Letter from J. Kelly to Hagan

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Pontifical Irish College

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Kelly, J.

Hagan, John, 1873-1930

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Typescript letter signed J. Kelly, Dunedin, New Zealand, to Hagan. Remarking that with the new year 'all the unknown possibilities of war [are] again before us as a result of the spirit of Imperialism'. Stating the new College is a credit to Hagan and wishing that no mitre may fall upon him in the near future. Commenting at length about his lonely existence among colonials as the only Irishman in a radius of forty miles. He invests in New Zealand breweries in view of his hope of retirement; hoping prohibition will not be introduced within five years. Complaining about the Tablet directors, rendering his work and the paper ineffectual- 'a huxter's shop would be their business limit'. He recently lost a good friend, Monsignor Burke; asking for a Roman sculptor for a marble cross to be erected by his nephew. Stating sympathy for 'poor Kit' (Ó Ceallaigh)- she ought to go back to Toulon for her health, but 'Seán did not make money out of his patriotism'. Wondering whether the change in King Edward's title could give deValera a loophole into the Dáil. There are too many new parties in Ireland, with too much talk. Commenting briefly that in New Zealand, due to 'a stupid Massey administration' the economic situation is bad; mentioning the imports of coal into a coal-rich country. Premier Coates, a relation of Roger Casement, is 'a decent man but not very able'. Praising again the Archbishop of Wellington; in Auckland he prefers his old enemy to the 'cowardly little bully' of a coadjutor. mentioning Frank's grave, and Mother de Sales. Adding that he also invests in a paper in Auckland. Brief handwritten addition about M.J. O'Connor [his health].