INTERCOLONIAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 28, 10 July 1902, Page 7

INTERCOLONIAL.

The Right Rev. Monsignor Riffney, of Prospect, is reported to be dangerously ill. The venerable priest haa reached his 89th year. While out riding the other day, Dr. Leo Kenny, of Melbourne, was thrown from his horse. His thigh was fraotured, and he will be laid up for some days. The Rev. Fathers Foran and Dempsey have left Ireland for North Queensland, and are expected to arrive in Cooktown shortly to supplement the missionary priests in that Vicariate. Arohdeaoon Russell, Vicar-General of the Archdiocese of Adelaide, died at Glenelg on Friday, June 20. aged 74 years. He had been m Adelaide since 1858, and wae the oldest priest in the Arohdiocese. 1L 2? c Hon - J. w - Hackett, M.L.C., editor and part proprietor of toe Wett Auttralian, has received the honorary LL.D. degree from Trinity College, Dublin, the Australian journalist's Alma Mater. Mr Hackeit practised for some time in Melbourne as a barrister. At the Convent of Mercy, Goulbnrn, recently, two novioeß took the black veil. They were Sister M. Bonaventure, daughter of the late Mr Maguire, of Benalla, and Sißter M. Austin, daughter of Mr D. Kearney, of Isisford, Queensland. Bishop Gallagher, assisted by the Rev. Father O'Sullivan (Adm.), officiated. The following ecclesiastical students will be ordained for the Archdiocese of Adelaide during the present year :— All Hallow's, Dublin : Revs. Cornelius Crowley, James Blake, Michael Sheehan. St. Kieran's, Kilkenny : Rev. James Aylward. St. Patrick's, Manly : Rev. Patrick L. Kelly. * The Very Rev. Father Olier, Provincial of the Marist Order in Australia, is about to proceed to New Caledonia on a visitation of the Missions. While there Father Olier will preach the annual retreat to the Fathers. The New Caledonian Mission is a very large one, consisting of a Bishop, the Right Rev. Dr. Fraysse, and a large number of missioners of the Marist Order, of whioh his Lordship is a member. The Hibernian Hall was crowded by the parishioners of St. Francis' Church the other night (says the Advocate), when the Very Rev. W. J. Quilter, administrator of the church, was entertained and -presented with a hundsomely-illuminated and framed address, accomp&nied by a purse of 125 sovereigns, in celebration of his silver sacerdotal jubilee. The illuminator's art happily combined Irish: and Auetrulian sentiment, symbolised by the typical flora of each country. The new Catholio church dedicated to St. John the^BaptiHt at Numurkah, which has been erected at a cost of about £2650, was opened a few Sundays ago by the Most Rev. Dr. Reville, 0.5.A., Bishop of Sandhurst, assisted by the pastor, Rev. J. M'Cartby, and other priests of the dioceee, including the Very Rev. Father O'Connor, of Chiltern. The ceremony of blessing the sacred edifice was performed on the day previous. The dedicatory discourse waa delivered by his Lordship the Bishop. There were over 600 persons in the church, and a large number were unable to gain admittance. On Friday, June 20, his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne opened the new rooms of the Shamrock Club. This Club is an evidence of the earnest desire of Melbourne Irishmen to keep alive the National spirit. The club consists chiefly of working men, whose membership has been specially recruited by the modesty of the annual subscription, which is fixed at ss. It is intended to gather the masses whose means preclude their joining such inntitution» as the Celtic Club, which is also a credit to the southern city. No intoxicants will be used at the Shamrock Olub, but other comforts and recreation will be provided. The club has already a membership of 550, and the roll is rapidly gathering force. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Curran and their youngest son (who is leaving St. Ignatius' College, Riverview, for a German College) have left Sydney for Europe. Prior to his departure Mr. Curran had the gratification of attending the first meeting of the executive committee entrusted with the Irish Home Rule campaign in this State, and concerning which he will be the bearer of a very hopeful message to his late (probably his future) colleagues of the Irish Party at Westminster. As a souvenir of the movement, as well as of old friendship, Mr Curran, on the eve of his departure, presented the Hon. R. E. O'Connor with a beautifully-mounted Irish blackthorn stick inscribed : 4 To Senator R. E. O'Connor from his friend, Thomas Curran, as a memento of Irish reunion. Sydney, 1902.' His Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne has been pleased to fill the vacancy at SS. Peter and Paul's, South Melbourne, caused by the depaiture the Rev. Dr. Graber, by appointing the Rev. R. Collins, of St. John the Baptist Church, Clifton Hill, as parish priest. The Rev. John McCarthy, private secretary to hie Grace the Archbishop, and inspector of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Melbourne, has been appointed to the charge of the parish of St. John the Baptist, Clifton Hill. As Archbishop's secretary (says the Advocate), Father McCarthy had to prepare the heaviest part of the work involved in preparing for the opening of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and all have admitted that he discharged that important and responsible duty with conspicuous ability. On the appointment of the Rev. W. Ganly to the pastorate of St. Kilda West, Father McCarthy was appointed Diocesan Inspector of Schools. His annual reports on the working of the Archdiocesan primary schools were remarkable for comprehensiveness and the skill with which facts and figures were marshalled.