DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 40, 6 October 1904, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

GFrom our own correspondent.) October 3. The Very Rev. Vicar-General had sufficiently recovered from his recent accident as to be able to resume d-uty in the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday. The Rev. Father O''Connell is to commence a house-to-house visitation of the Pro-Cathedral parish this week in the inte'restJs of the Cathedral building fund. The Fabian Dramatic Club, which recently produced the play, ' The Confidential Clerk,' at St. Mary's, Manchester street, intend reproducing it at Rangiora on the invitation of the Rev. Father Hyland. The Club has also in rehearsal another stirring drama, which "will likely be staged at an early date in aid of some Oeserving object. On Sunday afternoon a very large number of children and their parents congregated in the Pro-Cathe-dral in honior of the Feast of the Holy Angels. His Lordship the Bishop Reached a short discourse on the significance of the feast in language simiple anid suitable to his young hearers a>nd afterwards consecrated the children to their holy guardian angels. TJie annual meeting of the choir of St. Mary's Chutc-h, Manchester street, was held last week, the Rev. Father Marnane presiding. Very satisfactory progress ■wad reported to have been made during the year. The library was materially added to, and a fair amdunt of new music protiuced. Several new members have recently joined, and the choir is now numerically strong, and with the acquisition of musical knowledge, considered quite up to the average of city churches. At the election of officers Mr. W. H. Corrigan was re-appoin-teid cond/uttor arid choirmaster, Miss Williams secretary aiM treasurer, Miss Harrington librarian, committee. Mistees McLaughlin, Ryan, Goggin, Messrs. C. W. Ward and P. Blake.

The entertainment in aid of the Catholic boys' school arid Maoist Brothers' residence renovation fiumd was gfcen' with complete success in tihe Canterbury Hall an last Thursday evening. There was a large audience, which appeared to thoroughly enjoy the excellent program/me submitted. Miss Maud Graham was encored for her song, ' 0, dry those tears,' and responded with 'The sweetest flower tihat blooms.' Miss Grace Fender sang ' Killarney,' and in response to a recall ga/ve Denr/.&'s ' Song, of May.' Mr. Alfred Mckihurst, a vocalist new to Chrhstchurch, sang ' The anvil song,' and as an encore number ' The mighty deep,' his contribution to the second part of the programme bein^ ' Nil desperandum,' finely s;ung. Mr. R. Vincent S'anj: 'My queccn.' Mr/ James Hood, of Sydney, sang ' My beloved queen ' so well as to secure a recall, and Mr. E. McNamara, a popular favorite, rendered in fine style ' The courier of Moscow.' Herr R. C. Zimmerman gave a violin solo with artistic success. Mr. Winter A. Hall, a true artist in his line, recited ' Faces in the street. This item so pleased the audience that he was honored with three recalls. Miss Maud Graham in the second part sang very pleasingly ' The violin player,' with violin obligato by Herr Zimmerman. Among other items on the programme was the vocal duct, ' Love and war, given by Mr. A. Medhu,rst and Mr. R. Vincent. Special features of the entertainment were the tableaux ' Ireland m sorrow ' and ' The glories of Erin.' designed by the Very Rev. Vicar-General and presented by pupilsi of the Sacred Heart Convent, Banba'docs street. Attired in dainty white dresses and green sashes, the grouping of the yaung people produced charming stage pictures. Incidental to the tableaux were given the sohgs, 'Belieive me, if all those endearing young charms,' ' Erin, the tear and the smile,' ' The harp that once,' and ' The last rose of summer,' by the Misses M.ay Dransfield, Bruce Myles, M. O'Connor, and J. McLaren. Miss C. Barker and Miss J. McLaren accompanied on the piaho anft Miss Riuia Young on the harp. It is safe tlo say that never before in this city' have these lovely Irish melodies been rendered with such artistic effect. His Lordship, the Bishop and a number of his clergy were present, and at an interval his Lordship from the stage thanked the performer's for their \ allied services, the audience for their patronage, and apologised for tihe u<nav,ondable absence of Mrs Gmver-Burns and Mr. W. Densem, who. owing to illness, regretted their inability to liako their allotted part in the programme. Mr. 11. Ro.sisiter was musical director, and his fine orchestral band, led by Mr. E. J. Painter, performed two overtures, ' The Yeoman cf the Guard ' and ' The Onslow walU'.' MikS' Katie Young provided the accompaniments in her accustomed capable style.