Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 17 October 1918, Page 19

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) October 12. It was recently announced that Captain J. L. McAlister, of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, who is a son of Mr. J. H. McAlister, private secretary to the Minister of Public Works, has been awarded the Military Cross. The London Gazette of July 26 contains the following reference: “Captain Joseph Leo McAlister, Rifle Brigade. For conspicuous gallantry land devotion to duty while commanding a company. lie led two bombing attacks on an enemy sap with the object of closing a gap on his flank. His work was of a high order throughout. His party captured five machine-guns.” Captain McAlister is an ex-student of St. Patrick’s College. Mr. G. Girling-Butcher, secretary of the O’Conor Institute, left on Friday for Westport to confer with the members of the board. The institute, which has been erected from moneys left by the late Mr. Eugene O’Conor, M.P. for Buller, is for the housing and comfort of the aged and indigent, and is under the management of the Sisters of Mercy, though of an entirely unsectarian character. .It is on the most up-to-date lines, and has been favorably commented on by all who have paid it a visit. Lieutenant-Colonel J. G. Roache, D.S.O. and Croix de Guerre, was among the officers who returned to New Zealand recently. Colonel Roache, who was an officer of the sth (Wellington) Regiment, was well known in Territorial and rifle-shooting circles in tlx© city. He was a member of the Samoan Contingent, and on his return was posted to the Ist Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade. Later he took command of the 4th Battalion. He was awarded the D.S.O. inJune, 1917, and the Croix de Guerre a month later. a! Unonlifl n I’ofli Alio

His • Grace Archbishop Redwood, who is on, a visit to Australia, is now at Toowoomba, Queensland, where his .nephews reside. It is his intention to meet General Pau, with whom he went to school in France. The annual meeting of the Marist Brothers' Old Boys’ Cricket Club was held on Wednesday evening. Mr. L. Sievers presided over a fair attendance. The annual report showed that the junior team did well and were runners-up to Hutt A for grade honors for the season. The third grade team commenced well, but were handicapped during the latter part of the season through an inability to get a team together. It was decided to enter a senior and junior team for this season’s competitions. The following committee was elected to carry out the duties in connection with the club -during the season: Messrs. Naughton, Carruthers, Hayden, Turner, Davies, and Coleman. The secretary of the Catholic Federation Field Service Fund, Wellington, has received the following letter from Lieutenant-Colonel A. B. Charter's, commanding First Otago Battalion : Some weeks ago Padre O’Flynn handed me a sum of money which he has since told me came from your society. Each company of the battalion received 65 francs, and the money was expended in the purchase of oatmeal, this battalion (First Otago) having a large strain of Scotch in it. I wish to thank your society very sincerely for your efforts on behalf of my men, which efforts are appreciated to a much greater extent than I can express in words. The men throughout are ‘ sterling,’ and we cannot do too much in order to keep them fit, for they are bonny fighters. I hope at some future time to be able to thank in person those who have been so thoughtful towards us on active service.” The many friends of Mr. W. F. Johnson, secretary of the Wellington Diocesan Council of the Catholic Federation, will regret to learn that he is confined to his home through illness. The first full meeting of the Dominion Executive of the Catholic Federation will take place on October 27, when it is expected that the representatives appointed by the four diocesan councils will be present. The quarterly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch of the Hibernian Society . took place last Monday, Bro. J. Troy presiding. It was decided to commemorate the 44th anniversary of the opening of the branch in. Wellington by a general Communion of the members at St. Joseph’s Church, Buckle Street, on the fourth Sunday of this month.. Motions of condolence with the relatives of Bro. Alonzo Craig killed in action, and Bro. James Sullivan, on the loss of his son on the field of battle, were passed in the customary manner. On Sunday, September 29, Mass, was offered at St. Anne’s Church, Wellington South, for the repose of the soul of Bombardier Charles McErlean, an esteemed member of St. Anne’s Choir, who was killed in action in France after three years’ service at the Front. The St. Mary of the Angels’ Church Rebuilding Fund Bazaar was concluded on last Wednesday evening after a very successful season of 15 nights. The financial result has made the bazaar a a record one for this city. The gross proceeds totalled over £4OOO, whilst the expenditure has been kept down to the lowest possible. It is anticipated that the sum of £3700 will be available to augment the rebuilding fund. The success is due to the indefatigable efforts of the lady stallholders under the able guidance of Father Hoare, S.M., as chairman, and Mr. J. A. Scott, L.L.M., as hon. secretary. The pride of place fell to the Altar Society’s stall, resulting in that society’s candidate (Miss Eileen O’Brien, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. O’Brien, 155 Cuba Street) being placed at the head of the queen competition, with the Hibernian Stall a good second, and the Hostel Stall third. Father Mahony briefly thanked the workers and particularly the ladies, and all kind friends who so generously assisted Father Hoare. He introduced Miss O’Brien, the successful queen candidate, to the audience, and she was enthusiastically greeted with prolonged cheers. The

plans of the new church are now being prepared by Messrs. Clero and Williams. Napier (From our own correspondent.) October 10. Father Tymons announced on Sunday last that the Marist Missioners, Fathers McCarthy and O’Leary, intended conducting a mission in Napier commencing on Sunday, October 27, and continuing for two weeks in St. Patrick’s Church, and for a further week in St. Mary’s Church, Port Ahuriri. The Catholic ladies of Napier have been asked to take charge of the Red Cross shop on Saturday, October 26. An energetic committee has been appointed and the canvass for donations is being generously responded to. As funds are urgently needed for the Red Cross work it is hoped that the efforts of the committee will be supported by the Catholic people of the district, so that we may not be behind other denominations in raising money for this worthy object.