Diocese of Chirstchurch.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 37, 14 January 1898, Page 4

Diocese of Chirstchurch.

(From our own correspondent.)

The picnic promoted by the congregation of St. Mary's and held at Suckling's, formerly Bligh's, gardens, New Brighton, on New Year's Day, was a very pleasant outing. The attendance was estimated at about 650 persons, most of whom went from the city by tram. The weather was very fine, but in the middle of the day somewhat too hot, and but for this circumstance probably the attendance would have been far greater. The Rev. Fathers Marnane, Kennedy, and O'Connell were present. The arrangements, which worked exceedingly well, were directed by a committee consisting- of Messrs. J. C. Chase, J. Daniels, F. K. Cooper, J. Joyce, W. Honey, R. Beverage, J. C. Cusack, and A. J. O'Malley (honourable secretary and treasurer). The party spent a very enjoyable day in the very pleasant grounds, and Mr. and Mrs. Suckling were most assiduous in promoting the pleasure of the visitors. The Christchurch Professional Band,

under the bandmaster (Mr. Painter), by its music much enhanced the general^ enjoyment. The games customary on such occasions were heartily indulged in. There were children's races for toys, and races for their elders for more substantial prizes. In the afternoon an eleven of the New Brighton Cricket CJub played a oneiimings match with the visitors, and won by o(5 runs to 34, Mr. Evans (17), and Mr. Sefton (11) were the principal Boorers for New Brighton, and for St. Mary's the Rev. Father Maruaue, who scored 11, and Air. Cusack (.9), were the most successful batsmen. After the match the New Brighton team were entertained by their opponents at Mrs. Suckling's, and altogether spent a very enjoyable tiuie ; The folio wing are the results of the sports :—looyds: — 100 yds race : M'Nicol 1, Howard 2, Smith 3 ; single woman's race : Miss O'Connor 1 ; long jump : J. Ryan 1, E.Purcoll 2 ; married woman's race : Mrs Dunick 1, Mrs.|Smith 2 ; 220 yds race : J. Ryan 1, Smivh 2, Howard 3 ; altar boy's race : W. Bradly 1 ; ladies bracelet : W. Cassin 1, J. O'Brien 2 ; officials race : J. Gresham 1, J. Daniels 2. The party returned to the city in successive trams about seven o'clock in the evening. The Rev. Mother Mary Gertrude and her staff , who have conducted St. Joseph's Catholic School at Rtragiora with marked success during the past eleven years, are about to leavo Rangiora owing to the increased demands made on the order oi" the Sisters of St. Joseph in other parts of the colony. The Sisters of Our Lady of Missions, at Christchurch, will in future have charge of the Rangiora Catholic school.

Great regret is felt at the death of the late Mr. Samuel Keating, who was accidentally drowned on Sunday week, January 2nd, in the •river Avon, at Herring Bay, New Brighton, and who was employed as a striker in Messrs. Booth, Macdonald, and Co.'s ironworks. At the time of his demise the deceased was only in his 21st year. He was the son of Mrs. Annie Keating, formerly of the Bealey Hotel, and resided with his widowed mother in Lower High street, Christchurch. He left the city by the 11.5 a.m. tram, in company with Mr. David M'Lanaghan and his son John, intending to go for a trip in a yacht, which was moored near Herring Bay. While Mr. M'Lanaghan and his son were getting the yacht ready Mr. Keating went to bathe a little distance away. It seems that he could not swim, and in a few minutes two lads named Laurie and Tipler saw him sink and ran and told the M'Lanaghans, who, with young Laurie, dived several times in order to bring him up. This they were unable to do, although the lad Laurie at one time felt the body. About 3 p.m. one of the Messrs. Walker caught the corpse with a grappling hook and brought it to the bank. The deceased, who was highly respected, was a devoted' member of the Catholic congregation at the Pro-Cathedral, Before the day was over the news of the sad event had reached the ears of the Vicar General who made a very affecting reference to the sudden death of Mr. Keating at Vespers in the evening. He had attended well the services of the late Mission, and on the Sunday upon which he met his death he had assisted at an early Mass in the Pro-Cathedral. His funeral, which took place on Tuesday last, was attended largely not only by his coreligionists but also by all his fellow-workmen. The principal men of Messrs. Booth, Macdonald and Co. acted as bearers. Operations at the works were suspended for that day. The Rev. Father O'Connell, who officiated at the 'grave, said in the Pro-Cathedral Requiem Mass for the repose of his soul. The funeral cortege was then re-formed and proceeded to the Linwood public cemetery, where the deceased was interred. — 11.1.P.

Since the departure of the Rev. Father Galerne from the city the Rev. Father O'Connell is becoming very popular, and it is to be hoped that his stay in Christchurch — his natal city — will be a long one. During the coming week, on dit, he will s^y a Nuptial Mass and uaite a youthful couple in J3he hfljy bonds ot-jaiatrimony fe On Sunday last he sang the High Mass at the Pro-Cathedrai*and preached his first sermon. There was a large congregation present, and every one was highly pleased with the discourse. The subject of the sermon was on the dutie3 of children to their parents. Father O'Connell possesses a very clear and sonorous voice, and will in time develop into a very good preacher.