Invercargill

New Zealand Tablet, 8 June 1911, Page 1055

Invercargill

. (From .our own correspondent.) May 29. ' In connection with a projected art union in aid of the Hibernian Band’s instrument fund, a local paper has the following paragraph;— The Hibernian Band, which has been working with a second-hand set of instruments'since its inauguration some three years ago, intends making an effort to raise funds for the purpose of securing several new •instruments to replace the more dilapidated ones now in use. For that object the band intends holding an art union, which will he drawn in August. A good prize list has been got together, the first prize being a gold nugget valued at £2O. Several works in oils have been; secured, and the Dominican Nuns have kindly consented to assist with some of their artistic work. The price of the tickets has been fixed at a reasonable sum. As. the members of the band have always given their services willingly for charitable objects and public functions when required, the public will, doubtless assist them to improve their equipment. The prizes will be on view in the course of a few weeks.’ The celebration of Empire Day in Invercargill took the form of a concert held in the Municipal Theatre, under the auspices of the League, of Empire. On this occasion the concert was composed of nearly all Irish items, and the Very Rev. Dean Burke, V.F., was requested by the League to - open the proceedings with a short address. The Dean was listened to by an audience which packed the theatre, with rapt attention, and spoke as follows:—Empire Day, he said, was a festival in honor of the virtue of Patriotism, one of the most exalted of the natural virtues. The ancients raised their patriots to the ranks of demi-gods, an error

of excess as to the truth that Patriotism-was >so exalted that it was worthy of a place in the heavens. " Through all the ages humanity had burned the incense of admiration and reverence before the shrines of its great . national leaders and heroes and had draped their tombs and crowned their • monuments. The most eloquent pages of history were those which told of the men who had died for their country or had labored sincerely and earnestly in its cause. Humanity paid such homage to Patriotism because of its value. -It was the. vital spark of a nation’s being, the living fount of its success, the strong shield of its safety. It was not to be found in mean' and narrow nations; but it glowed and inspirited where minds were elevated and hearts were generous. ; It - was’ this great natural virtue that the League was striving to develop and strengthen in the minds of the young people of New Zealand and. in such a way as to make it promotive.of the welfare of New Zealand and also of that of the whole Empire. Care for the limb implied care for the whole body. Individual States would be despised by the great nations; the Empire they must respect and fear. New Zealand had everything with which to inspire the New Zealander with a love for his native land.. The coasts aiid sounds arid bays showed the boldness of Norway and the coloring of Naples - Hex mountains with their _ rough sides, deep ravines, and rich blue shades, lifted their peaks high into the regions of thunder arid cloud as did the Alps or the Pyrenees, Her majestic rivers drained and her : countless streams filled lakes as . dreamily beautifully ;as Como or - Killarney or Bonnie Loch Lomond.’ For the most part her climate was soft and genial as a mother’s smile, and the deep loam of her valleys was fruitful and exhaustless as Heaven’s iove. lo her natural attractions add New Zealand’s political .and .social advantages— complete social ■ freedom, equality of - opportunity, richly endowed aids to develop mental and bodily faculty, the absence of racial and creedal rends and of all the stupid peace-disturbing bigotries—and you had a country calculated to kindle the virtue ofe patriotism in every < heart open to elevating' influences: i, 10 vA- ague of Umpire aimed to combine the* children of the different peoples who emigrated to' New Zealand in# one perfectly united nation, eager for the honor and progress of their awn native land, whilst ever ready to support that great Empire whose protecting shadow gave them advancement so many opportunities for development and advancement. With the exception of a selection by the Hibernian Band, the concert was composed solely of items by the children from the various schools in. the city. Such items as n e < or a V/ lg °f, ie green,’ ‘ The dear little shamrock,’ and bluels reply to Lord Lyndhurst,’ found favor with the audience. The following among other schools were represented on the programme: —St. - Catherine’s Convent and Manst Brothers . In a lengthy report the Southland limes has. inter aha l the following; Those items which came in for special favor were the exhibition of drill given by the convent girls, 24 little tots from the South School and a team of well-matched Marist boys.’ Mr. A. R. Wills (conductor Hibernian «Band) earned* well-deserved praise tor his management of the stage arrangements.

June 5. The St. Mary's Tennis Club intend holding a euchre party and social on Wednesday, July 5, in the Victoria Hall ii Mr. M. limpany, secretary of the social committee has all the arrangements well in hand. . The opening night of the Invercargill Catholic Club will take place on Tuesday evening, when a smoke concert will take place, t Rev. Father Kavanagh (president) is forming a glee club in connection with'the society. In connection with the Hibernian Band the members have» formed a minstrel troupe, and they are practising carefully with a view to visiting the country towns, in aid of the funds of the band.