DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 39, 28 September 1899, Page 18

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

On Wednesday evening a concert is to be given in St. Joseph's Hall, by the Dunedin Catholic Literary Society's club, in aid of the Sisters of Mercy's Orphanage, South Dunedin. A fine programme has been prepared, and as the object is a very worthy one, there Bhould be a large attendance.

An interesting religious ceremony took place on Sunday morning in the convent chapel of the Sisters of Mercy, South Dunedin, when three young ladies took the white veil, and three made their final profession. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Father Murphy, Adm. The following were the young ladies received : — Sister Mary de Sales (Miss Dwyer, Murrurundi, N.S.W.), Sister Mary Claver (Miss Carmody, Sydney), Sister Mary Alacoque (Miss O'Gorman, Westport). The following made their final profession :—: — Sister Mary XaVier (Miss Bradley, Caversham), Sister Mary Philomena (Miss Lynch, Singleton, N.S.W.), Sister Mary Aloysius (Miss O'Grady, Raymond Terrace, N.S.W.). The Very Rev. Dean Mackay has been on a visit to Queenstown during the week (says the Wahatij) Mail) for- the purpose of recruiting his health. We are sure his many friends in the district have been glad to see him. Dean Mackay left rather reluctantly by this morning's steamer. He has been the guest of the Rev. Father O'Donnell. We are sure we voice the sentiments of all his old friends when we wish Dean Mackay a speedy recovery. On Thursday evening a short but very enjoyable impromptu entertainment was given in the school in his honour by the pupils of St. Catherine's, assisted by a few of the ex-pupils. [The Very Rev. Dean Maokay was in Dunedin on Sunday, and left for Oamaru on Tuesday.] A very successful concert was given in Naumann's Hall, South Dunedin, on Friday evening, in aid of St. Patrick's Catholic School funds. The hall was comfortably filled, and the committee are to be congratulated on the excellence of the entertainment, and also on the good order maintained, the noisy element being remarkable by their absence, this being due in no small measure to the fixing of a general charge of two shillings to all parts of the building. The entertainment on the whole was a long way above the average, and the audience Bhowed their appreciation of the various items by warm applause. The proceedings opened with a chorus, ' Beautiful lilies,' which was given in a manner that left little to be desired. That popular song 'Killarney' was done full justice to by Miss Cray. In the duet, ' Maying,' the voices of Miss Morrison and Mr. Eagar blended admirably. Mr. G. Neill gave a very fine rendering of ' Molly Bawn,' and Miss M. Morrison received well-deserved applause for her singing of ' Beauty sleep.' That old favourite ' The minstrel boy ' was interpreted in a finished manner by Mr. Eagar. Miss K. Moloney sang with taste ' Oh, hear the wild winds blow.' A very fine item was a vocal trio by Miss Morrison, Messrs. Eagar and Neill. A pianoforte solo, artistically played by Mrs. Neill, and a part song, ' Good night,' by the company, concluded the first part of the programme. Mrs. Neill acted as accompanist in an efficient manner. The second part consisted of a Christy Minstrel entertainment, which was very superior to the general run of such performances. Songs were contributed by Messrs. C. Budge, F. Duval, J. Fottrell, J. Black, T. J. Hussey, W. Clark and W. Olson. Messrs. J. M'Kenna, F. Heley, M. Coughlan, L. Pastorelli, W. Banks and H. M*Cormaok also assisted. The ' f unniosities ' of the corner men were most amusing:, and the local allusions took immensely with the audience. Mr. F. Stokes acted as accompanist to this portion of the programme. A capital evening's entertainment was marred at its close by the unexpected recital, in an atrocious counterfeit of the ' brogue.' of a rou^h-and- tumble piece alleged to be ' Irish ' and 4 comic' The audience had the good taste to take the piece coldly. During the evening the Rev. Father Coffey took the opportunity of thankinj the performers for their Bervices, and also the audience for their attendance.