GREYMOUTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 37, 14 January 1898, Page 18

GREYMOUTH.

(From an occasional correspondent.)

On the evening of the 17th inst., the Convent School room was crowded to witness the entertainment given by the pupils of the Convent School in aid of the prize fund. The programme consisted of a drama " The Little Gipsy Girl,', an operetta and several vocal and instrumental items, were very creditably rendered. A feature of the evening was a vocal duet beautifully sung by Miss R. Weber and Miss V. Hannan, a tiny dot aged four years, daughter of our worthy citizen, Mr. M. Hannan, Crown Prosecutor. Amid a shower of bouquets this gifted mite bowed her acknowledgments with the ease and grace of a practised hand. This successful entertainment showed clearly what the good, nuns can do with children. Father | Carew who, with Fathers Malone, Servajean, and McDonnell and the Marist Brothers, was present, briefly thanked the audience for their attendance. As their frequent applause testified, all had, he was sure, enjoyed the excellent entertainment which reflected such credit on the good nuns. On Christmas Eve the church was crowded for midnight Mass, which was celebrated by Father Carew, assisted by Fathers Tymons and McDonnell. Father Carew preached an appropriate sermon on the divine origin of this joyous event, which was the day of days for rejoicing for young and old, rich and poor, wherever Christians were congregated together. This enduring holiday, the observance of which seemed to grow stronger with time, was he said, a proof of the correctness of the saying of a great statesman, Mr. Gladstone —

'• That all the people may be deceived for a short time, or some persons for all times, but to deceive all persons for all time was an impossibility." The sermon which was in the rev. gentleman's happiest vein, was listened to with rapt attention by the vast confir jgation. comprising citizens of all denominations. The music was Gounod's masterpiece, " Messe Solennelle," which was faultlessly rendered by a strong choir and orchestra, the Credo in particular, being beautifully sung, while the solemn strains of the Sanctus showed marked devotional feeling. Miss Dupre presided at the organ with her usual skill. The Catholics of Grey mouth are under a deep obligation to Mr. Guthrie, the leader of the choir. This enthusiastic and able vocalist has spared neither time nor trouble in bringing the choir to its present high state of efficiency. Year after year he has worked for this object, and certainly he must have felt rewarded on Christmas Eve, when in the opinion of those competent to judge, the music was equal to that heard in the largest cities. Under the direction of the Rev. Father Malone, our fine church waß tastefully decorated.

The .accommodation at the presbytery has lately been taxed, no less than ten prie&ts being 1 present on one occasion, viz., Rev. Fathers Carew, Malone, Hervajean, Hyland, McDonnell, Tymonp, Mahoney, Hegarty, Bingham, and Dean Martin. During the holidays some excellent sermons were preached by Fathers Mahoney, Tymons and Malone. The earnestness and fervour of these devoted young: colonial priests augurs well for the future of the priesthood of New Zealand. The Masses celebrated by Rev. Father McDonnell were largely attended by friends of the family and old schoolmates of the rev. gentleman.

Greymouth and surrounding districts were fortunate in being favoured with such glorious weather for the holidays. Visitors streamed into town in very large numbers. The business people had a brisk time, the busiest, 'tis said, for years past. Certainly to see the crowds all so well dressed and apparently with plenty of money to spend does not give one the idea that Greymouth has seen its best days.

Ihe Jockey Club have this season "struck oil." The recent alterations and improvements on the track has brought the course into the front rank of the racecourses of the colony. The work devolving at race times on Mr. Doogan, the able secretary of the Jockey Club, must be arduous indeed. At the two days' races ihe sum of money handled was £10,300.

The Catholic band, which, under the guidance of Mr. Ashton has reached a high degree of proficiency, discoursed music on the lawn on both race days. The band lately presented Mr. Ashton with a silver mounted baton as a mark of their appreciation of his

services. Replying, Mr. Ashton said it waa a pleasure to be associated with the Catholic band. The members were docile and intelligent, and had consequently.made rapid strides, of which he was justly proud.

At the annual meeting of the Harbour Board Mr. Felix Campbell was unanimously elected chairman. It would be well for the colony at large if there were more of this gentleman's stamp members of local bodies. A man of Mr. Campbell's knowledge, upright methods, and unswerving integrity is a decided aquisition to any public body. For many years Mr. Campbell held office as town councillor, and has also occupied the mayoral chair with credit to himself and benefit to the town.

It has been decided to hold a bazaar at Christmas ISOB, for the purpose of raising funds to build a new convent school. The present building has done duty for 30 years, and is far too small and in many ways unsuitable for the purpose of the nuns. Of course all Catholics, and indeed many non-Catholics throughout the dibtriet. will cooperate in this good work. Already the ladies are on the war path collecting funds to enable them to purchase the necessary materials required for making vario'M articles that will be exposed for sale at the stalls. No doubt many former Greyuiouth residents now residing in various parts of the colony, will also join in the good work. The Greymouth people have accomplished much and have aided to build various churches ana convents throughout New Zealand. Indeed, the generosity of the West Coast people is proverbial. Contributions from old friends will no doubt be gladly received by the Rev. Father Carew or at the Convent, Greymouth.