COMMONWEALTH NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, 10 March 1921, Page 30

COMMONWEALTH NOTES

V> f ■ r - Vr ; NEW SOUTH WALES. • • The Right Rev. Mgr, O’Haran, who met with such a serious accident last July that his life was despaired of, will soon be thoroughly restored to health. Over a month ago he left St. Vincent’s Hospital, where he was under the care of Dr. Moran, and went to Katoomba. In • the bracing mountain air he is rapidly recovering his -strength. He visits Sydney ©very week to supervise the work of his extensive parishDarlinghurst —and to transact other ecclesiastical business, and his friends are delighted to notice that he is regaining his health daily.

The Right Rev. Mgr. Ormond, who has been secretary to the Apostolic Delegation in Sydney for something like six years, coming here originally to serve under the first Papal Delegate, the Most Rev. Archbishop Cerretti, and remaining on with the present Papal Delegate, the Most Rev. Archbishop Cattaneo, has relinquished the position in order to enter upon parochial work in his own Auckland diocese. As he may be sailing any day, a number of his friends, clerical and lay, decided to entertain him at a valedictory harbor excursion, and the Rev. Father P. J. Murphy (Adm., St. Mary's Cathedral) and Mr. L. Cotter, L.C., acted as secretaries to the movement and made the necessary arrangements. As a result, on Monday afternoon last (says the Freeman's Journal for February 17) a large number of prominent priests and representative Catholic citizens gathered at Fort Macquarie and embarked on a special steamer for a run round the harbor. The popularity of Monsignor Ormond was evidenced by the warmth and enthusiasm displayed at an impromptu ceremony at "Killarney," Middle Harbor, when his health was honored and he was presented with a handsome testimonial, as a practical evidence of the general kindliness in his very trying and responsible position.

The Sydney Worker comments thus in a recent issue:—Father Jerger, the priest who was deported from Australia by Hughes and Co. for reasons that may have satisfied people who are easily satisfied, is temporarily residing in Holland after being in England, where, he states, he was much better treated than he was in the "land of the free" under the Southern Cross. The news is not surprising. During the most strenuous and critical days of the war John Bull was broader-minded and more tolerant than the Australian jingoes typified by Hughes. The ex-Domain Dosser may be proud of his distinction, but Australia isn't or oughtn't to be. -

His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Barry. CoadjutorArchbishop of Hobart, and his Lordshin the Right Rev. Dr. Hayden, Bishop of Wilcannia-Forbes, returned to Sydney by the Sonoma on Tuesday, February 15, after their ad limina visit to the Holy Father, and several months spent on the Continent. There was a large gathering. of friends, clerical and lay, to meet them at the wharf, and warm greetings were extended to both dignitaries.

. The annual report of the Catholic schools of Lismore diocese, which was read in Lismore lately by the Diocesan Inspector, Very Rev. Father George Barry, 8.A., created a profound impression on the vast assemblage of parents and parishioners in St. Carthage's schoolroom. It disclosed the fact that there are 33, Catholic schools in. the diocese with 3,780 pupils attending them. . The splendid progress of each school was ably and lucidly defined by the inspector, who, together with the teachers, was publicly thanked by his Lordship the Bishop Speaking at the distribution of prizes in connection with the diocesan primary schools examinations the other day, his Grace the Archbishop, Most Rev. Dr. Kelly, said that none of them remembered Archbishop Polding, who was in Sydney as Archbishop in '57, and who,- in connection with St. John's College, said "that since the reign of Henry VIII. the popular idea of the public f was that instruction and ; progressive education

were unwelcome to Catholics, and the policy of Governments ever since had been to deprive them of a fair chance in attaining the very first place in educational progress.” Here, in New r, South Wales, things were not so bad: they had liberty. The Fort Street School and kindred schools were subsidised to some extent, but, as Mr. Cleary had shown them some time ago, the numbers of prizes that went to them were not one-tenth what they should be, compared with the success of the Catholic schools. In this good work thev all recognised the influence of the teachers. One of St, Mary’s scholars had come third in the Public Service competitive examinations for all Australia: out of a possible 900 she got nearly 800. They were proud of the Sydney girl who was able to win with such remarkable distinction. VICTORIA. - St. Augustine’s Band played selections at the cricket match between the English players and a Geelong team, and the Englishmen were delighted with the playing of the boys, and said it was the best band they had heard'' during the tour, A party of the Englishmen visited St. Augustine’s Orphanage (conducted by the Christian Brothers), with which they were greatly . impressed. Very Rev. W. J. O’Dwyer, S.J., formerly acting rector of Newman College, and later on the staff of St. Aloysius’ College, North Sydney, has been appointed to take charge of the preparatory school for boys, to be conducted in conjunction with Xavier College at Studley Hall, Melbourne, the gift of Mr. T. M. Burke to the Jesuit Order. QUEENSLAND. Do State enterprises pay ? In a report by the Auditor-General on Queensland State enterprises, the indebtedness to the Treasury in respect of money advanced for the establishment of the concerns was shown as follows: State stations, <£1,335,614; State sawmills, £50,248; State hotel, £25,466; State produce agency, £32,034; State fishery, £58,067; State cannery, £63,782; State coal mine, £2485. For the year ended June 30 last the stations showed a net profit of £25,661 ; butcher shops, £36,652 ; railway refreshment rooms, £l2750 ; produce agency, £2566 ; sawmills, £10,677 ; hotel, £1175. The fish supply showed a loss of £8458. The accumulated net profits on the various enterprises amounted to £165,439, and the loss to £15,973, leaving a credit balance of £149,466. It looks as if a much-abused Cabinet is a much better financier than most of its critics.

Dr. Shiel, who has returned to Rockhampton, in an interview with a Catholic Advocate representative, said:—"There were no signs, as had been suggested by a certain section, that the great Irish leader was losing his popularity or was not fully trusted by his colleagues. He was as great as ever. Dr. Shiel stayed for the most part in Dublin, but motored through the whole of Ireland, which generally presented a picturesque and prosperous appearance—that is, apart from places where the houses and some of the principal buildings had been burned down. In reply to a query concerning the state of the popular mind, Bishop Shiel said the Sinn. Fein leaders desired a Republic, and most of the people were behind them, but none knew what would Jiappen next. "Yes," said Dr. Shiel to a question about Archbishop Mannix, "I met him in London and Portsmouth, and he looks remarkably well and cheerful." From Southampton his Lordship travelled to New York and spent six weeks in America. He visited Washington, Baltimore, Cleveland, Chicago, and St. Paul. He met and dined with Cardinal Gibbons, considered by many to be the greatest living man in America to-day, and that grand old Prince of the Church was remarkablv active and alert considering the great burden of his 86 years. He also met Arhbishop Hayes, of New York. After a short stay in Vancouver,'the capital of British Columbia, Dr. Shiel left for Sydney on December 17, calling on the way at Honolulu, Suva, and Auckland. At Auckland he met Dr. Liston, recently consecrated Co-adjutor-Bishop of that city, who extended every kindness to him and Dr. McCarthy, who accompanied him.