Wanganui

New Zealand Tablet, 3 July 1919, Page 19

Wanganui

(From our own correspondent.) ■• '. Juno 25. ~•- -..,' ) Our well-known townsman, Mr. W. McTubbs, is away in the South Island just now on a business trip. Father Maillard, Otaki, was in Wanganui for a few days, and also took a run tip to Jerusalem. The home journey was effected in the Joan of Arc, an up-to-date and altogether smart little motor canoe, of which the up-river Fathers are justly proud. A great number of priests passed through here on their way to and from Hawera, for the Requiem and burial of Mrs. *o'Shea... Very Rev. Dean Holley, S.M. (Provincial), spent a short time in Wanganui on the return journey to Wellington, also Father Hurley, S.M.

Father: Bowden is home again from hospital, but of course not able to -be about yet. As it is quite out*- of the question that wo all call in person, and as it is just' possible that .he may read this, we would like him to know that we are really delighted that he has got on so well.

The ladies of Castlecliff district have decided upon a series of "evenings" to-be held during the next few months, and, since my last, the first of these has taken place, the Castflfecliff Hall being quite festive for the occasion. The early part of the evening was spent in progressive euchre, the prizes going to Mrs. Jarrett and Mr. Jarrett, jun. (firsts), and Mrs. Tonhridge and Mr. Scott (consolation). The ladies' committee arranged for the supper, prominent among the workers being MesdamesDempsey, D. Anthony, Connor, Harden, and Mills. The party was well attended, most enjoyable, and the fundsaro for the school..

The Children of Mary, too, have had an evening, their first for a very long time, and out of tho many causes needing assistance, they chose the Castlecliff school, for anything over and above. There was a record - attendance, even for the euchre, and quite a number for tho subsequent social. A simple but dainty supper was served in the supper room, and everything went off very happily. There are so many good workers among the girls that to mention them all an alphabetical list would be necessary, but in passing, I must say. that a whole alphabet to herself would not bo too much for our busy president, Miss Ken-,, nedy, than whom there is none better. Mrs. Delaney and Mrs. Keerey, like the good souls they are, helped with the coffee-making and unromantic washing-up, which, by the way, is always recognised to be the privilege of the older girls who have had their day, but is withal quite a jolly affair.

On Sunday, June 15, the Feast of the Holy Trinity, his Grace Archbishop O'Shea administered confirmation at St. Mary's Church. The occasion having been looked forward to for. a very long time, on ; account of unavoidable postponements, was marked by the large number of candidates, a total of 315 being confirmed. The number was made up of children from the convent and Brothers' schools,' inclusive of a quota from Aramoho, For dell, Mosstown, and Castlecliff, and there were a large number of adults. The ceremony took place in the afternoon, the church.being packed to the doors. His Grace addressed the candidates and the congregation generally, dwelling at length on the effects of the sacrament and their relation to the much needed world-wide peace. Confirmation was followed by Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, after winch the congregation was dismissed for the night, later devotions being cancelled for once. St. Laurence's (ladies') branch of tho St. Vincent de Paul Society had its annual meeting on Thursday afternoon, : a lot of good business being got through.. Mrs. Median, who has been president of the society since its establishment some five or six years ago, is now unable to continue in' office, and her resignation was accepted with regret, reference being made to the good work done by Mrs. Meehan. during her long period of office.. Miss McTubbs, another energetic worker, was elected, president. Miss K. Cullinane was reelected secretary and treasurer, she 'having already done this work for so long and"done ; it so well. ; ; The election 'of vice-presidents was held over ; for a future meeting. Meantime the members of tho '■ society, who have great hopes of increasing their,numbers, ba-rQ getting to work at once at the replenishment of the . clothing cupboard, for the cold snap which has set in has

warmed our hearts. The children of St. Joseph's School : are, very keen to help with the sewing, which is just as it should,be, and everything points to a; busy time in the sewing* room at the Villa. Everyone seems i." afraid of a cheerless winter, as there is little prospect of an abundance of coal or other, firing, and the "effects of the epidemic are still noticeable in many homes.