WESTPORT

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 20, 14 May 1903, Page 20

WESTPORT

(From an occasional correspondent )

May 9

The handsome new convent of the Sisters ol Mercy is rapidly approaching completion, and when finished will add greatly to the architectural beauties oi the town. A Catholic improvement and debating society is about to be established in connection with the Hibernians The value of such a society cannot be over-estimated It is earnestly to lie hoped that large numbers of our Catholic young men will now a\ail themselves of the many advantages to be derived, by at once joining the society. Those who become members may confidently anticipate spending many a pleasant and profitable evening. A tribute of praise is due to the Altar Society, who are doin& such good work. During the last twelve months these good ladies, by the aid of socials and contributions collected, have procured several beautnul statues for the church. No allusion to St Camce's Altar Society would be complete without mention of the eaeigetic secretary, Miss Ready. This young lady has never spared herself in the p,ood cause, and is at all tunes to be found attending to the requirements of the altar. At the 9 o'clock Mass on .Sunday the Children of Mary and the members of the Altar Society made thenmonthly Communion. A most edifying sight was witnessed when the members of the Hibernian Society. in their regalia, approached the Holy Table in a body. During the course of a powerful and eloquent seimon delivered at Vespers the Rev. Father Mallov paid a high tribute to the fine body of men comprising the society, and alluded to their action in the morning as ' a magnificent display of holy faith.' It is with regiet that I hd\o to record the death of Mrs H. Moran, which occurred at the local hospital on Sunday evening, May 3. The deceased had been ailing for a considerable time and suffered much from a painful complaint. Mrs. Moran was born in County Galway and had resided about 19 years in this Colon y, the greater portion of that time having been spent at Charleston, where she was widely known and respected r l he funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon and was very largely attended by all classes of the community As a tribute of respect to Mr Moran. who is one of the oldest Hibernians in the district, the members of the local Hibernian Society attended in regalia and marched in front of the cortege The late Mrs Moran was of a

tEe w n ho^ri ab t 1 L di 1 PP ° sition ', a ? d uch esteemed by y fa« MctonnVmV SlSter (^ rs ' McDonnell, wife of Mr John McDonnell) to mourn their sad loss Ihe Rev Father concSc'ted h t°h had atte ? d <* deceased i n her last hours" A most enjoyable entertainment in honor of the Rev it st C1 r«fi K - UL 2 )y ,t, th ° P " l>ns of the convent schools n!w; n , T ,?o UCeB t>clioo i room on Monday afternoon. The ! h^n f,f -i commonc-rl with the 'Feast-day song' by .a' P&P &p t AI! te ?r? 1 if tillß lhe a PP ro^ ai of the aud£ «« roJi nt\ ■ rCd . Ullcn (son of «ei-geant Cullen, who dflro^ ,f y arm ; ed , »? Westjiort) read an appropriate l J' c n s ? of congratulation to the Rev. Mother Master Cullen s enunciation was remarkably good, and the S'f, references contained in th/ address at once fovtPrinot !! PP ° n *l c ?r- the *} carts of all Present. A pianoncxccl™t y,y ,M c SSCS FI °- a , nd , Lil y «titt was played in excellent style, the young ladies well meriting the A RUR US f itn^ C Pk Tw ts e thev received - The Misses A g Lock A Radtord, and W. Struthers, in a prettily rendered se^ ,wV^L° n Vl , oh . ns . gave much pleasure to the audience, and the pupils in their song and chorus entitled ' I have heard sweet music,' were heard to advantage The violin solos given respectively by the Misses Amy Lock and Winnie Struthers were nicely played, and the efforts of the young instrumentalists were most cordially received In their pianoforte selections the Misses Lily Stitt and" Gertie Scott created a most favorable impression, both young ladies displaying taste and expression in the execution of the pieces entrusted to them. A most entertaining and amusing item was presented by the infant class in their song and chorus, whilst the senior boys in their drill were really excellent. The Rev Father Mai oy sang 'The Holy City ' and was enthusiastically applauded. After the entertainment had concluded the boys were taken to Victoria Square, where games were indulged in under the supervision of the Rev. Father Ma loy, assisted by Mr Sullivan. The Yen. Archpriest Walshe, much to the regret of all, was unavoidably ab-