Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 30 March 1916, Page 24

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON ■ i (From our own correspondent.) March 25. The Rev. Chaplain-Captain McMenamin, of Petone, who was invalided from Gallipoli some time ago, has reported at Trentham for further duty. The Catholics of Carterton arranged a concert on St. Patrick's Night, when, in addition to local talent, singers from the Featherston Camp and also from Wellington assisted in the programme. Mr. Frank J. Oakes, conductor of St. Gerard's choir, was the judge in the singing competition held in Newtown Park on St. Patrick's Day. He was much impressed with the voices of the competitors. Bros. J. J. L. Burke, J. P. McGowan, and P. D. Hoskins have been elected to, represent St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society at the district meeting at Auckland on April 25. Quite a series of successes was scored by Miss Lily O'Leary, of St, Joseph's Convent School, Newtown, at' the Masterton Patriotic Carnival during last week. .In the dancing competitions she was awarded first prize for the Shearitreus, Highland fling, and Irish jig, and was particularly complimented by the judge on her skill. ' - r •

Wellington College and St. Patrick’s College, played a tennis tournament this week, the latter winning by six rubbers to three. /' Following are the detailed results, St. Patrick’s College players .being mentioned first;—SinglesColes v. Leicester 4-9, Reeves v, Welch I. 9-6, Kilgour v. Watkins 9-2-, McHardy' v. Williams 9-2, Bowler v. Whiteman 9-3, Murray v. Welch n. 7-9. Doubles —Coles and Reeves v. Leicester and Welch i. 5-9, Bowler and McHardy v. Watkins and Williams .9-2, Murray and Kilgour v. Whiteman and/Welch n. 9-8. . -„ ' : ~ V- : ■■■ " ! ' ;■

A concert was given by the parishioners of Shannon in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, at the Zealandia Hall, and was, as usual, a , great success. A capital programme was provided. A piano duet was given by Mrs. Shankland and Miss Laurvig; songs were given by the school children/ also by Miss Hurley, Mrs. Costello, Miss Laurvig, Messrs. Knyvett, Baglass, Haggie,

and; Rodgers, a violin solo by Mr. Merwood, an Irish jig by Mr. Curran, a Highland : fling by Mr. Haggie, ■ a fancy dance by Miss McPherson, and a comic item, ' ' The diver,' by Mr. H. ; , Hook. The frequency of encores and applause showed : , that the large ' audience was well satisfied with the entertainment. • : , ; The; Dominion Executive of the N.Z.. Catholic Federation met last Wednesday evening at St. Patrick's Hall. Mr. J. J. L. Burke presided, and the Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., Adm., and'Messrs. Hoskins, Johnson, Walsh, Sievers, and Duggan were also present. It was decided to send the organiser to Marlborough, Nelson, and West Coast to organise those districts. The Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., and Mr. B. Ellis tendered their resignations as members of the executive, and resolutions of . regret and appreciation of their able services were passed. It was decided to write again to the Minister for Education respecting matters which the executive considered have not been satisfactorily answered, subsequent action to be taken in the event of an unsatisfactory reply. The Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., who for the past year has been Administrator of the Thorndon parish, was, on the eve of his departure from Wellington to take charge of St. Mary's parish, Christchurch North, waited upon by a number of the leading Catholics of Thorndon for the purpose of bidding him goodbye at the presbytery. Col. Collins, C.M.G., presided, and expressed their high appreciation of his capable, tactful, and business-like services, of the whole-souled manner in which he had devoted his attention to the needs of the parish, and the hope that in his new sphere of work he would achieve equally successful results. In replying, Dean Regnault said he was sorry to have to leave a parish where, from the beginning, he had met with a warm welcome and ready help from those who took a keen interest in its affairs, and he wished Thorndon every success and prosperity. No public function or presentation was arranged at the express wish of Dean Regnault, who would not listen to any such proposal when it was mooted. Messrs. H. McKeowen, T. O'Brien, and P. D. Hoskins, representing the St. Patrick's Day committee, visited the Marist. Brothers' School, Newtown, last Thursday for the purpose of presenting to the boys the prizes which they had won at the various competitions on St. Patrick's Day. The Rev. Brother Egbert had the boys assembled and addressed them on the importance of St. Patrick's Day and on the valuable work • which the members of the committee had done to make the celebration a success. Mr. H. McKeowen addressed the boys and, on behalf of the committee, thanked them for the work, which they and the good Brothers had done to celebrate the great feast of St. Patrick. They owed a deep debt of gratitude to the Brothers. Members of the committee also visited the Marist Brothers' School, Thorndon, where the Rev. Brother Louis had the boys assembled for the same purpose. The boys and their teachers were also thanked for their valuable assistance, and the sxiccessful competitors were presented with their prizes. The death occurred on St. Patrick's Day of Sister Mary de Chantal, of St. Mary's Convent of Mercy, Hill street. Sister de Chantal had been ailing for some time, but her death was totally unexpected. The deceased nun, who was the daughter of Mr. Wilfrid Ward, Paerata Estate, Tangiteroria, Dargaville, and grand-niece of his Grace Archbishop Redwood, was engaged on the teaching staff of the various schools, and was universally liked and esteemed by all with whom she came in contact. ' The interment took place :on Monday morning. A Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Very Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M., the Rev. Father Hurley, S.M., being deacon, the Rev. Father O'Leary subdeacon, and the Rev. Father Smyth, S.M., master of ceremonies. -s4 There we're also present the Ven. : Archdeacon Devoy, the Very Rev. Dean "Smyth (Provincial of the Marist Order), the Rev. Fathers Peoples, S.M., Quealy (Petone), Daly (Upper ; Hutt), Ryan, S.M".,- O'Connor, SM., 'Venning;; S.M., and the Redemptorist Fathers. The music of the

Mass was beautifully sung by a choir of nuns. The Basilica was crowded;, and. the Sisters of Mercy, and the student of St. Mary's College occupied the" front seats of the .church. Representatives from ,the < Sisters of Compassion were also present. ; The members of the Hibernian Society acted as pall-bearers, arid the service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. Father JSmyth, S.M., Adm., at the conclusion of which the ■Sisters assembled sang the beautiful hymn ' Requiescat in .pace.'—R.l.P. '»- ■-•'' " , Palmerston North ; (From our own correspondent.) '„ .. . March 25. v It was 42 years on March 22 since the first Mass was said in Palmerston North. Sunday last, being nearest to the Feast of St. Pattrick, the members of the H.A.C.B. Society made their quarterly Communion, when there was a large attendance. The fortnightly meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society was held on Tuesday evening, and was presided over by the president (Bro. Comerford). Bros. Gleeson and Norris were re-elected delegates to the Friendly • Societies'.Council. • Four candidates were nominated. It was announced at the Masses last Sunday that the sum of £1137 lis had, up to date, been received towards the new schools. . Rev. ; Father McManus complimented the donors on their generosity. He also urged those who had not given to do so, and thus help to liquidate the debt. , For years past the most happy and enjoyable functions in'connection with the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Palmerston North have undoubtedly been the gatherings promoted by the convent school pupils, and which, apart from the 'enjoyment they provide, are featured a display of juvenile talent that does.credit to the entertainers. "With the experience of past years, it was not surprising to find the Empire Hall crowded to the doors on the occasion of this year's gathering. The hall was suitably decorated for the occasion, the stage in particular presenting a pleasing scene with its decorations of native ferns and greenery, whilst prominently overhanging the stage was the national flag of Ireland with its harp and shamrock. The programme was provided wholly by the pupils, who, it must be said, acquitted themselves splendidly, and in a way that showed that the careful tuition of the Sisters was utilised to the best effect.' The items themselves were, as befitted the occasion, of an Irish -character, and were given artistically, and in some cases with that degree of abandon that added to the pleasure of the audience, who were not slow in showing their approval of the brilliant efforts of the performers. ■ The even-

ing's proceedings commenced with the song and chorus '. God save air-here.' The solo was taken by Miss G. Redwood, who was nicely supported by the pupils in the refrain. ■ One of ; the most pleasing contributions of the evening was the recitation 'The Irish guard,' by Master Basil Rodgers, who gave an excellent interpretation of the piece that showed the possession of talent of no mean order, and he. was deservedly recalled. Miss Mary, Hanlon sang with good effect, her choice being ' Avourneen,' the approval of the audience being shown by its w~arm applause. This was followed by a chorus, ' Songs your father loved,' by the. boys, and the duet, Erin Mavourneen ' by the Misses G. and M. Redwood. The singing of Miss R. Palmer was one of the gems of the evening. Her items were Mother Machree,' and later in the evening ' She is far .from the land.' It goes without saying that the inclusion of Irish dances met with popular approval. A six-hand reel was danced by Misses Evans, Brophy, G. Brophy, H. Rodgers, N. Stone, and M. O'Brien, and Miss B. Evans danced an Irish jig in fine style, the dancers being encored in each instance. Miss K. : Browne recited ' The Irish emigrant' most ' acceptably, and a chorus by the little girls followed. All the while' was the selection of Miss Mary Hanlon, to which' she did full justice. Masters Rodgers and Stone sang ' Donovan's welcome,' the chorus being taken up by the pupils, and it was a good number.. The choruses ' Cushla Machree and 'Here's a toast * concluded a highly enjoyable programme. The accompaniments throughout were tastefully played by Miss Rawlins.. At a suitable interval Father McManus returned thanks to the audience for their attendance in such large numbers. He also congratulated the Sisters upon the high state of efficiency of the pupils and the excellence of the programme, which was a credit to Palmerston. He concluded with the hope that a brighter day was dawning for Ireland, a remark that was loudly applauded. Wanganui / i ■ (From our own correspondent.) March 24. Sincere regret was felt here on receipt of the news of the sad death by drowning of Sister Leonora, one of the four nuns who recently went to the Taumaranui district for the opening of the new convent. The quarterly meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society took place on Wednesday at St. Joseph's Hall. Four candidates were proposed for membership. Bro. J. Stratford was elected delegate to represent the branch at the district meeting in. Auckland. Very Rev. Dean Holley was present at the meeting, and specially thanked the members for the excellent concert lately held. He attributed in no small degree its success to our able secretary (Bro. McGarrigle).