DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 49, 5 December 1901, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.)

December 2. St. Mary's Catholic Ladies' Club is arranging for a picnic to Stewart's Gully on Boxing Day. Owing to the cabled announcement concerning the serious condition of the health of his Holinens the Pope the prayers of the congregations were solicited for the Holy Father in the churches on Sunday. A concert and social were h^M in the Catholic Schoolroom, Broadfields, on Friday, November 22, in aid of the school funds. There was a crowded attendance. An excellent programme was gone through, and refreshment 8 were handed round by members of th- "Xinrniltu,, n-.sis-ed by lady hiends. The speeches made at tue meeting- on Sunday in regard to St. Patrick's Day celebration were on the whole excellently delivered and the matter evidently -well thought out. The proceedings generally were marked with a spontaniety and an enthusiasm rarely witnessed at similar gatherings. More thau once well-marked tribute was paid to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul for the excellent social work performed by the members for many years. A cricket match was pitted on Faturd.iy between teams representing the Christohurch Catholic Club (Pro-Cathedra ) and St. Mary's Cricket Club, resulting m a win fur St. Mary'n by e'ght wickets and nine runs, the scores being : I'ro-Cathedral, 2S and 25 ; St. Mary's, 37 and two wickets for 25. For the former side Ptat and Canavan batted and bowled m fine fctyle. good form beinp aKo shown in favour of St. Mary's by McNarxmra aud Sullivan wuh the bat, and Hunt in the bo a ling.

Speaking at the meeting 1 held on Sunday re the St. Patrick's Day celebrations, Mr. G. J. Sellars said, tbat being present at » National gathering of the kind now contemplated, at Auckland about 12 years ago, he was rather sur prised to see among the H.A.C.B. (Society brethren a stalwart Maori, who seemed particularly proud of the green sash and Bought to be considered an Irishman. Referring to the memorable occasion — ab>ut two years ago — when the Right Hon the Premier was heard to sing ' The wearin' of the green,' Mr. J. Barrett interjected that Mr. Beddon was known to have sung the patriotic and inspiriting air ' 20 years ago.' The St. Patrick's brauoh of the H.A.C.B. Socie-y wa« honoured at itß ordinary meeting held recently by the presence of a number of visiting brethren. Theae included Bros. O'Brien, P.P., and Nolan, of Hobart ; J. Hyland, P P., of Wellington, P. Mahoney, of Timaru, and J. Noonan, of Boston, Mass., U.S.A., a member of the American order of Hibernians. A veiy hearty welcome was extended to the visitors, and warmly reciprocated. Much interest was centred in the American brother, who spoke with referenoe to matters of mutual importance to the two Societies. Opinion was freely expressed that it would be conducive to the well-being of Hibernians if the two bodies were amalgamated, which it mi hoped ere long would be the case. A picnic, organised by the Marist Brothers for the boys attending the Pro-Cathedral parish school, took place on Monday last, and proved a most enjoyable outing. A special tram leaving town at 10 o'clock conveyed the party to Sumner, where, in the pretty ground surrounding the church, amusements of various kinds, races, etc., were held. An adjournment to the beach was made in the afternoon, where the seaside attractions were indulged in, the return journey being made about 6 o'clock. A particularly pleasant day was spent. Among those present at the picnic were the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnaia, Very Rev. Dean Foley, Rev. Fathers McDonnell and O'Connor, the teaching staff, and some of the children's parents. An abundance of refreshments was provided by friends and dispensed by a number of young ladies. Prizes won in the sports were distributed by the Very Rev. VicarGeneral next day. What was described as an ' Emerald Night ' was given by the H.A.C.B. Society in their hall, Barbadoea street, on Thursday evening last, in aid of the branch's benevolent fund. There waa a large attendance, the building being entirely filled. Among those precent were his Lordship the Biohop and a number of the clerery. Ihe hall was prettily decorated with greenery, a fine Irish flag adorning the back of the concert platform. The officers of the bociety Were most attentive in regard to the pleasure and aomfort of their patrons. The first part of a very enjoyable entertainment consisted of a choice musical programme, after which refreshments were handed round by a number of young lady friends. A feature of the event was a number of novel and interesting competitions, which proved most entertaining. The committee are worthy of the greatest commendation for the manner in which the affair was carried out, and are to be congratulated on the success attending their efforts