DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 36, 7 September 1899, Page 18

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

The usual weekly meeting of the Dunedin Catholic Miens' Social Club was held on Friday night, when there was a good attendance. A pleasant evening was spent in games and social intercourse.

From a private telegram we learn with deep regret of the death of Mrs. Hanley, senr., wife of Mr. Matthew Hanley, Gore, the sad event taking place on Bunday last. The Rev. Father Murphy and the Rev. Father Coffey of Dunedin left for Gore on Tuesday morning to attend the funeral ceremonies. — 8.1.P.

A letter received from our Oamaru correspondent state 3 that the solemn consecration of the parishioners of Oamaru to the Sacred Heart took place at St. Patrick's Basilica on Sunday last, September 3. Owing to the indisposition of Very Rev. Dean Mackay, Rev. Father Ryan (Dunedin) was engaged with the Rev. Father Howard for the two days previous in carrying out the preparatory devotions. During those days the attendance at all the services Was exceedingly large. On Sunday the basilica was exceptionally well filled. At the 11 o'clock Mass Father Ryan preached a touohing, effective, and very appropriate sermon on the Sacred Heart. The church was also crowded at the evening service. Before the solemn consecration took place a most powerful exhortation was again preached by Rev. Father Ryan. The beautiful act of consecration followed, and as the vast congregation repeated the words the effect was highly impressive.

There was a large attendance at the meeting of the Dunedin Catholic Literary Society on Monday evening, among those present being a number of ladies. The Rev. Father Murphy presided. Mr. Forster opened in the affirmative a debate on the question 'Is, phrenology a true and scientific guide to character V Mr. Foreter, kept his audience highly interested during the course of his remarks. Mr. J. A. Scott, M.A., in the course of an admirable and exhaustive speech, proceeded to show that while recognising that there is a large amount of truth in phrenology, it does not fully establish its claim to rank as a true science and as a certain and accurate guide to oharacter. Rev. Father Coff ey and Messrs. T. Hussey and P. Carolin also spoke. On a division Mr. Scott's amendment was carried by a small majority. This being the last meeting of the session the Rev. Father Murphy took occasion to thank the secretary (Mr. A. F. Quelch) and the vice-president (Mr. J. A. Scott) for the interest taken in, and services rendered to the Society during the session, which has been highly success m l. On next Monday the Society give an entertainment and dance in aid of the piano fund.

By the last San Francisco mail Mr. J. Liston, Princes street, Dunedin, received a letter from the Rev. Father Lynch, C.SS.R., formerly of this city. Father Lynch, writing under date, July 28, from Teignmouth, Devonshire, England, said he had just had a visit from his Lordship Dr. Verdon, Bishop of Dnnedin, and Mr. James Lie ton (son of Mr. Liston and now a atudent at Clonliffe College, Ireland). Bishop Verdon and Mr. Liston remained from Friday afternoon to Monday evening, when they left for Paris via Southampton. His Lordship looked remarkably well, and Mr. Liston was decidedly stronger than when he visited Father Lynoh at Dundalk last year. Father Lynch said that Mr. Liston was to be congratulated on his marked success at Clonliffe College. Dr. Verdon, wrote Father Lynch, is an enthusiastic New Zealander — his Lordship is very proud of his devoted priests and religious, and of his faithful, generous people. There is no mistaking his sentiments. He spoke in the highest praise of his people, and in the most kind manner of his fellow-citizens of Dunedin. It was very pleasing, continued Father Lynch, to hear of the great progress religion was making in the Colony. Father Lynch was about to leave Devonshire in a few days for mission work in Ireland, but he did not know to which of the houses of the Order he was to be sent.