DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 9 July 1914, Page 35

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

At St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday evening Miss Teresa McEnroe, of Wellington, sang with great devotional feeling Gounod’s ‘ Ave Maria.’ A euchre party and social evening will be held in St. Mary Hall, Clyde street, Mornington, on Friday evening next, in aid of the Mornington church building fund. b There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday from the last Mass until after Vespers. In the evening there was the usual procession, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. In reply to the local Federation’s telegrams of protest against the proposed referendum on the Bible-in-schools question a reply from the Prime Minister assures his consideration of the matter. A local member in his reply promises to do his utmost in opposing it, but considers that there is no possibility of its being passed. On Monday evening last, the St. Joseph’s Men’s Club held a euchre tournament with the Hibernian Society. A very large number attended, and everybody spent a most enjoyable evening, the St. Joseph’s Club being the winners of the tournament. Several members contributed songs, which were much appreciated. Before the meeting closed, a resolution was passed protesting against the application of the Bible-in-Schools League for a referendum, and requesting that a memorandum be sent to the Prime Minister and Member for the district, urging the Government to oppose the measure. On Friday evening last, a concert was held in St. Joseph’s Hall, the proceeds of which were in aid of the funds of the Christian Brothers’ Boys’ Choir, some expense having been entailed in tuition fees. The hall was crowded, and the concert was in every way a distinct The programme (opened with the chorus, ‘ Oft in the stilly night,’ excellently sung by the junior members of the boys’ choir. Miss Eileen Murphy sang with excellent taste, * Mountain lovers,’ and in the second part of the programme contributed another item, ‘ When all is young and pleasant.’ The musical monologue, given by Miss Lilian Foster, ‘ A tale of the Alaskan goldfields,’ was , excellently delivered, and showed her to be the possessor of fine dramatic temperament. Her enunciation was clear and distinct, and altogether she gives evidence of having been carefully and intelligently taught. Miss Ella McCleary, who contributed a recitation in the second part of the programme, is also a young lady of considerable promise. Her voice is clear and strong, and her enunciation, as in Miss Foster’s case, is exceptionally good. As was only to be expected, Mrs. Power gave a very fine rendering of the well-known ‘Flower song’ (‘Faust’), and had to respond to an undeniable encore. Miss Violet Fraser, as usual, charmed her audience with her contributions, ‘ When a merry maid glances, and ‘ Songs at the piano,’ both of which she had to supplement with further items. Miss Daisy Hall was also successful in her numbers, * Green isle of Erin,’ and Last rose of

summer, and had to satisfy the demands of the audience in both instances by encore items. Master M O’Connor sang very sweetly “The dear little shamrock.’ Messrs, Fogarty Brothers were heard to advantage in the trio, “ Erin, farewell.’ The quartet, which opened the second part, was pleasingly rendered by the senior members of the boys’ choir. Mr. 11. Johnson contributed a couple of comic songs that proved acceptable. During the evening, Mrs. Arthur Griffiths was heard to advantage in a dramatic sketch, and later was associated with Mr. Griffiths in a humorous sketch. Both pieces were excellently presented, and found much lavor with the audience. Unfortunately a couple of the recitations given were of the kind one would not expect to hear at a Catholic concert. The day of the stage 1 1 isliman is past and any performer coming before an audience nowadays is expected to give a representation of Irish speech and manner that at least bears some slight resemblance to the genuine article. No Irishman objects to an item simply because the brogue is introduced, but he certainly has every right to object, and object strongly, when the brogue is of the music hall variety that for years has been requisitioned for the purpose of holding up Ireland and the Irish to contempt. 1 iomoters of Catholic concerts should, on every occasion, make themselves acquainted with the items that arc to be contributed.