DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 37, 10 September 1903, Page 18

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

The Very Rev. Dean Lightheart, Superior of the Maori Missions, was in Gore last week, and is during the current week in Invercargill in the interest of his mission.

The members of St. Joseph's Men's Club at their meeting on Friday evening debated the question, 1 Should barmaids be abolished ? ' Rev. Father Murphy presided, and there was a very good attendance. As the appointed leader of the affirmative was unable to be present, this duty fell to Mr. D. Columb, whose opponent was Mr. T. Hussey. The other speakers were Messrs. T. Deehan, Foley, Carr, Miles, Flahavin, and C. Sullivan. The subject was listened to with great interest, the speeches being both interesting and amusing, Mr. Hussey being particularly humorous. On a vote being taken, the negative won by a small majority.

On Saturday afternoon Captain Blaney's residence, Anderson's Bay Road, was the scene of a pleasant gathering, when several gentlemen who were instrumental in organising the farewell concert to Mrs. R. Irvine (nee Miss Rose Blaney) on the occasion of her marriage presented that lady with a cheque for over £80, the net proceeds of the concert. Mr. A. J. Barth made the presentation in a few well-chosen remarks, in the course of which he said that he knew he was voicing the opinion of the musical people of Dunedin in saying that there was no one they had ever regretted leaving their midst so much as Mrs. Irvine. However, he was sure that by her genial and ever-pleasant manner she would not fail to make many good and true friends wherever it was her destiny to reside, and concluded by wishing both her-

self and husband every happiness that this world could bestow. Short speeches were also made by Messrs. F Robertshaw, J Jago T J. Hussey, and rf. C. Camp^ bell, after which the health of Captain and Mrs. Irvine was drunk, and the extremely pleasant ceremony was brought to a close. J

His Lordship the Bishop will administer Confirmation m Naseby on the second Sunday in October, and on the following Sunday will solemnly bless and open the new church of St. Dunt.tan at Clyde. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Joseph's Cathedral on Sunday from last Mass until Vespers after which there was the usual procession, in which the children of the parish schools and the members of the Sacred Heart Society took part. During the day large numbers of the congregation were present in the Cathedral.

On Monday evening the Very Rev. Father O'Neill of Milton, delivered a very interesting lecture to the members of the Catholic Literary and Social Institute, South Dunedin. He took for his subject his recent travels in the Old Land, and dealt very fully with the present forward movement in Ireland for the encouragement of the Irish language and the revival of Irish industries. He also gave very interesting and graphic details of his visit, in company with Father Cleary, to the principal battlefields of Wexford County that were made famous during the insurrection of 1798. Cordial votes of thanks were passed by acclamation to the Very Rev. speaker The Very Rev. Dean Lightheart delivered a lecture in the Town Hall, Lawrence, on Wednesday evening of last week, his subject being ' The habits, manners, and customs of the Maoris.' Considering that the night was bitterly cold (says the • Tuapeka Times '), there was a very good audience, the lecture throughout being followed with close attention, the applause being frequent, the rev. lecturer succeeding in introducing an agreeable element of humor into the treatment of his subject. His "ship the Mayor (Mr. G. Jeflery) having in brief but sympathetic terms introduced the lecturer, Father Lightheart at once put himself on pleasant terms with his auditory. He displayed a very extensive knowledge of the English language, his delivery being even, agreeable, and fluent, his descriptions picturesque, and his application of words in every instance correct and effective. At the conclusion of his lecture, which lasted for an hour and a half, Dean Lightheart was warmly applauded, and on the motion of Monsignor O'Leary he received a vote of thanks by acclamation. A vote of thanks to the chairman, who complimented Father Lightheart in graceful terms on his ability as a lecturer, brought the proceedings to a close. On Wednesday of last week a cable message was received by the Rev. Father Hunt, of Cromwell, announcing the death of Ins mother, at her home in Dresden, Staffordshire, England. The deceased lady, who was nearly 80 years of age, had been for the past three years a confirmed invalid, and bore her long and trying illness with great fortitude. She was a native of Waterford city, was a woman of noble character and saintly life, and throughout her long career showed a wonderful devotion to her holy faith. Two of her daughters are Sisters of Chanty in England. On Wednesday of this week a solemn Requiem Mass for the repose of her soul was celebrated in St. Joseph's Cathedral. The celebrant was Rev. G. Hunt (Cromwell), deacon Rev. 11. W. Cleary, subdeacon Rev. W. McMullan (Naseby), master of ceremonies Rev. P. Murphy, Adm. Rev. M. Howard was also present. The music of the Mass was impressively rendered by the choir of the Dominican Nuns.

The schools' interprovincial football match— Otago against Southland— took Place on the Caledonian Ground on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a large gathering of spectators. In the Otago team there were four representatives of the Christian Brothers' School—Rossbotham (captain), James Collins, Bryant, and D Collins. It is noteworthy that all the points scored by the winning team— Otago— were to the credit of the Christian Brothers' representatives. Bryant was the first to score for Otago by kicking a fine goal from a mark, not in too easy a position. Shortly afterwards Rossbotham, securing the ball in Southland's twenty-five, forced his way over the line, where the full back just collared him too late. The kick at goal was resultless. Before the first spell closed Rossbotham, again getting possession, proved too speedy for the opposing backs, and scored again, Bryant's kick again being resultless. A neat bit of play by Southland's diminutive full back, Lee, earned him applause, and the spell closed, play having been almost continually in Southland's twenty-five. In the second spell Southland made a vigorous effort to score at the start, and very nearly succeeded, but a forcedown was the ultimate result. The Otago boys rushing the ball up the field, Rossbotham scored his third try after a strong run, no goal resulting. The Southland boys attacking again, Timpany and Stewart had shots at goal without success, after which off-side play by Southland gave Bryant a shot at goal, with

151.l 51. TWS rai^ Otago's score The interesting and soiemn ceremony of reception and profession took place in the fine chapel of the Dom£ mean Priory Dunedin, on Tuesday morning The ceremony was performed by his Lordship the Bishoi asS? ted by Rev: P. xMurphy, Adm., and Rev M &oS" There were also present Very Rev. Father O'Neill (Milton) Rev Fathers Hunt (Cromwell), Coffey (South Dunedin), Delany and Ryan .(Mosgiel), 'and H W. Cleary and a number of friends and relatives, of the youne re^ ligieuses. Miss Mary Cockerill (in religion SisteF M. Bernardine) made her religious profession, and the following young ladies received the habit and white veil of novices > Miss Helen Oakley, of Palmerston North (in religion Sister M. Catherine) ; Miss Anne McCarthy, of Hawea Flat (in religion Sister M. Philomena) ; Miss Agnes Murdoch, of Lawrence (in religion Sister M Lucy) ; and Miss Jane McNamee, of Garston (in religion Sister M. Aidan). The reception of Sister M. Aidan took place under circumstances that evoked the keenest sympathy among all who were present at the touching ceremony. Her father— one of the finest types of Catholic and Irishman that ever settled in New Zealand—' had passed away at his home in ,Garston, after a short illness, on the previous night, and the day that his good daughter received the religious habit and the great joy of ' the better part ' also brought with it the deep affliction of a great and sad bereavement. To Sister M Aidan and her sorrowing mother and family we tender our deep sympathy.

On Sunday, August 30 (writes a Roxburgh correspondent), St. Mary's Church had the pleasure of a visit from the Very Rev. Dean Lightheart, Superior of the Maori Mission, who is visiting the various dioceses throughout New Zealand soliciting assistance in connection with his work. The rev. gentleman preached both morning and evening upon the subject of his mission, and was listened to with the closest attention, and his appeal for assistance met with a liberal response. During ins short stay in the district Dean Lightheart, by his kind and homely manner, made a host of friends, and numerous were the regrets expressed at his early departure on the following Tuesday morning. On Monday he visited and became acquainted with all the members of the congregation and not a few of the citizens of Roxburgh, and that same evening he delivered in the hall a very instructive and interesting address on the Maori, Mr. J. H. Waigth presiding. Dean Lightheart spoke for two hours to a large audience composed of the members of the congregation and friends, and his lecture, which consisted of the early history of .the Maori race and his experiences amongst them during the past ten years, was so interesting that he commanded throughout the fullest attention of his hearers. The rev. gentleman also related several little anecdotes in connection with his experiences which added considerably to the enjoyment of his audience. During the evening refreshments, kindly provided by the ladies, were handed round, after which a short musical programme was carried out, the following contributing : Miss McMullen, overture ; Mr. J. H. Waigth jun., song (' Comrades ') ; Miss Pitchers, song (Three leaves of shamrock) ; Mr. Hart, song (' The better land ') ; Miss Cormack, song (' Ora Pro Nobis ') ; Mr. T. Waigth, song (• o>ld black Joe ') ; and Mr. J. H. Waigth, song (' In happy moments '). The singing of ' Auld lang syne ' brought a most enjoyable evening to a close.