DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 15 August 1918, Page 21

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) August 12. The ordinary meeting of (he Celtic Club was held on Tuesday evening, August (3, Mr. J. Curry presiding. The attendance was exceptionally good, the seating accommodation being fully taxed. Two new members were admitted, and five nominations recorded. I he energetic secretary (Mr. A. F. Jarman) intimated that “prepared speeches” would form the programme for the evening of August 20. After the business of the meeting had been concluded a mock trial provided excellent entertainment. On Wednesday evening the comedy “Uncle Pat” was repeated, preceded by a concert in the Hibernian Hall. Miss E. Rodgers, Messrs. C. Fottrell, P. Smyth. B. Rennell, and Phil Jones contributed to the concert programme, also the Marist Brothers' Choir, under the leadership of Brother Emilian, and an orchestra consisting of Misses Foley and Lawlor and E. Sykes, Master Banfield, and Mr. C. Geoghe Miss Sykes and Mr. Kirk played the various accompaniments efficiently. The comedy was well played and proved interesting and amusing. The Corporal Smyth who was recently -mentioned in despatches in connection with the Passchendale battle, is Frank Smyth, of the M. 8.0.8. Association, who was captain of the senior football team before going to the Front, and is a son of Mrs. Smyth, of Durham Street, St. Albans. Bro. J. Ormandy, 8.P., presided at the meeting of St. Mary’s branch H.A.C.B. Society held on August 5 at Ozanam Lodge. All officers, including Father Roche, S.M. (chaplain), were present, also a large number of members. Sick allowance' (£4) and accounts amounting to .£ll were passed for payment. A committee was appointed to promote literary and debating programmes which it is intended to introduce at the general meetings. Impromptu speeches will form the subject on the syllabus at the conclusion of the business at the next meeting, at which the president wishes to see a full attendance. It was decided to hold a social in, the Art Gallery on September 4, in aid of St. Mary’s stall at the projected garden fete at Mount Magdala. Father Kelly (Gisborne) has during his stay in Christchurch doing temporary duty at the Cathedral,

taken a keen interest in the Hibernian Society, attending, whenever possible, the meetings of St. Patrick’s and St. Matthew’s branches. He is- always heartily welcomed, and at a recent meeting of St. Patrick’s branch paid a high tribute to the fine work effected by the society. He expressed himself as Much impressed by the keen interest taken in the workings of the branches by his Lordship the Bishop and his priests. This he (the speaker) knew to be a great factor upon which depended the ultimate success of the society. Father Kelly also referred to the good work that is being done in Gisborne by the Hibernian Society. The ordinary meeting of St. Matthew's branch H.A.C.B. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall on Monday evening, August 5. Sister E. Brophy, 8.P., presided, and there were present a full roll of officers, including Father Fogarty, and a large attendance of members, also several Brothers of St. Patrick’s branch. Two candidates were initiated, and two nominations for membership received. The M. 8.0.8. Association wrote expressing sincere thanks to the members of St. Matthew’s branch for their kindness and help on the occasion nl the old boys’ annual Communion breakfast. With a. view to bringing about affiliation with the U.F.S. Dispensary Hoard it was decided to ask representatives from that body to be present at the next meeting in order that, the matter might lie thoroughly gone into. District • dues amounting to £3 13s lOd were passed tor payment. The secretary (Sister R. Rodgers) presented the quarterly balance sheet, which showed the branch to be in a sound financial position. The sick fund has to its credit £64 18s 6d, an increase ot £l3 tor the quarter: and the management fund £6l ss. an increase of £ll for the same period. The assets are £152 2s 4d in excess of liabilities, and the membership totals 89. Father Fogarty, Bros. Grimes and Curry spoke in eulogistic terms of the good work being done by the branch, and the president (Sister Brophy) thanked the officers for the fine spirit of sisterhood they were maintaining amongst the members. Among those occupying places at the conference on education, arranged by the North Canterbury Board of Education, and now in session, are Dean Regnault, S.M., Fathers Graham, S.M./m.A., and Burger, S.M. (of St. Bede’s College), Brothers Palladius (Principal) and Phelan, of the local Marist Brothers School. With such capable representation the interests of Catholic education may be deemed to be well conserved.

Timaru

Although the weather was exceedingly inclement on the evening of Thursday, August 8 (writes a correspondent), some 40 couples responded to the Children ot Mary's invitation to their annual social in the Sacred Heart Schoolroom. A small fee was charged with the object of supplementing the parish contribution to the Field Service Fund; with the very gratifying result that the fund benefits to the extent of about £5. The gathering was quite one of the most enjoyable social functions he'd in the parish for some time. The hall was most pleasingly decorated in a blue and white scheme, and a dainty supper was served by the members of the sodality." Mr. Wentworth's orchestra was in attendance. During the evening Miss Robma Munro and Mr. Jas. Lvnch contributed songs, and a musical monologue and clarinet solo were well rendered by Mr. T. O'Connor, each number on the programme receiving the comoliment of a recall. Miss JN. Lynch accompanied on the piano in her usual efficient manner, and with Miss M. Dennehv considerately played some extras. The social was 'a complete ?M CeSS^a^ V n fleCted & reat credit on the secretary (Miss M. O'Sulhvan) and on the committee. A social on a large scale in aid of the parish school funds is to held in the Assembly Rooms on the evening of Thursday, September 5. The member* of the' com-

mittee are working most enthusiastically to make the event a great financial success, and the outstanding social of the season. A splendid orchestra has been secured for the occasion, and the tickets are selling well. Our two local schools have now been free for nearly two years, and the funds required to maintain this approximates £4OO annually. The. main source of revenue is the Sunday penny collection, which averages some .£250 per annum, thus leaving some £l5O to be raised from St. Patrick's concert and socials.

Oamaru

(From our own correspondent.) August 12. At St, lat rick s School on last Friday night Father Silk, of Dunedin, gave a lecture on Sinn Fein to an interested audience. Father Foley presided, and in a brief introductory speech stated that with regard to Sinn Fein, which meant “Ourselves,” many people had very wrong ideas, and imagined the movement was backed up by German money. This idea had been propagated by the press and many public speakers. Lord Wim bo rue, late Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, had publicly said such an, idea, was nonsense. Mr. Lloyd George had said England's treatment of Ireland was “clumsy,” which word truthfully described the position. lat her Silk, on rising, was greeted with applause. He spoke at. length on the subject on the lines of his lecture recently printed in full in the Tablet.' The inteiest of the audience was sustained throughout the ectiue, and at its conclusion Mr. F. Cooney very sincerely thanked the lecturer for the privilege gained. All pi sent now understood what Sinn Fein really meant and what it stood lor. It was a subject on which the public generally were most inadequately informed, and in treating it a distinct service had been rendered. He ti listed that in the near future Ireland would receive the long overdue justice and good government for which she had so long been struggling. The vote was carried wit acclamation, and after a brief acknowledgment bv father Silk the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.