Diocese of Christchurch.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 24, 15 October 1897, Page 31

Diocese of Christchurch.

(From our own correspondent.) OPERATIC CONCERT. On Monday evening week a very successful and enjoyable concert was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield street. The concert was under the direction of Mr. H. Rossiter and in aid of St. Mary's choir and organ fund. The whole of the programme consisted of selections from popular operas, and included solos, madrigals, and choruses. AH the performers acquitted themselves well. Miss J Moir's singing of " I dreamt that I dwelt in marble halls " (Bohemian Girl) earned her a well-deserved encore, to which she replied with " Sunshine above " (Gaiety Girl). Her second number was "Scenes that are brightest " (Maritana), and for an encore she bowed her acknowledgements. Miss Lucy Ryan gave a piquant rendering of " Kind sir " (Gondoliers), and for an encore she san°very prettily "Take a pair of sparkling eyes," from the same opera, and declined a further encore. The same lady did full justice to the solo in " The torpedo and the whale " (Olivette), the choruses of which were splendidly given, and the item had to be repeated. Miss Louie Grady did full justice to the solo " List and learn" (Gondoliers), the choruses of which were briskly given. Miss A. Gundersen sang nicely the soprano solo " Be wise in time " (Dorothy). Miss Amy Ross sang "He was a curley-headed boy ' (Ma mie Rosette), which was redemanded. Miss Tottie Allen was rather overweighted in "Hands off, you saucy creatures" (La Mascotte), but fared better in the duet from the Gondoliers with Mr. J. Allen. Mr. E. Hollow was encored for " With such a dainty dame" (Dorothy), but was not so successful in "Love is blind' (La Mascotte). Mr. F. Collins was successful in his number? "The pirate king " (Pirates of Penzance) and "The Duke of Plazo Toro ' (Gondoliers), both of which had to be repeated, and the choruses to each were excellently given. Mr. R. Petersen was heard to advantage in " No possible doubt whatever " (Gondoliers) and had to repeat it. The " Policemen's chorus " (Pirates of Penzance), the solo of which was taken by Mr. A. O'Brien, was one of the most popular numbers of the evening, the vocalists being in full uniform. The quartette, " Madrigal " (Mikado) was nicely rendered by Misses L. Ryan, 0. King, and Messrs. J. Allen and A. O Brien, and it would be acceptable were more of thiß class of music heard at concerts. Mr. H. Oakey played a chromatic concertina solo, " William Tell" (Rossini) in such a manner as to can) a well-deserved encore, to which he responded with an equally difficult number. Miss Katie Young played brilliantly the overture to ' Faust ' as a pianoforte solo, and also, with Mrs. W. Cronin, did full justice to the accompaniments. Mr. Rossiter's orchestra played in a pleasing manner a selection from the " Gondoliers." The idea of confining the programme to selections from operas proved so popular that it is likely that the experiment will be repeated at an early date. The Vicar-General and the Rev. Fathers O'Rafferty (Joggan, and Marnane were also present at the concert. MUSICAL. The following are the results of the Trinity College (London) theoretical musical examinations held in June last at the Harb.inoc s street Convent of the Sisters of our Lady of Missions —Se-iior honours— Annie Margaret Doyle, 76 ; Katie Philomena Youixr 71 Senior division pass— Ethel Mt.y Perkins, Bl> ; Julia O'Connelf V> • Edith Jamieson, 02 ; Lizzie Quill. Go. Intermediate division pa-y— Mabel Gertrude Morkane, GG. Junior division pass— Mary Guineuy 99 ; Catherine Picken, 91) : Rose Gertrude Fanning <)<) • Cis-ia Hanna, 99 ; Mary Catherine CassMy, 98 ; Emma Lieske, iIG • 'Md<--»-ie Cassidy, 97 ; Annie Culling, BG. Convent of Mercy, Colombo stre"et senior honours— Katie M l Donnell, 92. Senior pass— Florence Beard' 83 ; Dorothy Loughnan. 73 ; Nellie Slattery, 72. Intermediate pass —May Gamble, 74 : Eva Hutler, 7;\ ; Ruby Jackson, GO Juiiior pass— Alice Scott, 97 : Alice M-Gill, ii:> ; lVrcy Augarde, 80 • F.mnv Wafforn, 79 ; Josie O'Brien, 71. ' H.A.C.B s. it T, h £ ordinary meeting of St. Patrick's bran h, No 82, of the H.A.C.B.S. was held on Monday evening week in the Hibernian Hall There was a fair attendance of members and the president, Brother J. Gresham, occupitd the chair. Coirespondence was read from Brother J. O'Connor (Dunedin) Brother J. Grant (Wellington) and the Reverend Mother Gen. ral (Chribtchurch) and several others A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Brother J. O'Connor for his kindness and promptness in forwarding copies of female branch rules Brother Foley (Auckland) was accorded a cordial vote of thanks for his able report of the last half-yearly meeting of the district. A strong desire was also expresed that he should act as our delegate on future occasions. The president and secretary reported that the meeting in connection with the formation of a female branch was fairly well attended, and that a requisition signed by twenty-one candidates, was now ready. The secretary was instructed to forward the requisition to the district officers at once. It is anticipated that the dispensation will be granted in the course of a few weeks, when no tims will be lost in opening the branch It is expected that fully fifty candidates will present themselves for initiation. Votes of thanks were accorded to the Vicar-General and to Fathers O'Rafferty and Marnane for the valuable assistance, which they have rendered the female contingent. Brother J. R. Courtney reported that the United Friendly Societies Benevolent Association had decided to run another art union for the benefit of the fund. He moreover asked for direction on two questions that were to be discussed at the next meeting of the association. It was resolved that he should support both, lwo candidates were initiated, and two more were to come *2 J? r "Y tliltlou at the next meeting. Sick pay to the amount of AS 6s 8d was passed for payment. The sick visitor reported that there were no members on the eick list. The balance sheet and

auditors report wereread and adopted. The auditors recommended that a further sum of £30 be handed to the trustees for investment This now makes the amount in the hands of the trustees on mortgage and in the P.O. Savings Bank, £954, 16s lid. The balance sheet Bhowed receipts of the sick and funeral fund to be £73 7s 9Jd (including £39 Is 3d interest), and expenditure £29 8s leaving a credit balance of £1033 2s o£. The management fund receipts were £33 13s, and expenditure £31, leaving a credit balance of £2 13s for the quarter. The balance to the credit for the benevolent fund was £9 5s lid. The total amount for the quarter was £109 7s 3£d. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the auditors for their admirable and exhaustive report. It was decided to take part in the public reception of his Excellency the Governor, and Brothers P. Burke and C. Courtney were appointed to represent the branch on the reception committee. The correspondence from the Wellington branch was referred to a committee. The president then closed the meeting in the usual manner.