DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 33, 17 August 1905, Page 18

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

His Lordship Bishop Verdon, assisted by the Very Rev. Father O'lNeill, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation in St. Virgilius's Church, Balclutba, on Sunday. The month's mind for the repose of the soul of the late Very Rev. Father Sheehan will take place In St. Joseph's Cathedral on Tuesday next, August 22, at 9 a.m.

jOn Thursday efvwibg of Jast week the members of tfaufceirof Eta ftatrick'fe Basilica, Soutft rhihedin, n>«jde a presentation to their, late pastor, Rev. Father Coffey, Administrator of St. Joseph's Cathedral. ' The presentation wap made by Mr. \ E. Bagar, - who referred in, eulogistic terms $p the wprk done, by Father Coffey. Mr. J. P, Ma&eson also spoke a lew words, and Father Coffey suitably replied.

The Port Chalmers Catholic schools were examined op Thursday by tie Ooverhment Inspector, whose report thereon was very satisfactory, the answering of the pupils, on se.vetal subjects tYing described as ' excellent,' whilst many were recorded as ' very good.' The educational work done in the school is highly appreciated not alone by Catholics but also by persons of every creed in the town, whilst the children have a well-de-served reputation for their excellent manners.

The Christian Brothers* Defence Cadets paraded on last Thursday evening for inspection by Captain Hughes, inspecting officer from Wellington. The uniforms and accoutrements were closely inspected, and Captain Hughes expressed 1 himself pleased with the general appearance of the corps. The corps was then put through variout movements by its captain, and the section commanders were also told off to handle their respective sections in the open. At the conclusion the inspecting officer complimented the members on the progress made, and hoped, later in the year, to see them at skirmishing' practice on the neighboring hills. The parade s>tate was : 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 color-ser-geant, 3 sergeants, 4 corporals, 43 cadets ; 'total, 53.

On Sunday at the nine and eleven o'clock Masses at St. Joseph r s Cathedral the Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., sppke of the work which . was being done by the parish societies— especially the St. Joseph's Men's Club— and recommended them to the more generous support of the congregation than has been the case in the past. The Men's Club was doing excellent work, and was capable of incalculable good, if it were accorded the support that it deserved.^ He counselled parents to make the homes pleasafnt, and if possible to provide recreation for their children, such as music, for after all the horn© was the best training place for young people. If, however, ycnwig men were not content to stay in their own tomes' in the evenings the next best place was the club, which ofiered many attractions that would keep them off the streets, and for this reason should have not alone the support of all young men but also of the heads of families.

The Lawrence correspondent of the Dunedin ' Evening Star ' of last Tuesday writes as follows : A case possessing features of more than local interest cropped up at the S.M. Court here yesterday. The Very Rev. Mgr. O'Leary was sued by the Borough of Lawrence for the recovery of £4 odd for rates due on the R.C, presbytery* Mr. Poppelwell (of Gore), who defended, contended (1) that under the Rating Act, 1894, the building was exempt, because it was used by the Very Rev. Mgr. O'Leary in his capacity as head of St. Patrick's School ; (2) that he was not the owner of the property on which the rates were claimed ; and (3) that it had not foeeu proved that he was the occupaer by virtue Ol a tenancy which was for not less than six months (vide clause 2, sub-section 1, of the Rating Act, 1894). A lengthy legal argument followed, after which the magistrate nonsuited the borough, with £1 Is costs, ruling that he was with defendant on the second and third points, and with plaintiff on the first point.

The Sacred Heart Schoolroom, North East Valley, was well filled on Tuesday evening on the occasion of a concert In aid of the school funds. A somewhat lengthy programme was gone through with commendable despatch, and the various items were given in a manner which evoked tne hearty applause of the audience. Songs were contributed by Mrs. Lemon, Misses K. Carter, C. Finnerty, Wood, M. Bernech, and Messrs. Oliver, Flynn, and Olsen ; a humorous duet was given by Miss K w Johnston and Mr. T. J. Anthony, a oomic song by Mt. Duff, pianoforte solos by Miss M. Bernech and Miss McTigue, a cornet solo by Mr. W. Wood, a clarionet solo by, Mr. J. Wdod, recitations by Messrs. R. Burke and H. Haitogprfoard, am Irish jig by Miss P. Higgins, and an Irish jig aaid hornpipe by two' small performers who were designated on the programme as ' The fairies.' A small) Ibtrt efficient orchestra contributed three items. The accompaniments were played by Miss MoTigue, Messrs. Lemon and HilUker. Before the final item Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., on Hahalf of the organisers of t»he concert, thanked the performers for the very enioy«lble entertainment provided, and the audience for their attendance. A good deal of credit for the success achieved was tfue to the work of the energetic secretary, Mr. J. M. Casey, who left nothing undone to bring about that result.

The following clerical changes in the. diocese, of Dunedin take effept this week:. Rev. Father. Howard from Port. Chalmers to the Administratorship of South Duriedin ; Rev* Father Hearn from Gore to the pastoral charge of Port Chalmers ; Rev. Father O'Neill (River-. cargill) replaces Rev. Father Hearn as assistant priest in Gore. ' .

Impromptu speeches formed the programme . at,, the meeting of St. Joseph's Men's Club on Friday evening. Prior to the opening of the meeting Mr. Deehan, vicepresident of the club, extended a very hearty welcome to Rev. Fattier Coffey, Adm., and expressed the pleasure, which the club members had Jelt, when they learned that such a zealous supporter of young men's cluhs Had been appointed administrator. Mr. P. Hally also spoke eulogistioaljy of Farther CotEey*s . enthusiasm \n club matters, and felt convinced ttntt his abilities would do much to further the club on its present road to success. Father Coffey, in replying, thanked Mr. Deehan and the members for their very hearty welcome, and hoped that he migjit, in his connection with the club, merit the very high compliments that had been paid to him. His work as administrator must necessarily take up a large amount of his time, but, after that work, he considered the; club his next care, and he would make it his duty to spare no pains in working for its advancement. With the assistance of the members he was convinced they would continue to advance as rapidly in the future as they had in the past. At the conclusion of tho meeting Father Coffey expressed his pleasure at the facility with which the speakers treated their subjects at a moment's notice. He gave some useful hints on speaking, Mr. P. Hally also gave some good advice, and recounted some amusing sftories of his early efforts as a speaker,