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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 36, 3 January 1896, Page 18

Thus His Grace Dr O'Beilly, Archbishop of Adelaide : - 'He were a selfish churl who, being Catholic and in a position *o take a Catholic paper, omitted to do so. He is a dishonest Christian who, taking tbe paper and reading it, neglects to pay its cost."

The Oamaru Hail, in its report of tbe art exhibition at the Convent School, writes thus: — "The Convent Schools have always given evidence of possessing a strong hand in < art ' in its generally accepted definition as the products of the brush, the pen, and the pencil.

The Fancy Fair in aid of St Patrick's Church, Waimate, was opened on Monday, December 23rd. There was a good attendance. After a well-rendered chorus by choir girls taught by tbe Sisters of St Joseph, Bey P. Begoault, S.M.,in his usual happy way, introduced his Worship the Mayor. Mr Ooltman, on opening the bazaar, reremarked, says the Waimate Times : " That the Catholic community bad, on what was formerly a waste, reared structures — church, school, presbytery, and other buildings — that were a credit to the town. He trusted the people would show the esteem and respect in which they held their fellow-townsmen by assisting them to wipe the remaining debt off their church property." There was only one stall —but it occupied almost the length of the hall. The Ba ll was presided over by Mesdames Collett, Capstick, and Kent, and Misses Dooley, Freeman and Oollett. We trust the energy and pluck of the devoted pastor will be rewarded by excellent net results.

The doctors are threatening us with a fresh terror. They have put church-going on their black books. Insidious disease lurks in the defective ventilation and unscientific warming of the churches, and its name is "church catarrh I" There is certainly plenty of room for improvement in these matters, but does not this equally apply to places of amusement and other public buildings ? But what a rioe excuse is now furnished to the lazy man on Sunday I Instead of tbe proverbial headache he can now plead a wholesome dread of •' church catarrh." — Edinburgh Catholic Herald.

A dbamatic entertainment was given last evening (says the Lyttelton Times, December 27) at the Marist Brothers' schoolroom by the convent children, In addition songs were sung by Miss Hay ward and Father Galerne. A presentation of a cheque for £200 from the paiishioneis was made by the Bey Father Galerne to the Very Bey Father Cummings, V.G., who replied feelingly.

A very successful entertainment was given in Eaikoura on December 11. Most of tbe items were contributed by the children of St Nicholas Catholic tchool. Miss Hollip, the echool mistress, judging from tbe long and laudatory report in the paper, well deserved tbe compliment paid her by the Bey Father Walsh and other speakers. The Bey Father contributed much to the success of tbe eveniDg. The Eaikoura Star thus refers to items rendered :— " The Bey Father Walsh took the bouse by storm, his singing (particularly ' I'll Bteer my barque to Erin's Isle,") evoking tbe most enthusiastic applause."

Tub Rev Father Kehoe, of the diocese of Auckland, is on a visit to the Diocene of Dunedin. He arrived in Dunedin on Sunday by the Mararoa, and has been tbe guest of the clergy of the MissioD. His many friends, lay and clerical, will be pleased to give him a hearty welcome. Father Eehoe did good wook in the diocese and it was with great regret that the late Bishjp Moran parted with him when, some years ago, he was obliged by failing health to go North and try tbe curative power of the Hot Springs. He remained since then in Auckland, and was stationed at Te Aroha for several years.

It v worthy of note that at the Marist Brothers' school, Christchar cb, Thomas O'Connor, obtained for last year's work the bine riband of dux of the school, in addition to special prizes for Christian Doctrine and good conduct.

A monsteb Catholic picnic was held in Father Lane's beautiful garden at the Lower Hutt on Boxing Day. About two thousand took part, inclading several hundred children, who in the morning marched from Boulcott Btreet to the Te Aro railway statioD, headed by Dean's Brass Band. All sorts of games and sports were provided on the

ground, the children being especially well looked after by the con* mittee, of which the Very Bey Father Devoy was chairman. The picnic, on the whole, was (be most successful yet held — Post.

We are grateful to correspondents who have sent in school reports. Necessarily, when a large number come in with a rush space for each is limited. One of our correspondents makes excuse for the brevity of bis school report. The general reader rarely finds fault with short, crisp, well-written reports when they contain interesting mater.

Mas LabAtt, for many years a member of 8t Canice'fl choir, is leaving Westport for Wanganui. She has been presented by Very Bey Father Walsbe, on behalf of the choir, with a very Landsome work-box and jewel case combined.

The Marist Brothers' schools, Christ church, broke up for summer vacation on Tuesday, December 24. Bishop Grimes presided, and, assisted by Very Bey Father Gumming?, distributed the prizas. It must have been a somewhat sad day with memory of the genial face of Brother Joseph keenly before the mind of confreres and pupils. Brother Joseph brightened many a school festivity, and gladdened many a heart by his kind words. It is on j oyoua occasions we feel most the absence of the dear departed. We once more reader our heartfelt sympathy to the good Brothers who, in Christchurch and elsewhere, do noble work.

The great festival of Christmas, says our reporter, was observed with all due solemnity at Dunedin, The ceremonies at St Joseph's Cathedral commenced at mid-night on Christmas Eve, when Solemn High Mae§ was celebrated by the Very Bey Father Lynch, assisted by the Bey Father Murphy as deacon, and tbe Bey Fathi r Howard as sub-deacon. The high altar and sanctuary were profusely decorated and illuminated by a forest of wax tapsrs, and the ceremonies throughout, witnessed as they were by a large congregation, were of a most impressive character. Tbe Cathedral choir were in attendance, and Farmer's Mass in B flat was produced in a manner befitting the occasion. Masses were subsequently said at six, seven, eight, and nine o'clock, while at eleven o'clock Solemn High Mass was again celebrated by the Very Bey Father Lynch, with Father Murphy and Father Howard as deacon and sab-deacon respectively. The Bey Fatbei Murphy preachel an eloquent discourse on tbe festival that was being commemorated. The music on the occasion was that of Mozart's " Twelfth Mass," and for the first ime in Dunedin the difficult and intricate " own sane to spiritu" fugue was rendered. The fugue is the first type of tthe modern style ever written, and it taxes tbe powers of a body of singers in no small degree. However, not only was this portion of the work interpreted with skill, but the Mass as a whole was rendered in a manner equally satisfactory. The solo parts were Bung by Mrs Sandys, soprano ; Mieses B, and M. Drumm, contralto; Messrs Edward Eager aad P. Oaroiin, tenor ; and Messrs W. J. Cantwell and J. Hally, bisa. The efforts of the cioir were supplemented by an orchestra under tbe letdership of Mr Melitus. Tbe latter gentleman ia an accomplished musician who has recently arrived from Bydney and who it is understood purposes to take up his abode in Dunedin. Between the "Credo" and " Sanctus " movements he played as a violin solo an andante by Benand. At this stage of the service Miss Bose Blaney who has just arrived from Melbourne sang Masceroni's "Aye Maria," while the " Adeste Fideles," was sung by the choir. The honorary conductor, Mr Ward^ wielded the baton, while Mr A. Vallis was in his customary position at the organ. Before descending from the altar Father Lynch thanked the choir and orchestra for their servicrs. The choir, he stated had to work all the year round to do adequate justice to tbe great musical works which have been written for tbe Catholic Church. Their efforts that day had been attended with every success and this was all the more creditable when it is considered that their duties that day had been more than usually arduous, having been in attendance at tbe midnight Mass, the ceremonies in connection with which lasted till nearly half past one in the morning.

There was a large and appreciative audience at the annual concert of the pupils of St Joseph's Convent School, Temuka, on December 16th. The Very Bey Fathers Fauvel, S.M., and Le Menant des Ghesaai?, S.M., were present. An attractive musical and dramatic programme was presented, and rendered in a manner that won the sincere applause of all in the Volunteer Hall. Pressure on space does not, unfortunately, allow detailed criticism; Indeed, where general excellence is a unanimous verdict, praise in particular were not unfrequently invidious. The Ssters of St Joseph merit very hearty congratulations for the success of their efforts in the training of yontb. Only those engaged in tbe work can realise the amount of painstaking care which a successful entertainment implies. The following took part in the performance : — Misses 3rosnean (2), M. Bourke, Twomey (2), Wareing, Story (3), Gaffaney, Boulston, Lavery, E. Archer, A. Connolly, J. Scannell, M. Angland, A. Story

Albert, Dwyer, L. Quinn, Eial Williamß, L. Oonnell, C! Archer, Daley, Melvin, Gillespie, Masters E. Twomsy, C, Twomey, Polaschek, J. Archer, M. Bourke, J, Broenean, M. Booney, F. Lavery, L, Story, Spillane, Clarke. The accompaniments were tastefully played by Miss Qainn.

At the shareholders meeting of this paper the chairman alloded to the death of Mr T. Reynolds, who fot many years held the position of dirtctor. Mr Reynolds had the interest of the Tablet at heart. His death was much regretted by his co-directors.

Solemn High Mass was celebrated at St Joseph's Church, Buckle street, Wellington, at 9.3U a.m. on Christmas Day, by Rev Father Ainsworth, Farmer's Mass in B flat was given by the choir. Mr McDuff Boyd was conductor. Miss McDonald presided at the orgaD .

At St Mary of the Angel's, Te Aro, Wellington, High Mass wa Bung on Christmas Day by Very Rev Father Devoy, S.M. Rev Father Ainsworth, S.M.. was deacon, and Rev Father Goggan, S M., sub-deacon. Gounod's Messe Solennellt was rendered with organ and orchestral accompaniment. Mr F. J. Oakes acted as conductor, Mr Hotop was leader of orchestra, aud Mr Beducbamp-Plattß presided at the organ.

On Christmas Day there was Pontificial High Mass in St Mary's Cathedral, Wellit gtcn. Archbishop Bedwood delivered an eloquent discourse on the Nativity. Hummel's Mass in B flat was rendered ny the choir under the baton of Mr S. Cimino, aetisted by an orchestra led by Mr 0. Cimino. The " Adeste " was Bung before the High Mass, and Co6ta's " Date sonitum Pastores," with orchestra accompaniment, at the offertory. Mr C. Cimino's arrangement for orchestra of the first movement in Mozart's " Gloria (12th) " was played as a final march.

At the aonu.il meeting of the shareholders of the New Zealand Tablet on Monday evening, feeliDg reference was made by the chairman of directors (Mr J. B. Callan), Mr F. Meenan and other gentlemen to the founder of the Tablet, the Most Rev Dr Moran, who died since last meeting. Father Lynch and Mr J. Liston were unanimously re-elec ed directors, and Messrs Columb and Carolin, auditors.

The Very Rev John Ryan, 8.J., Riverview College, editor of the Australasian Messenger, is giving a retreat to the Sisteis of Mercy, Hokitika. Our readers have Been in a late issue of this journal that the nun's schools at Hokitika, Eumara, Ross, and Kameri did well at examination. The Sisters in their teaching methods are well abreast of the times. Parents have every reason to feel the utmost confidence in the training imparted, The nuns attached to St Columbkille'fl originally came from Ennis to Hokiiika. They have since established cen vents in Grey mouth and the other West Coast towns mentioned. Foundations have also been made in Cbristcbuich and Lyttelton. The nuns have done herculean work, and deserve cordial cupport in tbeir undertakings. A bazaar asd art union in aid of the Rose Convent was inaugurated a lit t le time ago. Sufficient money has not yet come in and the Rev Mother baß been obliged to postpone the drawing until Baster, There are few objects more worthy of assistance than the Ross art union. Those who help show appreciation of the noble cfEortß of truly devoted and self sacrificing Bisters, and assist in the meritorious work of Christian education.

The nuns and pupils of St Patrick's school, Lawrence, fully deserved the high compliment paid them by Very Bey Father O'Ltary at the very pleasing entertainment given in St Patrick's schoolroom, Lawrence, on Wednesday, 18th December. Father O'Leary congratulated the children on their present succesf, and also on the great advantages they had in the training imparted by the Dominican Nans. The following musical and dramatic programme was gone through to the thorough enjoyment of those present :— -Overture, " L'ltaliana in Algeria " (Bossini), Misses H. Craig, N. Mitchell, and Eva Hart ; scene from " Julias Caesar " (Shakespeare) ; pianoforte solo, " Lay of Cambria" (Rockstro), Miss Bva Hart ; tableau, " Hush," Bchool children ; vocal solo, •' I was dreaming " (Jancker), Miss P. Kelleher ; pianoforte dust, Selections from " Norma " (Bellini), Misses Minnie and Gladys Taylor ; cantata, " Cinderella " (Fracz Abt) ; vocal duet, " Sea flowers " ; tableau and recitation, " Spring " ; pianoforte duet, selected, Miss H. Craig ; vocal solo, " Mary of Argyle," Miss P. Kelleher ; tableau, " Music, sculpture, and painting " ; pianoforte duet, " Polonaisi " (Garlitt), Misses Eva Hart, G. Newell, H. Craig, and N. Mitchell ; farc< , '' Bachelor housekeeping." The " New Zealand Anthem " concluded a very satisfactory finale of the school year.

Miss Molonet, late mistress of the Catholic School, Waipawa, was presented before her deparure for Danedin with an address and a handsome gold watch .

A correspondent sends a very long communication about a recent entertainment. He does not give the editor his name, and must not, therefore, be surprised at the non-insertion of the furnished report, wbich indeed, would occupy more than a column and nearly a page of this paper.