CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 38, 26 June 1891, Page 18

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Coir«Bpondent.) June 23, 1881. ~ The Tridnnm which was celebrated throughout the Diocese of Christchurch in honour of St. Aloysius duri ig the past week was brought to a close on Tuesd \j evening at the Pro-Oathedral by a Procession of the BUssed Sacramaot, aii the solemn dedication of the newly formed guild of B r . Aloysim tj the pitroaage and protection of that great moiel and guardiai of youth. The Tery Rev. Father Cummings preached an eloque it aid impressive sermon on the life and virtue^of this servant of God, to a very large congregation, many of whom were members of o f her denominations. After dealing with the principal points of the saint's life, his consecration by his mother to the service of God, his father's determinate that he should be a soldier, his own choice of a profession, which was that of a humble member of the Society of Jesas, and his death at an early age whilst spiritually and temporarily assisting the plague-stricken — the Sev. Speaker brought out into prominent relief the principal virtues for which he was distin^aiabe t. Taese ware the virtues of purity, selfdenial, love of QA, love of the aeighbjur, and love of the Church, virtues which were not practised to any great extent at the present day by the world, n>t even by our Catholic people. St. Aloysius was our model and if we ful.owed in his footsteps we would one day enjoy his society among the elect in the Kingdom of God. I regret very much to have to chronicle that one of the good Sisters at the Convent lies dangerously ill. At.Mass and at Vespera on Sunday the prayers of the congregation were asked in an especial manner for the recovery of Sister Joachim. The roll-stuffing by the brewers had contributed in no small degree to tbe success of the Prohibitionists at the last licensing election in our erstwhile model borough of Sydenham. It would seem indeed as if the bungling of the Prohibitionist Committee was likely to briag ridicule and disaster on their cause. When Judge Denniston threw his legal bomb-shell in their midst there were only two courses open to them — either of which would entitle them to the respect of all moderate minded men, to stand to their colours arid refuse all licenses, or else resign theirjposition and appeal again to the electors. They have done neither, but have S2t themselves to regulate the liquor traffic in the district in open violation of their election pledge and in direct opposition to their oft-repeated assertions that the liquor trade is a curse and a blight wherever it is, and that it cannot be regulated by the law of the land. Even very indifferent politicians change their opinions gradually, ani only after the lapse of reasonable time, but the Sydenham Licensing Committee have out-distanced even the most inveterate rail-sitting independent, for in the short space of six weeks they have run counter to their public professions, swallowed their plighted words, and commenced to grant certain licenses for the sale of that which they consider to be a vile moral poison. In promising to grant two out of the eight licenses they seem to be guided by a very peculiar standara for prohibitionists, that is, the drinking capacity of the neighbourhood in contra-distinction to the requirements of the travelling public. They refused, on " their own motion," whatever that may mean, to renew the license of the Southern Cross Hotel, the nearest one to the saleyards, and within a quarter of a mile of the A. and P.A. show grounds, which are used for many public gatherings. Surely it is'ioconsistent for men who profess such a hatred for drink to set so much value on a bar trade snd so little on accommodation for travellers. The adjournment meeting was held on the 22nd inst,, when the further consideration of those licenses which were not to be renewed was taken into consideration, and also evidence in support of the applications, showing that, such houses were required in the various localities. After receiving a vast amount of evidence as to the wants of the neighbourhood and the manner in which «aeh hotel has been conducted, the committee adjourned again until the 23rd inst., when it is hoped common sense and justice will guide them in their decisions. On Monday evening, June 22, an entertainment was given in the boys' school by the "Black Swan?, ' a dramatic and musical combination composed of a number of our Catholic young men, a notice of which appeared some time since in your columns. Thii was the best of its kind that has taken place here for a long time, both from an artistic and musical point of view, the farce being well staged and excfediDgly well played, whilst the musical items were thoroughly appreciated by a ciowded and enthusiastic house, at tracted no doubt by a very liberal programme, and also by the very popular object Jot which it was got up— the funds for building the

Brothers' house The management departed from the usual custom of leaving the dramatic part until the last ; instead, they wound up tbe entertainment with the musical portion. The principal characters in the farce were taken by Miss Courtney and Messrs Hoyte, Buchanan. Clarkson, O'Connor, Courtney, and Brandon, who kept the risible faculties of the audience fully occupied during the whole play. It would be invidious perhaps to make distinctions, as the opportunities for a display of good acting were unequal, but the palm should be certainly awarded to the two first mentioned gentlemen, ejfcEcially Mr Buchanan, whose humour was ii resistible. The musical itXta were a new waltz, the " Onslow," by Mr Bossiter, and performed for the first time ; " Killarney," and " My Fiddle and I," with violin obbligato, by Mrs Kelly. To say that they were sung in this lady's best style is sufficient guarantee that they were done justice to. Mr Haywood's contribution was very well received, as was Mr J. Hennessy's "The Bugler." Messrs J . and W. O'Neill. Peat, and Kelly sang some comic and character Bongs which were very much appreciated by the good humoured audience, who displayed their pleasure by calling on these for second editions. The last, but not least, was Miss Bryant, one of the most popular ladies connected with the prc-cathedral choir. She possesses a very pleasing alio voice, which she has used to much advantage in rendering several solos lately during the Masses in a very effective manner. As this was her first appearance on the public stage great hopes were raised of her success. These expectations were fully realised in her singing of " Apart," for which she was very j astly eocored. The whole wound up with a very effective Tableaux vivant. At the conclusion the Very Bey Father Cummings thanked the ladies and gentlemen who had so kindly contributed to the success of the entertainment, making especial mention of Mr and Mrs Kelly, who were a host in themselves, and also the large au Hence for their attendance.