DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 1 December 1910, Page 1968

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) mi _ November 28. Jhe Rev. Father Cooney, pastor of Lyttelton, leaves on January 26 on a visit to South America and Ireland. His Lordship the Bishop was at Springfield on Sunday last in continuation of his episcopal visitation of the parish of Darheld, On next Sunday he visits Akaroa and will be accompanied by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, the former pastor or the district. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the , 0 ew caa P e h which is being erected of blue stone for the Sisters of the Good Shepherd at Mount Magdala will be performed by his Lordship the Bishop on the feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8). Messrs S. and A. E. Luttrell are the architects. The magnitude of the cycle traffic in Christchurch was remarked upon by Mr. Justice Chapman last week ‘Christchurch probably has more cyclists than any other city in the world, said his Honor; ‘certainly more than any other city in this part of the world.. In Auckland you might turn your head in all directions and not see a cyclist, but m Christchurch by walking' along one block you might see at least fifty and probably a hundred.’ At a Nuptial Mass celebrated in the Cathedral on last Monday morning by his Lordship the Bishop Mr Alfred J. Bunz, organist of the Cathedral, and Miss Beatrice J White were united in the bonds of Matrimony. The mar riage was solemnised by his Lordship the Bishop, attended by the Very Rev. lather Price, Adm.. and Rev. Dr Kennedy. The newly-wedded couple afterwards left for district 000 * which is being spent in the Southern Lakes . At a meeting held in the Marist Brothers’ Boys’ School it was decided to hold a picnic in connection with the

Cathedral parish on Boxing Day, December 26, at the Riccarton Racecourse. The Very Rev. Father Price was elected chairman, and Messrs. H. Fitzgerald and P. J. Amodeo secretaries. A strong committee has been formed, and a very successful and pleasant day is expected. Any surplus from the picnic will be devoted to the liquidation of the debt on the boys' school. A successful and enjoyable entertainment in aid of the Addington Catholic schools funds was given in the schoolroom on last Friday evening. His Lordship the Bishop and all the Catholic clergy were among the audience. An excellent programme, arranged by Mr. Frank McDonald, was contributed to by the following-.—Songs— 'Gather ye rosebuds,' Miss M. O'Connor; 'My ain folk,' Miss J. Campbell; 'The swallows,' Miss A. Chegwin; 'May morning,' Mr. W. Joll;'The Bandolero' and 'The skipper,' Mr. A. Akins; 'When shadows gather,' Mr. S. Allwright; 'The captain's ditty,' Master Gibson; 'Poor John,' Master A. McDonald; recitations — ' Shamus O'Brien,' Mr. P. A. Devereaux; 'The squire's dinner party,' Mr. D. J. Gibson; vocal duet, Watchman, what of the night,' Messrs. W. and C. J oil; selection, ladies' mandolin band Misses N. Stott, Hadderell, F. and L. Quill, and Mrs. Stott; mandolin solo, 'Flag lily,' Mr. W. A. East; overture, ' Tarantelle,' Mr. C. Nathan; piano solo, 'Polka de concert,' Miss N. Dunn. In conclusion the sketch, ' Leap Year,' was cleverly performed, the characters being sustained by Miss Maud Coutts-Moon and Mr. Allan B. Young. Mr. C. Nathan ably filled the position of accompanist. Recently (states the Lyttelton Times) eight cartridges were found in a quantity of rubbish that had been sent to the destructor to be consumed in the furnace. They were seen by one of the City Council's men, and were sorted out before they had an opportunity to explode. This is the second lot that lias been found in the destructor yard. Probably others have passed through undiscovered. It is thought that housewives have seen the cartridges amongst boys' treasures, and, in their ignorance of the danger, have thrown them into the dust-bins. When one of the cartridges was shown to the Mayor of Christchurch by the lotyn Clerk, his mind went back to an incident of his early Volunteering days in Christchurch some forty years ago. It happened in the time of the famous ' Bluejumper' corps. A .member of the corps, when going to attend a parade at Christ's College, placed his pipe in his waistcoat pocket, forgetting that there were a dozen cartridges in the folds of his woollen jumper. On arriving at the parade ground, the hot ashes in the pipe ignited some of the cartridges, and he astonished himself and everybody else by sending forth a fussilade from his body. The sergeant, who retained his presence of mind, promptly ordered the dangerous Volunteer to be thrown into the river- but the order could not be obeyed, as all the other members ol the corps had precipitately dashed for cover. They gave their dangerous friend a wide field until he had ceased firing, and then the consternation caused by his extraordinary display subsided. Seldom has such a combination of talent graced the concert platform in this city as that which delighted an appreciative audience in the Choral Hall on last Tuesday evening at a ' musical' promoted in aid of the funds of the Cathedral Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Association of Ladies of Charity. Among those present were his Lordship the Bishop, the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., and others of the resident clergy. The central feature of the concert was the interpretation of an excerpt from Amy Woodforde Finden's ' Pagoda of Flowers ' in which Madame Josephine Ottlee sang magnificently very ably seconded by Mr. R. S. Allwright. Mr. Allwright also sang Mallmson's The torrent,' in which his fine baritone voice had effective display. Miss Winnie Nixon sang most artistically the beautiful ballad 'My dearest heart' (Sullivan), Miss Richardson sang ' Summer rain' admirably, whilst Miss Jennings was equally well received in her renditions. Miss Devereux recited brilliantly a couple of dramatic selections, and Miss N. Dunn, besides accompanying efficiently, played Kowalski's 'Galop' most artistically. Miss Kathleen Cresswell played the difficult accompaniment to the ' Excerpt ' in a manner which elicited the highest commendation, whilst Miss Jennings also did capable duty in accompanying some of the numbers. The everpopular comedian, Mr. W. Densem, greatly entertained the audience with several cleverly performed monologues. Mr. J. Foley sang remarkably well ' The veoman's wedding' and 'My beloved queen,' and Mr. S. H. Bullock gave ' O star of eve,' from ' Tannhauser,' with fine dramatic effect. The programme was arranged under the capable management of Mr. R. H. Rossiter, who, as usual with all he generously undertakes, left nothing undone to ensure success. A deep debt of gratitude is also due to Madame Ottlee, who interested herself in quite an exceptional manner in connection with the concert, her efforts being greatly appreciated. So enthusiastic was the reception given the artists that with the recalls the programme was about doubled. At a .convenient interval the Very Rev. Father Price cordially thanked the performers, and audience for their valued patronage, and incidentally mentioned the needs and scope of the charitable organisation /in the interests of which the entertainment was given. A very enjoyable musical evening was tendered by tha Cathedral choir to Mr. Alfred Bunz, organist and choirmaster, in the Catholic Club rooms in appreciation of his services in the interests of church music, and on the pc»

casion of his approaching marriage. Mr. J. R. Hayward presided, his Lordship the Bishop and the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., being present. At the conclusion of a pleasing musical programme, contributed to by Mrs. A. Mead. Mrs. Bell, Misses Harper, M. O'Connor, and Foley, Messrs. T. O'Connell, Maindonald, G. Hayward, Healy, and J: Foley, Mr. J. R. Hayward spoke in grateful terms of the opportunities enjoyed by the choir under the direction of Mr. Bunz and the excellent progress made since he assumed charge. All connected with the choir admired the energy and perseverance that Mr. Bunz brought to bear to attain a creditable measure of efficiency. The members of the choir were, unanimous in 'thus seeking to do honor to one through whose tactful and patient tuition each had benefited. On behalf of the choir he extended the sincerest good wishes to Mr. Bunz for happiness and blessings in the marriage state. His Lordship Bishop Grimes, in presenting Mr. Bunz on behalf of the choir with a handsome silver entree-dish and spirit lamp, said he always looked upon it as a pleasing duty to do any service for the choir, and especially so on the present occasion, the importance of which was to express appreciation of services diligently and faithfully rendered to the Cathedral. "When an event similar to the one they were anticipating centred round one of the gentler sex it invariably happened that a severance with the choir resulted, but he was pleased to say he had an assurance from Mr. Bunz that it was his intention and desire to continue his duties. It was a privilege, continued his Lordship, to express £he esteem and regard felt, and endorse the sentiments animating the members of the choir to their leader, and also towards his intended wife —an estimable young lady and a member of one of the oldest and best Catholic families in the city. He. (the Bishop) warmly approved of the step being taken by Mr. Bunz, and as he had before said, wished there was more marrying and giving in marriage among our young people. He had travelled the world over, and could safely say that a fairer body of young ladies than those of the Dominion did not exist in any country, hence he could not understand the evident aloofness of the male sex.

The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., said he could not allow the opportunity to pass without paying a tribute to the careful faithfulness with which Mr. Bunz carried out his duties. He, too, deserved their generous thanks, for in the midst of his private duties he did not spare himself in his efforts to promote successful entertainments when called upon in the interests of the Church. In entering the marriage state Mr. Bunz was entering the oldest institution known to man, and he (the speaker) prayed that the union would be a happy —a happiness that would deepen as life went on. Mr. Bunz thanked very sincerely his Lordship the Bishop, the other speakers, and all who had assisted in promoting the enjoyable gathering, and expressed gratitude for their valuable gift, which would prove an enduring memento of the greatest event of his life. He spoke at length on the beauties of the Catholic Church music, and the impression left on his mind by hearing in the Emperor's Chapel at Vienna the majestic music of the Mass. He traced the events leading up to his acceptance of a position in the Christ-church Catholic Cathedral choir, which led also, as it had done in many similar instances, to his entrance into the fold of the Church itself.