DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 27 November 1919, Page 21

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) November 24. His Lordship the Bishop has appointed Very Rev. Doan O’Donnell (Ashburton) Vicar-General of the diocese of Christchurch. The efforts of the Woolston bazaar committee in endeavoring to liquidate, the liabilities on the new local school, have been so successful that over £3OO have been raised.

Rev. Father Andersen is temporarily on relieving duty at Rangiora.

Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, Adm., in company with Father Bartley, paid a short visit to Akaroa last week, where a pleasant time was spent renewing old acquaintances.

On Wednesday, at Ozanam Lodge, St. Mary’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society held a social evening in aid of its stall funds at the forthcoming garden fete which is to be held on December 13 and 16 in the presbytery grounds. The euchre prizes were won by Mrs. Fox and Mr. Hillyard, and the enjoyment of the evening was greatly enhanced by songs, and . instrumental items, — McDavitt, and Mr. A. McDonald, being the principal contributors. Mrs. Cronin was accompanist. The president (Bro. A. F. Roche) thanked all present for tho assistance given the branch in its efforts to help the clergy to build tho much-needed new school. The chaplain (Rev. Father Roche), after presenting the euchre prizes, apologised for the absence of Very Rev. Dean Regnault, and expressed his appreciation of the excellent evening’s enjoyment. The fortnightly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch, H. A. 0.8. Society, was held on November 17, in the Marist Brothers’ School, tho Hibernian Hall being otherwise engaged. Bro. T. P. O’Rourke, 8.P., presided over a full roll of officers and a good attendance of members. Accounts amounting to £5, and sick allowance £5, were passed for payment. Amongst the correspondence was a letter from Dr. A. B. Pearson, representing the Canterbury District of tho British Medical Association, regarding M.A. Fees. A deputation from tho branch was appointed to meet the association on a date to be fixed. During tho evening Bro. O’Rourke welcomed Bro. J. 0 Donoghue, recently returned from active service. In acknowledging ■ the warm greeting extended to him Bro. O’Donoghue gave an interesting account of his visit to Ireland. It was decided to arrange a concert to bo given in the Hibernian Hall on December 11.

In the course of his remarks at St. Mary’s Church on ; Sunday morning last, Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M., spoke of tho excellent work being done in the cause of education by the local Sisters of Mercy. Ho quoted extracts from the inspectors’ report on the recent examinations, showing that out of a roll numbering 230, .224 children were examined. Notwithstanding the congested state of the rooms and disadvantages owing to lack of accommodation (says the report) the work of the teachers is highly - meritorious and they are to be complimented on the degree of efficiency attained, the splendid discipline, and the excellent spirit prevailing between teachers and taught.” The Very Rev. Dean refuted the story, put into circulation here some time back, that the children attend-

ing our schools in. proportion to ago were backward as compared with those attending the public schools. In doing' so he gave • the tabulated ■’• average ages 'of the various schools in the district, and*, thus conclusively proved that the children attending the Catholic schools had whatever advantage there was regarding age, on-.their side. Ho expressed his gratitude and that of the parishioners to the Sisters, and urged on all the duty of furnishing proper schools for them. £II,OOO would be required in St. Mary’s parish at no distant date for educational purposes, and he felt sure that his people would be equal to the demands that would be made upon them.

SACRED HEART GIRLS’ COLLEGE, CHRISTCHURCH. The secondary schools’ basket-ball competition for 1919 has closed and the B team of the above school has this year again won the shield, not having been beaten once throughout the season. - The A team had to compete with strong teams from several of the big schools and came third in the list of successful competitors. They won well-con-tested matches played with the A teams of St. Margaret’s College, Technical College, Normal High School, and West Christchurch District High School. At the close of the season a very exciting match was played on the Convent ground between tho two school teams, A and B, in the presence of many interested spectators and again the B team was victorious.

At the recent examination in connection with the Royal Academy of Music one of the senior pupils of the school, Miss Kitty Murphy, was successful in obtaining her L.A.B. diploma, the examiner speaking highly of her musical attainments. Miss Mavis Falconer was successful in gaining first prize in section A of tho Navy Leaguesecondary schools essay competition, which entitles the college to hold Mr. I. Bengali's challenge silver rose-bowl for the'coming year. The subject’ of the essay was “The rise of Japan and its possible effect on the Pacific nations and the British Empire.” 'Phis essay, said tho judge, Professor Blunt, of Canterbury College, “was decidedly good and discussed the question at considerable length. The facts were correct and well-marshalled, while the reasoning was sound and to the point.”