DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, 25 September 1913, Page 35

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

♦ . . Very Rev. Father Roche, C.SS.R., opened a week’s retreat for the Children of Mary, South Dunedin, on Sunday evening. A social gathering in aid of the school funds will be given in the Sacred Heart School, North-East Valley, on Friday evening. The -members of the. Christian Brothers’ Football Club approached the . Holy Table in ,a body at the 9 o'clock Maas on Sunday at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. On Sunday, after the 11 o’clock Mass at St. Mary’s Church, Port Chalmers, his Lordship Bishop Verdon administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to forty candidates. /i '' A concert and gut evening, in aid of the Old Boys’ stall at the Christian Brothers’ School bazaar, will be held in St. Joseph’s Hall on September 29. The committee will be thankful for any article that can be sold or raffled during the bazaar. . v On Monday evening the Children of Mary (St. Joseph’s Cathedral) held a successful euchre tournament in St. Joseph’s Hall. The proceeds are to be devoted to the furnishing of their stall at the Christian Brothers’ School bazaar. There was a very good attendance, and a most enjoyable time was spent; The prizes in the tournament were won by Miss Mary Dunne and Mr. Quinn. During the evening Miss and Mr. Quinn danced an Irish jig in capital style. Towards the close of the proceedings light refreshments were handed round.

As the time draws near for the opening of the Christian Brothers' School bazaar the stallholders and their assistants are unceasing in their efforts to make the display of goods surpass anything seen previously in Dunedin. The reports from the heads of stalls go to show that they are meeting with very generous support, and therefore the exhibition of artistic and useful articles will easily establish a record. The spectacular display promises to be one of the finest and most

;picturesque ever witnessed in Dunedin, and- in preparing for this part of the programme, Miss Hamann is most loyally supported by the participants who are making every effort to perfect themselves in the dances and evolutions. It is needless to say that the tug-of-war contest is exciting much interest, and the number of teams that have signified their intention of competing, is in excess of those taking part in any previous contest. The committee are now actively engaged in completing the arrangements, the details of which will contribute in a marked degree to the comfort and convenience of patrons. Those who have received books of tickets are again reminded that it is most necessary to have blocks of sold tickets returned without delay. On Saturday afternoon Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., and the members of the Management Committee met the stallholders at His Majesty’s Theatre, when the positions for the various stalls were allotted. ST. JOSEPH’S CATHEDRAL CHOIR, The annual meeting of St. Joseph’s Cathedral Choir was held recently in St. Joseph’s Hall. The president (Rev. Father Coffey, Adm.,) presided, and there was a large attendance of members. The report, which was read and adopted, showed the choir to be in a very satisfactory condition. During the past year a number- of new members had joined, and more interest was taken in the work. There were still, However, a few members who did not seem to recognise the importance of attending the practices and the evening services. It was pointed out that the very essence of the success of the. choir’s work was that the practices should be regularly attended. During the past year Mr. Yallis, choir-master and organist, completed the twenty-first anniversary of his appointment, and due recognition was made of his excellent services at a < function held in February last. Miss Callan still gives valuable help as assistant organist, and thanks are due to her. Mr. T. Deehan, who has been conductor since Easter, takes very great interest in the work, and his assistance has been much appreciated. On Labor Day, Rev'. Father Coffey, Adm., again entertained the members at a picnic at Waitati, when a most enjoyable time was spent' and members desire to place on record their indebtedness to him for his kindness. The thanks of the choir are due to Messrs. McGrath and Poppelwell for their services in rendering the music of the Proper of the Mass on special occasions. The choir recently sustained a loss by the departure of Mrs. Fraher from Dunedin. This lady had always been a valuable member in choral and solo work, and her departure is much regretted. Upon the whole the choir is in a very satisfactory state, and the new year promises to be a very successful one, ".' After the election of officers, a musical programme of a highly meritorious character was submitted, the following, contiiibuting: —Songs—Miss Violet Fraser, Miss I. Poppelwell, Messrs. McGrath, Poppelwell, and Mee, flute solo, Mr. Deehan. A most enjoyable evening was spent, and before its conclusion it was announced that Father Coffey would give the annual picnic to the members on Labor Day. A few evenings ago the gentlemen of the choir entertained the lady members at a social gathering in the Rata lea Rooms, Stuart street, when a very enjoyable evening was spent.