CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 21, 20 September 1895, Page 27

CHRISTCHURCH.

(Prom our own Correspondent. >

In the person of Ibe laU Mt Patrick G'Brieo a very venerable member of the Christchnrch Catholic community has passed away at the advanced age of 89 years. Mr O'Brien, whose demise happened on Tuesday last at tbe residence at Papanui of his son, Mr Michael O'Brien, boot manufacturer of this city, was born in Limerick, Ireland. The deceased gentleman arrived in the Colony at Greymouth abont twelve years ago, along with nearly a dozsn priests among whom was the Rev. Father Walsh. Mr O'Brien for yeais has not been engaged in any employment, and ore of tha incidents of bia past life, and an incident which he often recalled with much pleasure, was tbe fact that he bsd remained for 52 years employed in the capacity of storemau with the well-knowa firm of Messrs Bannatyne and Bon, corn and flour merchants, at Limerick and at Ennia. Mr O'Brien was a widower, having lost his wife abont three years before he left his native land. He was very cheerful, and in his ordinary state of health on Sunday lasc. But on the following Monday he became very unwell, and when he had received the last sacraments with great devotion from tbe bands of the Rev Father Marnaoe, he quiitly expired after an illness of about twenty-four hours' duration, Mr O'Brien was a very good Catholic The funeral was largely attended, and proceeded oo Thursday last to St. Mary's and to the Linwood public cemetery. The Bey Father Malone said a solemn Requiem Mass in the church for tbe repose of the soul of the deceased, and the Bey Father Laverty, who visited the city for the occasion, said Mass for a similar intention on tbe morning of the same day in the Marift Brothers' Chipel. Far Mr O'Brien the Bight Bey Dr Grimes said Mass in the Pro-Cathedral ; and he also officiated at the grave, where he delivered an address on the praiseworthy character of the deceased. — R.I P. The Bight Rev Dr Grimes received on Wednesday last from Cardinal Moran, of Sydney, a letter, wherein His Eminence says that the health of the Tery Bey Father Cummings h s greatly improved during his brief srjourn in the capital of New South Wales. On tbe following day the Bishop had a letter also from the Very Rev Father Cummings which contains the pleasing news that he feels much better, and that in a few more weeks he will probably return to our city, as be is anxious to advance several important parochial matters. Indeed he would ome at once, but the Bishop has requested him to remain until his health is CDmpletely restored. The Right Rev Dr Giimes has during the week formally visited all the societies in the parish and on Tuesday evening the members of the Catholic Literary Society were honoured with his pres nee. The programme was leadings from " Bondsman." Mr Paul Cane's recent and celebrated novjl. Messrs Lee, Carr, Hynes, and others very ably sustained tbe various characters in the rum mcc, and tbe Bishop and members generally were highly pleased with the entertainment. On Thursday evening last the Bishop presided at a wellattended meeting of tbe League of the Cross, aud the programme at the latter Society was original papers. Mr Findlay read a paper on " Irish self-government," Mr O'Hielly on " A visit to Mr A. J. White's furniture warehou&e," Mr O'Connell on •' Se f-inoprovemmt, ' Mr Young on tbe " Library," and Mr Shanly on " A trip on tbe Port hills." When the papers were read the Bißhop commented on thsm, and expressed the pleasure he felt to listen to such varied and excellent essays. He encouraged the writers to persevere, and referred to the necessity there is to labour in order to acquire the art of comp >sition. Wbile on this point, he mentioned a late English Oar Haul who had wiitten Boaae sentencps in his numerous and spleniid works at least twenty times over When the Bishop had expressed himself well satisfied with the Society generally, and hai bs f oweion its members his blessing, to which an indulgence was attached, he withdrew. The programme at a previous meeting was a mock trial, which proved a great success. During; the evening the members presented Mr T. Mulligan with a handsome piayer boo c on the occasion of Lie departure for Auckland