NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XLIX, Issue 50, 28 December 1922, Page 26

NOTES

Acknowledgement - We gratefully acknowledge the receipt of a large number of telegrams and letters sent us during the past week to express the appreciation of readers of the Tablet for the part it has played during the past five years in explaining the position and defending the aims and the reputation of the leaders of the Irish people. The congratulations were sent us in the belief that the final victory- is now secure. Many of them deeply moved us by their warm approval and appreciation of what we have done, and all we can say is that our work was at all times a labor of love and that when worries and vexations came we found consolation not only in the reflection that we were doing our simple duty but also in the knowledge that we had the support of every man and woman of Irish blood who understood. Let us say here too that from Englishmen, and from New Zealanders, who were disgusted by the Prussian frightfulness practised on a small nation and by the shameful liec with which our daily press supported murder and sacrilege, we have had constant and loyal help. We trust the end of the long fight is now in view, and we offer our cordial thanks to all those friends who stood by us when we were in the wars ourselves.

A Word About the “Tablet” At times, during the fight, we were tempted to publish some of the letters of abuse we received from rabid anti-irishmen—some of them born of Irish fathers and mothers. Once or twice we found it -necessary to remind critics that payment of a year’s subscription did not by any means entitle them to consider themselves not only editor, sub-editor, and manager of the paper, but the body of directors as well. On the whole, such little skirmishes were few, and they only helped to make things less monotonous. There are always readers who want everything their own way and who are incapable of seeing any point of view but their own. Of course it is not a reconstructed Tablet, but a doctorpeople of that kind require most. Now a paper like the Tablet must of its nature be a compromise. It is not what any given individual would like best, nor does it try to please this or that individual. It has to aim at pleasing the majority of its readers, and the editor has never for a moment imagined that he could perform ‘ the miracle of pleasing everybody. We have to fulfil the aims of a Catholic family paper, and, speaking from a personal point of view, we had to do this at a time when the race and the land from which our faith came to us were attacked by a widespread and unscrupulous conspiracy against the truth. There are among our readers a few who, in their opposition to Ireland, made our defence of the cause which every daily paper in the Dominion belied an occasion for overt or underhand attacks upon us. There are a few others to, whom Ireland means nothing, and they would have us tell them about China and Japan rather than • about how Canon Magner was murdered and how Berkley Road Church was violated. The answer to all such critics is that the very great majority of our supporters, the very great majority of those who built the ;schools and the churches of New Zealand, want Irish news and say the paper is dull if they do not get it in every issue. It is as a rule the destructive critics who do.little or nothing for any cause under the sun. While trying to do the best we can for them, naturally our first aim is to please most those who help us most,- even 1 if it does happen that we like to give them exactly what they seem to like, that is the truth about Ireland.

A Qualified Critic j/ We •could-easily fill a page with flattering testimonies 'from a ( score of archbishops and bishops in Australasia and in Ireland, in proof that in : the view of men of learning, untrammelled by personal or national prejudice, the Tablet has been doing its work : " ' f~L) . . '

satisfactorily during these years of storm and stress that have elapsed since we took charge of it. No doubt if we did that our anti-Irish critics would at once console themselves by saying .that. if some croziers were raised in our defence there ; might have been others that threatened to hamstring us. So, in place of quoting the prelates, we >vill quote a layman who is eminently qualified to pronounce an opinion. His remarks were contained iiva letter to a friend of ours who sent him a copy of the Tablet now and then. We may also add that we have never met the writer and that he is not a Sinn Feiner. Here is the extract in which he refers to the Tablet :

“I wish you would send me a copy of that New Zealand paper occasionally if you think of it. In a leisure hour I have been- studying the copies you gave me, and I can tell you your friend. is a first-rate editor. He has the gift of interesting. He writes crisply and vividly, from the outlook of a man of culture and a man of the world (sane and broad) as well as of an Irish Catholic with the root of the matter in him. A too, too rare combination this—appallingly rare! 'But it is not merely his writing I think well of, but his whole putting together of the paper, his selection of matter, the thing in which the judgment of the editor, who is also the critic, shows, J can speak as an expert on this ground, for I have been a bit of an editor myselfof daily papers, weekly reviews, monthly magazines (even Catholic ones, e.g. the Catholic World of N.Y., of which I was editor what time I was,.also associate-editor of the N.A. Review, and literary editor of the N.T. Star, etc., etc.). And I still-keep an eye (from the watch-towe f on the Catholic press. Taking it all round I really think this N.Z. Tablet is about the b'est edited Catholic family paper I know. I con--1 sider it a great thing for the Church in New Zealand that its organ is in the hands of your friend.' Tell him this. A word of honest appreciation helps a man. And he has got the artistic temperament too and cares more for the judgment of - the equites than- of the groundlings!”. N Now the editor is not so foolish as to take all this credit to himself. It belongs to the staff as well as to the editor; and to the directors as well as to the staff.

We do not quote it for any vainglorious motive, but only in the hope that it may help unreasonable people to become more reasonable, and with the object of letting those who do not understand our difficulties see exactly what a man who does understand—and that better than anyone in New Zealand thinks of our efforts to make the New Zealand Tablet worthy of the memory of the great and fearless Irishman who founded it. Nay, the tribute paid us by the critic we cited is not for us alone, and gladly we lay it on Dr. Moran’s grave. - >*'•

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

SIX: =**s7 As customary, St. Joseph’s Cathedral Choir will give a sacred musical recital on Christmas evening at the Cathedral.

A general Communion of both the Dunedin branches of the H.A.G.B, Society took place at the 9 o’clock Mass, celebrated by his Lordship the Bishop at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday last, when 80 members, in regalia, approached the Holy Table. The Bishop, in the course of an appropriate address, expressed his pleasure at seeing so many wearing the green sash on the occasion. He was (he said) accustomed to see similar manifestations of faith in Australia, and no sight was more pleasing to him. He assured those present that he had a great regard for the Hibernian Society, and would gladly do whatever he was able to encourage a constant addition to its ranks.. ,

An effort is being made to arrange a picnic for the inmates of St. Vincent’s Orphanage and children of ..the Catholic schools of the city and ’ suburbs. for Boxing Day.

On last Monday morning his Lordship the .Bishop. officiated at a ceremony of reception in the convent chapel, South Dunedin. His Lordship was assisted by Rev. Father Graham.' The young ladies who received the holy* 1 habit of the Order of Mercy were Miss Cahill (in religion Sister M. Loyola) and Miss ’Phelan. (in religion .Sister. M.. Xav-

erius. The incidental music was devotionally sung by the Sisters’ choir. V'

Rev. Father W. Buckley, S.M., of St. Patrick’s College, Wellington, was a visitor to Dunedin last week. He preached at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on Sunday evening at Vespers.

Rev. John Hyland, of Rockdale, archdiocese of Sydney, after a holiday visit to the Homeland, was a passenger to New Zealand by the lonic, via the Panama Canal. He spent last week in Dunedin as a guest of the Right Rev. Dr. Whyte. ,

v r Is. # J- \ The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Society are holding a euchre party and social on next Wednesday evening, at St. Patrick’s Schoolroom, (South Dunedin, as a commencement of their activities in the interests of St. Vincent’s Orphanage extension building fund. In addition to the ordinary euchre prizes, a special prize is being offered in the winning of which every patron will have a free chance. .It is proposed to continue these social gatherings for some time, and very generous patronage is hoped for. • ,

The annual concert in connection with the Christian. Brothers’ School will be given this (Thursday) evening at His Majesty’s Theatre. A particularly fine programme will be The excellence of the entertainments provided by the pupils of the Christian Brothers has so impressed patrons in the past that a full house is always the reward of their painstaking efforts.- It is ardently hoped this year’s concert will be similarly favored.

The garden fete held in the grounds of Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, on Saturday last, in aid of the Taieri parish funds, was most successful, the expectations of the promoters being more than realised. A number of stalls were well laden with articles both useful and ornamental, and these were disposed of readily to the numerous patrons of the fete. A diversity of side-shows provided much amusement, and the. proceeds from these helped materially to swell the takings. Rev. Father Collins and his band of willing workers are to- be congratulated on the success of the' function.

Departure of Father Silk

FAREWELLED AT VARIOUS FUNCTIONS.

Rev. Father D. V. Silk, who is returning to the diocese of Auckland after spending several years on professorial duties at Holy Cross College, Mosgiel, received last week well-deserved while present at various gatherings. At an entertainment given on Wednesday by the students of Holy' Cross College, Mosgiel, prior to their dispersal for the Christmas vacation, his Lordship Bishop Whyte, who, together with Very Rev. Father Coffey and other of the clergy and the college professors, was present, eulogised the excellent services rendered by Father Silk to the college. His Lordship also referred in laudatory terms to , the masterly manner in which Father Silk had handled the Irish question in the columns of the Dunedin daily newspaper press. This self-imposed task had proved a - strenuous one, but the results hfid certainly been an education to the general readers, and many erroneous views Bdhi regarding Irish affairs had, as an outcome of Father Silk’s letters, been definitely swept away. Tiev. Father Morkane spoke gratefully,of the fine work Father Silk had accomplished at the college, and expressed pleasure at the high esteem in which he is held by professors and students alike. • The departing priest was then made the recipient of a handsome travelling rug, accompanied by the expression of sincere good wishes for his future. Father Silk very feelingly acknowledged the kind sentiments expressed towards him and for the gift, which he would highly value. . At St. Mary’s Schoolroom in the* evening Father Silk was the 1 guest of the parishioners of Mosgiel, who assembled in large numbers to wish farewell to him. Rev. Father Gollins (pastor of the parish), who presided, expressed the congregation s gratitude to Father Silk for his ministrations in their behalf while at Mosgiel. Messrs. A\ F. Ouelch and. J. 1. Walls testified in appropriate terms to the esteem in which ,the guest of the evening is held, the former handing Father Silk a ; gift as a token of the regard held towards him by the residents of the town. The recipient self ITned '^ ianbs or the gift and kindly references to himAt the conclusion of the general business at the meeting of the Otago District-- Council of the Self-Deter-mination for Ireland League on last Friday night, eulogistic reference to the magnificent Work accomplished by Father Silk in the interests of Ireland’s freedom, and to the greatly-valued assistance he had been in the activities ot the League throughout the districts of Otago' and Southland were made ‘by Messrs. C. -A. ■ Shiel and R. AlcStay (vice-presidents) and Mr. J. Robinson. (The president was -• ■ ■ ' X : X.i. . -•

unavoidably, absent.) Father Silk in acknowledging the sentiments expressed by the various speakers, said he was proud of the part he had been able to take in the work of the League for Ireland. Their' loved country was now coming . into her rights, a ' consummation of their hopes and . aspirations of which he never doubted. Knowing Eamon de Valera personally, his (the speaker’s) opinion was that the Irish leader would never deviate from the policy he first promulgated.

Oamaru

(From our own correspondent.)

December 11.

, Quite a number of Oamaruvians journeyed out to Teschemakers on Saturday Ijist to take part in the garden fete at St. Patrick’s, in aid of the Convent building fund. The day was a glorious one and the grounds looked particularly inviting with,,their gaily decorated stalls.. After an attractive programme by the convent pupils, his Lordshin the Bishop declared the fete open, and the stallholders and their assistants had a busy time disposing of the various goods. During the afternoon the senior girls gave excellent exhibitions of club swinging and skipping steps to the music of the _ Oamaru Citizens’ Band, which also enlivened the proceedings‘with selections.. Everybody is busy , putting on the final touches for the bijou bazaar, which is to open on Thursday, the 15th inst.,\ in St. Joseph’s School. Although the time of preparation has been short, the stallholders have worked hard, and, with the usual generosity of our friends, success is assured. ■’ School “break-ups” are at present the order of the nav, and St. Thomas’s and St. Joseph’s- both closed on the 12th inst., for the usual Christmas vacation. Rev. Father Martin, who was recently ordained in Dunedin, is at present home on-holidays. During the month Mass will be celebrated at the following country stations:—On the 18th at Kurow* Duntroon, and Richmonds; on the 25th at Teschemakers (8.30 a.m.), Windsor Park (9. a.m.), and Ngapara (ll a.m.).

The Late Hon. P. J. Nerheny, Auckland

The funeral of the late Hon. P. J. Nerheny, M.L C took place on Sunday afternoon, the 4th inst. “The cortege was long one, those present including the Mayor, Air. J. H. Gunson, members of the City Council, and representatives of various public bodies. Six office-bearers of the Hibernian Society acted as pall-bearers. On arrival at St. Patrick’s Cathedral the coffin was received by Right Rev Dr.-Liston, Coadjutor-Bishop of Auckland, Mgr. Ormond, Very Rev. Father Brennan, Adm., Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook, and Very Rev. Fathers Forde and McEvoy. Members of the Auckland and St. Benedict’s branches of the Hibernian Society, attending in regalia, led the tuneral procession from the residence to the Cathedral. .As the coffin was borne inside, the “Dead March” was played on the Cathedral organ by Miss Nellie Ormond. .bishop Liston who conducted the service, spoke in eulogistic terms of. the late Mr. Nerheny’s character and work among Church and civic institutions. He had been a loyal man loyal to his God, to his religion, and to the land, of his adoption. His charity was unbounded,. and the poor and those in need would sorelv miss him n . he interment took place at the Waikaraka Cemetery, HR™"**’ where the procession was met by the Onehuriga Hibernians. Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook officiated at

A TRIBUTE PROM THE HOUSE. Hon A p tio oxpressing] regret at the death of the late lion. P. J. Neiheny, M.L.C., and conveying the sympathy nLmd m in'fb° % Wld °"p n d familv of the deceased! was moved in the House of Representatives by the Prime Minister Mr. Massey said that the late Mr. Nerhenv had (Auckland?* W ° rke L in interests of TJ ffity (Auckland). He was a native of Ireland. The speaker In Parliament p n6 i W j lo Aas a y al subject of the King, him feTeLe liad .p 1 n ed the . respect of all who knew IU vT +i I n® Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M Wilfordi said that the deceased was a man with a big heart eeneroiis to a fault and never deaf to those ulio asked B lm assistance. I believe the Auckland City Council never had a mo .conscientious, member than the late Air NerV s ? ld th , o Minister of Education (Hon. C J Parr) « rrc t*S w V r S?” 8 ®- sp«' Ml the evening, in token of respect tottepate clSr*!

- : —“ Catholic Schools’ Vacation Reports and Prize-Giving nnlvOwing +to the limited s P ace at our disposal we are Tahiti t0 u g T b ™ f reports in current issues of the Tablet of break-up functions as thev come to hand B riz ® h . sts a «d lengthy reports will be held-over and in' sorted in one issue during the month of January..-