Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 31 March 1910, Page 492

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) • mi _ ... March 26. Ihe Easter carnival in aid of the' Wadestown school chapel building fund was opened to-day at the Sydney street schoolroom. ... It is with sincere regret that I record the death of Sister Mary Bernard, who was a novice at the Home of Compassion, Island Bay. Deceased passed away on Friday, March 11.R.1.P. .. ■?* The committee of the St. Patrick’s College Old Boys’ Association is making an effort to raise from amongst its members a sum to be devoted towards the erection and equipment of a science laboratory in connection with the college. i ■ A conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society has been established in connection with the Wellington Catholic Club, to be known as the St. ‘ Stanislaus Conference. This makes the seventh men’s conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society now organised in the city of Wellington. Masses are now celebrated at Seatoun at 8 o’clock every Sunday,, and the Rev. Father Goggan, S.M., who is in charge of the new institution for the priests who are making their second novitiate at Island Bay, has control of the local parish church, which will enable the clergy at Newtown to devote more time to the Kilbirnie and Seatoun parishes. -.- According to the annual report of the inspectors to the Wellington Education Board, laid before the Board on March 22, the total number of pupils attending schools in Wellington district is 17,761. The average »age is .11 years 4 months. In Catholic schools there were 1344 on the roll and 1265 present at the inspector’s visit. The average age is 11 years and 6 months. ; The Very Rev. Father James Byrne, Adm., the Cathedral, Brisbane, after spending about seven weeks of a most enjoyable holiday with his sisters and friends in the North and South Islands, and several days with the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., left on March 18 by the Warrimoo for Sydney. The Very Rev. Father O’Farrell, C.SS.R., who had so far recovered from his illness as to be able to travel, was also a passenger. Last Saturday afternoon the Wellington Catholic cricket team played their final match against an eleven representing the Ocean Insurance Company, the former winning by an innings and 116 runs. The scores were Catholic Club 6 wickets for 207, and Ocean Insurance Company 38 and 53. Those who performed creditably for the winners with, the bat were Warne (85 runs), McGrath (61 runs), and with the ball Leydon (10 wickets for 40), Carroll (3 ,for 24), and Warne (3 for 21 runs). The club has had a very successful season. - . The following pupils from Catholic schools have qualified for the certificates issued by the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association at the Thorndon Baths during the season just ended under the supervision of Messrs. A. W. Smith and A. Firth: —Sacred Heart Convent— W. Duggan (600yds), Ethel M. Duggan ’ (2soyds). St. Mary’s Convent, Hill street Cecil Dealey (450yds) and Patrick J. Keegan (440yds). Marifet Brothers’ School—Hugh J. O’Sullivan (440yds), Creagh -F. O’Sullivan (440yds), and J. Shivnan (440yds). .. The conclusion of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations took place on Saturday afternoon, March , 19, when a sports meeting under the auspices of the Wellington Catholic Club and H.A.C.B. Society was held at the Basin Reserve. Fine weather favored the gathering, which was attended by about 2000 people, who took the keenest interest in the events, especially in the tug-of-war. Every event was got off to time. The promptitude displayed by the officials in the despatch of the programme was worthy 'of great praise. The secretary (Mr. H. McKeown) and his co-workers deserve great credit for the way the sports meeting was well conducted. - The arrangement of the programme was most complete and satisfactory, and .they have every reason to be gratified with the . successful results of their efforts. V A shooting competition for company trophies, also for a trophy presented by Messrs. Hallenstein Bros., Ltd., was held last Saturday, March 19, at 'Trentham, among the cadets formed in connection with the St. Aloysius’ Boys’ Club, Newtown, 44 boys being present. This was the first time that the members of this company had fired at Trentham. The shooting of the boys was very creditable, and they should develop into men who will be a credit to the Dominion. Capt. R. E. J. Martin was in command. On the previous Wednesday forty, members of the company went to Polhill Gully for shooting. The boys went into camp at Seatoun on Wednesday evening for a week’s training.. There are over seventy boys under canvas. They . are under the supervision of Rev. Father Herring, S.M., and Captain Martin. " - ‘ • „ - . .

Mr. Alfred Coles, J.P., president of the Petone Catholic Club, who with; his family leaves shortly on a nine months’ tour- of the world, was entertained at a banquet on Wednesday evening by members of the local Commercial Club. . Mr. Coles is also president of the Sacred , Heart Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Petone. -There was an interesting and impressive ceremony at the Home of Compassion, Island Bay, on Saturday, March 19, when three young ladies were professed. They were Miss Muriel Seymour, of Lower Hutt (in religion Sister Mary Peter Damien); Miss Martha Wells, of. Wellington (in religion Sister Mary Helen); and Miss . Sarah Speight, of Patea (in religion- Sister Mary Louisa).' The ceremony was performed by his Grace the Archbishop. The choir of the Sisters of Compassion sang the appropriate music. Miss Girlie Gibbs acting as organist. There were present Very Rev, Dr. Kennedy, S.M., Rev, Fathers Goggan, Herbert, G. Mahony, and Taylor, S.M.' Afj;er the ceremony his Grace the Archbishop conveyed to the newly professed Sisters the best wishes of their many friends and congratulated them on having chosen the better part, and wished them many years of happiness in the religious life. The parents and relatives of the newly-professed Sisters were also present, and were entertained after the ceremony at breakfast by the Rev. Mother Mary Aubert. At the meeting of the boys belonging to the St. Vincent’s Guild, held at St. Patrick’s Hall on Friday evening, March 18, there was a good muster of members present. Two new members gave in their names for enrolment. On the # previous Sunday a number of the boys, who had made their First Communion, approached the Holy Table at the various churches. Next month the members of the St. Mary’s Conference „ of the St. Vincent de Paul Society who supervise the guild intend to commence a visitation of the Catholic boys in the parish. Each member will have certain parts of the parish allotted to him, and he will look after the welfare of ten to fifteen boys who reside in that part. The guild is gradually increasing in numbers, and the main objects of getting the boys to approach the Holy Table monthly and to go regularly to church are also being attained. The results of the 100yds race among the boys of the guild at the sports meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society and Catholic Club held on Saturday, March 19, were as follow : —Hector Carruthers, 1; William Scrimgeour, 2 : Horace Hunt, 3. There were very large congregations at the Masses and the devotions in the Catholic churches in Wellington on Good Friday. At the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Hill street,, his Grace Archbishop Redwood was celebrant of the Mass of the Presanctified, Rev. Father Peoples, S.M., being deacon, Rev. Father Hickson, S.M., Adm., subdeacon, and Rev. Father Herbert, S.M., master of ceremonies. In the afternoon there was the devotion of the Stations of the Cross, and in the evening Tenebrae. At St. Joseph’s Church the celebrant of the Mass was Rev. Father Schaefer, S.M., Rev. Father Venning, S.M., deacon, and Rev. Father Quinn, S.M., subdeacon. In the afternoon there was the devotion of the Stations of the Cross. In the evening at Tenebrae the Rev. Father McDonald preached a sermon on the Passion. On Holy Thursday at St. Anne’s Church, Newtown, the Rev. Father Herring, S.M., was the celebrant of the Mass, Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M., deacon, and Rev. Father McDonald, S.M., subdeacon. In the evening Rev. Father Quinn, S.M., preached. On Good Friday Ven. Archdeacon Devoy,' S.M., celebrated Mass, and in the afternoon there was the devotion of the Stations of the Cross, and in the evening Tenebrae, when the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy, S.M.j preached on the Passion. On St. Patrick’s Day Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., opened the bazaar, which was held in the Shannon Druids’ Hall in aid of Mother Mary Aubert’s Home of Compassion. Mr, Field, who was accompanied by*Mrs. Field, stated that he was very pleased to assist such a cause as Mother Mary Aubert’s Home. Mother Aubert thanked Mr. Field for his kindness in attending to formally open the fair. The stalls and stallkeepers were as follow —‘Australia,’ Mesdames May and Manning, Misses Mason and Lanrvig; ‘ Miranui,’ Mesdames J. Roach, J. B. Better, and P. Gill; ‘Shannon,’ Mrs. Dalton, Misses Hogan and Cooper. This stall was the fac-simile of a whare, and the work of the Mouta Maoris. Sweets stall,. Misses Lynch, - L. Curran, and M. Ryan. Shooting gallery, fish ponds, bran tubs, and other side shows ere also in evidence. The concert, which was held in the evening, was ell patronised. Credit is due to Mrs. May for the success of the entertainment, as she was responsible for the training of the little dancers. On Friday and Saturday nights the bazaar. was in full swing, the weight-guessing competitions for sheep donated by Mr. J. Mitchell and other competitions causing great interest. The committee expect to be able to hand over to Rev. Mother Aubert about £l5O as the result of their efforts. The bazaar and concert proved a success both socially and financially. Reefton . Whilst in Reefton his Excellency the Governor and party (says the local Times ) visited the convent school, where they were received by .the Rev.

Father Galerne 'and- the Rev. Mother - The fnl Muldooir •i r it * 8 ]® SCBllency was read by MasterJ. dren of the 'S r P If 86 your Excellency,— we chilvm,r Fvnilf Cathol x C f, 0018 assemble here, to-day. to offer hail with deS+ a ,V U 7 hearty welcome to our midst. We coming you hSf ° PP ° rtunity thus offered, us ofwelcoming you, .both in your person and as the representative King Edward vn., whose riVlf subjects we are. This, the first occasion on which we have been honored by your Excellency with ever a happy v.sit, • will ever be cherished b£usand will Hem»l» n d, a l ed as * golden link between the glorious ?athv' the s”i ° Ur Seagirt isle - The broad-minded symL a S’ ,™ e singleness of purpose, and the lofty aims manianni’Pf>ia+' your Exc ecy call for all the recognition and appreciation which is - in our power to express, and fain would we give expression to the emotions of genuine appreciation and admiration which fill our hearts on this memorable occasion While we must thank your Excellency for the strenuous efforts exerted to make the ‘Britain of we^a?e mindf.,l d +T? f prosperity--happiness, and peace, we are mindful of the deep, increasing interest you have dn e +b?}d lfe - Sted 111 educa t iona l matters, realising 7 as we do that during your stay in the Dominion you 1 have been zealous for _ the advancement of r knowledge and truth Permit us then, to thank your Excellency from our hearts, and also to ask your acceptance of our most sincere good TT'l S^L t ”? ay Wess with His' choicest favors your Excellency, Lady Plnnket, and family, and that you may be spared for many years to take.part in the legislation of the world-wide Empire is the earnest wish and prayer of all we children.’ r J Miss L. Loubere then gave a recitation, and Miss M. Clarke played a violin solo, which was followed by a chorus by the pupils, songs by the senior and junior pupils, and a floral drill by the junior pupils His Excellency in reply to the address stated that he was very much gratified at the manner in . which they welcorned bim. He was glad to see such, evidence of the work or the Catholic schools, and he, assured . the children that it they realised what sacrifice was required on the part of their teachers and parents to give them the education they deemed proper, they would learn doubly well and emulate the pupils in the State schools. He also assured them that when he last parted from _ the King it was at Waterford and the King was in the midst of his Irish subjects, and was delighted at the enthusiasm and loyalty they displayed . As most of them were of Irish descent there, he could tell them, much as he liked New Zealand, he had .a great longing to get back to the ‘ ould sod.’ He again thanked them all for , their welcome, and hoped that as he was the first Governor to visit them that his predecessors would have as enjoyable a visit as they had made his. ' ■ The Rev. Father Galerne thanked the Governor for his visit. ■ • - . Palmerston North > (From our own correspondent.) March 20. On Passion Sunday the members of the men’s branch of the Sacred Heart Society approached the Holy Table in a body. After Mass, in response to the wishes of their chaplain (Rev. Father Connolly), all met in the library to put the Society of the Sacred Heart on a sound footing. The following officers were . unanimously elected : —President, J. O’Donovan vice-president, S. Hanlon; secretary, F. Oakley; and H. Blandford. . The Rev. Father O’Beirne was a visitor here during the week, and, together with Fathers Connolly and Queally, attended the concert on St. Patrick’s Night. The St. Patrick’s Night concert was held in the Zealandia Hall, which was crowded with an appreciative audience. The proceedings opened • with an overture,' ‘ Irish ‘airs,’ by the orchestra, which was well received; the ever .popular ‘ Off to Philadelphia,’ sung by Mr. Keeble, was so well liked that he had to respond to an encore, and gave ‘ Father O’Flynn.’ Mr. Frank Johnston’s violoncello items were splendidly played, and deservedly encored. Miss O’Brien, the only lady vocal soloist, won laurels for hey effective singing of ‘My Mary with the curling hair.’ To the encore she responded by giving ‘My wish : for you, which , served to show the quality and power of her voice to advantage. The humorous recitations of Mr. Eadie simply convulsed the audience, and' he was obliged to give many others in response to their desire.. The violin solo by Miss Mary Ward was nicely played. The quartet by Mrs. Broad, Miss Pegden, and Messrs. Keeble and Rodgers was distinctive for its sweetness. An Irish jig, by Miss O’Donovan, delighted the audience. Mr. T. J. Rodgers excelled himself by his rendering of ‘Terence’s farewell,’ and -in the solo of ‘Eileen Alannah.’ His recall song, ‘Dear little shamrock,’ was given with great expression. Miss Blandford in ‘Tit for tat ’ and her encore The goblins ’ll have yer ’ showed dramatic ability as a reciter. Miss Rawlins, L.T.C.L., displayed her skill as a pianist in. ‘ The minstrel boy,’ and as an accompanist. The orchestra gave splendid items, which Mr. W. T. Ward skilfully conducted. The

concert closed with ‘ God save the King.’ : Every item was encored. - The accompanists were Mrs. T. J. Rodgers, Miss Ward, Miss Rawlins, and Mr. Gunter. - ' ; PRESENTATION TO FATHER 0 BEIRNE. ; | At the close of the programme thanks were returned by Rev. Father Connolly, in the absence of Rev, Father Costello. ■ He thanked the performers and committee, all of whom had attended at some personal inconvenience, and the audience for their, patronage; and then called . on Mr. W. T. Ward to make the presentation to Father O’Beirne of • an ' illuminated address, the work of Sister Mary Bernard, on behalf of the congregations of St. Patrick’s and St. Columba’s churches, and a substantial purse of sovereigns. Mr. Ward spoke appreciatively and appropriately of Father O’Beirno’s sojourn of two and a half years in the parish, and of his devotion and interest in all good. works, the Hibernians, Children of Mary and Sacred Heart Societies, and his attention to the sick and dying at the hospital, and to all the affairs of the parish generally. Father O’Beirne, rising amidst- great applause, said' words failed to express him- • self, and , that he could never forget .their kindness, and would ever value and cherish the, testimonial of this, his first, mission.' He was very happy in his work at New Plymouth, but he could never forget their kindness here. Kaikoura • 1 Owing to the, unfavorable weather the St. Patrick’s Day sports at Kaikoura had to be postponed from March 17 to March. 19. The gathering on the latter date was one of the most successful ever held by the local Hibernians (says the Kaikoura Sun). There was a good attendance, everybody was happy, all present enjoyed themselves, the sports , were well carried out, the various' events - occasioned keen competition, producing close finishes in the majority of the events. Erin’s sons and daughters cordially welcomed all who attended, gave patrons the best of entertainment, and did their utmost to uphold the reputation the warm-hearted Celt has for hospitality, in which they were highly successful. We cannot recall a more numerous and willing band of workers in connection with the St. Patrick’s Day sports here. Visitors were warm in their praises of . everything. Never, said several of them, had they enjoyed an outing at sports so much. The pleasures they obtained were in keeping with that of everybody on the ground. Official duties were ably discharged by all entrusted therewith. Rev. Father Golden _ was president, Messrs. F. Twemlow and F. Monk were judges, Mr. J. Gallagher starter, Mr. W. Cooke handicapper, Mr. N. C. Vale timekeeper, and Mr. - J. Mackle ’ secretary. Others prominent in connection with the sports were Messrs. James Kerr, G. Eaton, jun., G. Garrett, T. Keehan, B. Burland, J. C. Mullane, A. W. Collyns, A. Blake, J. Veitch, and J. Doyle, The children had a great day. They were kept amused from soon after the starting of the sports right up to the end of the day’s proceedings, running, wrestling, etc. The Rev, Father Golden was untiring in his devotion to furtherance of the ’pleasure and happiness of the children. In this he had a number of willing helpers, Messrs. C. Smith, James Garrett, J. Burland, Kerr, H. Collyns, and W. B. Ingram being to the fore. ; , , As usual, the catering was excellent and splendidly carried out. The best things to be procured in the local farmyardsin the, shape of poultry, sucking pig, etc.—had been requisitioned, and ere ; offered > ; at ‘ the table d’hote.’ Noticeable at the refreshment, stall were Mesdames J. Harnett, H. Mackle, H. Montague, B. Mackle, J. Keehan, J. Kerr, M. Kirby, J .W. Smith, the Misses Smith (2), Kirby (2), and Scott.- The Ludstone (sweets and ; afternoon tea) stall -was the joy of more than the .juveniles, Miss Smith having with her Mrs. Stove and the Misses Keehan and -Stove. v=' DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH (From our own correspondent.) ; ' - ’ ■. March 21. The number of names given in of those desirous of joining the Arch-Confraternity of .the Most Blessed , Sacrament is over 600, said the Very Rev. Father Hunt, C.SS.R., 1 in: the Cathedral on Sunday week, but others may still join, and there should be twice that number. His Lordship the Bishop returned home on the 19th ’ inst., and in the Cathedral on the Sunday officiated at the ceremonies of Palm Sunday, assisted by the . Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., Rev. Fathers Lynch, C.SS.R., and Whelan, C.SS.R. At the 11 o’clock Mass which followed the Very Rev. Father Price expressed the warmest thanks of the Bishop, priests, and people to the Redemptorist Fathers, whose eloquence and earnestness had resulted. in the remarkable success of the mission. - His Lordship the Bishop, in the Cathedral on Sunday, evening, 20th inst., after cordially thanking the Very Rev. Father Hunt, C.SS.R., and companion. missionaries, and congratulating them on the splendid work done by them

during the past three weeks in ■ the parish, spoke of- the efforts he (the: Bishop) had made to be there at the close. He spoke in feeling terms of the great loss sustained by the diocese; of Auckland owing to the death of the - Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan, . the youngest and most ; energetic of - the hierarchy of the province. His Lordship stated that the .two occasions, on which he had celebrated High Mass in , St. Patrick’s Cathedral was at. the consecration and burial of the late Bishop. %'' \ On Sunday, 20th inst., there was probably the largest congregation ever assembled in the Cathedral even before the "hour when the service commenced, which was to •. mark the close of what was stated in the course of the sermon as the record mission. The Very Rev. Father Hunt, C.SS.R., was preacher, and from the text ‘ Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it,’ delivered what his Lordship the Bishop subsequently stated was the most solid, sound, and practical discourse he had ever listened to. The words of his text, said the Very Rev. preacher, were appropriate at the commencement of the mission, and equally so at its close. At the conclusion he thanked his Lordship the Bishop for the opportunity afforded the Redemptorist Fathers of preaching the - mission in the Cathedral, the Very Rev. Administrator and his assistant clergy for much hospitality and devoted assistance, to all who had assisted in the many necessary ways, and the people who had responded in such a way as to make the mission the magnificent glorious success it had proved.. He then gave the kneeling multitude the Papal blessing. Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was given by his Lordship the Bishop. ' ■ ~ • . ' - v March 28. .. . At the meeting of the Christchurch City Council , last week Mr. H. H. Loughnan was appointed City Solicitor. In the Cathedral on Sunday, evening his Lordship the Bishop very cordially thanked the large number of priests who came to the city to participate in the Holy Week ceremonies • also the choir, the Altar Society, sanctuary boys, collectors, and other church workers for their devoted services. . - : ; 1 ■' Mr. M. Nolan,, of Christchurch, a recent visitor to Kaikoura, who can speak authoritatively (states the Kaikoura Sun}, informs us that he has seen an abundance of carrageen, or Irish moss, on the beach here. He states that the class of sea-weed to be found in Kaikoura is of better quality than that obtainable and which is exported to all parts of the world, included New Zealand, for medicinal purposes. Carrageen, which is used in the manufacture of the famous Irish Moss, makes, our informant states, an excellent tonic for the lungs if it is simmered in milk. The quarterly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.D. Society was held on last Monday evening in the Hibernian Hall, Bro. M. Grimes,: 8.P., presiding over a large attendance of members. Two candidates were initiated, one re-admitted, and several nominated. Sick pay amounting to £4 Is 8d and current expenditure amounting to £62 10s were passed for payment. As a result of the warm advocacy of the Very Rev. Father Hunt, C.SS.R.; there are indications of a large number of new members joining the society. The officers and members desire to express their sincere thanks to the Redemptorist Fathers for their efforts in the interests of Hibernianism during the recent mission. Bro. Sims, of St. Mary’s branch, Invercargill, attended the meeting, and received a warm welcome from the president and members, for which he expressed appreciation. The receipts for the evening totalled ; £92 14s lid. . • [ At the early Masses on Easter Sunday there were large numbers of communicants. There was Pontifical High Mass at 11 o’clock. His Lordship the Bishop was celebrant, the Rev. Father Daull, S.M.A., assistant priest, the Rev. Dr. Kennedy deacon, Rev. Father McDonnell, S.M., subdeacon, and Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., master of ceremonies. His Lordship the Bishop, after reading the Gospel, of the day, briefly addressed - the congregation thereon, and at the conclusion of Mass imparted the Papal and episcopal blessings. The choir, with. Mr. A. J. Biinz at the organ, sang the Mass of the Good Shepherd. The High Altar, sanctuary, and various altars of the side chapels were, as usual, ' very tastefully adorned. There were Pontifical Vespers- in the evening, at which his Lordship the Bishop officiated, attended by the same clergy as in the morning. His Lordship , preached an impressive discourse on the subject of the Resurrection,; after which there was Solemn Benediction. There. were large congregations throughout the day and in the . evening. - ; • The ceremonies of: Holy Week were commenced in the Cathedral on last Wednesday evening: . His Lordship the Bishop presided. The Very Rev. Vicar-General and 18 priests were present, and assisted at Tenebrae. On Holy Thursday morning his Lordship the Bishop was. celebrant of the Solemn High Mass, Rev. Father Bell, S.M., assistant priest, Rev. Dr. Kennedy deacon, and Rev. Father McDonnell subdeacon. At the conclusion of Mass there was procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the altar of repose in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart. After Tenebrae in the evening an instructive sermon on the 1 . Blessed Sacrament was preached by the' Rev. Father Bell, S.M. .-Members of the various societies watched throughout the night at the altar of repose. On Good Friday the Passion was sung by

the Rev. Father Daull, S.M.A., Rev. Father Richards, and Rev. Father Hills, S.M. His Lordship the Bishop preached briefly on ■ the subject of the day’s commemoration alluding to ■ the irreligious? and ungrateful element in the community promoting sports and ' amusements on this, the saddest, day in the whole year. His Lordship said ■ he trusted that no Catholic would desecrate and;profane the day by being seen at any such gathering.• Adoration of the Cross: followed, at which offerings were made' for. the holy places in Palestine. In the afternoon; there \vas the devotion of the Stations of the Cross, the Bishop reciting the prayers from the pulpit, whilst the devotions at the various stations were made by the Rev. : Father McDonnell. At the conclusion the blessing was given with - a sacred relic of the True Gross, enshrined in a rich reliquary, which was afterwards exposed in the Chapel of the Holy Relics to - tho veneration of the faithful. After Tenebrae a sermon on the Passion was preached by the Rev. Father Fay, S.M. There were large congregations at all the services. On Holy Saturday there were the customary ceremonies, at which his Lordship the Bishop officiated. - The Very . Rev. Father Price, Adm., was master of , ceremonies throughout Holy Week. , ' ■ . v : . In an interview with : a Lyttelton Times reporter his Lordship Bishop Grimes gave some interesting particulars relating to his recent visit to the - North Island. He said that he was greatly impressed with the evidences he sawon every side of the great, work, carried ; out by the late Bishop Lenihan. One of the aims of the late Bishop w-as to make all the Catholic . schools free, and to establish a fund for the support of the teachers, and it was probable that that project would - be accomplished in the district. The people had responded admirably to the call. Mr. Darby, sen., of Auckland, for instance, had given about 60 acres of good land, which was a great help to the movement. ' New churches, schools, and convents ’ had been opened since Bishop Grimes’s previous visit some years ago, and that had necessitated an increase in the number of priests in the district. The Sisters of the different Orders were doing much good in the schools and parishes, as were the Brothers. An exceptionally beautiful property in Auckland, laid out and occupied until recently by the Hon. E. Mitchelson, had been purchased by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and would be used as a boarding school. The Sisters of St. s Joseph had also opened an- institution . at Rotorua, for both Maori and European children. In all parts of Auckland, in fact, good work was being carried on amongst the Maoris. A strong effort w-as being made to instil into the minds of Maori children the undesirableness of begging for pennies and of going into the water for the amusement of tourists who throw in coins. Apparently the children were under admirable control, and were tractable and obedient. The missionaries, his Lordship added, were doing exceptionally good work, especially in the large district north' of Auckland. Coming down towards Wanganui, he heard a good deal of the work of •the Alarist Brothers. He spent some time; in Wanganui, ■where he was very hospitably received, and where he was show-n a new site selected for a school. In that tow-n - he met Brother Basil, who w-as previously in Christchurch, and w-ho, Bishop. Grimes said, was doing very valuable work in the local school. In Wellington also he spent a few interesting days,-going over the institutions and. buildings of the Catholic Church, and seeing the evidences of municipal enterprise. During the whole of his visit, however, nothing impressed him more than the feeling displayed towards the late Bishop Lenihan. Bishop Grimes knew that he was a general favorite, but hardly realised before the extent to which : he > w-as esteemed, loved, and admired by all classes, irrespective of race or religion. A quaint aspect of the young Maori mind w-as brought under the notice of his Lordship Bishop Grimes. when he was in Rotorua a short time ago. All: the Sisters and Brothers who have charge of schools _ there impress upon the Maori children the fact that it is wrong to beg for pennies from strangers, a practice which seems., to have grown up with, the tourist traffic, and to have gained , a fairly strong hold. He met a few children, with whom he entered into conversation. . After a time they told him that some of their comrades ■ begged for pennies. ‘ But we,’ they added, ‘are not allowed to beg.’ It was a somewhat difficult position for the Bishop.'; He could not, of course, give them any pennies, and, at the same time, he could hardly ignore the very plain hint. He -therefore tactfully compromised by taking the children into the nearest shop, and buying for them something which rejoiced their hearts. His Lordship had several opportunities of meeting ■ Lord- Kitchener when he w-as spending a holiday at Rotorua. He says that the Field Marshall was deeply interested in the district, and made many inquiries in regard to the causes of the thermal action. The ' Maoris ; also attracted his attention. On the whole, he kept himself very much to himself. Apparently he wished to appear in ; public as little ... as possible. When he arrived in a motor-car there was a crow-d of Maoris and Europeans waiting for him in front of his hotel, but, instead of driving up immediately, he went for a long tour round the township, and reached the hotel quietly and very unostentatiously. Sometimes he showed the high value, he places on time ■ On one occasion he was taken to see a geyser operate. He was told that it became active every twenty

minutes. ’ ‘.Twenty minutes!’ he said. " ‘We can’t wait t a he°&eT th When W h„ m " St Set™,’ and UTbackt SSJ ‘hoy h d a demonstration bj^he^Maoris^a’laci tance to the Zt mil? "Tre” T°* diswalk, Bi«h^riS« n i^iSSl^ l^i^ d th^^ l S ed his = Ashburton... - ’ (From our own correspondent.) i. .1 , , ~ March 21. Merits Club S *’ eek y meeting of the Catholic Young programme a* debate "subject b« e ; amouut ® “°J V payable under the Old Age Pensions Act for the affirmative side and Mr Fr'ank &S ’ij’ i PiV Thursday a concert ’was held in the Oddfpi w^n? a the Ashburton Convent Schools There provMi a d rge Tho e m^ a ” Ce f andan en i°7 able entertainment was provided. the musical part went throughout with a swimr and encores were frequent during the evening. -The mard! from ‘Athahe’ (Mendelssohn) was played udth precision e V a e r rt h++ e iA by i the M [ S ? eS Kate Nealon and Mary Soal. Ihe dear little shamrock J was sung by Mrs. J. T Rvan and in the second part the same lady give a find rendeS ‘ Teie e n^? eICO T. '' KjW.’ » Winnießrick s™| p Sn farewell, and The meeting of the waters,* Miss onc““ and Mr W e 7 "f ° ‘ The harp that °" c °’ and n M J* W. Anderson -‘-The minstrel boy’ aiid ‘A sergeant -of the line.’ R. Watts and E. Undrill ' played Convent bells and moonlight’ as an instruraental'duet The 6 a s^ cond Part Mr. Watts contributed a clarionet solo’ The ash grove. A cornet solo by Mr. C. B. Gass and n violin solo by Miss E. Cullen were, also : given. Mr Ramsay sang a comic song with topical' allusion!, and : a coon Tong was given in excellent style b y' Master Frank McKendrv! ments Claridge aud MISS E * Sullen played the accompani-