Oamaru

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 20, 20 May 1909, Page 23

Oamaru

(From Our Own Correspondent.) May 17. The first school football match of the season, played on Takaro Park on Saturday last betwqen St. Patrick's and North schools, resulted in a win for the latter. St. Patricks-D ramatic Club is at present actively rehearsing for their production' of a popular comedy at the Opera House on July 22 and 29. The grand bazaar, for which all members of the congregation and their friends have been busily working for months past, will eventuate in August next. The Town Hall has been engaged for twelve nights. Signor Borzoni's engagement as superintendent of entertainments is a sufficient guarantee that patrons will get only the best novelties in the way of amusements. The formal re-opening of, St. Patrick's Club, under its new title and much improved conditions generally, took place on Friday evening last, in the presence of a large and enthusiastic gathering of members. Mr. T. O'Grady (president) occupied the chair, and was supported by Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay, V.G., Rev. Father Farthing, and Rev. Father O'Brien. The chairman, in his opening speech, said it gave him great pleasure to see such a large muster of young men, including all the old members and a very gratifying number of new ones. To the latter he tendered the most cordial welcome, and hoped they would be as constant in their attendance at the various functions as were many of the original members, and that they would derive much benefit from their association with the club. He spoke of the strides made by the club during the year just ended, and trusted that the coming session would see a va,st improvement in all directions. The room was now in capital order and up-to-date in every respect, and it only rested with the members to' make St. Patrick's Club second to none in the Dominion. As the members knew, they owed a debt of gratitude to Rev. Father Farthing for his untiring energy in the interests of the club since his arrival in Oamaru, and it was to his efforts that they owed the wonderful improvements in the room, its furnishings, and appearance. He then called on Monsignor Mackay to declare the club open. Monsignor Mackay, in a happy- and instructive address, endorsed the president's remarks concerning the immense advantages to be gained by belonging to such an institution. It was very gratifying to him to see such a large attendance. Most of those present had passed through their school curriculum, but they must not think that their education was finished. It was but commencing, so to speak. It required considerably more than the ' three R's ' to carry a man successfully through life, and when they joined a club of this kind they were afforded an opportunity of enlarging their minds and fitting themselves mentally, morally, and physically for life's battle. He could not conclude his remarks without mentioning a matter which caused much indignation. He referred to a paragraph, appearing in all the papers, in which the highest judicial authority in the Dominion was credited with a statement at once baseless and untrue, and which as a prominent Nonconformist had stated, was absolutely im-^ probable. He hoped the matter would, at an early date, - be taken up by the club, and he would have great pleasure in being present to hear their views of the question.

Tho Rqv. Father O'Brien, in a brief speech, said he was delighted to have the opportunity of saying a few words. Though a stranger to Oamaru he took a 'great interest in all pertaining to young men. In any club or body the young men might well be called the backbone — the future success of the institution depending on them. There was no question as to the immense benefit accruing from membership of a young men's club. ' He could not praise the work of Father Farthing too highly. As a. worker Father Farthing was indefatigable, and his name at the head of a movement meant success in every instance. The Oamaru Club was indeed most fortunate in having Rev/ Father Farthing as its spiritual \ director and adviser.

The Rev. Father Farthing gave a pointed and telling address, in which he urged all present to assist the club in every way, and to show practical sympathy by becoming financial members and introducing as many new members as possible. They must prove that St. Patrick's Club was not a name only. It was now on a sound basis, and the club's great gratitude was due to Monsignor Mackay, who came forward at the time of need and proffered most valuable practical assistance, enabling them to re-open a club room that was up to date in every respect. He thanked all those who so ungrudgingly gave their services and leisure time to renovating the room, and the result was a credit to them. A debating society was being formed to carry on weekly debates. A dramatic branch is at present engaged in active rehearsal, and will stage a comedy in the Opera House in July. Later it is hoped to have an orchestra and a gymnasium. He would ask the Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay (patron) and Mr. O'Grady (president) to play the opening game on their new billiard table.

During the evening an enjoyable musical programme was gone through, items being given by the following:, — Piano solo, Miss Harmon; recitation, Mr. M. F. Cooney;, song, Rev. Father Farthing ; recitation, Mr. E. Barry.

The newly-renovated club room came in for much admiration. The interior has been painted light green with dark facings. A low staging has been run round the room and seated with neatly upholstered forms. _ The most couspicuous addition, however, is the new and up-to-date billiard table, which received high encomiums from those v who tested it. An excellent piano has also been installed.