TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 39, 17 January 1890, Page 27

TIMARU.

("From onr own Correspondent.) The pretty church of the Sacred Heart looked very nice on Christmas morning. The decorations were quite as artistic as those of previous years, the various inscriptions appropriate for the festival being grace* fully exhibited, while the wreaths of greenery and flowers huog and draped around the church were very striking and effective High Mass was celebrated by the Bey. Father Foley, the grand music rendered by the choir being quite a feature in the celebration.— Wood s string band kindly lent their services for the occasion the different parts of the Mass being selected as follows :— The " Kyrie " "Gloria, 1 "Credo," and " Agnus Dei" from Farmer's Mass in B Flat ; and the " Sanctns " and •• Benedictus " from " Weber's Mass in G. 1 The principal soloists were Mißses McGuinness (soprano) McKenna Messrs. Crosby (tenor), McKenna and Duval (basses). Miss McGuinness rendered the various solos entrusted to her with an amount of taste and precision surprising for one so young while the cboru«es were harmoniously and powerfully sustained. ' The New Year was ushered in by anything but holiday weather, which hid rather a bad effect on the first day's meeting of the Caledonian Society. However, the clerk of the weather was in a better mood on the following day, and tried by being specially gracious, to make up f c r his previous lack of courtesy. The sports ground is all that can be desired for the purpose, being near the sea, from whence a cooling breeze tempers the heat of the day, while the ground enclosed has been so laid out and terraced that every spectator can have a full view of the events being competed for. With such surroundings the Caledonian meetings should be more successful every year, but I have some doubts as to whether the measure of ' success has been added to this year or not. The events were all well contested and amongst the names of snccessful competitors are several whose orthography is not at all rare in the " Emerald Isle." The final meeting of the Irish Delegates' Beception Committee was held here on Tuesday, the 7th inst. The outstanding lists were handed in, and the different amounts when totalled showed that over £270 had been collected. Deducting expenses for advertising, rent of theatre, &c, the committee found that they would be able to send the nett amount of £250 Home. Mr. Gunn, a member of the committee, suggested that the gentlemen interested in the question of Home Rule should not cease their efforts now that Mr. Dillon's visit and its consequences were over, and proposed that promised annual subscriptions be canvassed for, and an annual contribution be sent home yearly until such time as Home Rule is obtained. This suggestion was received with great enthusiasm, and a considerable Bum was there and then promised. It is intended to send the money obtained Home about next September. Mr. O'Driscoll continues as treas-urer, and persons desirous of giving an annual contribution can give tbeir names either to the treasurer, Mr. D. Maaoney.or Mr. Gunn. On Wednesday last the secretary and treasurer sent a draft for £250 to Dr K-uny, Dublin, through the Bank ot New South Wales (who very kiudiy remitted the amount free of cbarge), accompanied by the following letter : -

" Timaru, Bth January, 1890. •' To Dr Kenny, O'Connell street, Upper, Dublin. " Sir,— On behaif of the Irish Delegates Reception Committee, we beg to enclose diaft for £250, beiug tue result of Mr. John Dillon's v&ipto Timaiu. C/'This amount has been subscribed by citiz nsofvariouscreedsand nationalities, not only for the purpose of assisting the unfortunate evicted tenants of Ireland against the tyranny to which they are subjected, but also aa an incentive to them to continue in the good fight

until victory is secured, The amount now forwarded will he followed by au annual contribution to the same fund, until the blessings of 2™. i *!e! c Bec , n , red for the deM old land ' Md the P"" 0 * , tryannical system of landlordism is rooted from its soil. We have the honour to be, sir, yours obediently, " Thos. O'Dbiscoll, Treasurer. 11 Thos. J. Burns, Secretary." M ~. Mr ' Dillon '* *"»* Q «w shown how the question of Home Bale progresses even in this porti mof the world. A few years ago and a Home Buler was a sort of cariosity in Timara ; now the curiosity is »• n m W . n ™ t * H<me Raler - Tae li9t of ■abjoribars to the ■noted Tenants Fond sHows that nearly every nun ot position and education in the town has contributed bis mit*. The efforts of the non-Irish and non-CUthohc membinof the Oommittej also show that tae meaning of Home Rule is understool in its proper light, apart altogether from being a question of religion or biirotrr. A special meed of prai* is due to our worthy MSy >r, Mr. D. M. BoiS, tor his unremitting 'courtesy and the great assistause rendewd by him. He presided at the Committee meetings, gave the movement bis support ana encouragement from the commencement, and on the o:jcisioo of Mr. Dillon a visit spent a considerable portion of his tima in m»kin* the visit a pleasant one to the distinguished delegate. Mr. T. J. Burns made an indefatigable secretary, and his untiring eft >rti contriouted greatly ia briogiog matters to such a sucoenful termination, v i^ The^ alf 'y«wly meeting of St. Mary's Branch H.A.0.8.8. wm held on Thursday last, the President, Bro. M. Orauuitch, in the chair. Alter the usual routine business being transacted and tha balancesheet being read and adopted, the election of officers took place for the ensuing term, and resulted as follows :-President, Bro. M. F. Derm by ; Vice-President. Bro. J. Cunningham ; Secretory, Bro. J. McKenoa (re-elected) ; Treasurer, Bro. M. Orannitoh ; Goardian.Bro. D.Downes ; Warden, Bro. J. Courtney ; Sick Visitors, Bros. P. Ktne and J Maloney ; Auditors, Bros. M. F. Dennehy and A. Wilson ; Delegate to Dispensary Board, Bro. M. F. Dannehy.— A motion to present a past President's collar to Bro. Oraunitchon his retiring from the office of President was carried unanimously. The offiaers for the ensuing term were then installed.and after the usual complimsnts wen paid to the retiring officers the meeting terminated. In my last letter Mr. Dillon's speech was omitted from my report and it was at the conclusion of that speech he sat down amidst applause, and not at the conclusion of the Hibernian address, m the report reads.

A pleasing ceremony took place here during the week. Mia Jtturpny, who hag been assistant teacher in the boys' school for the past nine yean, and who has had to resign her portion through ill health, was presented with an address and purse of sovereigns by her many friends among the congregation. Mrs. B .ran read the addreM and made the presentation, to which Miss Murphy suitably replied. Miss Murphy's loss will not be easily supplied in the school, and the manner in which the parents, of the children vied with each other in making the testimonial a success showed that the young lady possessed their entire confidence. The Rev. Father Foley was present at the presentation, and testified to her ability as a teacher, also praying tnat Miss Murphy would soon be restored to health and vigour— a prayer which was heartily endorsed by those present.