THE BLACK SWANS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 34, 29 May 1891, Page 20

THE BLACK SWANS.

Christchurch. On Thursday, May 21st, a flag bearing a representation of a life-sized swan floated from a pinnacle of the Hibernian Hall, Barbadoes street to the not a little consternation of tbe adjoining residents and paster*-' by. Many were the inquiries as to " what was up." "Th 6 Black Swans " were to have an " At Home " that evening, to which they invited their friends and patrons. At 8 p.m. the guests commenced to gather, and by 8.30 there were about 100 persons, exclusive of the Bwans, in the hall. Amongst them were Rev. Father Cummings, Aubrey, S«rvajanr, Bro. Joseph , Mesdames < ourtney, Rogers, Bryant, J. P. Kelly, Messrs. Tinder,' Courtney, Harrington, Haywoori, Hoban, McCormick, and Meesrs* J. P. Kelly, Hoban, William and Robert Hay wood, Robert and Thomas Lonargan, James, William, Charles and J. R. Courtney F. iMcGarva, J. Buchannan, W. Hoban, W. Rogers, D. Steinmetz) Arthur Tinder, R. P. J. Clarkson, G. O'Connor, and a host of other well-known and respected members of the Catholic body. A certain section of the community was conspicuous for their absence though invited, but unfortunately this is no new discovery in this would-be aristocratic city of Christcburch. Some of us have very refined and extra sensative organs which never could survive the atmosphere of •' an at home " given by the Catholic fathers of chia city, Ob, dear, no ! The programme consisted of vocal and instrumental music, recitations, speeches, step-dancing, dialogues etc., and last though not least an excellent spread most tempting, artistically displayed, and very delicious to tha taste, at least I found it so. Permit me here to make a slight transgression by saying a few words as to the formation of this " Club," which is quite recent, having made its first appearance on the 9th February last, in an entertainment for the liquidation of parish debt when over twenty pounds were realized. The " club " owes its existence mainly to Mr. J. P. Kelly who is its present director, ably assisted by his " better half," and consists of young men who have left school now engaged in various avocations in the city and who are musically inclined. Its object is two fold viz., self-culture, and the giving of entertainments for charitable and school purposes.' That it deserves patronage is self evident, that it will be productive of an amount of good was exemplified by the manner its " At Home '' was given, and the pleasure afforded those who had the good fortune and privilege of being present. Those young men who are not extra literanly inclined or rather whose taste for music and socialicity predominates can't do better than join the " Black Swans, 1 ' and parents need not fear that their boys will go wrong so long as Mr. J. P. Kelly is at the helm. It was the intention of the Club to give an entertainment on the Queen's Birthday, the proceeds of which were to go towards erecting a house for the Marist Brothers, but for fear it might in any way interfere with the success of the sports in Lancaster Park on that day, for the benefit of St. Mary's Parian, the entertainment was postponed, and hence the " At Home " I have just been describing. I think the new club deserves well of the Catholic community. It is under the auspices of the Church, the president being Very Rev. Father Cummings. An effort is required to keep our young people, boys and girls who have left school under constant supervision. They should also occasionally be brought together at entertainments similar to the one given on tbe 21st inst., so that they may know one another, where aleo parents and others may spend an hour or two's enjoyment. Those too, blessed by the good tbiDgs of this world should encourage by their presence, and in other ways best known to themselves, Buch societies, ofteu by so doing they attract others to follow in their footsteps. I hope when the " Black Swans " announce their next entertainment the Catholic body especially will show by their presence that they appreciate the good they are doing, and I promise those who attend to be entertained better than at many entertainments given by those of a longer existence than they. I understand that the proceeds of the next entertainment goes towards the support of the Catholic school at Hal°well.