Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 28 July 1921, Page 19

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From our own correspondent.) July 22. The final meeting of the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Committee took place last Tuesday week. Mr. J. P. McGowan presided. , The general secretary (Mr. P. D. Hoskins) read the report and balance sheet, which disclosed a most successful result, the net profit being £3OO —£24o from the concert and £66 from the sports. The total receipts from the concert were £336, and the expenditure £95; the total receipts from the sports were £4OB and the expenditure £341. The principal items on the receipts side were —gates, £136; side shows, £26; refreshments, £79; surprise packets, £35; soft drinks and raffles, £SO; and donations, £52. The principal items of expenditure were City Council charges, £4O; procession expenses, £SO; drill display, £SO; catering, £4l; advertising, £2O; sports prizes, £53; bands, £3O; surprise packets, £25. Votes of thanks were accorded to the ladies for their efforts, especially to Mrs. Keogh for the magnificent result from the tea kiosk, Mrs. Gleeson for the soft drinks stall, Miss Craig for the children’s refreshments, and Mrs. J. F. Taylor for the committees’ refreshments; also to the teachers and schools taking part, and to the officials for their ' assistance.

The Catholic Education Board met last Wednesday. His Grace Archbishop O'Shea presided, and among the members present were Rev. Fathers Smyth, S.M., Adm., Mahony, S.M., Cullen, Adm., and Connolly. Accounts totalling £l7l were passed for payment. The secretary reported on the result of the St. Patrick's Day, Thomas Moore anniversary, and the combined schools' social. Matters re finance were referred to the finance committee to deal with. As this meeting was the final for the year, the board will meet in August, when the report and balance sheet for the year's working will be presented.

The Self-Determination for li-eland Committee of the Catholic Ladies'. Club will hold a concert at the Town

Hall on August 23, to raise funds for the distress in Ireland.

Mr. E. B. L. Reade, who for the past 10 years has been a member of St. Anne's Choir, the greater part of the time being its conductor, was entertained by the choir and parish committee on the occasion of his retirement through private reasons, and presented by Very Rev. Dean McKenna with a clock, as a mark of appreciation and esteem.

That the Wellington branch of'the Self-Determination for Ireland League of New Zealand is wide-awake is evidenced by the original pamphlets brought out by the publicity committee, but also by the letters which appear in the press. On Saturday, July 16, the Dominion published a letter of a column and a half, in which Father B. J. Gondringer, S.M., of St. Patrick's College, on behalf of the League, dealt with the Ulster problem from a historical point of view. On the same day there appeared in the Evening Post, also from the pen of Father Gondringer, a letter, which gives the supporters of the cause all the more satisfaction because of the Post's weak and ineffective reply to it.'"

Much success is attending the social evenings held each Saturday by the members of the M. 8.0.8. Association in their club rooms.

In continuation of the Catholic Debating Societies' tournament the other Friday night, the Hibernians, represented by Messrs. Clark, E. J. Byrne, and C. P. McKenzie, met Messrs. J. Coleman, J. Boyce, and S. Hoskins, representing Marist A in a debate on the subject "Is Prohibition in the best interests of New Zealand?" Marists, who took the affirmative, were awarded the winning honors by the judges, Councillor Chapman and Mr. M. O'Kane.

The annual social of the Catholic Ladies' Club, held in the Town Hall last Wednesday evening, was a huge success. The decorations were a great feature, and quite uncommon and unique, representing a. snowstorm, Mrs. Cowan, the wife of* Dr. Cowan, being solely responsible for the same. Mrs. Cowan took the idea from an ice carnival which she attended in Sydney. Mrs. Cowan for the past two weeks had been hard at work preparing for the decorations and made 32,000 feet of "snow," which took Gibs of cotton wool. This was hung across the hall from either side of the balcony, with here and there streamers of the club's colors, blue and yellow, and gave the hall a fairy-like appearance. The whole of the hall was hung with the cotton wool and colored streamers, which slightly wafted about during the dancing, and gave one the idea of falling snow, which, with the many pretty and dainty frocks worn, made a most artistic and uncommon decoration. Mrs. Cowan was assisted in hanging these streamers by Mrs. Collins, Misses Molly Burke, Loreto O'Driscoll, Molly Ellis, Winnie Collins, Lola, Saunders, Iris Hawthorne, Aileen Outtrim. Veronica Olson, and Cicely Ellis. Miss Redmond and Miss Burke were responsible for the trails of lycopodium being hung all round the top of the balcony. Alcoves were arranged right round the hall and were cosily fitted up.' The stage had been decorated with flags and pot plants, where Cowley's orchestra played exquisite music. The concert chamber was used for supper, which was served at small tables.

Mrs. Oscar Johnson provided a delicious repast. The table decorations were jonquils, birch and Japanese plum, in silver epergnes, with club colors. Amongst those present were his Grace Archbishop O'Shea, Fathers Cullen, and Connolly. The committee responsible and who looked well after their guests' enjoyment and helped to make the social thoroughly successful were Mesdames 0. V. Ellis, Fitzgibbon, C. Beauchamp, M. Gleeson, M. Thrower, D. Burke,. H. M. Cowan, R, W. Collins, P. Mahoney, M. Healey, Dr. Cowan, Messrs. lan Duncan, J. J. McGrath, H. O'Leary, C. B. O'Donnell, F. Eller, J. Gallagher, J. O'Sullivan, L. Burns, and W. Parry. The bazaar for St. Mary of the Angels' Church building fund commences at the Town' Hair on Saturday, July 30. There was a large attendance of the members of St. Patrick's branch of the Hibernian Society and their friends at the Hibernian Rooms, 4 Willis . Street, last Monday evening for the purpose of honoring the retiring

president, Mr. 0. Krohn. Mr. J. F. Taylor, the newlyelected president, presided, and on behalf of the society voiced the appreciation of the members at the excellent and thorough work of Mr. Krohn during his occupancy of the presidential chair. Mr. Krohn had been an energetic president, and it was mainly through his efforts that the society's pipe band was brought into existence. Mr. Krohn had, by his initiative and resourcefulness, instituted the quarterly general Communions and breakfasts, which had proved unqualified successes. To augment the membership he had generously donated a substantial prize for competition amotngst the members. In conclusion, they trusted that their retiring president would, as a pastpresident, still continue to take the same interest in the society as he did during his term as president. On behalf of the members Mr. Taylor asked Mr. Krohn to accept,- as a slight recognition of the appreciation they had for him, a past-president's emblematic framed certificate and presentation collar. Mr. Krohn acknowledged the recognition of his efforts, and assured the members that he would always continue to take a keen and active interest in the society. Cheers were given for Mr. and Mrs. Krohn and family. The remainder of the evening was spent socially, a first-class programme of musical and elocutionary items being rendered.

Wanganui

(From our own correspondent.)

July 21.

The second of a series of euchre parties promoted under the auspices of the Hibernian Society, was held on Wednesday, 13th inst., w at the "Villa Maria," which was packed to overflowing. The prize-winners were Mrs. Clapham, Mrs. Meehan, Miss Sheridan, and Mr. Smythe. As usual, Mrs. Richardson and Mrs. Coxon, assisted by their lady friends, deserve praise for the manner in which they supplied the supper. The music for the social which followed was rendered capably by Miss Grotty and Mr. McGonigle, jun. Mr. P. Cull gave a sweet rendering of "Mother Machree." The H.A.C.B.S. are very grateful to all who helped to make the evening a success.

The interest in the card tournament for the Hodson Cup still continues. The third match was played at the "Villa Maria" last Tuesday; when the Hibernians met the Bishop Lodge of Druids. Play resulted in another win for the Hibernians by a small margin. The H.A.C.B. Society meet the Foresters next week.

All our schools have had their winter holidays and the pupils have re-assembled for classes. The primary schools have had the annual examinations, the inspectors' visit having taken place immediately after the holidays. The many friends of Mrs. T. Meehan are sorry to hear of her serious illness. . There is, unfortunately, much sickness about, although the winter has not been a particularly severe one. The question of unemployment, too, is. becoming rather acute, and one cannot help wishing hard that things would brighten up a little. A good many households, even among those we know, are carrying on with very lean purses. Just now this is anything but easy, as every day seems to bring a fresh call of some sort. However, the days are lengthening and becoming more sunny, and probably all will be well before very long.

Napier

(From our own correspondent.)

_, „ . ' July 18. Following the enrolment of members in the Catholic Federation on "Federation Sunday" (July 3), the list subsequently read gave a total of 450 names. A later additional list brought the membership up to more than twice that number. Names and contributions are still being received, and, although the numerical strength of the branch already exceeds last year's total, the memorable record of five years ago, following a mission given by Father Ainsworth, will probably be difficult to reach. Rev. Father Le Pretre, S.M., who has been spending a few days in Napier after returning from a holiday visit to Australia, was recently the recipient of ' a presentation from his late parishioners at Wairoa, in-4ecog-

nition of his 28 years' devoted labor among them. Advantage was taken of the occasion to welcome Rev. Father Lacroix, S.M., late of Greymouth, who is to take charge of the parish.

Mrs. J. J. Smith, another of Hawke's Bay's old residents, passed away recently at her son's residence, Waghorne Street, Port Ahuriri, at the age of 71 years. The deceased lady arrived in Auckland 54 years ago, and shortly afterwards came to Hawke's Bay, where she had resided ever since. During the troublous times with the Maoris, Mrs. Smith was living with Mrs. (Captain) Carter, and many an interesting episode she could tell of those trying days. The deceased lady was twice married and leaves a grown-up family of two daughters and four sons. Of a kindly disposition, Mrs. Smith had a wide circle of friends who will sympathise with the relatives who mourn the loss of a good mother. —R.I.P.

There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from the last Mass on Sunday, July 17. In anticipation of the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul, the great Apostle of Charity, Rev. Father Clancy, S.M., in an impressive discourse exhorted the large congregation to the practice of works of charity, and as many as possible to active association with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Besides an essential duty towards the relief of the poor there were good works to be attended to generally in the parish, especially the support of our Catholic schools.

The half-yearly meeting of the St. John's branch of the Hibernian Society was held on Tuesday, the 12th inst. There was a good attendance, the business being the election of office-bearers for the ensuing term, which resulted a* follows: —President, Bro. J. Doody; vicepresident, Bro. T. Sheehan; secretary, Bro. J. Callaghan assistant secretary, Bro. M. O'Donnell; treasurer, Bro. T. Barry; warden, Bro. J. C. Johnson; guardian, Bro. R. Derwin; sick visitors, Bros. J. Mannix and T. Harmon. The newly-elected office-bearers were installed by Past-President J. Barry, who was himself invested with the past-president's regalia.

The Hibernians of Napier are the holders of the Vigor Brown Shield, having been victors in the card tournaments between the different lodges here during the last two years. They have lately been challenged by the Druids, and a tournament is to take place on Tuesday, the 19th inst., in the Hibernian meeting room. *' ■»<

Nelson

The friends of the Rev. Father Fay, S.M., of Nelson, will be pleased to hear that after being a patient at Lewisham Hospital for 13 weeks he has sufficiently recovered as to be able to leave the institution (writes' our travelling correspondent). After visiting his former parishioners and friends of South Canterbury, Father Fay will return to the warmer climate of the North Island to fully recuperate. It will be some considerable time before he is able to resume his pastoral duties in Nelson.