ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 6, 8 February 1906, Page 5

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From our own correspondent.) Febiuaiy 6. Tnc audiigemenls for the celebration of St. Patrick's Day aie in a \ery tor ward state. An excellent sports programme, catering, for young and old, has been prepared, and no effort is being spared to make the celebration in o\ery respect worthy of the occasion. Bro. J. W. Callaghan has been appointed secretary, and he has with him a strong and active committee. At the conclusion of their annual retreat the clergy will bo given an opportunity of hearing the new organ at the Sacred Heart Basilica. The services of Mr. Cyril Towsey as organist have been secured for the occasion, other first-class artists will contiibute to the programme, and a musical treat may therefore be expected. The concert will be open to the public, but for the purpose of helping the organ fund it is probable that a .small charge will be made for admission. A meeting of the old Irish National Federation was held here on JMonday evening for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken to remit pecuniary aid to the Irish Parliamentary Party. The chair was occupied by Mr. E. Carrigan. After some discubsion it was decided to establish in the city a branch of the United Irish League, tormed and conducted on the same lines as the Australian branches. Arrangements were accordingly made tor the holding of a larger meeting on Monday next to discuss proposals. In view ot the desirableness of having in our midst some recognised Irish Association, the members of the various branches of the H.A.C.B. Society here have had under consideration for some time the formation of a properly constituted body. I understand that delegates from the N.ewtown, City, and Lower Hutt branches of the H.A.C.B. Society and the Catholic Young Men's Club are to meet on Wednesday evening to arrange the preliminary steps. No doubt a combined mo\ement will follow, and an association fully representative of the Irish body will be formed. By far the most interesting event at the annual Catholic picnic is the inter-parish tug-of-war contest for a handsome cup. At the outing on Boxing Day the final result remained undecided, and it was arranged the Thorndon and Te Aro parish teams should pull off for the championship at <a later date. This event, which caused a great deal of local interest and rivalry, took place last week, and resulted in a somewhat easy win for the men of Tc Aro. On Wednesday last each member ol the winning team was presented with a medal by the Rev. Father O'Shea, to whom at the same time the captain of the team handed the challenge cup, which the Tc Aro parish priest will now hold until next year. At the fortnight, y meeting of the St. Aloysius' branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, held on Wednesday evening, the following members were elected to hold office for the ensuing six months : President, Bro. J. K,yan ; vice-president, Bro. J. Chambers ; secretary, Bro. J. J. Casey ; treasurer, Bro. J. L. Murphy ; guardian, Bro. D. O'Meara ; sick visitors, Bros. D. O'Mea-ca and Jos. Murphy ; auditors, Bros. J. W. Callaghan and J. Delany. The election of warden was held over until the next meeting. 'The ceremony of installing the newly-elected officers was performed by Bro.

E J. Fitzgibbon, P.P. One new member was elected and another proposed. Bro. J. W. Callaghan has kindly consented to deliver at the next meeting of the branch an address on the rules and conduct of the Society