AUSTRALASIAN IRISH RACE CONVENTION

New Zealand Tablet, 27 November 1919, Page 35

AUSTRALASIAN IRISH RACE CONVENTION

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS. " .' • r - The first of the social functions in connection with the Thnnn ntlon , took w Piiace in the Fitzroy Gardens, when fully 10,000 people attended the band recital given by the St. Augustme S j Orphanage Band (Geelong) under the baton ot the bandmaster, Mr. Percy Jones. at „ During the afternoon his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne and several of the visiting prelates were present and received a hearty welcome from the largest gathering perhaps ever witnessed at such a function in Melbourne. m Conversazione at Melbourne Town Hall. On Tuesday evening, November 4, the Melbourne Town Hall was the scene of one of the most brilliant functions ei er heid in Melbourne. The hall, with its festoons of fiffpHn'™ electric lights and national flags, made a most bv tfil 6 W ac J. grouild t ° 1 a re ally artistic scheme produced by the blending of colors in the costumes worn on the occasion. - ■ order t musical n programme, which was of the highest order, was as ? follows: —Organ recital, “Irish Airs,” Miss Anderso »i s T^ “Our Land,” Mr. Ambrose McMahon, song, Perle du Brazil,” Miss Eileen Castlessongs; (a), “Down Here” (b) “Bells or Shandon” ; flute (a) Dreamy <J (b) Polonaise,” Mr. John Amadio; song, “Last Rose of Summer ” Miss Eileen Castles; Ariosa Oanio, bun^e ll^!! 1 ’ - Mr ‘ i? al *® r Kirby; this was prefaced by the Si and “The W ?f r - Percy Jones; songs, “O’Donnell fantasia “DJ r f , A "' ake > Mr Ambrose McMahon; fantasia, De Concert,” Mr, John Amadio. Miss Agnes O Keefe was at the piano. s Refreshments were served during the evening and nlvinT the m Sr until midnight, Allietti’s band supplymg the music. 1

Visit to Newman College. . The final syllabus item of the Convention was a crowning success to the brilliant functions arranged for the* r n T n 1 ° f + torS '- Leaving the Federation office a party of about 100 visited Newman College on Thursday afternoon, where they were received by the Very Rev £ at b e , r r Sector, who, 111 a short address of welcome, said t at the institution to which it was his unbounded pleasure to welcome them to was the college which stood as a monument of Catholicity and Catholi/generoslty A sum approximating £90,000 had been subscribed by the Catholic people. The wisdom of establishing such a college could not he over-estimated, as its walls and atmosphere were a safeguard to Catholic young men and women during the very perilous period of university studentship. The architecture was unique, and the workmanship unequalled for modern convenience. Abut 60 students were at present being accommodated, that being the capacity of the college, and in the very near future it would be necessary to carry out extensive additions. , The party was then conducted through the college y bather Ryan. Every turn in long monastic corridors presented a new phase of the equipment, winning words o enthusiasm and praise. The temporary chapel, the refectory with its wonderful dome, the laboratories, lecture halls, and elaborate baths in turn won praise and admiration from tlie visitors. Afternoon tea in the corridors was the occasion of an expression of thanks by Mr. Ryan, M.L.C. (Queensland) on behalf of the delegates to Very Rev. Father Rector tor his kindness. Mr. Ryan expressed the hope that the college would be effective in stimulating enthusiasm into the Catholic professional life of Melbourne that would assure a continuance in the fine spirit of Catholicity evidenced in Victoria to-day. (Applause.) . On behalf of inter-State delegates Mr. Ryan said he wished to formally express his admiration and gratitude to Mr. Joseph Sheedy for the magnificent services he had rendered the Catholic Church, and also the cause of Irean . (Loud applause.) After cheers were given for the Rector and Mr. Sheedy, Father Rector briefly thanked the S r v a 1!? lr l reply to calls for a speech Mr. Sheedy tendered his thanks, adding that whatever worry or work he had in the preparation of the Convention he was more than repaid by the knowledge of its success and the thought that he had been able to do effectively something to help adjust the wrongs of Ireland. (Applause.)

k ■ Delegates Entertained to Dinner. • |P n Wednesday evening (sth) the Executive Council of the Australian Catholic Federation entertained a number of the visiting delegates to dinner at the Cafe Francais The president (Mr. G. W. Vanheems) presided, and a short toast ' list was honored. - r r.-; - rv: ~ "y- ■ • -

Though short speeches were the order of the evening S anin p e ed polnts dealing with the aims and objects of the Federation were touched . upon by the . variovfs speakers, who one and all expressed a sincere hope -that by the contemplated . establishment ■ of - the organisation in Queensiand • and West Australia in the near future a chain of Federations from one end of Australasia to the other would be an accomplished fact. The inter-State delegates (Mr J TKenned Ut f e to the Victorian general-secretary (Mr J. H. Kennedy) and his staff for the many acts of MStZc erfen<iCCl t 0 * he Tisitors *■*>« stay 3 fn During the evening a number of vocal and elocutionary 10ms were contributed by Messrs. Ambrose McMahon Gerald Fitzmaunce, and the Rev. Father Tighe ,