Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 18 February 1915, Page 26

Diocesan News

ARCHDJOCE3E OP WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) February 13. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea returned from the south this morning. The Very Rev. Dr. Kenxedy, rector of St. Patrick’s College, was a passenger for the south last evening. A parade of the men of the third reinforcements, numbering 4000, of whom 400 are Catholics, took place this afternoon at Newtown Park. The quarterly meeting of the Particular Council of the St. Vincent, de Paul Society takes place at St. Patrick’s Hall on Sunday, 21st instant. The Marist Fathers will conduct the missions at St. Anne’s (Newtown), St. Patrick’s (Kilbirnie), and St. Francis’ (Island Bay), commencing on February 24. The Rev. Father Tymons, S.M., left for Greenmeadows this morning to take up the position of ViceRector and Procurator of St. Mary’s Seminary. He will - be greatly missed by the parishioners of Thorndon. Although not long stationed in the parish, he endeared .himself to them by his priestly, character and sterling worth. * At his express wish no demonstration err gathering was organised in connection with his departure. The funeral of the late Mr. Wm. O’Hanlon, elec-, trician of the Athenic, took place on Friday afternoon. Mr. O’Hanlon, who leaves a wife and family in England, had to leave the Athenic when she was last in port, and become a patient in the Hospital, where he died as his old ship returned to port, after conveying the troops to Egypt. The officers and men, from the captain down, attended the funeral. The Rev. Father W. J. Peoples, S.M., officiated in the church and at the graveside. —R.I.P. A parish festival in connection with St. Mary of the Angels’ was opened on the tennis courts at the rear of the church on Wednesday afternoon by Lady Ward.

Marquees had been erected for the various stalls, and the interiors had been most effectively draped and decorated for the occasion, while on the tennis courts were placed seats for the spectators, who gathered to view the pretty fancy dancing of some children dressed in Irish costumes. His Grace Archbishop O’Shea, who with the Very Rev. Father O’Connell welcomed Lady Ward, briefly explained in his introductory speech the needs of the occasion, which was for the purpose of raising money with which to pay off the parish debt, and although the people of Wellington had given liberally to the various causes which had been brought into existence by the war he was sure they would remember to assist so necessary a work as that on which they were engaged. Lady Ward then very briefly declared the festival open. The stalls were in charge of the following:—Altar Society’s ‘conservatory,’ which included home produce, pot plants, and some beautiful fancy work, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. McMurrich, and the Misses Kent, McCusker, and Walker; ‘The Bungalow,’ Children of Mary’s stall (principally fancy work made by the children themselves) ; lady Hibernian’s stall—Misses Blanch Craig, M. Brennan, A. Sheehan, K. Lennihan, Nora Bell, Kathleen Griffin, Gladys Butler, Nita Fuller, B. Delaney, M. Delaney, Frances O’Flaherty, E. Doyle, E. McMahon, D. Moriarty, and Annie Lyons; hon. secretary, Maureen Griffin. St. Patrick’s Hall had been turned into a tea kiosk, and had been draped with streamers of red, blue, and white, while branches of japonica frescoed the walls. Red and white geraniums decorated the numbers of small tables set for afternoon tea, while at the further end of the room were tables supplied with cakes, etc., for sale. This necessary part of the festival was under the auspices of the tennis club—Misses Collins, Meston, Lawlor, O’Regan, Delaney, Feeney (2), Garrick, O’Brien, Smith, Loftus, Packer, Webb, and O’Shea. Hoop-la was supervised by Messrs. F. J. O’Driscoll and K. L. De Muth, and quoits and pitching competions by Messrs. T. O’Brien and H. A. Parsonage. Mrs. Sommerville and the Children of Mary were in charge of the sweet stall, which had a large marquee all to itself. Yitetta’s string band played various selections during the afternoon, and in addition to the dancing Master Fergus Reeves recited. The Sports Pierrots provided the programme which had been arranged for the evening’s entertainment, and contributing to it were: Mr. Frank Eller, Miss May Butler, Mr. W. Scrimgeour, Miss Dorothy Theobald, Mr. W. B. Keany; pianist, Mr. W. Scrimgeour; stage manager, Mr. W. B. Keany. The evening’s programme was most attractive, consisting of a solo by Mr. Kenny, a Scotch reel by four small performers in Highland costume, a Highland fling by five young dancers, a double sword dance by the Misses Reid, and a sailor’s hornpipe by Miss Lily O’Leary; all danced to the accompaniment of the pipes. Little Miss Rita McGee gave a recitation, with good effect. Afterwards the Sport Pierrots gave a programme of excellent items. Miss May Butler recited, Miss Dorothy Theobald sang, Mr Frank Eller gave ‘ You made me love you,’ and with Mr. W. B. Keany a ‘Humorous interlude.’ A matinee is being held this afternoon, and this evening it will conclude with another musical programme and the drawing of the art union. The festival has been a great success, and the Very Rev. Father O’Connell is to be congratulated on his organising capabilities, and the ladies and gentlemen, who so ably assisted him, are deserving of the highest praise for the splendid results attained.