Diocesan News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5, 1 February 1900, Page 6

Diocesan News.

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.)

January 27. The Retreat for the clergy was concluded on Monday. The priests remaining in Wellington on Wednesday, about twenty in number, journeyed in brakes to Worser Bay, where a very enjoyable day was spent.

The Rev. Father N. B. Moloney, S.M., for the past two years on the staff of St. Patrick's College, is about to take up the duties of a curate in the parish of Te Aro. It is not yet definitely decided who is to succeed him in the College.

The half-yearly meeting of the female branch of the local H.A.C.B. Society was held in St Patrick's Hall on the 17th inst. The following were the officers elected for the current half-year — President, Sister A. Dwyer ; secretary, Sister N. Dwyer ; treasurer, Sister A. Grant ; warden, faster K. Fishenden ; guardian, Sister E. Trainer ; sick visitor, Sister M. Doyle. The newly elected were installed by Past-President Sifter M Robinson at the usual fortnightly meeting on Wednesdiy evening.

The St. Patrick's College <-cho] mhips, open to boys attending Catholic schools, have this year b<'.»ii won by Riohird Madden, ot" Timaru, and Duncan McMjrnoh, of Wellington. Madden, who headed the li=t, w*s at onu t.mo a pupil at the Marist Brothers' School in this city, and MoMurrich is at present attending that institution. There were 20 candidates, only one of whom failed to obtain a pass. The following are the highest six. the maximum marks being 900 : — Rich ml Francis Madden (Timaru). 7<>:> : Duncan McMurrich (Wellington), 7.VJ ; Michael Murphy (Kumara), 729; Ivan Foote (Greymouth), 111 ; James Fraher (Greymouth), C9O ; John Hannon (Greymouth), 08.).

Rev. Father Gol len has been appointed to Hie parish of Kaikoura

The Rev. Father Ilcib rt, S.M., returned to Wellington to-day. Tie has boon srendinsr his holidays with relatives in Australia.

St. Patrick's College re-opens on Thursday. It is expected that the number of students will be somewhat in excess of last year's.

The annual picnic of St. Mary of the Angels' choir was held during last week at the Waiwetu, Lower Ilutt.

At a meting of the priests of the Archdiocese, held at the close of the Retro it, a sum of £'2000 was raised in. aid of the Cathedral Fund. The Yen. Archdeacon Devoy presided at the meeting.

1 hear that during the absence oi ihu parish piL,U of Hokitika and Greymouth at the annual Retreat in Christchurch, their places were filled by the Rev. Fathers O fthea and AinswoiLh. of Wellington, both of whom are enjoying a holiday on the West Coast.

The Wellington branch of the II. A. <\ B. Society has published the programme for its spjrt- meeting on March 17. A sum of £150 is to be given in prize money the principal even', of the day — the St. Patrick's Day Wheel Ran; — accounting for £2~> for the first, £10 for the second, £."> for the third, and £15 for the fourth. Altogether a first-class programme, including bicycle and running events, has been arranged

To defray the coFt of extensive alterations and repairs in the Pahautanui church a very successful concert was given in the township on Monday evening. Songs were contributed by Mrs. Taylor (of Mosgiel), Misses Jessie Huett (Wellington), Blackey, George, Mulhern (2). and Mips Oonny Gibbs (of Wellington), danced an Irish jig, all being encored. At the conclusion of the concert dancing was carried on for a couple of hours. The dance music was supplied by the Brady family, Messrs. C. Blackey and F. Brady acted as M.C.'s, and Mr. J. Smith was secretary.

Rev. Father W. D. Goggan's many friends in Wellington rejoice in the knowledge that he is to be again with them. Some few years ago he was appointed to the Blenheim parish, and is now exchanging places with the Rev. Father Servajean, who has been attached to the Te Aro parish for the past twelve months. The Catholics here very much regret Father Servajean's departure, and his new parishoners are to be congratulated on their having secured so zealous and energetic a successor to Father Goggan.