INTERCOLONIAL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 31, 31 July 1902, Page 7

INTERCOLONIAL.

j*- The N.B.W. Premier, Sir John See, has given half an aore of land for a new convent and grounds at Cumnock, new Molong, New South Wales. Although owing to his advanced age— nearly 89 years— the Bight Rev. Mgr. Rigney's permanent recovery can scarcely be hoped for, we {Freeman's Journal) are pleased to be able to state that the venerable prelate has much improved. The Advocates Bendigo correspondent, writing under date 9th instant, says : ' The news that the resignation of his Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Reville, of the Bishopric of Sandhurst, was not accepted by the Pope, was received in Bendigo on Wednesday evening, and was learned with great gratification by all his people. His Lordship haa endeared himself to his flock during the many years he has been among them, and when it was heard that he had forwarded his resignation to Rome, universal sorrow was felt. Not only the Catholic community, but the citizens in general, are pleased to know that the Bishop will not sever his oonneotion with the diocese, and all join in wishing that he may continue for many years to guide his people, and carry on his good works for their benefit, and the promotion of religion, Senator O'Connor (says the Catholic Prett) has a quiet humor at times. The other night in the Senate, Senator Nei)d sought to take him by guile. He quoted the notorious opinion given by Mr R. E. O'Connor, that the seat of government cannot legally be anywhere outside New South Wales. In the first place, Senator Neild asked, did Mr R. E. O'Connor Q.C., give the opinion in question (which he quoted at length). To this Senator O'Connor replied, ' I have no official information on the subject.' The House yelled. The second question was, ' Is the Mr R. E. O'Connor Q.C., identicai with Senator R. E. O'Connor, K.C., Vice-President of the Executive Council?' To this the answer of Senator O'Connor was, 'This question involves a physiological problem, upon which experts differ, and upon which I am afraid J cannot give an unbiassed opinion.' Again the gentlemen on the benches were convulsed with mirth, and Senator Neild collapsed. The Rev. Father Masterson, S.J., has left Sydney to join the Jesuit parish at Hawthorne, Victoria. Prior to his departure he was the recipient of a presentation from the clergy of Sydney. The function took place in St. John's College. The presentation, which was made by Mgr. O'Brien on behalf of the priests, consisted of a handsome silver-mounted inkstand and silver-mounted ebony pen, the very best that could be obtained in Sydney. Mgr. O'Brien made a few eloquent remarks, in the course of which he paid a high eulogy to the priestly, social, and pcholarly character ot Father Masterson, and referred to the appropriate nature of the gifts in view of the signal services performed by his able pen in the interests of trnth and social harmony in this country when on a recent occasion both were assailed by calumniators of the Catholic body. The speaker spoke in complimentary terms of the Society of Jesus, of which Father Ma6terson was so worthy a member. Father Maßterson, in response, expressed his happiness in being amongst the priests of the Archdiocese, and his sense of the high compliment they had paid him. The Rev. Brother Urban, Provincial of the Marist Brothers in Australasia, whose death was referred to by our Auckland correspondent in our last issue, passed away at St. Joseph's College, Hunter's Hill, Sydney, on Friday, July 11. The deceased, who had led a life of great activity, and accomplished much in the course of that education of the young in at least three continents (says the Freevian's Journal), was born in Mayo, Ireland, and received hie early education in the Mamt Brothers' High School in that town. While there, he had for his fellow student and companion the present illustrious Bishop of Sligo, the Right Rev. Dr. Clancy. When 19 years of age he entered the Order of the Marist Brothers, making his novitiate at their principal house in Scotland. After a successful course of studies, he was appointed to the staff of Brothers at St. Joseph's College, Dumfries, where he showed exceptional capacity for the work to which he had devoted his life. After some years at this place, he was sent to South Africa as Director of St. Joseph's Academy, Capetown. Here, during a residence of seventeen years, he won golden opinions from all with whom he came in contact, his work as Director of the Academy being crowned with extraordinary success. During the latter part of his term he was Visitor to all the South African houses of the Marißt Brothers. To the great regret of the clergy, his fellow-religious, and the pupils, he was recalled to France in 1897 to assume the duties of Provincial of the British Isles, which office he discharged with his usual energy and devotednesa for the next four and a-half years. Falling into ill-health owing to repeated attacks of influenza, it was deemed advisable to find a warmer climate for the Belf -sacrificing Provincial, and accordingly he was sent in December, 1901, to Sydney. Here since his arrival he has acted as Provincial of the Order in Australasia. The same activity and earnestness that characterised Brother TJrban's career in other continents was also exhibited in Australia. His strength, however, proved unequal to the duties of his high position, and while in New Zealand in January last he became seriously ill. He came back to Sydney, and fcr a time rallied, but a paralytic stroke which he received in May last entirely incapacitated him from work, and he gradually sank, and passed to his reward on the 11th inst. as stated. Solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul was celebrated by the Rev. Father Muraire, S.M., in St. Joseph's College chapel on Saturday, and about 100 Brothers of the Order accompanied the remains to their last resting-place in Field of Mars Cemetery. The ceremonies at the graveside were performed by the Very Rev. Father Olier, S.M., assisted by the Very Rev. Father Muraire, S.M., Rev. Father Marcel, S.M., and Rev. Father Maher, M.S.H.