NEWS OF THE WEEK.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 206, 16 March 1877, Page 11

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

Thb Ghouls are still champing their resurrect carrion. Where has the latest Antonelli scandal originated ; in Melbourne alon<* the P and O route, or with Pome London pander ? Most probably the latter, for crediting colonials with a depraved appetite and a ravening.after filth seems to be part of the contempt entertained for these latitudes by many persons in the old country • and undoubtedly the avidity with which the Press in the colonies seizes upon anything suggestive of obscenity is calculated to confirm Home correspondents or telegraph officials in such a belief. However as all the previous falsehoods were in due time branded in thi«e letters with their proper name, that to which we allude, ire have no doubt, will also, in due season, have lie written across its face. It appears, however, according to the Suez mail news that illegitimacy is recognised by law in the kingdom of Italy, a most

natural consequence of the kingship of Victor Emanuel, and the par-excellence heroism of Garibaldi. We congratulate the ' Evening Star' on the tid-bits it has so lovingly culled out. We had heard before of its predilection for maggoty meat. No wonder our contemporary should " wax fat and kick." The bare ability to hint at the obscene has long been as marrow to its bones. We have received from private sources most painful accounts of the famine in Southern India. One correspondent writing from Madras describes the ceremonies of the Empress proclamation as being held in the midst of famine and peotilence, and seeminc more suitable to the burial of the old empire than to the birth *of the new. Another tells us of celebration of the same event having been made at Salem by the feeding of 70,000 people, who at the sight and smell of the food became wild, and "acted like hounds." Cholera and small-pox are raging, and the unfortunate natives are so bewildered by their misery that they have grown quite lawless, and the Courts of Justice are provided with double work. The Secretary of the Dunedin Branch H.A.C.8.5., informs us that at the last ordinary meeting of the Branch, the delegates who attended the late district meeting, gave a lengthy account of the proceedings transacted thereat, and the part they took in forwarding the interests of the Branch. Afterwards the delegates were honored with a unanimous vote of thanks and confidence At the quarterly meeting held on the sth instant, there was a larcre attendance of members. One candidate was initiated, and one joined by clearance. The election of Secretary, vice Bro. Cantwell resigned, took place, and resulted in the return of Bro. John Gallagher. It was resolved that the anniversary of Ireland's Patron Saint be celebrated by the members going in a body, in regalia, toHoly Communion on Sunday, 18th instant. Cash received, Oje3s'O je3s' We learn with regret of an accident, attended by serious consequences, and which occurred on Sunday evening last, to a son of l Mr. Gawn of the Oriental Hotel, Dunedin. The lad was playing in the neighborhood of the Dowling-street steps, and by some mis*chance fell over the bank, and received severe injuries, havin<* his head cut and several of his ribs broken. ° The corvette Sapphire, belonging to Her Majesty's navy, arrived at Port Chalmers on Tuesday afternoon last, returning from a cruise amongst the Chatham, Campbell, and Auckland Islands. At about twenty minutes past two o'clock on Wednesday morning last, a fire, supposed to have been extinguished on the morning of the day preceding, again broke out at the Waverly Boarding-house in Moray-place, and was attended with the most disastrous results. The building being old and constructed of wood, the flameß spread rapidly, so that those of the inmates who were apprised of their danger were barely afforded time to escape, which, however, they were fortunate enough to accomplish; althou"h certain of them sustained injury by being obliged to leap from the windows of the upper storey. It was at first hoped that no life had been lost, but later on the remains of a male boarder were discovered amongst the ruins, he having perished probably without having made even an effort to extricate himself from his peril. The building was insured for JE2OO, but the proprietor, whose name is M'Clusky, has suffered a heavy loss. Thb drawing in connection with the Art Union, undertaken to aid in clearing off the debt upon the Catholic Church, Christchurch, will be held in that city on the 9th April. A Urge number of useful' and valuable prizes have been provided, and we trust that the result will go far towards accomplishing the object in view. It is needless to remind our readers that the feast of the great patron Saint of the Irish nation will occur to-morrow. While the world is distracted by conflicting doctrines, and many men cut adrift from all faith are struggling to calm the disturbance of their minds in strange and far-fetched systems of belief, it is consoling to think that the people instructed by St. Patrick have continued firm in their adherence to his teaching, and that yearly the festival of this holy Apostle of the West beholds the fruits of his labors spread mom widely, borne by his spiritual children into the recesses of new C3untries, and there made evident in the erection of churohes and the opening of schools. All true sons of Erin will, however, endeavor to honor their patron, by affording an example on his festival of the salutary envois of the creed taught by him, and to this end will spend the day religiously and well. The members of the H.A.C.B. Society belonging to Dunedin, have signified their intention of actin* thus by appointing the Sunday morning following for their reception°of the Most Holy Communion, and it ia to be hoped that they will have many imitators or companions in their praise-worthy deed. Thb Caledonian Society's athletic games will be held in the grounds of the Society on Easter Monday. These sports are now a well estabhehed feature in the amusements of the year, and we havo no doubt that the gala day approaching will minister to the pleasure of ninny. The wrestlers' contest, in particular, is expected to bo unusually spirited and interesting. i Me J " Makkham . *° well-known in connection with the firm of Markhtim & Doley, has now opened the Queen's Hotel, Thamesstreet, Oamaru. and is prepared to carry on the business of that establishment with his accustomed ability and liberali'y. The usual weekly meeting of the Dunedin Catholic TounoMen s Society took place in Sfc. Joseph's Schoolroom, on Wednesday evening last. There was a large attendance of members present. The Eev. Father Crowly, Vice-President, occupied the chair The event of the evening was a lecture on the early history of New South Wales, by Mr. P. Daniel, who handled his subject in a, very able manner, and which called forth several hearty rounds of applause. The evening was wound up by readings and recitations in which Messrs. Griffin, Cunningham •Dunne, Harris, and Deehan took part.