Invercargill

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 6, 11 February 1909, Page 217

Invercargill

(From, our own correspondent.) " - . February 8. The Hibernian Society, in conjunction with "the Hibernian Band; intend holding a national concert and social on St. Patrick's Night. "" . - ,- v - The children of the parish schools will " hold their annual picnic on Wednesday, the 17th inst., at Ocean Beach (near Bluff). A committee of young men is making arrangements for a successful gathering. - On Wednesday the Hibernian Band, gave a promenade concert from the Rotunda in the Post; Office Square! A very large crowd turned out — quite the largest that has honored any of the bands since the commencement of these municipal promenade concerts. The band, under Conductor Wills, was well received. . ". " The secretary of the. Irish Athletic Society informs me that everything points to a record spbrts -meeting this yearApplications for programmes have^been received from as far north as Auckland. It is interesting to note that prospective competitors are sometimes unconscioiisly humorous in addressing their letters. Perhaps the best of these was one addressed as follows : -7-' Secretary, Irish Caledonian Society, Invercargill.' (From an occasional correspondent.) On February -1 the Marist Brothers' School was reopened with every indication of another prosperous year. In fact, for the past three years there has been an average increase of eighten. The friends of the pupils in -other parts may be interested in learning that during 1908 they were victors in the football field against aU.jtEe jprimary schools of the town. They wished to play a matchf against " the combined schools, but it did not come off. They gave a very satisfactory account of themselves to the school spector at his annual visit, and four of their number passed the Junior Civil Service examination. The thanks of the teachers and pupils are due to the local clergy for the great interest they take in its success. The Very Rev. Dean Burke, notwithstanding the many calls on his time, instructs the boys in Christian doctrine twice a week. Then at the end of the year, after a painstaking examination, he bestows on the successful competitors many l-vjalii able prizes. He also gives a prize for success achieved in - ; the study of Irish history. Although the" school syllabuses' so overcrowded, still Irish history is taught with enthusiastic ardor. The teachers believe that the study of this subject is not only a patriotic duty, but that it is likewise, for reasons that are patent, a powerful support to our holy faith. .