DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 51, 21 December 1905, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) December 18. To the ' Irish Catholic ' of November 11, Mr. M. Nolan, of Christchurch, contributes an article entitled '"The Apostolate ot the Gael,' dealing principally with the spread of Catholicism in the colonies, the education problem, and a special' inference to the Christchurch Cathedral. The oratoncal contest of the Christchuich Catholic Club, in connection with the Federated Catholic \uung Men's Societies, took place on last Tuesday e\ening. Sir George Clifford and Mr. 11. 11. Loughnan acted as judges. Of the six competitors, Mr. M. Kane, a recent addition to the club and lately of .Melbourne, on the subject of the ' Second George,' was awarded first place, and Mr. J. R. Haywaid (' Lord Russell ') and Mr. D. Edmonds (' Daniel O'Connell ') tied for second place. Other*! competing were Mr. K. Laflerty (' Cardinal Manning '), Mr. M. O'Reilly (' Gladstone '), and Mr. R. McNamara (' Washington '). The contest afforded a profitable and most interesting evening, and the club would do well to have such like piogrammes more frequently. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Society ot St. Vincent de Paul Particular Council was held on last Monday evening at the episcopal residence 1 1 is Lordship Bishop Grimes presided, and those present weic the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Cliesnais, S I\l , V.G. (spiritual director), and representatives of (ho Cathedral, St. 'JMary's, and St. Joseph's (Lyttelton) Conferences. Correspondence from the Superior Council at Sydney was read, and also a circular letter from the Vice-President General of the Society at Paris. The president submitted a comprehensive report treating of Catholic children as variously circumstanced, giving their number and the methods adopted for their wellbeing. Replies from the pastors of scveial district ■> where Catholic children have been boarded out were leceived m answer to communications m their legaid. The president outlined the Particular Council's suggestions as proposed to be submitted to the Superior Council in connection with the Society's approaching jubilwe. Ilis Lordship the Bishop expressed great pleasuie m attending the Council's meetings and learning of the practical and meritorious work in which all were engaged. The results proved abundantly how essentially useful such a body of willing co-operators were, lie appreciated very highly their labors which, with Clod's blessing, were capable of inestimable good and lar-rcaching benefit.