Timaru

New Zealand Tablet, 23 July 1914, Page 51

Timaru

(From our own correspondent.) July 13. On Sunday, at the 7.30 o’clock Mass, the members ol the men’s branch of the Sacred Heart Sodality, as well as the members of the Celtic Football Club, in regalia, approached the Holy Table in large numbers. The 9 o’clock Mass was celebrated by Rev. Father O’Donnell, of Tasmania, who, in announcing the ceremony of the afternoon, made an eloquent appeal to all for subscriptions to defray the cost of the bells. A Solemn High Mass was celebrated at eleven o’clock, Very Rev. Dean Hills, Y.G., being celebrant, Very Rev. Dean Tubman deacon. Rev. Father O’Donnell subdeacon, and Rev. Father Murphy master of ceremonies. The music of the Mass was rendered by the choir in a very devotional manner. At half-past two the peal of eight bells, .the finest yet imported into the Dominion, were blessed by Very Rev. Dean Hills, in the Tinavoidable absence of his Lordship Bishop Grimes through sickness. The solenyr and unusual service attracted a large congregation, a number of those present being non-Catholics. The Very Rev. Dean Hills first addressed the congregation and prefaced his remarks by apologising for the absence of his Lordship Bishop Grimes, who would very much have liked to be present on that occasion. After fully explaining their origin and use and the manner of blessing the bells, he paid a warm tribute of praise to Dean Tubman and the Catholics of Timaxu for the magnificent church they had erected, for the service of God, and said he felt sure that, as they had acted so generously in the

past, they would that day live Tip to their reputation, and contribute in their usual generous manner, remembering that they were giving to God Himself. \ eiy Rev. Dean - Tubman said a few words, thanking Dean Hills for his kind remarks, and reminding the congregation that they owed a debt of gratitude to late Mr - Nicholas Quinn, who had bequeathed £3OO towards purchasing a chime of bells for the new church. 3 lie collectors then went round the church, and as a result of their efforts over £2OO was contributed. I he ceremony of blessing was then proceeded with, the Vicar-General being assisted by Dean Tubman as deacon, Rev. bather Aubry as subdeacon, and Rev. bather Murphy as master of ceremonies. The visiting clergy present in the sanctuary were—Rev. Fathers Taylor, Kerley, and Herring (Temuka) and O’Donnell (Tasmania). The bells now in coarse of erection were made by the celebrated firm of John Warner and Sous, England. The heaviest weighs nearly a ton, and probably in a week or ten days they will ring out their first chime. "M half-yearly meeting of St. Mary’s branch of the Hibernian Society was held on Monday night, the president (Bro. V. Colliding) in the chair. There was a large attendance, including the chaplain (Very Rev. Dean Tubman). Bros. Rev. Father Holbrook and P. J. Nerheny were appointed as the branch’s delegates at the half-yearly meeting, to be held in August at Auckland. The quarterly balance sheet, which was read and adopted, showed that the branch was making splendid progress, both the funds and membership increasing in a very satisfactory manner. A motion protesting against the proposed Referendum Bill on the Biblc-in-schools question was proposed and carried unanimously, a copy of which was forwarded to the Premier. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Bro. W. Fitzgerald: vice-presi-dent, Bro. M. Hyland: secretary, Bro. P. Mahoney: treasurer, Bro. J. Sullivan; sick visitors, Bros. M. Sullivan and J. Shea; warden, Bro. C. A. Watt; guardian, Bro. M. O’Connor; assistant secretary, Bro. M. Schaab ; auditors, Bros. J. G.. Venning and M. Hyland. Bro. T. Niall, P.P., installed the new officers and congratulated them on their election. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers, and it was decided to present the retiring president, Bro. Goulding, with a. past president’s certificate, as a mark of appreciation of his services while president of the branch. Oamaru (From our own correspondent.) Following is the result of the theory examination conducted in May at the local centre, under the auspices of the Associated Board of the Royal Academy and the Royal College of Music, London: Rudiments of Music (full marks, 99; pass, 66). — Mabel Currie (Miss Gilligan, A.T.C.L.), 94; Maude Cartwright (Miss Cartwright, L.A.8.), 93; Maud McCone (Dominican Convent), 93. Westport (From an occasional correspondent..) The following results of successes gained this year in connection with the Royal Academy Theoretical Examinations of Music are recorded by the Convent of Mercy, Westport:—Advanced Harmony—Miss Martin. Local Centre Rudiments— Rogers, Josephine Linniger, Mary Guilfoyle, Marie Elton, Alice Castle. Lower Division Harmony—lna Smiley, Nora Crabb. Division I.—Olga Taylor.