DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 28 August 1919, Page 22

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) • - August 25. The Victory Fair was brought to a close on Saturday night last, the attendance on the occasion being very large. The chief attraction was the tug-of-war competition, which was finally won by Mr. C. Hunter's team. The following teams were- represented : Glen - more Brick and Tile Co., Glue Works, City Council, P. and D. Duncan, C. Hunter and Co., Booth, MacDonald, and Co., J. Brightling, N.Z. Express Co'., Post and Telegraph, Crown Brewery, Ward's Brewery, and M. 8.0.8. Association. The boys from the Marist Brothers' School pulled a team from St. Bede's College, and won after an exciting contest. The fair has been an unqualified success, though the results financially are not yet obtainable.

On September 15, the parishioners of St. Mary’s intend giving a welcome home to all the returned soldiers of that parochial district. Extensive preparations have been made, and the function promises to be a great success. The proceeds will be devoted lo the erection of a suitable roll of honor, and- Very Rev. Dean Regnault will be pleased to receive names and addresses of all those who went on active service from St. Mary’s parish.

At Ozanam Lodge on last Sunday afternoon, the juvenile branch of the Hibernian Society of St. Mary’s parish was officially inaugurated. There was an attendance of over 50 prospective members. Amongst he interested visitors were Fathers Seymour, S.M., Roche, S.M., Brothers F. A. Roche, J. Ormandy, H. Gallagher, M. Byrne, T. Gardiner, A. Young, J. Rodgers, E. Daly, I. Wagstaff, P. Gunn, and 11. Johnston, of St. Mary's branch, Mr. Alexander (Society of St. Vincent do Paul), and Air. D. Brick, In opening the meeting, Bro. I. A. Roche expressed his pleasure at the fine attendance of juveniles, and exhorted them to keep up their enthusiasm. He then initiated some 53 members. The election of officers was keenly and intelligently proceeded with, the following being the,successful candidates:—President, Maurice Daly; vice-presi-dent, Harold Shaw ; secretary, Bert Cronin; treasurer, Patrick Murphy; warden, N. Archer; guardian, A Archer sick visitors, A. Holley and H. Shaw. ’The installation ceremony was performed by P.P. Bro. J. Ormandy. In order to assist the lads in their new organisation, a cheque for three guineas was presented oy St. Mary’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, and this was further supplemented by a contribution from Mr. D. Brick. Fathers Seymour and Roche addressed the young Hibernians, who listened to their popular priests with deep interest. The next meeting is arranged for September 10, ■ • ° r

"*" Gore - :■ ■ \ : : -'.,; (From our travelling correspondent.) ',';.. As a result of a successful week's canvassing tourmade recently in the Gore district, the circulation there of the Tablet has been doubled. "Much of this; success is attributed to the eloquent advocacy of the-. Very Rev. Rector (Father O'Donnell) and Father Farthing, both of whom our representative desires to sincerely thank.. He wishes also to acknowledge the generous hospitality and valuable assistance extended towards him by Mr. James Columb. and . Mr. Martin Francis, of the Gore branch of the Hibernian Society:. A very enjoyable card match was played duringthe week between representatives of the Gore lodge of Oddfellows and the Hibernian Society. The match took place in Latham's Rooms, upwards of 60 players; participating. At the call of time the scores ■ were) announced as 61 games each, a rather extraordinaryconclusion. The Oddfellows' representatives were subsequently entertained to supper by the Hibernians,, and during an interval speeches were given by Messrs.. Francis (Hibernians) and J. Kirby (Oddfellows). Tho» card social was unanimously conceded to have been the most successful and enjoyable held during the year.. Deep sorrow was felt throughout the Gor e district, when it became known that,Mr. Adam Hoffman had passed away at the Dunedin Hospital. The funeral,, which was very largely attended, took place on 'Sunday afternoon, August 17. Father Farthing officiated, at the interment. The deceased was a staunch Hibernian, and the whole of the local members of the society; attended the funeral in regalia. The Gore Pipe Band,, under Pipe-Major Bighe, played the lament. Sincere sympathy is extended to the widow and children, who. are left to mourn their loss.—R.l.P.