GREYMOUTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 17, 3 September 1897, Page 6

GREYMOUTH.

(From an occasional correspondent.)

The death of Mother Mary Aloysius Pungan, of the convent here, has alre-idy been announced in your columns. Needless to state the sad event cast quite a gloom over the whole community. People of all shades of belief sympathised n>ost deeply with the good nuns in their sad bereavement. All who came in contact with the deceased were charmed by her amiability and talents. This highly a complished L&y was a most successful teacher, possessing, in a high degree, the art — so. rare even amongst teachers — of imparting to her pupils the knowledge she herself pohsu ss,ed. The teaching of vocal and ius.trui.nf ni al music was her sptcial forte, and in thou branches h.'r loss is irreparable. There was a large congregation present at the Solemn lit r/ it it m Mass celebrated by Key. Father Carew, assisted by Rev. Father.-, O'Hnlloran, Ilyland, Holland, Malone, and Servajean. The Rev. Father Carew. who preached the panegyric, was visibly moved, as indeed we re the whole congregation. The rev. preacherdiscoursed feelingly on the virtues of the di o» at-cd and her happy death. The i'uncr.il wa> o, si«,ht not easily forgotten. Ile.ded by a crossbearer and altar bojs, the eortcje moved from the church followed by hundred-, of people of all denominations. Arrived at the cemetery the socne was indescribably jiffectiny. the nuns, with lighted candles, follow ii'g the coilin and i-urrouuding the grave of their* lamented Sister.

Father Servajcan has been in Greymouth collecting funds for the erection of a church at Ahaura. The residents of that once famous scholastic township are to be congratulated on securing the services of such an active priest as Father Servajean. The Rev. Father Malone is fast becoming a favourite here. His sermons are shore, practical and to the pomt — no beating about the bufeh. lie recently drew attention to the peculiar habit, only seen in this church, of dozens of ycung men, who should know better, standing and leaning around the enr) passage of the church during divine seivice. Mo-t of these future props of the church, tearful of being a moment too soon, remain around the gates until the l.ibc toll oi the bell announces that service is about to commence. They then rush in and t.ike possession of the available standing room at the end of the church. Many persons, who, from unavoidable cau--.es, would be a little late, remain away rather than run the gauntlet of this crowd of hopefuls.

Our local ho-pital is now temporarily in charge of Dr, Matthews, Dr. Charles Morice, having got leave of absence to visit Europe, where he intends gaining lurther insight into the latest hospital practice. ISot that the young doctor can gain any higher diplomas, as he gained the highest obtainable when pursuing hi.s studies at Guy's Hospital. London, and at the Royal Anatomical College, Hrus&el.i, and other famed medical schools. It shows the keen interebt the young n edico takes in his work, when he again undertakes this trip to the Antipodes to gain still lurther practical knowledge of his profession.