INTERCOLONIAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 23, 5 June 1902, Page 7

INTERCOLONIAL.

Rev. Father Bernard, C.P., has taken the place of the Rev. Father John, C.P., as assistant-priest to the Very Rev. Dean Ryan at Mount Gam bier. Mr. O'Loughlin, M.L.A.., late Commissioner of Crown Lands' has been appointod to the post of Government Whip in South Australia. We Journal) regret to learn that the venerable Bishop of Armidale (the Right Rev. Dr. Torreggiani, 0.5. F.C.) continues in poor health. A Western Australian correspondent writing on the decision of the Commonwealth Parliament to extend the franchise to the Australian aborigines states that most of, if not all, the aborigines in Western Australia having sufficient education to mark a ballot paper, are Catholics educated at the New Norcia or Beagle Bay missions. On Sunday (says the Tasmanian Monitor) the Very Rev. Dean Beeohinor made reference to the late Most Rev. Archbishop Corrigan, of New York, for whom he asked the prayers of the congregation. The Dean said that they were both fellow students and companions, occupying the same dormitory, when they were pursuing their ecclesiastical studies in the Eternal City. It is proposed to hold an Irish National Convention in Sydney. On the organising committee are Mr F. B Freehill, Hon. John Toohey, M.L.C., Hon. John Meagher, M.L.C., Sir W. P. Manning, and others. A public meeting will shortly be held, at which the position of Ireland will be reviewed and arrangements made for the Convention, and the issuing of invitations to prominent men in all parts of Australia to co-operate in the movement. It is expected there will be a huge representative gathering in Sydney, and the organisers are considering whether it would be advisable to invite a prominent member of the liish Parliamentary party to attend. Those who are inclined to grumble at the variations of the New Zealand climate should be extremely thankful that they have not to put up with the conditions which obtain in some of the Australian States. New South Wales and Queensland are now suffering from a prolonged drought, which is said to be the worst experienced for over half a century. In consequence of droughts New South Wales during the last 80 years has lost 20,000,000 sheep, Victoria 7,000,000, and Queensland 2,000,000. All the large stations in New South Wales are now feeding their stock, spending thousands of pounds in this way. The obtaining of New Zealand grain, potatoes, and other produce is advocated. The Very Rev. Dean Hegarty, V.F., Kyneton, Melbourne, who has left on a twelve months' trip to Europe, was presented with a purse of sovereigns and a flattering address by hiß parishioners prior to his departure. Mr Hugh Rawson, ex-M L.A.. made the presentation (£200) on behalf of the people. Mr D. Slattery (East Melbourne) sent a cheque for £105. At a subsequent date the rev. gentleman received a send-off by a number of his brother priests at the Grand Hotel. The Rev. J. H. O'Connell (Carlton) presided, The chairman presented the guest with a handsome gold watch, suitably inscribed. A number of speakers eulrgised the splendid labors of Dean Hegarty in the interests of the Church in the southern State. The news of the safe arrival at Rome of our beloved Cardinal (says the Freeman's Journal) will be received with delight by Catholics throughout Australia. Our Rome correspondent, in his interesting interview, shows that his Eminence was cot only in good health but in good spirits ; pleased with his voyage, pleased with hiß reception in Colombo, and delighted with his reception in Rome by his Holiness and the members of the College of Cardinals. It •will be noted that our correspondent again indicates, though diplomatically, that a high official post of a most important character is likely to be at the disposal of Cardinal Moran in the event of certain contingencies happening. This is another echo of a rumor which first reached the Australian people months ago in our wellinformed special correppondent's Rome letter, and was afterwards currently rumored in London and cabled to the Australian daily journals. So far, these matters may only be conjectures, but at all events they indicate the opinion held of our Cardinal in certain high quarters. Our readers, we feel sure, will await developments, as recorded from time to time by Dr. Croke in his Rome letters, with great interest.