Archdiocese of Wellington.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 14, 6 August 1897, Page 18

Archdiocese of Wellington.

(From our own correspondent.)

July 31, 181)7. A wi:nr>ivj which attracted a considerable amount of attention and brought a large congregation to St. Mary's Cathedral took place on Wednesday. It was au e\ent unique of its kind, inasmuch as the bride, Miss Rosalinda Brady, had been a resident at St. Mary's Convent for a number ot years — in fact to be precise she had resided there since she was five years of age. Miss Brady, "Dolly" as she w r as fondly called by the Rev. Mother and the Sisters and her companions, had the happiness of being married from the convent, where she had obtaiuel many scholastic successes, and where, c-pecially in late years, she had distinguished herself as a vocalist gaining credit, not alone for herself, but lor hir Alma Muter. It may be here mentioned that the Council of Trinity College, London, during the present year awarded her the solo exhibition prize, which is equal to one year's free tuition in singing, as she had attained the highest position in that subject in the examimtion h'jld in October, IS!)."). It is needless to say that it was with t\ clings of deep regret, tempered, however, with prayers for her t.iture welfare and happiness, that the Rev. Mother and the kind Sisters saw Miss Brady go forth from the home which had sheltered her so long, to begin a new life with one who pledged himself to be her protector and comforter. The chosen one was Mr. Samuel Price of Wa verity, and step-on of Mr. Ellis of the same phce. The engagement was nearly (if two years' standing, so that both parties had had plently of time to think over the important step they were about to take. The Rev. Father Power, W'aipawa, came to Wellington to perform the ceremony, and was celebrant of the Nuptial Mass, being assisted by the Rev. Father O Meara. There were also present the Rev. Fathers Gallagher, () Shea, O'Sulhvan and Ainsworth. the two latter having been fellow students with the bridegroom at St. Patrick's College.J|The bnd"sm ml was Miss Marion Brady, only sister of the bride, who is also a resident of the convent. The duties of best man were filled by Mr. Hutchison, son of Mr. George Hutchison, M.H.R. The bride was given away by her guardian, Mr. John O'Meara, as both her parents ha\c been dead several years. The musical portion of the Mass was splendidly rendered by St. Cecilia's choir, composed mainly of the bride's companions in the convent. The bride looked charming in a lovely dress of white Irish poplin trimmed with chiffon, and the usual orange blossoms, whilst the bridesmaid wore au Indian muslin gown trimmed with valencienne lace, and a white picture hat. The wedding breakfast was held in a house close to the cathedral, which was engaged for the occasion, and where a numerous party of guests attended. Several toasts were proposed and duly honoured The Rev. Father Power in the course of a humorous spoojh Raid that it was a mistake to attribute the many amiable qualities of the bride to the training and watchful care of the good Sisters of the convent, as he had

known her for many year", and contributed by his advice in developing 1 those natural talents with which Bhe-was endowed. It is needless to observe that the Rev. Father's claim was disputed by Borne of the guests, who championed the work of the Sisters, and he eventually found himself in a minority. Mr. Ellis, in responding to a toast, expressed his pleasure at being present at the ceremony, the beauty of which had made a deep impression on his mind, and he fervently joined with the bride's companions in praying that every blessing might attend the newly-married couple in their course through life. Mr. and Mrs. Price left in the afternoon for New Plymouth where the honeymoon is to be spent, thcr departure being accompanied by the good wishes of the convent pupil*, as well as showers of rice, and even one onlooker averred that he saw a couple of dissipated-looking old shoes cleave the air as the carriage rolled away. It is only right to mention that the bride was assisted inner preparations for the ceremony by many of her former schoolmates and that prominent among these was Miss Marion De Vere O'Connor, who took a very Jictive part in forwarding the arrangements. The wedding presents were numerous. The bridegroom's present to the bride was a crescent brooch with swallow set in pearls. The presents to the bride irom her friends included a silver-mounted oak tr<iy, i China tea set, set fish knives and iorks, handsome photo frames, set silver serviette rings, jam dish, butter dish, bracket, Doulton vase, salt cellars, table centre, etc. Among those who made presents were the convent boarders, Miss O'Connor, Misa Smith, Miss Grace, the bride's bister, Miss Neville, Miss Worthington, Miss Sullivan, Messrs. Hut -bison, O'Meara and Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Macarthy. The Very Rev. Father Dawson left for Auckland last week < n route for the Hot Springs at Rotorua, where he intends to spend Home time fer the benefit of his health. The news of the wreck of the Tasmania came as a shock to the community on Friday morning, and much sympathy was expressed not alone for the passengers, but also for the genial captain, who had made hiinselt a general favourite with the travelling public. At first a good deal of uncertainty prevailed as to the safety of the passengers and crew, but as messages came in from various places it became known that the whole of the former and some of the latter had got safely to land. To-day, however, the news has arrived that ten of the crew had perished. Among the passengers were Master 0 Malley of St. Patrick's College and his sister, Miss O'Malley, son and daughter of Mr. J. O'iNl alley of the Bealey, Canterbury. It will be remembered that I mentioned some time agothatjMaster O'Malley was very ill with fever at St. Patrick's College, and that his relatives came up from the South to see him. As soon as he got sufficiently recovered to be able to travel he went to Auckland accompanied by his si-tors, and I believe vent as far as the Hot Spring*. He was on his return to Wellington by the Tasmania when she struck. Considerable anxiety for the safety of both was felt by the College authorities when they heard of: the disaster, but all uneasiness was set at rest on Friday afternoon by a telegram to Uev. Father O'Sullivan from Master O'Malley saying that he and his sister weie sale. I rejret to have to record the death, during the week, of Mr. John McNainara. one ot the oldest attendants at the Parliamentary Buildings, at the venerable age ot eighty-five. The deceased was a, native ut Cork, and when <»:ly niueieeu years ot aye i u listed as a bandsman in the (>"> th Regiment. This was m Is v. so that he h»d the honour of serving in the Uritish army long- before the Qmvn came to the throne Alter seeing a good deal ot si rviee in various parts of the world he arrive lin An klunl Li 15 ,7 wit'i his regiment, and after bt ing stationed there tor a short time he c one on to Wellington, where he wont through a gool deal ot haidship incidental to the early colonisation ot this Colony. Aft< r Inning ser\ed nearly twenty-five years in the army he olirained his discharge, and settled down in the Empire City. He had been tor more thin twenty years messenger in the Parliamentary Buildings, and li id earned the esteem of all with whom he had to do, by the tic! i ul manner in which he discharged his dntits. He le.nes a w idovv, two bons, and several grandchildren to mourn the 1 r loss The turn i\il took pla f 'e on Thursday moinnig. and was attinded by Mr. G<orge Fisher. M.11.R . and by a large number of pai li inn ntary ofLcd-. Mass was said at St. Mary's Cathedral, the Rev Fatner Gallagher being celebrant, who also conducted the service at the graveside. The Rev. Fathers Power and 0 Meara were al o present. A large number of wreaths were sent by friends ot the deceased as a memento ot tne re-peot in which they held his memory. The whole ot the windows in the church of St. Mary of the Angels are now ot stained glass, so that the sacred edifice looks extremely pretty both itom the interior as well as from an exterior point of view. These windows, t'oui teen in all, have been presented by kind donors at a co^t of about £!."><>. winch speaks well for the generosity of the parishioners The Very Piev. Father Devoy, V.G , having so far directed Ins attention to the beautifying and enlargement of St. Mary's, is now about to make a number of improvements in St. Joseph's Chinch. The pipes for the new organ to be erected there arrived by the Gothic a tew days ago. so that it is expected the instrument will be ready tor the opening 1 ceremony about the beginning ot September. It wdl be nece-saiy. however, to raise the roof ot the church immediately over the organ, and I understand that a contract for this work is already let. At a largely attended meeting ot the women's branch of the Sacred Heai t Society on Friday night the \ icar-Ceneral spoke on the necessity ot replacing the plain windows m 6t. .Joseph's Church by stained glass ones, and hoped that the congregation would be as generous as thosj who attended St. Mary of the Anuek . 1 understand 1 hat already two very fine memorial windows ha\e been ordered Irom Messrs Atkinson of New Castle-on-Tync by a generous benefactor, and Hire" more have been promised, so th.it in the near future the ViewGeneral hopes to hu\e stained l'l is- wiull>,\- u'j-tituted for the windows already in use.