ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 32, 10 August 1905, Page 4

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(By telegraph from our own correspondent.) i August 7.

His Grace the Archbishop will leave for Meanee this week for the purpose of conducting an ordination ceremony. Owing to the serious illness of his father, for whose recovery no hopes are entertained, the Rev. Father Holley went south to-day. The Yen. Archdeacon Devoy leturnet] last week from a visit to Dean Foley at Auckland, whose condition is now considered hopeless. A retreat for the students of St. Patrick's College was conducted last week by the Rev. Father Clune, C.SS.R. The penny collection system, introduced about thirteen years ago into the Te Aro parish by Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, has been the means of laising since then £2021. The amount contributed in pennies last year came to £152. Arrangements are being; made for a ni/onster conversazione to be held shortly iv ' the Town liall, to raise funds in aid of the Te Aro parish schools. Miss A. Hackett has been appointed secretary of 'the committee. The new organ, recently placed in i-ositic n at the Sacred Heart Basilica, was formally o\ cnetl yesterday morning. High Mass was cele'i.attd b\ Ins Grace the Archbishop in the presence of a. \eiy large congregation. The nn.SK- chosen for ihe occasion was Schubert's P'irst Mass in F, to 'which a stiong choir, under the con'ductoiship of Mi. S. Cimin ), (ii 1 ample justice. Mr. Cyril Towsev presided at the organ, and finely demonstrated all (he capabilities ot the splendid instrument. Asked at the conclusion of the ceremony what ne thought of the touch, mechanism, and tone of the organ*, Mr. Towsev declared that he had no hesitation in saying that it was the best organ in Wellington— a verdict that should be pleasing to all those who will have the privilege of hearing the instrument. The ■\ocal solois>ts at the Mass were Misses M. Twohill, McSherry, Buckhursit, and Messrs. J. Seaib, Carr, and Flanagan. Four organ solos were given by Mr. Towsey. His Grace the Archbishop delhered a dedicatory address from the words of the 150 th psalm, ' Praise Him with tinYbrcl and choir ; praise Him with strings and organs,' 1 in which his Grace gave a most interesting account of the place and purpose of music in religion. A sacred concert was given in the evening to a crowded congregation that filled every seat in the spacious edifice. Among those present were the Right Hon. the Premier and Mrs. Seddon, Hon. T. Y. Duncan, and Hon. Colonel Pitt, the Speaker (Mr. Guinness), and Sir W. Steward. The concert programme was of a high order, and the rendering of the various choruses and solos was both pleasing and effective. In addition to the vocalists already mentioned, the following took part — Misses Mclntos>h, Martin, Rabone, and Mr. Loughnan. A contralto solo, 'To the angels,' by Miss Melntosh, deserves special mention for its exquisite rendering. His* Grace'briefly thanked those present for their attendance, and expressed his high appreciation of the concert programme and his warmest thanks to the choir and contributors. He announced that there was a debt of about £500 on the organ, the total cost having come to nearly £1500. Benediction was given by his Grace, assisted by Yen. Aroh'deacon Devoy, Very Rev. Fathers Lewis

and Le Menant des Ghesnais. The offerings at the moming's service came to nearly £190, while about £40 weia contributed in the evening;. The organ shojld become \ery pooular with the public, and another recital will probably be given soon.