INTERCOLONIAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 29, 17 July 1902, Page 7

INTERCOLONIAL.

His Grace the Coadjutor-Archbishop of Sjdney blessed and opened a new church at Katoomba on last Sunday. Mr T. O'Callarhan has been permanently appointed 'Commissioner of the Victorian Police at falary of £900 per year. ' O f 8000 r:\t-i examined by the health authorities of Sydney since April 1, only 64 were found to be suffering' from plague. The population of Victoria on March 31 las»t was estimated by the Victorian Government statist to be 1,208, 8 ( J5 The new presbytery has beeu completed at Dubbo at a cost of about £1500. The presbytery is a very fine building— in fact, among the finest in the place, commanding an extensive view of Dnbbo and surrounding's. On Thursday, Jane 26, Solemn High Mass was celebrated in St. Mary's Cathedral, Sydney, to invoke the bkssings of peace and prosperity on the Reign of King Edward VII. The vast building was fllled^the whole of the seating accommodation being occupied. The Melbourne Advocate has been permanently enlarged to 36 pages, and is much improved in appearance by a green cover. To keep pace with the times the proprietors have imported a fount of Irish type, so that htudents of Gaelic can now express in its oolumns their thoughts and sentiments in Irish. Major F. B. Freehill entertained Mr Thomas Curran at dinner on the eve of Mr Gurran's departure for Ireland Major Freehill, Mgr. O'Brien, and the Hon. John Meagher having eulogißed Mr Currano services to the Irish cause the toast of his health was drunk with enthusiasm. Mr Curran, in reply, said that it was his intention to finally settle down in Ireland. Several prominent citizens assembled at the boat so tay farewell to MrCurrau. Lady Rawson paid a visit the other day to St. Magdalen' 8 Refuge, Tempe, at the invitation of Rev. Mother Dominio and the ladies of the committee for the Tempe ball, which was held in the Town Hall. Her ladyship, who drove out with Mrs John T. Toohey, was met on her arrival by the Rev. Mother and Sisters ana the hou. secretaries (Mrs E. W. O'Sullivan aud Mrs P. E. Quinn), and the hon. treasurer (Mrs W. F. Brennan), and the members of the committee. Lar'y Rawaon was escorted through the Home, taking the keenest interest in ea< h department. It was explained that the Refuge was started 15 years ago by the Rev. Mother Gertrude Byrne. Since then over £20,000 had btcn spent on buildings and machinery for the laundry work. The institution is self-supporting. A debt yet remains of £-1000 on the buildings. The object of holding a bs»ll annually by the ladies was to help to reduce this debt. Lady Rawson was particularly interested m the spotless state of the living apartments of the inmates, and in the laundry, where it was evident that no trouble or expense had been spared in fittiDg it up with the latest machinery, etc. Not since the opening of St. Patrick's Cathedral in October 1897 (pays the Melbourne Advocate), had bo iirmenne an assemblage been gathered within the four walls of the noble temple as that which assembled at the intercessory service for Edward VII on Sunday evening, June 29. Tbe people began to assemble shortly after 5 p m., ani at G o'clock every available seat was filled. Ihere were then some 6000 persons present. The btrearu of people continued to pour in right up to the hour appointed for the omuiencfment of the inn-rces-sory service — 7 o'clock. There was a strong force of police, who, however, found lo little difficulty in keepiDg the passage? clear, in accordance with the regulations of the Board of Health — a wit-e precaution, too, for were a panic to occur in such a closely packed assemblage, the result would have been disastrous to life and limb. A tow minutns before 7 o'clock, Lord Hopetoun, accompanied by Cipnin H. W. Wallington, O M.G. (Private Secretary) wa* rocehei at the mam entrance by the Very Rev Dean Phelan, Adm . Very Rev. T. Lynch. P.P , and others of the clergy, Hon. J. G. Duffy. M. L A., etc. On the left of the Earl of Hopetoun's party were His Excellency the Governor of Victoria (Sir George Sydenham Clarke), Lady Olarke, and Captain C. V. Vallange (private secretary). Immediately behind the Vice-regal reserve were the Acting Prime Minister and Federal Attorney-General (Hon. Alfred Deakin, M P ), and Mrs. Deakin. Senator R. E. O'Connor (N.S.W ), Senator J. H. Keating (Tabmania), Senator the Hon. J. G. Drake, Postmaster- General (Queensland), the President of the Legislative Council (Sir Henry Wnxon) and Lady Wrixcn, Hon. J. G. Duffy, M.L.A., Lady and Miss Madden, the Mayor of Melbourne (Sir Samuel Gillott, M.L.A), Sir Edward McKenzie, Captain Tickell (Naval Commander), Surgeon-General Colahan. Mr. P. J. O'Connor, M L.A., Cr. D. V. Hennessy, M,L.A., and members of the Melbourne City Council. The occasional sermon was preached by his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne, which was based on the text, ' Render unto C<esar the things that are Cesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' In concluding, his Grace eaid : 'And now, your Excellency, who so worthily represents the King in this new Commonwealth of Australia, we desire, on the eve of your departure, and in the performance of almost your last official act in Victoria, to convey to you our appreciation of your uniform kindness and courtesy towards the Catholic section of the community. We had hoped that your residence amongst us would be prolonged, so that by your earnest zeal, tactful administration, and transparent sincerity, you might further assist and advance the cause of Australian unity. But as this is not to be, we thank you sincerely for the past, and we wish you and yours every happiness m the future. We are deeply gratified that his Majesty has added to the honors and decorations you so worthily bear, and we atk you on your return to England to convey to his Majesty the expression of our loyal attachment, and fervent joy and thankfulness to God for his happy recovery.'