Archdiocese of Wellington.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 26 November 1897, Page 23

Archdiocese of Wellington.

' CFrom our own correspondent.") November 13, 1597. It was intended to hold the postponed items of the St. Patrick's sports on the Basin Reserve on Wednesday last, but the weather was eo unpropitious fhat another adjournment was necessary. The Very Rev. Dr. Watters continued his former lecture on his recent visit to the South Sea Islands. The lecture was profusely illustrated by maps and curio?, and was most interesting, as it dealt with the habits and customs of a people of whom we know but little. The College Minstrels contributed a number of items which were much appreciated. Dr. Martin, who accompanied the Very Rev. Dr. Watters in his trip, was to have supplemented the Rector's lecture, but was unavoidably absent in Dunedin. Votes of thanks to the lecturer and to the students who had contributed the entertainment concluded a very enjoyable evening. The Prince of Wales' Birthday was held here in true holiday fashion, the majority of city people taking the opportunity of going into the country. Perhaps one of the most enjoyable of the day's outing 3 was that held by St. Mary's Band at Mrs. Ross' Gardens at the Lower Hutt. Active preparations for this picnic had been going on for a long time under the direction of a committee, of which the Rev. Father Ainsworth was chairman and Mr. H. Houldsworth, secretary. Happily the weather was on its best behaviour, which is an exception, not thejrule, in Wellington, consequently the attendance was large, upwards of a thousand persons going out to the pretty Buburb by rail. The gardens are now looking at their best, therefore those who did not care about sports and games could enjoy themselves in looking at the beautiful flowers and the many and varied kinds of trees and shrubs, which have been brought there from all parts of the globe. Young and old had sports suited to their years. A tug-of-war contest between married and single men resulted in favour of the former, whilst the race for members of the band fell to Mr. H. Holcroft, Mr. M. Hodern being second, and Mr. C. Holcroft third. Messrs. Hynes and Ward superintended the sports, and much satisfaction was expressed at the manner in which they discharged their duties. It is needless to say that Mrs. Ross and family helped in every way to make the picnic an enjoyable outing. The Rev. Father Yardin, of Meanee, is at present in Wellington, being the guest of the clergy at the presbytery, Boulcott street. He will remain in the Empire City for a couple of weeks. The solemnity of the Forty Hours' Adoration was commenced at the cathedral on Sunday morning last, and during the time it lasted the attendance at the various services was very large. Quarant Ore will commence at St. Joseph's Church, Buckle street, to-morrow, and will be conducted entirely by the Fathers of St. Patrick's College. A cable message received from Father Devoy during the week intimates that he, accompanied by his Grace Archbishop Redwood, was about to pay a visit to Brisbane, and that he intended to leave for Wellington by the Waikaiv, sailing from Sydney on the 20th inst.. so that he should reach here by the 2-tth or 2."> th inst. The Very Rev. Father McKenna and the Rev. Father Lewis, of Timaru, who were present at the ceremonies in connection with t<t. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne, are returning by the Monowai, which is dun from Sydney on Wednesday next. The Hibernian .- ociety int^n I to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a sports gatherin c, an art-union, and a national concert in the evenim. A strong committee has been set up to make the necessary arrangements. Parliament has spent the be-t part of the week in discussing — or rather wrangling over — the l'^umate>. It is evident irom the discussion which took place; that the old skinflint p irty is not dead. or if so that it has worthy heirs and sucjessors. The expenses iii connection with the R'ght Iloa d. J. S-sdilon's trip to the Premier's Conference was the subject of much adverse criticism, indeed or.c Member so far forgot him-elf, and showed his want of good taste — that is if he ever had any — by si) ing that he thought the Prem:er\ bank balance had been considt rably increased by the amount set down for this visit. Such a charge if madu outside the Hou-e would be the means of bringing the accuser before the Supreme Court. Unfortunately there is such a thing as Parliamentary privilege which permits a Member to make accusations that are oiten groundless. It is pleasing to note that when the member who made this charge had time to collect his ideas and look at matters in a men; dispassionate manner, he apologised for the warmth ot his language, and the apology being accepted the matter ended. When the item relating to the expenses incurrel by the Premier during his \isit to England to attend the jubilee celebrations was reiched the new skinflint party were again to the fore. The amount was too large, and they wanted details. II id these been given at first we would probably have the spectacle of the committee of this whole Huusj : going over it kern by item. Obje tion woul 1 probably have bee.i taken to the Premier travelling saloon to England, when he would have got there just as soon if be took a second cabin passage. '1 In n tipping the stewards would be protested against as demoralising, and have a tendency to cause these useful members of a ship's company to underrate the import moo of Members of the^House who, when travelling, are seized with conscientious scruples aga.nst giving gratuities. Then again the idea of the Premier of a truly democratic Colony putting up at first-class American h-.tels, frequented by millionaire pork packers, and laying himself open to the danger of being tempted to have a bottle of wine for dinmr. just tor appearance sake, whilst he could have stayed at a temperance boarding house, with texts on the walls and hash on the table, and have been edified and instructed by the conversation ot his fellow-lodgers. The Premier should have had no expenses whilst in London ; was he not maintained in a royal manner by the Imperial authorities at the Hotel Cecil } He ought to have got a

commission from the manager of the establishment out of the princely sum received from the Imperial Government for lodging and feeding the New Zealand representative. Surely it skeined absurd to some Members that such a large tip shouldbe given to the imposing flunkey who kept watch over our representative. Then why should a rupee be charged for taking the Premier lo see the sights at Colombo, when he might have done the whole on foot and thus saved the pocket of the. New iZealand taxpayer. However, through the obstancy of the Premier we were saved nuch a discussion, and the political economists of the New Zealand Parliament were denied the privilege of putting their ideas on tho mo-it economical method of travelling in the pages of Jlanxard. The next time we send a representative to foreign parts it will be necessary to arrange a programme beforehand, so that he shall know how much he can spend in tips, what class of boarding house he is to patronise, and whether he is to hire cabs or travel by omnibus or tram.