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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 18, 30 January 1891, Page 17

His GBACE the ABCHBISHOP OF MklboUune, ,cconi(anic! by the Most Rev. Dr. Moore, Bishop of Ballaiat, aud the Most X v. Dr > Higgine, Coadjutor-Bishop of Sydney, have left Melbourne for New Zealand by the s.s. Manapouri. The distinguished vimtoib will arrive in Dunedin on Tuesday,

The Most Rev. Dr. Moran has received from the BrothtrGenrrnl uf the Cbiislan Brothers a communication to the ( fleet that three mtmbeis of tho Order will arrive at an early date in Dunedin for thy purpose of openiDg and conducting a Catholic college here.

Thh Lenten Pastoral of his Gracj the Archbishop of Wellington wi.l be found in another place.

The Dominican Convent High Scho A and Kiader-garten, Dunediu, will resume studies oa Monday next, February 2nd. — Boarders are expected to return so as to bo ready for attendance in the classes on Tuesday morning. We publish in another column further particulars relating to the school i.

Master N. B. Moloney, a pupil of the Christian Brothers, Dunedin, has game 1 the first scholarship attached to St. Patncb's College, Wellington. The second scholarship has been won by Master E. B. Sellars, a pupil of the Catholic School, Hokitika ; Master G. Grimstone, a Wellington boy, failing only by three points. The scholarships in questioa are of the value of forty guineas, the first for two years, tbe second for one year. They have been generously founded by the college for the promotion of Catholic education in the Colony.

The diocesan Synod of Dunedia opened it session in St. Joseph's Cathedral on Wednesday morning. His Lordship tbe Bishop presided, aud the following members of the clergy were presjnt :— - Very Rev. JoLn Mackay, Very Rev. M. Walsh, Very Rev. P. O'lvary, Very Key. J Sheehan, Uev. J. O'Neill, ttav. Wm. Burke, Rev. Wm. Newport, Rev. N. Vereker, Rev. M. Keenao, Rev. E. Donnelly, Rev. G. Hunt, Rev. P. Lynch, Aim. ; Rev. Wm. McMullun, Rev. J. Lynch, Rev. J. McGrath, Rev. P. O'Donnell, Rev. P. Murphy, Ray. J. O'Donnell, Rev. P. O'Neill, Rev. J. Coffey.

A deputation has waited on the Premier on behalf of the men lately dismissed from the railways in connection with the strikes. If it be true as stated, that the Commissioners have made it a condition in making new appointments that the applicants should sign an agreement binding themselves to refrain from joining unions as at present constituted, and have, besides, imposed other regulations of a stringent nature, they have not only acted unjustifiably, but have given a very striking proof that they are short-sighted, ntubborn men, quite unfit for the responsible position they occupy. It is to be hoped the Government will give the matter careful consideration as Mr. bailance has promise J. Whether they can authoritatively interfere or not, they can at least exercise Borne wholesome influence in preventing serious mischief.

That notion of a Pan-Anglican conference — that is a conference of the English speaking peoples — on the labour question, for which Mr. Ree* has given notice of motion in the House of liepresentatives, is rather a fine one. A difficulty, however, of including America in the matter may be seen in the question of Freetrade or Protection, whic i must necessarily enter closely into v, This is hardl> a sub* ject, on which, as things now are at least, an agieomeut could bo couie to between the British and Ametican Governments. It is to be feared in o her respects also the time is not ripe for an y thing of the kind.

Lord CABRINaroN ha 9 read a paper oa Australia at the Colonial Jnstiiute in Loadun. He denies the feasibility, at least tor the present, tf Imperial fedcr.uon, but recommends that of the colonies as tending to promote feeling in favour of England. Colonists knew, he said thai England would regaid an invasion of Australia just as she would one of Kent, and would aid Ue country in question, oven though Canada might object. But was it not a little hazardous for the speaker, under existing circumstance.', to allude as he did to tha possible necessity of sending hostile cruisers to Bearing Sea — which, he taid, wnh reference to the allusion made to Canada, would be done wiihoui asking the consent of Australia. &uch remarks on the part of influential speakers must produce the effect of i threat in America — ana Uncle Sam, after all, has something, tad even a good deal that is " varmint " in him. Loid Cariiugton seems to consider Australians easily flitteieJ. .be buggestp, fur instance, as of use in cementing thtir attachment to the Old Country a recognition at Home of their high officials. We do not know, again, that he was veiy fortunate in the cases he quoted as pruofs of the lmpulnive interest taken by the colonibts in the snuggles cf the Empire, namely, the Soudan coutingent, and ti e aid given to the dockers. The former, in fact, was over nnpulbive to seive as ,i ver> iffecuve proof. We may doubt as tj whether anything of the kiud would agam occur. Aad the latter was certainly not of a nature me uaing any ardent desire of union with the Empire. It was ihe tffort made by a class in aiding men with whose cause theirown inteiests were clus? ly bound up. l'osbibly, under like circumstances, as much would be Uojefoi strikers in Amenca, or even in Continental Europe. — On the whole, there seems to have been a good deal in Lord Carnngton's paper that might be unfavourably criticised.

The Chrittmaa number of the byduey Hulletm coutams a very pietty atuiy by our esteemed fellow-citizen, Mr, Viucent Pjke,

entitled " Little Nugget : a record of Old Forest Creek." It is quite a goldfields idyll, and contrasts most favourably with the ordinary run of Christmas tales which vary from the melancholy mawkish to the morbid melancholy. We (Dunedin Evening Star) recommend everyone to read " Little Nugget."

The Rev. Mr. Diggens who has arrived from Queensland to enter upon the pastorship of St. John's church, Roslyo, denies the proportion implied in the lines— "Though every prospect pleases And only man is vile." The rev. gentleman on being introduced the other day by Bishop Nevill to his Bock, said he had been told he was going to a lion's den. " But he could not. and would not believe that this beautiful suburb of Dunedin was the habitation of those dreadful animals." Let us hope, nevertheless, that the rev. gentleman may prove as happy in his self-imposed task, as, for example, the famous Androcles waß in that which fell by accident to his lot.

And was that all ? They only took a drink the other night when Dr. Stenhouse concluded his speech at the celebration of Burns' anniversary in Dunedin. "In solemn silence, gentlemen, let us toast the immortal memory of Robert Burns, the best gift of Almighty God to our native land," concluded the speaker. Was it not, at least, a tragic potation ? Perhaps it was quite as well, however, that solemn silence, or silence of any kind, in fact, had at length been arrived at. Indeed, it was an occasion when a proof ■eemed given of the truth of the saying that silence is sometimes more eloquent than words. But who shall venture to criticise the speech ? Dr. Stenhouse has a penect contempt for critics, annihilates them with contempt. " Another critic," he cried, " had said that it was absurd to name Burns in the same breath with Homer and Virgil, with Dante and Goethe, with Shakespeare and Milton but he believed— in fact, be knew— that Burns was a greater man, infinitely a greater man, and a greater poet than any of there. "— (Applause.') Let us not venture to dispute the ipse dixit of Pr. Btenbouse -backed up, too, by the applause of the company. But since we dare not criticise, to what conclusion must we come ? Why, necessarily, that Burns was all this solely because he was a brother Scot. No other reason could the most uncritical mind assign, and the matter must be palpable to the greatest dullard who can spell at all. But does it not savour of bathos to honour an apotheosis by a mere drink— howe/er solemnly the liquor may be consumed ?

The programme of the grand concert to be given in the Garrison Hall, Dunedin, on Tuesday, February 10, in aid of the building fund of the Church in the North-East Valley, is a particularly attractive one. The ladies who have given their services are Mrs. Angus and the Misses Blaney and Morrison, each of whom will be heard in a Bong or two particularly suited to her. Mrs. Angus will sing Barnby's "When the flowing tide comes in " and Mi9S Lindsay's " Too late" ; Miss Blaney, Penza's "Call me back ; " and Miss Morrison, Gounod's " Serenade." Mrs. Angus and Miss Blaney will also take part iv a quartette from the '• Mikado." The gentlemen who will sing are Messrs. Jones, Densem, and Reunert, each of whom will give a favourite song, the two former taking part also in the quartette mentioned. Pmsuti's beautiful " Queen of the Earth " falls to the lot of Mr. Jones. Mr. Reunert gives Weiss's fine " Village Black, smith," and Mr. Densem the inimitable" Father O'Flynn," a song which alone, as Mr. Densem sings it, might make a singer's xeputa* tion. As to the instrumental performers, Signor Squarisc, under whose direction the concert will be given, besides taking part in a concerted piece and accompanying Miss Morrison's and Miss Blaney 's Bongs respectively with obUigato, wili play a violin solo from Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera," a charming composition, well illustrative of the famous composer at his best. Herr A. Barmeyer will play as a 8010 the " Rhapsodic Hongroise, No 2," a delightfully characteristic composition by that king among pianoforte composers and performers, the late Abbe Liszt. Mr. H. Moss, whose brilliant powers as a flautist are now fully established, will play, by special request, a fantasia on Paganini's " Witches' Dance," which has already gained for the player rapturous applauee. Messrs. D. Parker, C. R. S. Barrett, and 11. R. Moss will also give their services— not as soloists, owing to the need for keeping the programme within bounds. The string quartette however, in which these accomplished artists will take part— nimely,' one selected from -Mczart — must needs be a masterly performance On the whole, the concert may be looked forward to as at least one of the best to be given during the season in Dunedin.

Pabliament was formally opened by his Excellency the Governor on Tuesday. His Excellency's speech dealt with generalities — of such a nature, however, as to make U9 look eagerly for particulars. The points mentioned are of the highest importance, and if the Cabinet provesjitself capable of grappling successfully with them, its term of effice must contrast brilliantly with most of those that have preceded

it. The points in question are a genuine scheme of economy, the administration of the lands, development of the mining resources, and measures to improve the relations of labour to capital. If the course proposed be effectively carried out, little more can be wanted, and all v other reasonable improvements must necessarily follow. We need not say that we look apoa a genuine scheme of economy as including in its retrenchments and amended expenditure the wild extravagance of the Secular System. We wish Mr. Ballance and his collaagues^no worse, and we cannot wish them any better, than that they may prove equal to the occasioo. They have at least begun well by pitching on the crying needs.

Mb. A. H. Ross, who is about to leave Dunedin for Napier, was presented on Tuesday eveniog with a purse containing a hundred guineas as a testimonial of the esteem felt for him in the city where he has so long resided. The presentation was made by his Worship the Mayor, who also made a short address appropriate to the occasion • Mr. Boss, who was visibly affected, returned a feeling reply.

The Home Secretary has declared in the House of Commons that he is quite satisfied with the manner in which the inquest on the late Duke of Bedford was conducted. Where the desires of a ducal family are concerned, nevertheless, it could hardly be difficult to satisfy Mr. Mathews. When all is explained the matter appears to have been carried out at least with great discretion.

The half-yearly meeting of the Hibernian A. C. B. Society, St Mary's Branch No. 193, Timara, was held on Thursday, the Bth inst.j at 8 o'clock. President Bro. Matthew Crannitch opened the meeting in due form. There was a large attendance of members. The routine business was gone through in the usual manner. Two candidates were ballotel for and duly initiated as members of the Society. The half-yearly election of officers for the ensuing term then took place, and resulted as follows :— President, Bro. Thomas Sheehy ; vice-president, Bro. H. P. Madden ; secretary, Bro. John MKennah (re-elected) j treasurer, Bro. Andrew Wilson ; warden, Bro. Joseph P.Corcoran; guaidian, Bro. Alex. Wilson ; sick visitors, Bros. John Malouey and James Collins ; auditors, Bros. M. F. Dennehy and Joseph P. Corcoran ; delegate to Dispensary Board, Bro. M. F. Dennehy. The installation of officers was duly performed by the retiring President Bro. Crannitch. Rev. Chaplain Father Foley complimented the retiring officers on the manner in which they discharged the duties of their respective offices during the past term, and also congratulated the incoming officers on their election, and wished them a prosperous term, to which each officer suitably replied. The Branch balance-sheet and auditors' report for quarter ending 25th December were read and adopted. The receipts for the evening amounted to £20 9i. This concluded the business of the meeting, and the closing ceremony was read, and thus terminated a very pleasant and orderly meeting. It is satisfactory to note that the number of young members joining is increasing every quarter, tspecially „, the past quarter, and the endeavours of the retiring officers have been rewarded by their energy of late. The new officers also promise to make good progress during their term of office, and a still larger iacrease in membership may be looked forward to as a certainty.