DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 30 September 1915, Page 22

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) September 27. The Rev. Father Grogan, C.SS.R., commences a week’s retreat in the Cathedral on next Sunday evening for both divisions of the archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. On Sunday next the annual diocesan collection for charities will be made. It is understood that this year’s contributions will be given to the support of the Maori Missions, which have suffered considerable reduction of revenue owing to the war. All helpers and well-wishers of the Sisters of Nazareth are earnestly urged to make every exertion for the disposal of tickets for the vocal and instrumental recital, to be given in the Theatre Royal on Monday evening, October 11, in aid of Nazareth House. This event, which is being promoted by Miss Hayward, who has the assistance of a widely representative committee of ladies, promises to be one of outstanding artistic merit, and all contributing to the programme are generously giving their services free. It only remains then, for the general public, and especially our own people, to do their share in achieving a record success. As the good Sisters spend their life and energies in the interests of all classes without distinction, they have a claim which should be recognised. An ordinary meeting of the Christchurch Catholic Club was held in the clubrooms on last Tuesday evening. Mr. P. McNamara (vice-president) occupied the chair, and there was a good attendance of members. The business of the meeting was the nomination of officers for the ensuing year. The annual general meeting of the club has been fixed for Wednesday, September 29. A very cordial ‘ welcome home ’ was given Mr. F.

Rowe, one of the most valued ’ club 4 members, : who has/. just returned from an extended tour of Great BritainV and the Continent, during which he combined business' with pleasure. Mr. Rowe was warmly 'welcomed oil * behalf of the club by the Rev. Father Murphy,- 8.A., ’ arid Mr. J. R. Hayward (vice-president). Mr.’ Rowe was received enthusiastically on rising to respond.' He sincerely thanked the speakers for their kind remarks, and the members generally for their manifestations of welcome. Although he had enjoyed himself very much during his travels, he was (he said) extremely glad to be amongst them once again. An enjoyable programme was contributed to by the following—Piano solo, Mr. P. C. J. Augarde ; banjo solo, Mr. F. Glackin; vocal solos, Messrs. B. Rennell and J. R. Hayward ; recitations, Messrs. F. Rowe and C. Barnett. The singing of the National Anthem concluded a very pleasant evening. Reports from the country districts point to the possibility of disastrous results consequent on the long continued dearth of rain. Indeed, pastoral matters are already seriously affected, and the average of lambs for export will, of necessity, fall far below the accus- - tomed quantity from Canterbury. The monthly records of the rainfall registered by the Press gauge from January to September 24 for the three following years will indicate clearly how much below the average the rainfall has been during this and last year:—l9l3, 18.10 inches: 1914, 14.79 inches; 1915, 10.07 inches. We have to go back to the years 1897-98 for a period similar to that through which we are now passing (remarks the Press'). The whole of 1897 was extremely dry, there being no rains of any consequence in either autumn, winter, or spring, and conditions in the spring on the plains of Canterbury were far worse than they are. to-day. The harvest of 1898 was a failure, and the long dry spell only broke up in the autumn, by showery weather, but no heavy rain. It is to be hoped than the remainder of this season is not going to be a repetition of 1897-98, and that we will not have to wait until the autumn before the break comes. Ohaupo (From our own correspondent.) The usual monthly meeting of St. Mary’s branch of the Hibernian Society was held on Tuesday evening, August 24, at the residence of the secretary (Bro. G. Tooman). Bro. J. Turnwald (president) was in the chair. The meeting passed a resolution expressing its deepest sympathy with his Lordship Bishop Cleary in his serious illness, and sincerely hoping that he would be speedily restored to health and strength. The president, on behalf of the branch, presented Bro. E. Edwards with a framed address in recognition of the fact that he was the first president of the society. After the business of the meeting was over members and their lady friends were entertained at a musical evening by Bro. and Mrs. Toomaxx, when a very pleasant" time was spent. Vocal and instrumental items were rendered by the Misses Karl, Edwards (2), Rauch (2), and Mr. Toomaxx.