NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 35, 27 August 1903, Page 20

NEW ZEALAND: GENERAL

It will be interesting to many (says the 'Otago Daily Times ') in view of possible prohibition, to learn that the favorite temperance drink, sarsaparilla and ginger ale, contains a certain proportion of alcohol. It was disclosed by the analysis obtained in connection with court proceedings on Thursday that this medicine contains a fairly good percentage of proof spirits, which will explain the demand foi it in certain districts where thirsts are long and drinks ' soft.'

On Sunday last the popular pastor of Hastings, Very Rev. Father Smyth, S.M., celebrated the silver jubilee of his ordinaJtion to the priesthood. Solemn High Mass was celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church, among the clergy present on the occasion being the \ en. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., Provincial of the Marist Fathers in New Zealand. The popular and justly esteemed jubilarian was not only the recipient of many congratulations and other tokens of goodwill from the assembled clergy and his own parishioners, but also received numerous telegrams conveying the good wishes and congratulations of the senders from all parts of the Colony.

A public meeting in connection with the proposed monster bazaar and spectacular display in aid of the Stoke Orphanage rebuilding fund was held on Thursday night in St. Mary's Hall (says the Nelson ' Colonist '). The Reiv. Father G. Mahoney, who presided, said it was proposed to hold the bazaar and spectacular display about the middle of next February. He said they could not have a more deserving object to work for than providing a suitable home for the poor lads. It was also intended that the new orphanage building should be a memorial to the late Dean Mahoney, who had labored zealously for a number of years in the cause of the orphans. Providing a home for the orphans was a work of Christian charity, and the proposal that that home should be a memorial to the much-lamented Dean Mahoney was one that, he felt sure, would make all work heart and soul for all efforts put forward in aid oi the building fund. He felt sure all would strne to make the bazaar a success, also the spectacular display, which would be under the management of Signor Borzom, who had had much experience in getting up such displays The bazaar would entail a large expenditure of time, thought, and labor. Those taking part in the spectacular display would have to find their own costumes and dresses, but he had been assured those would not be very expensive. Mr. C. A. Seymour was appointed secretary of the undertaking, and; the following were chosen as a committee :— Mesdames Burnes and Redmond, Misses Frank, Bunny, Duff, and M. Driscoll ; Messrs. A. P. Burnes, L. Frank, B. Crisp, Redmond, 11. Seymour, and <i. Frank. A large number of names were handed in of ladies who would assist with the stalls of the bazaar.

The late Mr. Daniel Dennehy, of Charleston, whose death was reported in our last issue, had an adventuzous career since his arrival in the colonies in 1851. Immediately on reaching Melbourne he started for the goldfields, spending three years at Castlemaine, Bendigo, and Ballarat. In 1859 he was attracted by the gold rush at Fitzroy River, Queensland, but after 12 months spent in that district he returned to Melbourne, where it was reported that gold had been discovered in Otago He sailed for Dunedin early in 1861, and was one of the first to commence operations at Gabriel's Gully. After spending three years on the Otago diggings at Arrow, Majori Point, Dunstan, Queenstown, etc., he left for the West Coast by Whitcombe Pass and the Cannibal Gorge, and on arriving there began his search for the precious metal at Waimea (Goldsborough). From there he followed the various rushes* to Teremakau, Bruce Bay, etc. In 1865 he, with seven others, chartered a little ketch and started for Constant Bay on a prospecting expedition, but being unable to land there proceeded further on to Woodpecker Bay, and from there proceeded overland to Charleston, where they remained only for a few weeks, returning to Hokitika, where they sold the first gold procured at the Charleston diggings. In 1866 the late Mr. Dennehy left for Melbourne, where he was married soon after his arrival. Returning to the West Coast he spent some years at Reefton, Addison's Flat, and Staffordtown, and in 1870 he proceeded to Coromandel, but returned to Charleston the following year, where he resided until his death. The deceased was a practical Catholic and was a member of the Charleston branch of the II A C.B. Society since its formation in 1869, which was the first started in this Colony. The deceased leaves' a widow, five sons and five daughters to mourn their loss.