LOWER HUTT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 49, 6 April 1894, Page 18

LOWER HUTT.

Tuk Bervices daring Holy Week this year were much the same as that usually held on other yean. On Wedoesday Mass was Baid by the Very Rev Father Lane, who alao preachei an eloquent sermon both morning and evening. Holy Thursday, Mass at 9.30 and sermon by the Rector. At the conelnsion of the Mass the Blessed Sacrament was taken to the Altar of Repose, which was exquisitely decorated for the occasion by the ladies of the Altar Society, who kept watch during the day and night with laige numbers of the congregation. Amongst the constant stream of visitors daring the day who came to adore our Blessed Lord in the sicrament of the altar, might be seen more than onoe Sir Patrick Buckley, whose high offise and numerous duties never keep him from Mass or devotions on Sundays or holidays. Tbis model Carbolic and sterling Irishman is always to the front in every good work, substantially, when occasion requires if, and oherwise both by word and deed. During Holy Week Sir Patrick Buckley was to bp Been daily in bis accustomed place in the church fulfilling the cußtoms and traditions of tbe Church and showing good example to all. Good Friday, Mass of the I'resanctlied was snag by Father Donnelly, and an impressive sermon preached on the Passion and death of Jeaus Christ, after which there was adoration of the Cross, Stations at three and devotions and sermon in the evening by the Very Rev Father Lane. OnJ Easter Sunday Missa. cantata at 830 and sermon by Father Donnelly on the Resurrection. Farmer's Mass in B flat was Bang most beautifully by a well-trained choir, under the able guidance of Misa Ida Cndby, the gifted organist, who took tbe soprano solos. In this Mass her beautifal and well-trained voice was heard to great advantage ; Miss McGurk, alto ; Mr De Bo»a, baritone ; and Mr Buoney, basso. The choruses also were splendidly rendered. Vespers, Benediction, and sermon at 7 p.m. by Father Donnelly. Tbe church was full both morning and evening, and crowds approached the altar. Th* church was beautifully adorned with the rare flowers which are to be had at all seasons in the Hutt On Good Friday devotions were held at the Upper Halt ; Easter Sunday, Mi^sa cantata at 11 am., and sermon oy the Be y Father Donnelly, and Haydn's Mass was well rendered by an efficient choir □Oder Mr John Oolder, the accomplished organist, who not only played well, but s»tg with the true meaning of the composer. Mr Oolder baa a fine biritone voice and knows how to use it. The tenor solos were taken by Mr Charles Cudby with devotion and feeling tbe soprano by Misses Paul and Macrossen, and tbe alto by Mrs Andrew Brown. Each rendered their parts well. The choruses were full and well sang, and the Easter hymns were delightfully*, sang. Tbe church looked beaatifal, with fern trees, choice flowers, and shrubs. Tbis church is most devotional, and splendidly finished, famished, and arranged. It was crowded to overflowing. Tbe grounds abouc this handsome church are superb, sxd well kept. Missa, cantata was sung at St Joseph's, Pabautanui, and at the Sacred Heart, Obaua, on Easter Sunday, by the Very Bey Father Lane, a sermon being preached after each Mass on the Resurrection. Benediction and eermoo in tbe evening at Pahaufanui. The

choirs at the above churches are well organised and making good progreat, and the Sunday-schools are well attended. On Easter Monday there was a social and concert at Lower Hn't for tb« benefit of the convent schools. Among the crowded audience were Sir Patrick and Lsrty Bnekley, who se«med to enjoy themselves thoroughly. The Petone Brass Band, which consists of some 30 performers, played several selections in first-class style before Ibe doors were opened. Soon the hall waa well filled, and the performance opened with an overture, well played by Miss Fincb ; songs, duets, vocal and instrumental, by Misses Ida Cndby, MtGurk (2), and McZane, and Messrs McLean, Johnston, Finch, and Bbeehan. A violin solo by Mr Finch was a masterpiece of artistic playing and execution. Master Jones, a bright little Maori lad of about ten summers, danced a sailor's hornpipe in a most graceful manner He wa9 encored, and favonred the astonished Budieoce with an Irish jig, to the surprise and delight of all. Miss Ida Cudby presided at the piano with her usual taate and ability. The convent school at the Lower Hutt is In the able hands of the good Sisters of Mercy. They bave over 120 in daily attendance. The Sistars of Mercy are able teachers, and have been most successful here. Several non-Catholic children attend the school here, as well as in other parts of Welling'or, thereby showing that even PiotestaDts appreciate the excellent training received in convent schools from the Sisters of Mercy. The Prohibitionists, who are chiefly Wesleyans and Salvationist?, worked hard here and in Petone on Wednesday, the 2lst nit., from early morning to iate at night driving furiously about to solicit votes to close all tbe hotels. They maoaged to get a majority on the licencing committee. The hotel keeper* are greatly annoyed with these fanatics constantly watching and hovering about the hotel doors to •eeif they can get the publicans into a scrape, either to have them fined, or to put them to some inconvenience or other. It seems unjust and foolish that the law allows these crazy or zealonß fools to be inch a nuisance to the community, who are in no way interfering witb them. Hundreds of women are out on election days with perambulators and babies squalling and shouting from daylight to dark. They leave their prams on the footpaths or streets while they go inside voting. And serious accidents have occurred all over the country to these uncred-for babies and vehicles. Lately a run-away horse and trap ran into some dozen of baby-carts at an election, and such a noise and wailing never was heard from babies and mothers. Such is the eff ct of the Women's Franchise, an evil wbicb, we fe»r, will not end here-