DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, 28 March 1918, Page 23

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

The Rev. Father Maguiness, Adm., of Broken Hill, New South Wales, was a visitor to Dunedin last week. The evening devotions at St. Joseph's Cathedral during each week of Lent have been numerously attended. CATHOLIC ORPHANAGE, SOUTH DUNEDIN, GARDEN FETE. The glorious sunshine that broke over the grounds of St. Vincent de Paul's Orphanage on last Thursday afternoon seemed to mark a blessing on the labors of those who had worked so ungrudgingly to make all ready for the opening of the fete, promoted to assist the institution. The stall-holders, with their willing assistants, had taken up the cause with whole-hearted enthusiasm, the self-sacrifice and esprit de corps displayed by all being worthy of the highest praise. The stalls, arranged around the grounds of the orphanage, were tastefully decorated and illuminated by colored electric globes. All were well furnished with a greatvariety of goods, both useful and ornamental, and the task of exchanging these for the current coin of the realm was carried out with the utmost zeal by the ladies. A fine stage had been erected and each evening the large assemblage of the public present in the brilliant electrically lighted grounds enjoyed the programmes of varied items prepared for their entertainment ; these included a club-swinging exhibition by the pupils of the Christian Brothers, orchestral selections by the St. Philomena's College Orchestra, action songs and fancy dances by the children of St. Patrick's School and St. Vincent's. An innovation had been introduced in the appointment of a queen for each stall, the stall paying the highest amount of money into the general fund during the fete having the honor of seeing its queen the Queen of the Fete. Keen rivalry resulted from this competition, and excitement ran high on Saturday night as the hour for the decision drew nigh. St. Joseph's stall (black and white) being highest, Miss Sheila Todd, daughter of Mr. Charles Todd, Dunedin, was declared queen-elect. The coronation will take place at a demonstration concert, to be held in His Majesty's Theatre at a date to be announced later. Following were the stalls: St. Joseph's (black and white) —Misses A. Heley and Cotter, Mrs. Hally and assistants. St. Patrick's (green)—Mesdames Mullins, Nolan, Clarke, Drumm, Fenton, Lynsky, and Carter. St. Philomena's College Day Pupils (green and black)Mesdames Noonan, McCurdy, Nelson, Delargy, and Roche. St. Philomena's College Boarders (green and white) —Mesdames Baker, Hade, and O'Brien. Children of Mary (blue and white) —Mesdames Mullins, jun., Rodgerson, Marlow, and Miss McGowan. Refreshment Rooms—Mrs. and the Misses Carr, Mrs. McLean and Miss Mullins. Side attractions, presided over by Mesdames Spain and Sheil, also brought a substantial sum. It was originally intended to bring the fete to a close on Saturday night, but, owing to the large quantity of goods on hand, it was decided to continue it on Monday night, when there was another large attendance, and excellent business was done. The nett proceeds for the four days amounted to the handsome sum of over £lll4. This magnificent result is due in great measure to the untiring zeal of the treasurer (Rev. Father Delany), who worked early and late to make the undertaking a success. The energetic secretary (Mr. M. J. Hade), too, left nothing undone to further the good cause. The promoters are also indebted to Messrs. Carr and Marlow, who lent their able assistance and did much to bring about a result that far exceeded the most sanguine expectations. The result of the fete is most gratifying to the devoted Sisters of Mercy, whose self-denying work in the interests of the numerous orphan children in their charge elicits the warmest admiration, and every assistance a grateful people can offer. The Sisters in turn desire to express their deep gratitude * to the Rev.

Father Delany (pastor of the district) for his invaluable assistance at all times, and especially in promoting the fete, and the energy he has displayed in securing its success. They also return their sincere thanks to the secretary (Mr. Hade), to the committee, and to the many friends who assisted at the stalls, in the entertainments, and for the support so generously given the enterprise throughout.