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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 39, 22 January 1897, Page 17

At the close of the discourse which he delivered in the South Dunedin Basilica on Sunday morning, his Lordship the Bishop thus referred to the recent effort to liquidate the debt remaining on the building : " I have to heartily congratulate you on the success that has attended your efforts to clear off the debt on the Basilica and to carry to a successful issue the work of completing it. One evening last June I conferred with the congregation and asked them to take the matter in hand. They did so with the greatest promptness and the effort then organised was so successful that the whole of the debt, amounting to C7.")0, has been wiped out and there is a small balance of £6 with which to resume operations on the building. Please God the work will be finished this year. We will at once start to work again, and without putting any unreasonable burdens upon you, we hope to have it entirely finished within the year."

The girls of St. Mary's orphanage, Nelson, on Wednesday. January 13, proceeded in two of Thomas's Palace cars and several drags to the pleasant grounds of Mr. O'Bierne at Wakapuaka. where they enjoyed their annual picnic. In the absence of Mr. and Mrs. O'Bierne, Mr. E. J. O'Conor and Miss O'Conor did everything they could to help the large party to enjoy the outing. The Very Rev. Father Mahony, before the picnickers left the grounds, acknowledged the kindness of all who had contributed to the treat for the children ; to Miss O'Conor for obtaining the prizes for the day's sports ; and to Mr. M. Hunt for collecting subscriptions for the treat. The day passed pleasantly and without a hitch to mar the pleasure of those present. — Xd*on Colonist.

A LARGE number of children, pupils of the Dominican Convent Schools at Mosgiel and Balclutha. visited Milton on Tuesday, January 12, when a very enjoyable picnic was held in the convent school grounds.

The Very Rev. Father Lynch leaves Dunedin on a twelve months' tour on Friday, the 2!) th inst. As already intimated in the local papers the Catholics of Dunedin intend to present him with a testimonial to mark their appreciation of his long and faithful services.

The erection of the beautiful new fence in front of the ProCathedral, Christchurch, is now nearly finished, and, what is better still, is very nearly paid for. At a recent meeting of the committee the hon. secretary read a balance-sheet from which it appeared that the sum of £240 had been already expended and £208 already subscribed. It was anticipated that an additional expenditure of £12 or £13 would be required to complete the work, so that about £50 is required to put the Pro-Cathedral out of debt after making it beautiful and attractive in appearance to everyone.

We have received the first number for the new year of that admirable periodical, the Australian Messenger of the Sacred Heart. The Messenger has now completed the first ten years of its existence and they have been years of astonishing growth and of great usefulness. We wish the Messenger a long continuance of its beneficent and prosperous career.

In* view of his early departure for Europe the president (the Very Rev. Father Lynch) was entertained by the members of the Dunedin Catholic Literary Society at Waitati on Wednesday the 13th inst. The party were driven to Waitati in drags, and notwithstanding the inclement weather the drive was enjoyed very much, A capital spread was ready at the Saratoga Hotel on the arrival of the party. Mr. J. B. Callan, who occupied the chair, in proposing the health of Father Lynch, wished him on behalf of the Society a pleasant and safe voyage, and a speedy return to Dunedin. The Very Rev. Father Lynch, in reply, thanked the members for the very pleasant outing they had given him, and he could assure them that no matter what part of the globe he was in, the members of the Society would always be in his thoughts. He would like to contradict a rumour which had been circulated about the town to the effect that he was not going to return. Well, he could tell them that if God spared him, he would come back to Dunedin, as he did not know of any other place where he could find such true and loyal friends as he had in Dunedin. During the afternoon songs and recitations were given by several of the members. The party returned about eight o'clock to Dunedin. after spending a thoroughly enjoyable day.

The many friends of Mrs. Bourke of the Family Hotel, Reef ton, will regret to hear of the death of her eldest son, William, which took place on the morning of Saturday, January 9. The cause of death was. consumption from which deceased suffered for nearly three yearsi past. His death was not unexpected, though last •vening there was nothing to indicate the near approach of death # The deceased was an amiable and popular young man, and time was when he was to the fore on the football and cricket fields. He was 26 years old, and up till three days ago enjoyed good health. The funeral took place on Sunday, and was attended by a large number of people, many of whom came from the Grey Valley as far as Ahaura. A large contingent came also from Capleston and district, where the deceased resided for some years, and from Big River. The coffin as borne from the Family Hotel to the Church of the Sacred Heart and from there to the old cemetery on the shoulders of friends who were pleased to thus evince their respect for the deceased and his family. The last sad rites were performed by the Rev. Father Rolland, who, during the c«urse of a few touching words remarked that he had broken his engagement to be at the Lyell solely because was anxious to show his regard for deceased and his relatives from whom in the early days of the Grey Valley he had received many kindnesses. — Inangahua Times

The 7> A rah a Xews states that in future the Roman Catholic paribh of Te Aroha will be under the charge of the Rev. Father Keogh. The Rev. Father Hackett will retain the charges of Paeroa, Waitekauri and Waihi.

Tui: funeral of the late Mr. John Nolan was very largely attended yesterday, the members of the Miners' Union, of which Society the deceased was one of the earliest members, mustering well. The cortege proceeded to St. Francis' Church, where the Rev. Father O'Reilly conducted a portion of the funeral ceremony, and afterwards the remains were interred in the Shortland cemetery, where the service was impressively concluded. — Thame* Star. January 1 1 .

Tin; Hyde correspondent of the Jit. Ida Chronicle writes: — The funeral of the late Mrs. M. Prendergast, junr.. took place on Wednesday afternoon. December 30th. 18%. and was one of the largest thai ever took place in Hyde, over 200 persons, including riders and occupants of vehicles, following the remains to the place

of interment. The chief mourners were Messrs. M. Prendergast, junr., T. Prendergast, M. Prendergast, senr., P. Kinney, C. and J. Annett (brothers of deceased), J. Burke and Alex. Trotter, whilst among the number who were present to pay their last tribute of respect to the deceased lady were many of her old schoolmates — viz., Messrs. J. J. Ramsay, T. Ramsay, D. Teviotdale, J. McAulay, Egan, O'Connell, Mathewson Bros, and Dowling Bros. The business and looal residents were represented by Messrs. A. Arthur, Beatty, Connolly, Harrington, A. Gray, Smith, R. W. Trotter, Arnal Bros., Duff, Barnard. L. Mathewson, Jackson, Mcßride, Teviotdale, senr., Bruhns and R. Wilson, whilst from a distance came Messrs. R. H. Browne and Lundon (Naseby), Fraser (Moonlight), O'Neil (Blacks) and Herlihy (Sowburn). There were also present a large number of co-operative workers who were there no doubt to show respect as well as an acknowledgment of the many acts of courtesy the deceased had extended to them, often at serious inconvenience to herself. Father Lynch, the local pastor of Hyde congregation. officiated at the grave, and thus ended the last act of one who in life was respected by those of all shades of belief. The coffin was literally covered with wreaths sent by sorrowing friends from far and near.

The funeral of the late Mrs. Patrick Polian (says the Ashburton Mail, January 16th) took place yesterday. Mrs. Polian was one of our earliest Ashburton settlers. She came to the colony thirty-two years ago. landing- at Lyttelton. After a short residence in the Amuri she came to Ashburton and was for some time in the Bervice of Mr. Donald Williamson. Twenty-eight years ago. and herself aged twenty-eight, she was married to the late Mr. Rapley by whom she had four children. Eighteen years ago, in her widowhood, she became the wife of Mr. Patrick Polian. of Ashburton, who survives her. and is himself one of our oldest settlers. Mrs. Polian had for some time been suffering from heart disease, which culminated in her death on Wednesday last. The deceased lived a quiet, unassuming, but useful life, and was well-known among the older settlers, by whom she was highly respected. — R.I.P.

As notified in our advertising columns the boarding and day schools for young ladies connected with the Monastery of the Sacred Heart, Christchurch. re-open on the 2oth inst. Further particulars and prospectus may be obtained from the Rev. Mother Prioress.

The body of Ignatius Reany, who suddenly disappeared while employed with several others forming a road from the northwestern arm of Lake Te Anau to George Sound, was found in Lake Thomson on Sunday last. Deceased was a son of Mr. Reany. who at one time kept the Globe Hotel in Princes street, and is now a resident in the Catlins district. Deep and general sympathy is felt for Mr. and Mrs. Reany in their bereavement.

We are informed that the prize essay by Master J. B. Callan. published in our last week's issue, was written in school at one sitting and without any previous study or preparation of any kind. Under these circumstances we think the essay is certainly a remarkably clever performance.

At St. Joseph's Schoolroom on Tuesday evening last a large and enthusiastic meeting was held to consider the best means of properly celebrating St. Patrick's Day. The Most Rev. Dr. Verdon occupied the chair. It was decided to have a national demonstration on some ground to be selected at a future date, and to hold a concert of national son? in the evening. A large and influent : al committee, consisting of the following gentlemen, was then elected to make the necessary arrangements : — Messrs. J. Liston. J. Carroll. F. Meenan, J. J. Connor, F. W. Petre. D. W. Woods. J. Fleming. R. Dobbin. J. Murray. J. Blaney, J. B. Callan, P. Cotter, P. Keligher. C. E. Haughton, W. T. Ward. T. McCormack. D. Heffcrnan. E. T. O'Connell. W. Carr, T. Sheridan. J. O'Neill, J. A. Scott, J. O"Connor. D. J. Falkner. J. Marlow. James O'Neill, P. Carolin, P. Hally. J. A. Hally, J. T. and A. Harris, J. Dunne. D. O'Mahony. T. Buckley. Messrs. J. O'Connor and P. Hally were elected joint secretaries for the demonstration and Messrs. J. Marlow and 1). J. Falkner for the concert. His Lordship Dr. Verdon was elected chairman of committee. On the motion of Mr. J. Liston, seconded by F. W. Petre, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to his Lordship for presiding. His Lordship, in a few well-chosen words thanked the meeting for their attendance and the interest taken in the movement, and he hoped that St. Patrick's Day, ISK7, would be kept up in a manner worthy of their country and their illustrious saint.