Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 11 July 1918, Page 19

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

r (From our own correspondent.) July 5. The death of Mr. John Duignan, an old resident of Wellington, and one of the oldest of Thorndon's parishioners, occurred on Sunday last. The deceased, who was 82 years of age, having been born in Rosscommon, Ireland, in 1836,' was the son of the late Mr. John Duignan, contracting engineer, and arrived in New Zealand 50 years ago. Ever since then he has lived in Wellington. In the early part of his career here he was associated with his brother Richard (who predeceased him by 13 years) in various contracts, including reclamation work. He has left a widow, a daughter, and three sons. One son joined the Queensland Light Horse, and is now in France ; and another (Mr. David Duignan) is living in Melbourne. The funeral took place on Wednesday morning, Father Dignan officiating at the graveside at Karori.—R.l.P. A large gathering of parishioners and friends assembled at St. Joseph's Orphanage Schoolroom, Upper Hutt, last Tuesday evening to welcome Father Daly back to his old parish, after an absence of 20 months abroad as a chaplain with the Forces, he having left in such capacity with the 19th Reinforcements. The pupils of the orphanage supplied' the vocal and instrumental portion of the programme, which also included the presentation of a cheque to Father Guinane. Mr. Richard Quinn, on behalf of the parishioners, thanked Father Guinane for his great devotion to duty as locum tenens. Father Guinane left for his parish at Ohakune next day, whilst Father Daly will act as chaplain and parish priest in Trentham Camp and Upper Hutt as formerly. Father P. J. Minogue, who was recently invalided from France to the Brockenhurst Hospital in England, has now been transferred and attached to the First New Zealand Infantry Brigade. Mr. George Girling-Butcher, secretary of the Catholic Federation, whose health" has not been good of late, has been granted leave of absence to enable him to recuperate. He will spend a period of his vacation in the South Island. A quiet but pretty wedding was solemnised at the Basilica on Monday, June 10, when Miss Alice Barnett, third daughter of Mr. M. Barnett, Christchurch, and Mr. J. T. Bridgman, eldest son of Mr. John Bridgman, Christchurch, were united in the bonds of holy Matrimony. Miss K. Barnett (sister of the bride) and Miss K. Bridgman (sister of the bridegroom) were bridesmaids. The bride was given away by her father. Subsequently Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Bridgman left for Blenheim. Mr. J. T. Bridgman has since received an appointemnt on the staff of lI.M. Customs, Auckland. The Eltham County Patriotic Committee has sent his Grace Archbishop O'Shea the substantial amount of £490 as a donation to the Catholic Field Service Fund to be spent on the men at the front.

St. May's Chinch rebuilding fund is gradually being augmented ,and it is to be hoped that the bazaar which is now being energetically promoted, will enable Father Mahony to commence building before Christmas. In the meantime, all donations should be sent in quickly, as it is essential that the building of the church should be proceeded with at the earliest possible opportunity ; as very great inconvenience is caused

through the Boulcott Street school being used temporarily for Church purposes. The Dominion treasurer of -the Catholic Federation begs to acknowledge the receipt of the following donations to the Catholic Field Service Fund: Amount previously acknowledged, £3742 9s 3d through Wellington Diocesan Council—Eltham County Patriotic Committee, £490 ; through Dunedin Diocesan Council—Dunedin and South Dunedin, £B4; through Wellington Diocesan Council—Palmerston North (per Father McManus), £6O; Palmerston North (town and country women workers), £4O; Mr. F. J. Oakes, Wellington (7th instalment), £1; contributions to Tauherenikau Institute, £ll Is 6d. Total £4428 10s 9d. Less expenditure previously detailed, £2941 9s; Westminster Catholic Federation for Catholic soldiers and officers' club, London, £30—£2971 9s; balance at credit, £1457 Is 9d.