DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 12, 22 March 1906, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) March 19. In the Cathedral on Sunday evening the Rev. Father Pec'ples preached a panegyric on the Apostle of Ireland to a large congregation. Included in an excellent programme of music rendered by the Garrison Band at the Sydenham rotunda last week were selections of Irish melodies in honor of St. Patrick's Day. In place of the customary ' Faith of our Fathers,' the choir and congregation after Vespers at the Cathe dral on Sunday evening sang the hymn, ' O glorious St. Patrick.' The great congregation stood, and the effect was most inspiriting. In reference to the "number of letters from abroad to the clergy, inquiring about relatives and friends, the Very Rev. Vicar-General in the Cathedral on Sunday emphasised the importance of those removing from one parish to another, or in the event of a freq(uenfc change of address in a city, leaving particulars concerning themselves and their movements with the parish priest. A scheme recently drawn up oy the engineer of the Lyttelton Harblor Board with a view of connecting Christchurch with the sea by means of a ship canal was discussed at considerable length by the Board at a meeting; held last week, and it was ultimately decided to obtain the best possible advice on the subject by some eminent engineer to be selected in England by the High Ctommissioner. In honor of Ireland's patronal feast day members cf St. Patrick's branch of the Hibernian Society approached the Holy Table in a body at the Cathedral on Sunday morning. The Very Rev. Vicar-General on the previous Sunday at the half-past nine o'clock Mass spoke at some length on tlie aims, objects, and achievements of the Society and its claims to consideration 'on! the part of our young Catholic manhood.

His Lordship the Bishop left on Friday for Greymouth for the purpose of blessing and opening recent additions to the fine church of St. Patrick in that progressive town. The principal feature of these additions is a tower, provided for in the original plan of the building. The Rev. Father Peoples presided at a meeting of parishioners at H'alswell on Sunday when a new church and school committee was formed. The existing liabilities on the church property, which is under £50, was considered, and steps are to be taken to liquidate it. As an earnest! of this good resolution about half the amount was subscribed at the meeting. The school accommodation is taxed to its utmost limit, the attendance of children this year being a record one. St. Patrick's Day was celebrated by the Tennis Club, in connection! with the Christchurch Catholic Club, by' an enjoyable out-door gathering at the courts, Sydenham. A variety of amusements were provided, afternoon, tea was dispensed by the lady members of the club, and the proceedings enlivened by instrumental ' music. A short sports programme, arranged and conducted by Mr. E. F. Heydon, created great interest, the winners of various events being Miss O'Oonnell, Miss 11. Canavan (2), and Mr. T. O'Oonnell. About 100 persons were on the grounds during the afternoon and were the guests of the club. Canterbury Hall was filled to its utmost capacity on last Friday evening on the occasion of the national concert in celebration of the feast day of Ireland's patron saint. Although the great majority of the vast audience were our co-religionists, there were many others present to whem a good programme of Irish' national melodies invariably appeals, jand of those latter it is pleasing to note that their number is increasing year by year. The tcne, (too, of these annual gatherings has, so far aa this city is concerned, been raised to a standard which is markedly appreciated. The committee who had in hand the arranging of our annual celebration are to be commended for the high-class programme presented. Not only were the items well selected and appropriate, h|ut they were rendered by the very foremost talent of the city. Mrs. Gower Burns was .thoroughly at home in the Irish songs selected by her, and was in splendid vcice. She sang ' Killarney f in the first part most artistically, and in her encore number, ' The ninepenny fidil,' a pretty little song, she achieved a pre nounced success. It was, however, in Moore's well Known melody, 'The harp that once,' that Mrs. Burns was heard to the greatest advantage. For an encore she sang ' The last rose of summer ' very finely indeed. The effect of the first song was greatly heightened by the harp accompaniment, charmingly played by Miss Katie Young. Madame Agnes Padrion's fine voice and finished styla of singing made her interpretation of 1 Kathleen Mavourneen ' very successful, and she was also excellent in her encore number, ' Genevieve. 1 Inthe second part Madame Paddon gave what was one of the gems- of the evening, ' The songs my mother sang.' Miss Laura Trcleaven sang ' The dear little shamrock ' excellently, and was also very good in ' Erin, my country.' Miss Toria Sommers' singing of ' Come back to Erin ' was excellent. The quaint little Irish melody, ' My first love,' sang for an encore, was also a success. Mr. Frank Graham's fine robust tenor was heard to great advantage in ' Bianca,' and also in the encore, ' Then you'll rememiber me.' Herr Heinrich Kahn contributed two excellently played violin solos, and was also very good in his encore number, a short solo by Wienawski. Mr. Reg. "Vincent sang ' Asthore ' capitally, and was encored, repeating the last verse, and Mr. Hamill gave ' Off to Philadelphia ' with a g;ood deal of spirit and success. Mr. W. Coombs played a cornet solo, ' The minstrel boy,' admirably. Mr. "Winter Hall was to the fore with two finely delivered recitations, and Mr. W. Densem discoursed very amusingly regarding the obtnusive theatre hat. Two .selections of Irish melodies, spiritedly played, were 1 given tyy Mr. Rrssiter's orchestral band. Miss Katie Young was accompanist. During the evening the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, V.G., thanked those taking part in the programme and the audience for the very material assistance they were giving the great institute of charity, Nazareth House.