CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 31, 29 November 1895, Page 15

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.")

ABOUT nine o'clock on Sunday evening week a very distressing accident happened at the Christchurch railway station, whereby Miss Margaret Hartigan, a Catholic youn? lady, the daughter of Mr Michael Hartigan, of Port Lyttelton, was killed. The deceased young lady was engaged as a domestic servant in this city, and on tha evening of the sad event, was returning from a visit to hhre r people in Lyttelton to the residence of her employer. As the train was pulling up at the platform, a scream was beard, and the driver was immediately called upon to stop. The train came in a few minuteß to a etand-Bti.il, and then Miss Hartigau was found terribly injured, in the rear of the first carriage The unfortunate girl is Buppoeed to have attempted to leave the train before it became perfectly motionless, and, aa the night was very dark, and there was not much light on the plattorm, to have miosed her step and fallen between the platform and the train. She was carried into the waiting-room, medical aid was called in, but she expired in a few minutes after the accident. No blame seenn to be attached to auyone, but the verdict at tbe inques' was accompanied with a rider that in future more lights ought to re placed at night on the platform. Miss Hartigan, who was about nineteen years of age, was respected on account of her excellent character, and great sympathy is felt for her and for her family in tbeir painful bereavement, Her funeral took place on Wednesday last, and her remiins were interred in the Catholic cemetery in Lyttelton. The Rev Father Salvador officiated on the occasion in the Church and at the grave.— R I, P.

With regret I record also the death of Master Peter Marie Aloyßius Cassidy, the only son of Mr Peter Castiriy, of Cagbmere. The deceased, who was a pious and amiable boy, was a pupil at the Marist Brothers' school in thia city. He died of fever, after a abort

illness, on Tuesday last, at the age of fourteen years. His remains were conveyed on Thursday last to the pro- Cathedral, where a Rrquicm Mass waa said for him. The funeral, which waa well attended, took place on the afternoon of tha aime day, and many of the schoolmates of th° deceased, under the charge of Brothers Daniel and Bonaventare, headed the funeral cortege to the Linwood public cemetery, The Rev Father Galerne officiated in the Church and at tbe grave. — 11,1. P.

The final meeting of the executive of the reception committee organised some weeks ago to arrange for the recant visit to this city of Mr Michael Davitt, took place on Friday evening last at the private residence of Mr B O'Connor J.P. Mr M. Nolan occupied tha chair, and fourteen members were present. The balance-sheet, which waa read by the secretary, Mr O'Connor, showed that the gross proceeds of the lectnre, given by Mr Divitt, were thirty-three pounds, which sum will be at once forwarded to him by the secretary. Towards paying for the use of the Opera House, wherein the lecture waa given, and to meet otbar charges, the Rev Father Fo ey of New Headford collected £3 12a and Mr John O'Halloran of Glentui, gathered £5, and with these amounts, and with what members of the committee and other gentlemen contributed, all expenses in connection wi h the reception of Mr Davitt and with the lecture have been been paid. The meeting resolved that a vote of thanks was due to all persons who had contributed, or otherwise interested themselves in Mr Davitt'a visit, and the secretary was instructed to forward to each of ttnm tha thanks of the committee. In moving and seconding the resolution and in speaking thereto, members referred to the work done, and done willingly and patriotically, by the secretary, and to the service he had rendered in placing his house, wberein several meetings have taken place, at the disposition of the committee, and thereby saving them the expense of hiring some other room in which to hold their meetings. Mr and Mrs McNamara, of the City Hotel, who kindly welcomed Mr Davitt to their house and therein entertained him and numerous other persons, on the conclusion of the lecture, at a Bplendid banquet, also the treasurer, Mr P. Burke, and the Press, were spoken of in grateful terms. When a vote of thanka had been accorded to the chairman for presiding on the occasion, the meeting and the committeo broke up well satisfied with the result of their labours.

On Thursday evening last the members of the League of the Cross a social entertainment in tbeir rooms in order to welcome back their president, the Very Rev Father Oummings, V.G. The Right Rev Dr Grimes and Father Galerne were also present, and about forty members. Mr W. Dardis presided at the piano, and played the accompaniments in good style. Songa were given by Maßsra Petersen Brothers, Qua Bigley, and J. P. Young. Messrs T. Geoghegan and M. O'Reilly gave each a violin solo, and Mr Wl Hillett a recital ion. Tub social was also an occasion to make a presentation, and Mr J. P. Young, in the course of a very nice speech, presented, on behalf of the members, the Very Rev Father Cummings with a beautiful cami and a birretta. The cami is made of black silk and lined with red, and the bindings and buttons are of the same material and texture. These articles and tokens of resp< cr arj artistically executed and were mada by the Sisters of our Lady of Missions at their convent in this city from materials whicn were furnif-hed by tha members of the League The birretta is also made of rich black silk and lined with reel. The Vicar-Ganeral returned thanks for the presents. He spoke, too, on the advantages of the League, and expressed biß pleasure to see so many ppraoos belonging to it and present. Bishop Grimes and Father Galerna spoke also on matters appert<un'n» to tbe League. When tl.e presentation was over refreshments were handed round, and altogether a very pleasant unii sociable evening was spent.

During the week the Sisters and pupils at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Barbadoea street commemorated the return of tbe Very Rev Father Cummmgs by a vocal and instrumental c mcert in their convent. An address welcoming him back and congratulating him on bis restoration to health was read on the occasion.