TIMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 1, 3 January 1901, Page 6

TIMARU.

(From our own correspondent.)

The last Christmas of the oentnry has passed away, and in Timarn it varied little from its predecessors. The usual excursion trains carried away a good number of townsfolk to other districts to spend their holidays, while they brought many pleasure seekers to enjoy the attractions the town affords. On Christmas Eve the town presented a gay appearance, the different business places being gaily decorated and showing' their choicest and beßt goods to tempt the crowd that thronged the streets. Christmas morning broke dull and cold, bat notwithstanding the three Masses celebrated at the Church of the Sacred Heart were well attended. The Rev. Father Tubman celebrated High Mass and also preached on the goppul of the day, concluding his sermon by wishing one and all a merry Christmas. The choir, under the baton of Mr. Mayne, sang Gouuod's ' Messe Solennelle,' the vocalists being Mrs. T. Lynch and Miss McGuinness (sopranos), Miss McKennah (alto), Messrs. Jefferson and Eiby (tenors), and Messrs. MoDonald and Bennetts (basses). The ' Adeste Fideles ' was sung at the Offertory. In the evening Hummell's ' 0 Salutaris ' was exquisitely sung by Mrs. T. Lynch. Miss M. McGuinness presided at the organ and played in her usual finished style. The church decorations are deserving of special mention. The altar wab tastefully decorated with flowers and evergreens, garlands of flowers swung gracefully around the aisles, and folds of green drapery hung from the beams to the sides of the church, with the motto ' Glory to God in the highest and peace on earth to men of good will ' in gold and silver lettering. At night the church looked exceedingly pretty, and great credit is due to Mis-es McGowan and MoCabe and their assistants for the successful manner in which they carried out the decorations. The Rev. Father Aubry officiated at Fairlie and the Rev. Father Pertuia at St. Andrews, making in all eight Masses celebrated in the parish on Christmas Day. The Rev. Father Kelly, S.J., arrived in Timarn from Sydney on Thursday, and is to conduct a retreat at the Convent of the Sacred Heart for the religious. A retreat for the ladies of this and the neighboring parishes will also be preached by the Rev. Father, commencing on January 7 and ending on the 12th. The Mamt Brothers are in Wellington at the annual retreat of their Order. Much joy is felt in Timaru at the advancement of three of its former parish priests. Father Aubry has been appointed adviser to the head of the M-irist Order in Lyons, Archdeacon Devoy as Provincial of the tame Order in New Zealand, and Father Lewis VicarGeneral at Wellington. The prospect of an occasional visit from our former popular parish priest, Arohdeacon Devoy, is hailed with general satisfaction. The good news is not without a tinge of apprehension, as Timaru seems such a happy vantage ground or stepping stone for promotion we have some fears concerning our worthy pastor, and much as we would wish his advancement we are selfish enough not to wish it fearing we may lose him. At the Point township the bazaar in aid of the church, funds was a pronounced success, £275 being the gross receipts, the net profit being £250, a result that Father Galerne and his lady assistants may be well proud of. The bazaar at Waimate was also commenced under very favorable auspices. It was opened by Major Steward, M.H.R., in a happy ppeech, a graceful reference being made to the services of Father Goutenoire, a former parish priest. On the platform were Dr. Barolay (Mayor of Waimate) and the Rev. Fathers Regnault, O'Connell, and Tubman. A satisfactory result is anticipated, and judging from the well-filled Btalls and the success of the opening it is sure to be realised. The quarterly meeting of the Hibernian Society was held in their new rooms, St. John's Hall, on Thursday. The president (Mr M. F. Dennehy) occupied the chair. Previous to the usual business the president thanked the Rev. Father Tubman for placing such an excellent meeting-room at their disposal. Correspondence was received from Rev. Brother Mark, Wellington, thanking the branch for their resolution of sympathy and congratulations forwarded to him over the Stoke trials, and from the district secretary forwardng instructions re the juvenile branch which it is proposed to establish. Delegates (Messrs M. F. Dennehy and P. Kane) were appointed to attend the annual meeting to be held in Dunedin in February. The receipts for the evening amounted to £40. After the meeting a social honr was spent. The toasts of the chaplain (Rev. Father Tubman), past chaplain (Archdeacon Devoy), and the president were proposed with musical honors, and a most pleasant meeting brought to a close. The Rev. Father Tubman has appointed Mr. P. Kane as oolleotor to receive subscriptions towards defraying the expenses of the Marist Brothers in the Stoke cases. The thanks of all Catholics are due to the Timaru Herald for the spirit of fair play it displayed, and for its manly and cool headed action in connection with those trials. In a leader before the event it pointed out with almost prophetic knowledge the upshot of the whole fiasco. The Herald stands out in marked distinction from many of its screaming and hysterical contemporaries throughout the Colony. The Herald has one of the few editors in New Zealand who kept his head cool and who can look back with complacency on bis consistent and manly action during the persecutions the much injured Brother! were subjected to.