Wanganui

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 41, 8 October 1903, Page 1

Wanganui

(From our own correspondent.) October 3. The Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, of the Meanee Seminary, delivered a highly interesting lecture here on last Tuesday night, taking as his subject ' The Mysteries of Pond Life,' and illustrating his lecture at every step by lantern views. Stripping; his subject of technical terms and treating it in a popular manner, with now and then a touch of humor, the lecturer commanded the attentr.on of his hearers from the outset, and made his explanations intelligible even to the smallest child in the audience. That the lecture proved of great educational benefit to those who had the pleasure of hearing )t goes without saying, and certainly opened the eyes of many who daily pass by, as unworthy of notice, the little insects which were chosen by Dr. Kennedy as the subject of his beautiful lecture, and which by the aid of the microscope and the camera, combined with the skill of the scientist and the photographer, were shown in all their marvellous perfection. As an eloquent conclusion to bis lecture, Dr. Kennedy, in referring to the soi-disant scientists who reiect God as the author of the, wonderful works of nature, said that all the wonders that had

been displayed were but so many proofs of the existence of a ruling power of the great universe, and anyone who reflected at all on the subject could not help exclaiming • ' The finger of God is here.' This sentiment, as one of the speakers afterwards pointed out, was the keynote of Dr. Kennedy's lecture, and it found its highest expression in the touching picture bearing the inscription ' All TJiy works praise Thee, O Lord.' At the conclusion of the lecture the Very Rev. Dean Grogan, in a happy speech, thanked Dr. Kennedy for coming to Wanganui to deliver his instructive lecture, and extended him a cordial invitation to pay a similar visit in the near future. A hearty vote of thanks, moved by Mr. T. Lloyd, 8.A., and seconded by Mr. P. Lundon, was carried by acclamation. The Very Rev. Father Power also added his congratulations. Dr. Kennedy responded in a few words- and said that it would give him particular pleasure to pay a second visit to Wanganui. During the intervals several musical items were given by the members of the choir and their friends. The following ladies and gentlemen kindly gave their services in this direction : Mesdames Labatt, Lloyd, and Meehan, Misses Day (of Auckland), McCulloch, and Northcote (who acted as accompanist), and Messrs. George McCulloch, Jun., W. Russell, and P. Lyndon. In addition to the clergy already mentioned there were present Rev. Fathers Olier and'O'Sullivan, both of whom were associated in manipulating the lantern. On Tuesday night Dr. Kennedy generously repeated his lectufe to the children attending the schools of the parish. The Very Rev. Dean Kirk was present on this occasion. On Sunday night Dr. Kennedy preached an eloquent sermon, in the course of which he made touching reference to the continued illness of the Very Rev. Dean Kirk. The following is the result of the examination in instrumental and vocal music held at the convent on Thursday last by the representative of Trinity CollegeIntermediate— Katie Quillinane, piano playing ; Vera Galpin, solo singing. Junior— Elsie Gollan, solo singing; Lina Clapham, piano playing ; Eileen Perrett, piano playing; Emily Sullivan, piano playing,. PreparatoryOlive Olberg, piano playing.