by crowds of on-lookers. Intending visitors will find by reference to our advertising columns that their convenience has been amply attended to by the railway authorities, and that arrangements have been made to run trains throughout the day so as to suit the requirements of all. Two other handsome oil paintings have been added to those provided for the Art Union to be held in September next in connection -with the new Conventual buildings in Dunedin. They are views of the Ocean Beach and of the Upper Harbor, taken by Mr. Power, and are each valued at £20. The coloring is especially nappy, and the manner in which the breakers and the sea generally are painted can scarcely be too highly lauded*

We find that so satisfactory was the manner in which^Mm J. B. Steele sustained the various characters assumed by him during the engagement of Mrs. Scott-Siddons in Dunedin, that an a£ rangement;has been entered into by which it is settled that he shall accompany the eminent lady in question on her tour in New Zealand. Mr. Steele has long been known as an actor of high talenfca,and wherever he has played he has invariably won the plaudits of his audience. During his last engagement in Dunedin, however, unfortunately for the drama-loving public, he was not ao prominently put forward a3 he might, with much advantage, have beea, and in some instances the bad taste of substituting another artiste for him was very evident, more especially when the " Lady of Lyon's was on the boards. We conclude by wishing him every success.

Wb understand that the Key. Father Kelly, S.J., lefb the Bluff yesterday by the s.a. Ringarooma for Melbourne. On Monday last the rev. gentleman delivered his able lecture on " Mary Stuart," at Invercargill, the chair being occupied by Sir John Richardson. The lecture was delivered to a numerous and appreciative audience, and was, as it invariably happens where the eloquent son of St. Ignatius is concerned, a thorough success.

At the Dunedin Catholic Youug Men's Society meeting, held in St. Joseph's school-room, on the 14th February, there was a large attendance, and a very pleasant evening was spent. The programme consisted of an essay, readings, recitations, Ac. There was another meeting last Wednesday, at which the Tier. Father Crowley was present. A programme similar to the one of the previous meeting was carried through with great satisfaction to the members.

The three paintings, which we haye 1 already, in a former iasue, alluded to as ordered from Borne to serve as prizes in the approaching Dominican Convent Art Union, have now arrived, and it ia found that they far exceed in value the prices placed opposite to their names on the tickets which have been printed and distributed, the principal of them being fully worth j650, and each of the two others .£ls. They are, as announced, a copy of Guido Remi's " Aurora," a " Sybil," and an " Italian Peasant Woman," and their beauty ii extreme. The first named is a magnificent allegorical paintin» of large size. The chariot of the sun is driven by Apollo, and is preceded by Aurora and accompanied by the Muses. The god is of surpassing beauty, and by his blonde complexion symbolises light ; the other figures are likewise of wondrous grace, and each one of them would in itself form a' study of no mean standing. The picture would, indeed, not only make a splendid ornamentVor anj private residence in the colonies ; but would be a striking and much admired addition to the treasures of any public galieryof art in the Southern hemisphere. Were the art union organised for the purpose of disposing of this alone, it would be well worth while to compete for ita possession. The parcel in which these paintings were enclosed, contained, as well, a number of lesser pictures, several of which are also of great beauty, and which are intended as prizes for those persons who will eaoh get rid of £o worth of tickets. Some other works of art were also forwarded, principally bronzes and mosaics. Amongst the latter are two exquisite tables, both of the rarest marbles ; the one made in the form of a chess-board • the other round and having in the midst a view of the Roman Forum, surrounded by a circle of malachite; these, however, are not intended for the art union, but will be otherwise disposed of. We understand that arrangnments are about to be made, by which all the articles mentioned, together with the other pictures provided, will be placed on exhibition.

Wa are happy to announce that the Eev. Father Donovan has returned to Dunedin from Melbourne, quite restored to health by his visit to the Victorian capital. The rev. gentleman arrived at Port Chalmers by the Tararua yesterday morning.