Diocese of Christchurch.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 46, 12 March 1897, Page 28

Diocese of Christchurch.

(From our own correspondent.)

THE LATE MR. MULCARE. Much regret is felt at the death of Mr. Joseph Aloysius Mulcare, who died suddenly on Saturday morning week. Deceased was a currier at the Woolston Tannery. On the morning of his demise a man was drowned m the river near the tannery, and deceased ran to where the body was found. On returning to his usual place of abode, he began to look pale, and after lingering about five minutes he expired. Death is supposed to have been occasioned by the shock on hearing the report that a man was drowning and on seeing the body of the drowned person. Mr. Mulcare, who was about twenty-six years of age, was a Catholic, and was much respected. He came to Canterbury from Auckland, and his mother and some sisters reside at present at Onehunga. On Monday morning week he was interred m the Catholic portion of the public cemetery at Linwood. — J I. TAP. THE LITERARY SOCIETY. On Tuesday evening last the Catholic Literary Society held its first meeting for the ensuing winter season. The president, the Rev. Father Galerne. occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of members. Among tbose present were the Rev. Fathers Le Menant des Chesnais, Tubman, and Malone. During the course of a very excellent address tbe president expressed bis pleasure at seeing so many present, and explained the especial object of a literary society. Its object is, he said, to inspire m its members a taste for solid and edifying literature, to improve them morally and sociallly, and to make them, m a word, good Christians. The address ended, a varied and attractive programme was well gone through. Mr. Bonnington contributed a flute solo ; Mr. G. Bonnington, hautboy solo ; Mr. Quill, a clarionet solo, Mr. Hollow a violin solo, Mr. J. Young sang " The deathless army," and Mr. Lawler "Au revoir." A leading feature m the programme was a numerous and an interesting display of views, mostly of local events and places, which were shown by Messrs. Gottfield and Cooper. Under the management of Mr. Cooper the little magic instrument fully unfolded its powers, and Mr. Gottfield, who introduced several amusing anecdotes incidental to the sketches shown, acquitted himself well as a lecturer. The entertainment ended by Mr. Gottfield taking a novel photographic sketch of all those at the meeting, which broke up shortly after 10 p.m. The evening was very dark, but by tlie aid of candles the members were grouped m front of the verandah and the camera located some yards away on the lawn. But whero was the pencil of the feature and scene depicting light to come from / To provide this requisite the operator placed also on the lawn some explosive substance, which, on being fired with a fuse, exploded and illuminated for an instant tbe whole scene with a vivid flash of light. Subsequently all those who had taken part m the programme adjourned to the house of Mr. and Mrs. Holland and sat down to a very handsome spread, which they had kindly prepared for the occasion. Altogether members and their friends spent a very pleasant evening, and, under the leadership of the Rev. Father Galenic, aided by the able and energetic secretary, Mr. Smith, tbo Society must progress and be productive of much good.

WEDDINGS. On Tuesday morning last a number of persons assembled m the church at St. Mary's to witness a marriage which took place between Miss Florence Mary Marsh, eldest daughter of Mr. A. G. Marsh, farmer, Harewood road, Papanui, and Mr. Joseph O'Donoghue, contractor, St. Albans. The Rev. Father Marnane said the Nuptial Mass and performed the marriage ceremony. The bride was given away by her father, and the best man was a cousin of the bridegroom, Mr. Paul Flood, lately of Southbridge. The bride wore besides a wreath and a veil a beautiful ivory white moire dress elegantly trimmed with lace and ribbons, and carried a handsome bouquet of flowers. The bridesmaids, who were Miss Nellie and Miss Kittie Marsh, sisters of the bride were attired m rich cream coloured and spotted muslin dre.-ses, and ostrich feather trimmed hats to match. They also carried bouquets to match, which, as well as the one provided for the bride, were furnished by Mr. J. Joyce, nurseryman, Papanui. When the ceremony was over the nuptial party drove to the residence of the bride's father, where a sumptuous marriage breakfast had been prepared. Not fewer than seventy guests were at the repast, and among those present were the Rev. Fathers Malone and Marnane. The latter proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom, which toast and numerous others, were duly honoured. On the evening of the same day a very enjoyable and numerously attended party, which was kept up till a late hour, took place at the residence of the father of the bride. Subsequently the newly-married couple left for Akaroa, where they will spend the honeymoon. The wedding presents were numerous, valuable and useful. On Monday week a marriage also took place at the ProCathedral. The contracting parties were Miss B. Burns of New Headford, Lincoln, and Mr. J. Bennet of Islington. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Father Galerne, who was also present at the wedding breakfast, which took place at the City Hotel. Miss A. Burns and Miss Mary Doherty were bridesmaids, and Mr. W. Doherty was the best man. The bride wore a very pretty fawncoloured dress, and the bridesmaids were attired m nice cream costumes. Miss Burns has been for a number of years m the employment of Mr. and Mrs. McNamara of the City Hotel, and during that time she has made many friends, who justly esteem her on account of her exemplary character and amiable disposition. Mrs. Bennet carries with her the best wishes of all who knew her for her future happiness m her new home. THE MUSEUM. The curator of the Museum has recently returned from a trip to Samoa and brought back with him some very beautiful and interesting specimens of weapons and articles of domestic use, which have been made by tbe Samoan natives and which show their great ingenuity. The specimens will soon be put m their places, and among them is a large canoe hollowed out of a single tree. Two parallel cross pieces run on one side of the vessel, and to these an outrigger is fixed. The paddles used are very short and have wide blades. Tbe war clubs are beautifullyj carved, and though not large arc very heavy. Besides these are two exquisitely handsome spears used, not for war, but for brandishing m the dance. There is also the model of a bouse, whose roof is made of bulrush leaves cut into short pieces and closely thatched together. The roof is supported by a perfect network of rafters, and the whole rests on wooden pillars driven into the ground. There are no walls, and for a floor a quantity of fine shingle is thrown down, over which mats are laid to serve as beds. The curator has also secured some very interesting specimens from Tonga, tbe Union Islands and the Friendly Islands. Among the Tongan articles is a girl's girdle made out of fibre and gaily adorned with colours. There is a handsome fishing net, also made from fibre. A tattooing apparatus is another specimen, and one which was difficult to obtain so great value is placed on it. The apparatus is a kind of small comb, made out of human bone and fixed at right angles to a stick. The comb when used, is placed on the flesh and tapped with a small mallet, and ink is rubbed into the holes thus made. Among tbe things from the Solomon Islands are a shuttle and loom, and m the latter is a fibre mat m process of making. Upon the whole the collection is a very valuable one and represents, to a large extent, the manners and the progress m mechanical art of many of the natives m the South Sea Islands.