TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 3, 10 May 1889, Page 20

TIMARU.

(From our own Correspondent.)

The special services in St. Joseph's church during the Holy Week were fairly attended. The (solemn and mournful appearance of the sanctuary presented a marked contrast to the usually tasteful manner in which it is decorated. On Holy Thursday morning after Mass the Blessed Sacrament was removed to the Altar of Repo9e, and from that hour until 10 o'clock on the following morning a constant adoration was kept up by members of the congregation. The members of the Hibernian Society divided the small hours of the night amongst themselves, two members in regalia being always present in adoration. On Easter Sunday the marks rf mourning were absent from the sanctuary, which was tastefully decorated with flowers hnd evergreens, and other decorations suggestive of the day. The members ot th*» Hibernian Society attended Holy Communion in regal a at the 9 o'clock Mass. High Mass was celebrated by the Key. Father Kolej , at 11 o'clock. The choir, ucder the leadership of Mr. Duval, rendered the sacred music in a veiy creditable manner.

The concert held on Easter Monday was, as I anticipated, a grand success. The management committee are to he congratulated uu their effort?, as t^e whole programme, which was very variei, was gone through without a sing.c hitch. The financial resu tis very satisfactory and will prove a welcome addition to the school fund. The Timaru Orchestral Society kindiy lent their services for the occasion, and the overtures rendered by them before each of the parts of the programme were musical treats worth listening to. Tae Minstrels commenced the first part with the opening chorus, " Climbing up the Golden Stairs," which was rendered very nicely, the different parts ! telling well. Mr. C. Head (corner-man) sang two comic songs, '' The ' four Sarahs " and " fcometbing that makes me laugh,"' in very t?ood style. Master C. Niell sang that old favourite, '• I'he Old K.-lts at Home "' very nicely and created quite a favourable imp;uH»ion. Mi . M. J Carey (corner-man) mado matters lively with his comic songs " Johnny get your (iun " and " Come my Love ami go with Me." Mr. Carey was in capital voice and well merited the applause his songs received. Mr. McKenna rendered " The Vacant Chair " in pleasing style. " Good old Jeff " and " Poor old Joe." by Mi*ses J. Walley and B. McGowan, were two of the best sentimental songs of the evening. Both singers did their songs full justice. The chorus, " Faie you well," brought the first part of the entertamineut to a close. Between the different vucal items delivered by the Minstrels were various conuudrums and jokes (many of the later being local bits) and the usual nigger '• business." The second part of the performance was devoted to purely vocal music, and was commenced by Miss Henry singing ''The Isle thai'd crowned with Shamrocks." Both in this s^ng and in '"Killarney " a little later on, Miss Henry established herself a warm favourite with the audience. Mr. Gilcbrist, who possesses a pleasing baritone voice, sang"Tl)3 Young Brigade" capitally, and was equally successful in " Erin, my Country." Miss Mcc, wno possesses a remarkably sweet soprano voice, sang " Kate O'hhane ' and " Aparr." enchantingly. This lady's voice shows decided marks of careful and superior training, both songs being rendered in faultless style. Encores were foibiddeu on account of the length of the programme, but the audience would have no denial when Mr. T. J. Kennedy sang '• Ballihcoly." Mr. Kennedy also sang '' Killaloo," and in both songs " he brought down the house." Mr. Kennedy is inimitable in comic songs, especially where a little of the "brogue " is required. Unlike many others, in in dealing with that commodity, he knows where to ''.raw the line, and dues not sicken his hearers by over doing it. .vlr. Kennedy is very real, and must oe heard to be appreciated. The entertainment concluded with a farce performed by the Minstrels, entitled The Black Lunatic," consisting of the usual absurdities which,

while it makes people laugh heartily while they are looking at it, makes them afterwards wonder how they could listen to such rank nonsense. The corner-men, Messrs Haul and Oarey, were very good both in the minstrel part and in the farce, the latter being the heart and soul of the first and third parts.

The Bey. Father Par ton, who has been temporarily officiating ai curate here, is leaving for Christchurcb. The Rev. Father Binafeld has been appointed to the curacy. The bazaar and concert in aid of the Piirlie Creek church was held during Thursday, Friday, and Saturday last, and netted the magnificent amount of £150. MiBS Henry, of Ashbnrton, Mr. T. J. Kennedy, of Timaru, and several local of ladies and gentlemen, contributed towards making the concert part a success.