Archdiocese of Wellington.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 10, 20 August 1897, Page 4

Arch diocese of Wellington.

(Froai our own correspondent.) August 13. 1897. At the eleven o'clock Mass at St. M iry of the Angel's, on Sunday last, the Very Rev. Father Devoy, V G., gave a detailed account of the financial position ot the To Aro parish. 1 n the first place the result of the penny collection for the .\ ear .amounted to C 1*53 odd, whilst the total for the five years. Miice the scheme was htartul, was a tufle over £870, or au average ot aboat X 174 per annum. This is a practical verification ot the old saying - that many v mickle makes a muckle.'' This money in devoted to the maintenance of the schools and incidental expenses connected therewith. During the past year the proceeds of the penny collection were utilised in assisting to paint the Brothers' sjlio >1 and connect it with the drainage system, carrying out improvements at the Dixon street and Kewtown schools, etc. During the past financial year St. Mary's Church had been enlarged, improved a>id p-unted. and the organ added to, at a total cost ot cn r er C'.HKI. Of this sum £4uo had been received in subscriptions including a donation of ll~>o from the Vicar-General. To this had been added a sum of JC2~>O received for a right-of-way through the presbytery giounds, making a total of tCiO, leaving a debt ot about C2M) still on the church. The cost of painting the brothers school was defraye 1 by an entertainment «ot up by the ''old bo^s" ot the school, to whom the thanks of the Vicar-General and the pari-.lno.iers were d-ie. This entertainment netted upwards of C .V>. The drainage ol the schools cost about L.)<) winch was borne by both pmshei — le Aro and Thorndon. Thi.s year the L)ii.on street t, houl would re'iuiie to be painted and the in taut class enlaiyed. 1 uthcrDi \oy hopeu that the youn^ ladies w hoha-d received their education m th it lii-titut-ou w on li 1 em v late the action ot the '"old boys" oj the i>i other- -i lioul. ;.ii(l j^et up an entert.unment to assist in ■ defraying tlu i \peiises ot I .ie iv c. — ai 3 iinpios eini'iits. St. Joseph's ■ Ch'iicli al- 1 wmti I at I'tiding1 ' tiding to. a- 1 1 \\ a- nrn s ,yy to .ilti r the Hal lei \ lii tli 'iihiu'iin'iu hi t ne lai-^e 1 rani her ot chilnivn at tending thi re. Thealter uioiis im i „n_) t ir Ihe Ull, kle - treet ( 'hurch would cnst.it lei t Lino r.ithu l»u\nj liopi 1 ,is soon as the-e nnprovemuits had bien ci'mteil i!..u a mHiiriiL niin.lin (.f donois would Hi\e s'aim d _;l Isv in llv.- t i 1 1\.< tiie pit iut .ill the plain windows now i 1 Use. oi thi statue I ui.i'liu- have alreidy boon pom sjd. Com.iig to th" genual linriciil p >siti.)n of the parish ihe \eiy Rev. I'atiur l)e.o\ sad th it \\ ,11 11 the suggest -d iui[)rovotnents h,i<l b -en i.irrii'd on there wo ill b a totii debt ot close upon LJDito on the pai.sh. This m lnkil ihe sum ot 4; '. mo paid for two a res of ground at .\e.\town. 0.1 winc'i th > school were built, and OK) t: ir two sections near tne piesliynvy. Uoalcott street, both of wh cli wui' w orth more now than had been pml for them. In Older t > pay oii" this debt he propose. 1 th it the ]>.v ishioiicia contribute a small -ULii wnhi\ taeii ai cording to hi^ or her means. If 2t)o weie to hi\u oiie -lulling t .l more pi r wetk .id. ) si\neni.e, and .-)UU threepence, it would .ii.ikj about tl_''> ) 111 the coar-e of a year. 15e-nl' s ui.s ] p lnten U-d 10 hold a b 1/ uir soon, by which he hoped to ni-e lh" 1) il i.iv c lv. 1 short tune 11 wa- propj.s il Uial the priests ot the pin h wo ild ho aim), "^st the p up 1 ant a-k them to take up this projM-.il v li.cli he li ij» 1 no'ill 11,1 t \> u!i i'ikic usual symp ithy and -njiport.

Jn-teil of the Usual A espei-s at l t. Mary of the Angel's on Sunday ni^ht the choir, assi-sie 1 by frieiil-, ua\e<ichoiil recital, which v. I- the lii.h ot ilu km 1 "iw <\ in tlie church. The sacreil idilue Wa iin \ i|i. l a' i[ l.h ill i.Mlu'i wis deeply ihi])ressed with i'ie bem'ihil s.iv>. I nin-H tin -.do j> vis m the \cjnru tnonti, w<!.- a I nnably mm,' by Mi-, l)uii-l (sdjua-io). Jliss Kiinlnil (alto). Mr. Tab. 1 (tmorj ami Mi. i. ll.iuymy (b.uitone). Mr- T .!. Oaki ■- hue sujirano \ o cc was he ml to much advantage in th" solo pirt of 1, imb.lotj.e s ■ (lianii Ma ;nifical," the chorus bj HJ4 i:i\en with mnkil ]uvi lsiou ,ml >ii\at devotional feeling. The trio '• .le-u d \i\i (I'ui-s) v ..i-, adi.uiably mteiprt ted l>y Mis. 1 >ak 's and M.-.-is T !.,;• nHUo. A leituioot the ivcit:d was the len l.'itiu ol '1.1: t. i-- \\ ( \ in.' I,^ Ma lame Kosalte 31. ir, whose li ie -opia o \oc 1 nt k-t , 1 with ua iluy to the de\otional nature ot the c nn;> -.Lmn. Mi. Walt, r l>io\v i"p a\ed the \iolin obli^ato to this mm. liici.eM -. 1, , ions wrru the" 1 Gin li ' aial

•Mrelo' from ILydiis .\o .> ,'!,i^ the soloists benii; Madame Mir/. Mis. Caite and .M, — r- Ta>loi and Hynes. In the niipre— sivelyi devotional " () Salutaris Ho-tu" the soniiSts were iAlis. Oakes and Mi-.-. (Ji4iu<y. In the • T.mtum Iw^o ' l\lr. L. Ow.ia s.ui,. the solo pal t with fine t li'ett. tli" chonis w ork b, nig adinn ably The cli'.ir conductor (.Mr. Oake-) and tlie leader ol the orchestra (Mr. W. ISjow.iJ ;ue to be highly omplnnentod on the miccu-s ot the natal and the tine devotional feeling wmc l > characterised the whole pioduction. Mr. C. M'Donald. ably pres.ded at thj or^au

A collection was taken up in aid of the church liquidation fund, which resultel in a substantial sum hAag placed to the credit of that funl. During the rejital the Rev. Father Ainsworth, oa behalf of the Vioar-Ganeral thanked the performers for their 1 On Monday the Dramatic CLub in connection with the League of the Cross gave an entertainment to the members of the League and their friends in St. Patrick's Hall. There was a crowded audience, and the Rev. Father O'Shoa (president) occupied the chair. The first part of th-3 entertainment conaistel of a minstrel performance, in which Messrs. W. Fen ton, W. Tabor, G. A. Read. A. O'Connell and Daniell took tiie leading parts. Songs were contributed by Messrs. Hynes, Goff and Haughey, Mr. C. McDonald playing the accompaniments. A laughable farce entitled " Who Died First " was the concluding piece, the characters in which were admirably sustained by the members of the club. In the interval the Rev. Father O'Shea, on behalf of the League, made a presentation of a pretty inkstand to Mr. W. Gore, who has always taken a leading part in the entertainments. The president, in. making the p 't-scntation, highly eulogised the services of Mr. Gore, who was always ready to assist fie League, and he hoped that Mr. Gore would not accept the present for its mere intrinsic worth, but as a token and a reminder of the respect and esteem in which he was held by the donors. Mr. Gore, in acknowledging the presentation, said he was very grateful for tMs token of the good will of the membars, and as he always wrote out the programme for the entertaiment, the inkstand would be a reminder of their kindness aud generosity. The Wellington people are happy onco more in the possession of a Governor, but at present they have not made up their minds as to whether they shall like him or not. They have taken him on trust, and they intend to wait before forming any opinions regarding his Excellency. As you know he arrived on Tuesday and was received with cordiality and respect, but there was an absence of that enthusiasm which distinguishes the receptions accorded to distinguished personages by the British public. There was no cheering worth mentioning, and it is to be hoped that the want of this will not give his Excellency and Lady Ranfurly a wrong impression of our cordiality. The Governor and his lady had a foretaste of what to expect in a democratic and self-governing ! Colony when they passed Farewell Spit early on Monday morning. The Spit is about 10 hours' steam from Wellington, so that if he were an ordinary passenger lie would be able to step on Wellington wharf early in the afternoon of that day, but being a Governor he was not at liberty to do as he pleased. The Reception Committee had decided that he was to reach Wellington at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, and this decree was as unalterable as the laws of the Medes and

Persians. The Government representative on board the Tutaneka sent a message from the Spit to know if the viceregal party might land on Tuesday morning, but those responsible for the arrangement could not entertain aay such proposal, and consequently our visitors had to make the best of it in some of the bays and sounds between here and Nelson until the phlegmatic public had time to shut their shops, hang out bunting and array themselves in holiday attire. It is not necessary here to speak of the reception in detail. Suffice it to say that the citizens turned out in their thousands and accorded the representative of her Majesty and his wife a resDectful welcome. Among those on the dais to extend a welcome to the visitors I noticsd his Graoe Archbishop Redwood, Very Rev. Father Devoy, V.G.. and the Rjv. Father O'Meara. etc. Accompanying Lord and Lady Ranfurly were their two little daughters, who seemed to thoroughly enjoy the novelty of the scene. Many persoas wondered whether it was by accident or design that these pretty little children were dressed in green — hats, frocks, all green. This indication of the nationality of our little visitors must have somewhat jarred on the sensitiveness of sorns of our local busybodies who declined to allow a green flag to be placed with other flags afc the entrance to the wharf. A day or two before the reception Mr. A. G. Johnson, who was acting- as nnr-shall of the proceedings, asked Father Devoy for a green flag, with harp, which he has in his possession. The Vicar-General very kindly complied with the request. On the morning of the reception a membor of the Fire Brigade, who had charge of the decorations on the wharf, called for the the flag, but later in tho day it was sent bucc, a lamo excuse biinu' <>-iven for not using it. Th.3 truth of the matter was that sourj loj.J moinbar of the world of bumbledom objected to tho colours, and gaining the visitors' predilections by hid own narrow-minded standard imag ned that the national flag of Ireland would not bo an agreeable sight for them so soon afcer thoir arrival. The appearance of Ladies Eilesn and Constance Knox in Irish colours must have been somewhat of an indirect snub to those who objects! to our national fl;ig. I am pleased to say that the obnoxious flag occupied a very prominent place later in the day when the procejsion passed through the , t) principal streets. Araon? those taking part in the procession were the students of St. Patrick's College, headed by their excellent band, the college contingent occupying a foremost pl.ice, and the Hibernian Society, who rolled up in creditable number?. Judging from appearances I should say that our new Governor and hi 3 amiable lady will soon be very great favourites in thoir new home. The Very Rev. Dr. Watters. Rector of St. Patrick's College, who went on a holiday to Fiji and other islands of the Pacific a few weeks ago, returned by the Mararoa ria Sydney on Wednesday. The popular Rector looks all the better for his trip. He received a

hearty welcome on his return. Among thc-e present on the wharf to greet him being his Grace the Archbishop, Very Rev. Father Devoy, Rev. Father O'Meara, the college faculty, Messrs. R. O'Connor, Garvey, Dr. Mackin, etc. In my next 1 "shall very pro- •• bably be able to give some account of the Rector's travels, provided can spare me half an hour from his many pressing duties. Miss Kitty Blaney, the popular Dunedin vocalist, arrived in Wellington on Sunday, and sang at the New Zealand Natives Asso-

ciation's concert on Wednesday night. Miss Blancy's contributions were very enthusiastically received, and notwithstanding that she responded to imperative encores, yet the audience was not satisfied, but would have her give them yet one more item. Miss Blaney

made a di -<tinctly favourable impression, and she cannot fail to be 1 pleased with the war.nth of the reception accorded her. Constable Carroll, who has been for a number of years in Wellington, has been transferred to Brunnerton. Mr. Carroll is a most popular and conscientious officer, and his departure for the West Coast will be regretted, not alone by the public, but also by his fellow-members of the force. Whilst always ready to do his duty fearlessly, he has never been over officious, and as a result he had earned the respect of all classed i^aor to his departure he was entertained ac supper at Mr. Dealy'a.-ltajfwray Hotel by the residents of Thorndon, who took occasion to, Arisen' t Mrs. Carroll with a substantial token of their esteem in tine' shape of a gold chain and a diamond ring, the presentation being made by Mr. George Fisher,