DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 8 July 1909, Page 12

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From Our Own Correspondent.) July 5. His Lordship the Bishop lectured in the Opera House on last Thursday evening on 'Picturesque Ireland.' As the usual press courtesies were not, however, extended by the management to the representative of the Tablet for the event, I regret not being in the position to give particulars. A generous offer made by Mr. Hemus, at the conclusion of his lecture on Tuesday evening, to the Catholic Club, to coach the members in the mysteries of photography, should they follow out his suggestion of forming a camera,, section to operate during the summer months, is likely to be acted upon. Several members of the Christchurch Catholic Club with stage experience have formed a minstrel troupe. These fill the position of leaders, and the company will be formed of about twenty boys, who are to be specially trained in solo, part, and chorus singing. Mr. H. R. Rossiter has undertaken the duties of musical director, and soon the new troupe will make its first public appearance. It is intended that all performances shall be given for exclusively worthy objects, and the members are willing to favorably consider any application for their united services in this direction. At a meeting on last Tuesday evening of the committeo representing the ' old boys ' of St. Patrick's School, » substantial credit balance was shown in' connection with the recent complimentary gathering and presentation to Mr. E. -O'Connor. It was decided to use the amount in tha purchase of a suitable souvenir of the occasion for presentation to Mrs. O'Connor. It was also decided to convene a meeting of all those interested, with the object of forming an ' Old Boys' Association,' and to make the event an annual function. Mr. A. Bell, secretary of the South Canterbury Education Board, interviewed regarding the Hon. G. Fowlds s suggestion that_ part of the cost of education should be provided by local rating, said that such a system would be very unpopular, and would lead to differences in results between rich and poor districts. It would be unfair as between people with and people without rateable property. It would be especially objectionable to Catholics, who were supporting their own schools, and would bring about ' passive resistance ' troubles. At the usual weekly meeting of the Christchurch Cathode Club, held on last Tuesday evening, Mr. J. R. Hayward (president) occupied the chair. The programme for , the evening was a lecture on the ' Art of Photography,' given by Mr. Hemus, of the Sarony studios. Within the space of an hour Mr. Hemus traced the evolution of photography from its interesting discovery 130 years ago, through its various stages of development, down to the present time. With the aid of specimens, the lecturer imparted an amount of instructive information. The progress so far made in the perfection of cplor photography and the methods- applied, together with the exhibition of specimens showing the results, proved of particular interest. Interspersing his remarks with the recital of some humorous incidents, the lecturer kept his audience thoroughly entertained, and at the conclusion a hearty vote of thanks was accorded him on the motion of Mr. F. Adams.