Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 5 March 1914, Page 23

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) , February 28. - The pupils of St. Mary’s Convent held a picnic at the Eastburne Park last Monday. The new church at Kimbolton will be shortly blessed and opened. The Catholic residents are making great preparations for the event. The Rev. Mother Aubert, the foundress of the Order of Our Lady of Compassion, who is at present in Rome on business connected with the Order* will return to the Dominion in about two months’ time. A most successful euchre party, organised by the lady stallholders of the forthcoming bazaar at St. Joseph’s, was held in St. Patrick’s Hall last Tuesday. The hall was crowded, and everyone present thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The Catholic Immigration Committee entertained the immigrant girls at the Catholic Federation Rooms last Thursday evening. There was a good attendance and a thoroughly enjoyable evening was spent. Amongst those present were the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., the Rev. Father Hurley, and Messrs. Girling-Butcher, Reeves, and Ellis. The Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ Cricket Club gave a concert in the Town Hall last Tuesday evening, but owing to the wretched weather conditions prevailing the attendance was not 'up to expectations. A first-class programme was gone through, and those who attended were well paid for venturing out of doors that evening. The profits of the concert will be devoted to sending representative touring teams abroad. The Yen. Archdeacon Devoy has received a letter from the Old Country in which it is stated that the National University of Ireland has conferred on the Very Rev. Dr. Watters, formerly Rector of St. Patrick’s College in this city, the degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of his services in the cause of education. Dr. Watters is head of the Catholic University Schools of Dublin, and in that position is doing splendid work. He is in excellent health and spirits, and retains pleasant recollections of his residence in Wellington. The latest work undertaken in this city is the formation of clubs for Catholic girls. There are so many Catholic girls finding their way to this city, especially to seek domestic situations, that it is found imperative to have some place where they can meet in their spare time. The Ven. Archdeacon Devoy has given the project his hearty approval, and in his parish (Wellington South) the club is an accomplished fact, rooms having been allotted the girls’ club in St. Anne’s Catholic Men’s Club Building, Daniel street. Another club is now being formed in the rooms adjoining the Catholic. Federation offices. , A very quiet wedding took place at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on February 6 between Mr. John Coyle, of Wellington, and Miss Elva M. Achard, of Brussels, formerly of London. Miss Coyle, sister of the bridegroom, was bridesmaid, and the groom was attended by Mr. J. Brennan. The Rev. Father Hickson, S.M., Adm., performed the ceremony. At the board room of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board on the eve of his marriage, the bridegroom, who is its secretary, was presented with a handsome fruit salver from the members of the staff. The accountant (Mr. S. Robinson) conveyed to Mr. Coyle, the good wishes of the staff for his future happiness, . and spoke of the good feeling

which has always existed amongst the staff at the board’s offices.’ ' , ".■ • The St. Patrick’s Day celebration committee met last Wednesday evening under the presidency of the Rev. Father Hickson, S.M:, Adm. Everything is well in hand attractive side-shows have been arranged in connection with the sports which will include both adult and juvenile events. The inter-parish tug-of-war, which was postponed on Boxing Day, will take place on St. Patrick’s Day, and the St. Patrick’s College physical training team will, under their instructor (Mr. J. A. Duffy), give a display. The committee has made special efforts to secure the best talent procurable, and have been most successful in obtaining the services of Mr. J. McGrath (Dunedin), Miss Ida B. Moran (Sydney), Miss Agnes Segrief (Wellington), Mr. L. O. Hooker (Hawera), Mr. Bowman, Mr. D. A. Kenny, Master Ben O’Brien, Miss Lily O’Leary, and the Marist Brothers’ School Choir. The proceeds of the celebrations will be devoted to the education fund.