INVERCARGILL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 20, 6 September 1889, Page 7

INVERCARGILL.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

September 2, 1889. HAND in hand with the springtide appaars tha return of livelier tim»'S, and the advance of prosp'rity. Many large and baautiful buildings are in coursj of erection, a f ict which shows that our business men have somo cjnfi lenco ia tne future welfare of the town.

Work oa the Stewart Island tinfWds, waica was, to a certain extent, suspended on account of the unfavourable weather, U bem^ vigorously prosecuted, and ere long we will be ia a position to pronounce the productiveness, or otherwise, of the mines. For the welfare of New Zealand in general, and of Southland in particular, it is to bn hoped that Stewart Island will prove itself the repository of mineral treasures, and thu9 realise the expectations of these praiseworthy proapectors, who are leading the van in the endeavour to develop the mining industry of the Colony. A large and enthusiastic meeting of the gentlemen of the Catholic congregation was held immediately after Mass on Sunday last, for the purpose of taking steps to present His Lordship Bishop Moran with a tangible tok^n of their respect and esteem on his return from the Home country. Mr. J. W. Ford, by request, took the cht.ir, and the Rev. Father Walsh addressed the meeting. It was decided to take action in common with the other parishes throughout the diocese in the matter of collecting subscriptions to form a suitable testimonial, and al9o to present His Lordship with an address on his landing at the Bluff. A strong and influential committee was appointed to make the uecessary preparations and arrangements, after which the meeting adjourned till Wednesday evening. A concert in aid of St. Mary's Boys' School was held on Friday evening, August 30, and came oil very successfully. The attendance, though large, was scarcely commensurate will the merits of the entertainment. Tho choruses "The Meeting of the Waters," and " Home, dear home," were rendered by the boys attending the school, with marked precision and excellenc 1 . Songs were delivered by Messrs. W. D. Smith (" A bundle ot letters ") ; P. J. Dunne, (" A bird in hand," and "A Vision") ; H. E. Anthony, (" Her own boy Jack ") ; A. Pasco, (" Tho cricket on the health ") ; and by Misses M. Roche, (" Thy voice ia near ") ; M. Craies, (" l'he;Blue Alsaiian Mountains") ; K. Kirwan,'"( <( Thy Face ') ; M. Weavers, ("The last sweet words of mother ") ; A. Dalton, <" Kiss and whisper good night"), all of which were loudly applauded. The young ladies especially acquitted themselves creditably, and so maintained their reputation as vocalists. Recitations were given by the school boys as follows: Masters J. Fahey, (" Caoch the piper"); E. Reid, (" Modern Logic ") ; T. Hill (" The Vulgar Boy " ),>hile the performance of Master M. Hishon as the Chinese quack doctor, caused an amount of merriment, and was doubtless the most " taking " item on the programme. The comic element was well represented by Meesra. W. Cavanagb, (•' Two lovely black eyes ") ; W. D. Smith, (" I'm a dandy, but I'm no dude ") ; T. J. Anthony, (" A very good guess," and " On bjard the Blatherumskite ") ; Mr. P. Dunn played a selection on his favourite instrument, the c mcertina, in his usual masterly style, while Misseß Roche and Kirwan acted in their wonted capacity as excellent and efficient accompanist". The entertainment, on the whole, was highly successful, and much credit is duo to the Key Father Walsh, who spared no pains to make the concert a success.

Local physicians at Johnstown estira ite tho loss of life by the r« cent flood at 10,000.