CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 13, 28 July 1893, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) July 24, 1893. The Catholic Literary Society, the membership of which, it is pleaiing to note, is steadily increasing, debated at their laat meeting the absorbing question of the direct veto, as applitd to the liquor traffic. Mr J. Curtin opened in a well-arranged speech, the most telling arguments, however, beiDg brought to bear by Mr M. Donnelly, who etrenuously opposed the direct veto as being bad in principle, and calculated to have a very contrary efE ct in many directions. On the question going to the vote a substantial majority were found opposed to it. The president (Rev Father Briand) presided, and there was & large attendance of members. The dramatic section of the Aloysian Guild are actively preparing an entertainment, which is to take place shortly, with the laudable endeavonr of supplementing the pnrochial liquidation fund. The annual meeting of the St Vincent de Paul Society, & synopsis of which was circulated at the prc-C*thedral on Sunday last, shows that a great amount of charitable work was transacted daring the yea^, Much more could be done and many pressing needs attended to were the Society strengthened numerically, snd it is hoped that in beginning the ensuing year the Society will be in a position to congratulate itself oa increased membership. There was laid to rest last Thursday in the Linwood cemetery the remains of one of Canterbury's pioneer settlers, and one who ia life was a true Christian and a fervent Catholic. I allode to the late Mrs Jane Milner, who died at the residence of her husband, Selwyn. street, Addington on, Tuesday, at the ripe age of 78 years. The deceased lady was an English worn in by birth and after marriage resided with her bueband in Belgium for a period of four years, and in 1859 arrived in Lyttelton by the chip Mystery, Afcer a short residence of two years in Cbristchurch a removal was made to Leeatoo, and subsequently to Addington, where they have resided ever since. Although in delicate health for some years, the deceased lady bore her sufferings with the greatest fortitude, and was conscious till her death, which was a supremely happy one, the Very Bey Father Cumtnings attending her last moments. A Ileqviem Mass for the repose of her soul was offered in the pro-Cathedral, tbe funeral afterwards being a large and representative one. Much sympathy ia expressed towards the bereaved husband, whosi voice and pen have oa very many occasions been unerringly i.sed in vindication of Catholic rights, and exposition of abuses, and also to the two sonß, Messrs Frederick and John Milner,the former beingone of the oldest and most active members of tbe Catholic Literary Society (who at their last meeting ordered a letter of condolence to be sent him). The latter reßidcs with hi 6 family at Temuka. — R.I. P. The annual charity sermon in aid of the funds of the Society of St Vincent de Paul was delivered on Sunday last by the Very Bey Cumming, V.G, Taking for bis text the words contained in the [ Gospel of 8t John, Chapter XIII, and thirty-fifth verse " By this shall all men know tbatyou are my disciples, if you have love one for another," the very rev preacher gave an able dibcourse, and made an elcqoent appeal on behalf of the charity under notice. The music was Weber's Mass in G rendered exceedingly well. In the evening at Vespers the Rev Father Briand preached, and at the Benediction Mißß Speneely and Mr Puscbel contributed solos.