Greymouth

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 47, 23 November 1905, Page 5

Greymouth

(From our own correspondent.) November 17

The Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, who has be<;n visiting the Coast during the last few weeks, left for Wellington last Monday. , M-mri In answer to a question at Ins meeting at Maor Creek last week, Mr. A. R. Guinness, M.H.R., staieu that he was in avor of it being left to the people o dccWe whether our present educational system should be continued or whether the Bible should be read and exp?aYncdto the children in our State schools. In answer to the same question the other candidate, Mr. J. Pttr.e said he -was opposed to Bible-reading in our State schools and would vote against a plebiscite on the quesli ° n The local branch of the Hibernian Society, which has been increased to an active members up o t s, eventy able and energetic members, has decided to still iurthe? assert its existence by organising a monster morls" meeting for the celebrating of St -Patrick's Day S The project has been taken up with much cnthuSS'^rt, s^-sa- & sat n 7 , will Ikm sure, secure the support ot every true

Irishman and Catholic on the Coast. The Society is fortunate in having as its president Bro. Wm. J. Packer, a popular and energetic young man, who spares neither time nor trouble to further any movement in connection with Hibernianism. A large audience, which included^ the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, of Wellington, assembled last Friday evening to hear the oratorical competition at the St. Columba Club rooms. The speakers and their subjects were : Messrs. L. J. Brooks, • Pope Leo XIII.' ; J. P. Devonport, • Cornelius o' Regan ' ; T. Kennedy, ' Daniel O'Connell ' ; W. J. Packer, ' Blessed Campion ' ; and W. H. Duffy, ' Lord Russell of Killowen.' The judges (Rev. Father Taylor, Bro. Alfred, and Mr. T. P. O'Donnell) declared Mr. Devonport the winner. The Very Rev. Dean Carew congratulated the various speakers , on their efforts, and hoped many more similar competitions wouU take place in the future. During the evening vocal and instrumental items were given by Miss McDonnell, Messrs Dillon, McCarthy, and Redpath. At a meeting of the St. Columba Club held last Monday it was decided to form a cricket club. The election of officers resulted as follows :— Captain, Mr. T. Barry ; vice-captain, Mr. F. McCarthy, secretary and treasurer, Mr. P. C. Heaphy ; committee, Messrs. P. Galvin and M. Keating, and officers ex officio. The captain signified his intention of presenting a bat to the club. With the enthusiasm shown, the season promises to be a very successful one. A progressive euchre party in connection with the club was held last week. Twenty tables were engaged with this popular game by members and their friends. During the evening refreshments were handed round by the ladies' committee, and altogether a most enjoyable e\ening was spent. The club has lost a valuable member in Mr, Thomas O'Donnell, who left last week for Palmerston North. Mr. O'Donnell was one of the oldest members, and was extremely popular with his club-mates.