Wanganui

New Zealand Tablet, 22 September 1921, Page 19

Wanganui

(From our own correspondent.) September 16. “Villa Maria” is once more a school and hardly knows itself. During the last few years this same old Villa has been the scene of many glad nights and days, for, within its gentle shelter, club rooms, lodge rooms, sewing rooms, garden parties, sales of work, socials, and the dear Lord only knows what else, have had their day. Now, only the library remains for general use, and all else has been given over to the children. Dividing walls have been removed to “make two into one,” result, three fine class-rooms upstairs, and one downstairs. Airy, roomy, and light, and opening all of them on to the balcony or verandah, the rooms are ideal. White ceilings, brown (indeed it is fashionable “henna”) walls, the latter decorated with the artistic and educational pictures the Sisters make so beautifully, are part of the scheme, and each floor is replete with its own cloak rooms. The improvements, absolutely necessary, will help to tide over until we can build the new school, and Father O’Connell has put to the best possible use every- inch of available space. St. Joseph’s School of happy memory, becomes a back number for the present. However, considering it has been threatened with annihilation “next earthquake,” for the last years and has survived, it may wake up some morning to find itself the Town Hall. .

. Forded has put in a big claim for a prominent place in the long list of successful functions which have brightened the last few months. When a committee of twentythree got together and decided that there was to be a concert and social, it was plain that there would be no two ways about the result. The committee under Mr. W. J. McGovern worked very hard, and favored by ideal weather conditions succeeded in attracting a very large audience. The hall was transformed, the Nikau palms making a very effective foundation for the decorative scheme. The concert was got off with a swing, and encores were freely given, the following contributing Miss Rubie Curran, L.T.C.L., L.A.8., generous as usual, gave of her best and opened the programme with a pianoforte solo, and, in addition, played most of the accompaniments, Miss O’Leary helping with some; Miss N. McGovern, Miss B. Boyle, Miss B. McLean, Messrs. C. J. McCarthy, J. Martin, A. G. McLean, and Master 0. O’Leary (vocal items), Mr. L. Ciochetto, recitation; Miss M. McCormack, recitation; Miss J. Campbell, highland fling; Mr. Price, lightning sketches and variety turns. Fordell mustered quite a deal of talent and was plainly pleased with its own, and Mr. Price was a pronounced success in his items. The town party was made very welcome, ■ and treated the audience to a fine programme. After the concert came supper, dainty and liberal and thoroughly enjoyed by all. Then followed the social, the orchestra keeping things lively till all hours. Rev. Father McGrath thanked all the performers and patrons generally, and the evening was undoubtedly a great success. A new scheme is afoot among the Mtioiis at Parakino, up-river. They have established a co-operative store at that settlement, under the direction of the Wanganui Maori Council. A committee has been formed, including six worthy ladies, and for the moment, Mr. Bob Peety is storekeeper, and Rev. Father Ginisty, treasurer. The idea is to spend the profits on the well-being of the Maoris, and the first objective is to put in a water supply at the pah, from'a fine big spring quite handy. Advance Parakino ! -in At a meeting of the St. Vincent do Paul Society, held last week, it was decided to make an effort to resurrect the Particular Council which has been in abeyance for about three years. Mr. T. Lloyd was elected president, Mr. Dowling, vice-president, and Mr. J. Roche, secretary. The territory, a big one, extends from New Plymouth to Foxton, and delegates to the Particular Council, are hoped for from the various branches. First Holy Communion at Aramoho on Sunday morn- - ing, nearly forty children. About half of these were from Aramoho, and the remainder from Westmere and Mosston. The church was beautifully decorated and was filled as it seldom has been filled before, the folk overflowing into the grounds. Rev. Father McGrath addressed the children, and after Mass, all adjourned to the schoolroom for breakfast. What a feast they had, much of it provided by the parents and friends, and prepared by the Sisters and Mrs. Richardson. Many of the country parents were invited in for a cup of tea, and the morning was one of undoubted bliss. The children .were motored in from Mosston and Westmere by Mr. L. Fromont, an added joy. They had been prepared for the Communion by St. Vincent de Paul men of the Aramoho branch, and in their task were helped enormously by Mrs. M. Corliss, at whose home the Sunday school was held. Latterly, the children have assembled at the Corliss home after school on week days for a little extra instruction, and when the teachers were unable to go out on Sundays the classes went on as usual.