DIOCESE OF OHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 5, 2 February 1899, Page 6

DIOCESE OF OHRISTCHURCH.

CFrom our own correspondent.) January 30. A very successful concert and dramatic entertainment, under the direction of Mr. J. Finlay, was given in St. Marys School Hall, Manchester street, on Monday evening 1 , the 23rd. The hall was comfortably filled. Amongst those present were the Rev. Fathers Marnane, Goggin, and Derby, and the Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy. The first part of the programme, consisting of vocal items contributed by Miss V. Falvey, and Messrs. C. Goggin, J. Davis, T. Falvey, and J. Young, was well received and appreciate!. A li^ht dramatic sketch, very creditably performed by Misses V. Falvey and M. Lawlor and Messrs .7. Gonolly and J. Shanley, followed by the evergreen comedietta, ' Paddy Miles, the Limerick Boy," in which Misses M. Lawlor and F. Gardner, Messrs. H. M. Finlay, J. Peterson, J. Conolly, and J. Shanley appeared, sent the audience home well pleased with the evening's amusement, and feeling satisfied that by their presence they had aided a worthy undertaking — the support of the parish schools. An efficient little orchestia. conducted by Mr. J. Daniels, assisted materially towards the succor of the entertainment. The sword and bayonet exercise by the Impeiial Rifle Corps was also a much appreciate 1 item. The Rev. Father Hughes. P.. 1 . after a period of labours in the diocese, left on Friday last, by the I'aravv. r;i for Sydney. All the schools of the city parishes rt -opened on Monday last after the Christmas vacation. The truintoihc r emplojed by the Education Board, whose duties afreet the C.itholu; as well as public schools, was particularly alert last year. \\ ith a little forethought on the part of parents the attention of this riecet-sury < th\;er may be avoided, as also an occasional appearance before the magistrate. The Rev. Bro. Alovmus of the M irist Brothers' te lehmj: staff has been transferred to Greymouth, his place heiu being filled by l\ev. Bro. Walston from the Coast town. A special meeting of the members of St. Mark's Church Committee was held on last Wednesday evening. There was a very good attendance. At the rtque^t ot the members of the committee, Signor Borzoni gave details of the entertainment he could provide at the forthcoming baziar, to be held in May. It was unanimously resolved that the offer of Signor Btrzoui be accepted. Iho Signor has lately returned from Dunedin, where he was last c igag< d in the Catholic Nautical Festival, wliieh was such a t-uod that, as I learn, he was presented with a pur-e of sovereigns as a token of the excellent manner in which he conducted the spectacular portion of the entertainment. A meeting ot the stall-holders will be held shortly to make definite arrangements for the bazaar, which ought to be one of the most successful yet held in Chnstchnrch. The half-yearly meeting of the St. Patrick's Branch No. X 2. H.A.C.8.5., was held in the Catholic Hall, on January 2C>. The president, Bro. C. Courteny occupied the chair. The b ilance-sheet and auditors' report were read and adopted. The auditors congratulated the Branch on the steady progress made notwithstanding the heavy drain on the sick fund for the quarter. Special votes of of thanks were accorded to the auditors, Bros. Steinmetz, and Malley. Bro. P. Foley was selected to represent the branch at the annual meeting of the district, to be held in Auckland next month. Bros C. Courteny ,and Doolan were elected delegates to the Friendly Societies Interchange of Medical Benefits Association. A strong committee was set up toariange for a concert on St. Patricks night. Power was given to the trustees to expend. L">(t on extending the Hall. Three candidates were proposed. The following officers were elected for the ensuring term — pivt-idrrit, Bro. C. Courteny ; V. P., Bro. J. Doolan ; secretary, Bro. G. J. Sellars ; treasurer, Bro. J. McCormick ; assistant secretary, Bro. Malley; warden, Bro. VV. J. Smith ; guardian, Bro. J. Daniels ; sick \isitors, Bros. L. Howard and Finnerty ; auditors, Bros. Hteinmetz and Daniels ; medical attendants, Drs. J. and G. Deamer and Dr. Moorhouse. Benevolent and judicial committees were also appointed. Accounts to the amount of £02 were passed for payment.

An occasional correspondent writes: — Canterbury, this year, is just one great corn garden. Ten days ago I was out about the Leeston, Lincoln, and Springton districts. It was wheat, oats, and barley, especially barley, everywhere. For miles along the road sides, the full-grained golden corn ears nodded over the fence tops. The gold of the cornfields was varied by the rich green of magnificent potato fields, which promised that the necessary fru^at the root will not soon again reach the prohibitive prices of last Al The 'howling nor'wester, 1 the terror of the Canterbury farmersimK been conspicuous by its absence this year. Consequently, all cereals are being bafely harvested, without, as so often happens, half the grain being left upon the ground.

(Prom our Timartj correspondent.) The Rev. Father Moloney of Wellington, who was recently elevated to the priesthood, celebrated the eleven o'clock Mass here on Sunday last, and also sang the Vespers. After Vespers he preached from the text — ' And the Virgin's name was Mary.' The annual general meeting of the St. Patrick's Day Sports Association was held on Friday evening last, Mr. M. Mullin, presiding. The balance-Bheet presented by Messrs. Dennehy and Mullin, showed the total receipts to be £221 2d 4d made up as follows :—: — credit balance from 1898, £15 19s 2d ; special subscriptions, £27 ; entrance fees, £22 10s ; privileges, £29 10s ; gates, £46 2s ; members, subscriptions, £4(5 15s 9J ; concert, £33 5s 3d. The expenditure was — prizes, £107 9s 6d ; general expenses. £70 ; concert expenses, £25 Is 8d ; balance to credit, £16 17s 9d. It was decided to hold the sports this year on the 16th instead of the 1 7th March.