Timaru

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 4, 28 January 1904, Page 5

Timaru

(From our own correspondent.) January 27. The weather for the last few weeks has been all that could be desired for ripening the crops. In many pi aces' cutting has already commenced and everything points to an abundant harvest. With a view of hardening the grain' market, the Canterbury Farmers' Association has chartered a special vessel, the ' Dons,' to take a direct shipment of cereals to the Home markets, and many farmers are availing themselves of the opportunity. Miss Lloyd Hassell, one of our young fellow-towns-women, who arrived home a few weeks back after an absence of seven years spent in the study of music in some of the leading Continental conservatoires, got an enthusiastic reception at her concert in the Theatre Royal on Friday night last. She was bracketed for nine numbers, which were almost doubled by repeated encores. Her voice (a mezzo-soprano) is of good range and quality, a<nd will be a decided acquisition to the Timaru concert platform. Rev. Father Tubman left here on Thursday last for Australia on a well-earned holiday. During the thirteen years that he has labored in this parish, first as curate and then as pastor, he has not had a hoiliday worthy the name, and now that he has been able to get away for a few weeks we hope that he will have a pleasant and most enjoyable time. Rev. Father Kerley, of Temuka, accompanied the Rev. Father Tubman on his trip. The St. Mary's branch of the Hibernian Society 'held its usual fortnightly meeting in St John's Hall on Monday night, the 25th inst. Bto. T. Connor, in the unavoidable absence of the president, Bro. Donovan, took the* chair. There was a long business paper, the principal item being the production of the quarterly balance sheet, which was passed, but owing to the lateness of the hour much important matter was held over till next meeting. Rev. Father Rooney, S.J., who has just conducted two most successful retreats here, preached after Vespers on Sunday night last a most powerful and tailing sermon on the Sacrament of Penance, its origin, prac-tice-in* the Church from the earliest ages, and fruits of the reception of it. The Rev. Father leaves during the week for Dunedin. "'^TnV'tnird-class cruiser ' Pylaides 'is now in port,, and was visited by large crowds on Sunday afternoon. Her minstrel troupe gave a variety entertainment in the Theatre Royal on Monday night last, the proceeds going to the Veteran's Home, Auckland.