NOTES

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 16, 26 April 1923, Page 30

NOTES

‘‘losagan” A few evenings ago, in St. Joseph’s Hall, the pupils of the Dominican schools gave an entertainment, of which the' proceeds are to go to help the Far East missions. There were songs go leor, well sung and well accompanied, as goes without saying when the Dominican pupils take the floor. Miss Ursula Lundon, Miss Gallien, Miss Vera Inder and several others sang beautiful solos, while the Kaikorai children brought down the house with their action-song telling of the fate of poor Molly Malone,” and Miss Mary Butler sang and acted “Bubbles” like a star. But all this is a digression. What we set out to say before being led astray by all the other excellent things was that the acting and presentation of Pearse’s play, losagan, was the pretiest thing Dunedin people have seen for years. Of the beauty of the play we need not speak. We presume there is no reader of the Tablet so dull of soul as not to have read all Pearse during the past seven years. The children did their parts wonderfully. Kathleen 0 Neill and Vera Inder and Roma Reilly were like young professionals so thoroughly did they enter into the spirit of their roles and so artistically did they perform them. By all accounts they were like professionals also in that those at a great distance from the stage could not hear them. The people who were near the stage enjoyed it so much that they want it all over again soon. And they will all tell their friends, and they will want to* see' it, as their friends also will when they hear about it. And the moral of all this is: Dear teachers religious and irreligious, regular arid irregular, if you want a play for your “Break-up’ ’that will take hold, try one by Pearse and you won’t , be sorry. Harmless Fiction We have recently wasted some time over a number of open-air, full-blooded stories through which revolver shots crackled or horses galloped or deep-sea men swaggered with all the vitality with which a Peter Kyne or a Jackson Gregory could endow them. These stories are only superior “penny-dreadfuls,” and we all at least all of us who have reached it mezzo cammino della nostra vita remember how we used to be warned solemnly against “penny-dreadfuls” in our school days Now “penny-dreadfuls” are harmless enough, and they are spiritual compared with what la jeunesse reads nowadays. Hence the kinship does not by any means imply that the Gregory and Kyne school is to 1 e • shunned. Far better see them in the hands of a youth than books of the Charles Garvice or Robert Chambers type. And youth whose eyes have become inured to the flicker of the motion-picture will assuredly take no harm from them. We might also say that there is no moral lesson to be gained from them, if there is none that is immoral. As a after of fact we recall only one thoughtful sentence from a bundle of such books. In Peter Kyne’s Gappy Rich Retires it is alleged that a : proud and kingly rooster when removed from his admirers to be prepared for the pot, murmured sadly: Such is life; an egg yesterday, and to-morrow a. feather coster! Of another class is Joseph Lincoln, an American with a delicate vein of humor, who has written many wholesome stories such as a young flapper need not scruple to permit her mother to read. Captain Wat ’.s' Wards, Th e Postmaster , and Fair Harbor are good samples of his craftsmanship. Now before we forget it let us remember that a correspondent wrote last week asking what we think of Ouida’s novels. The answer is: “Not much.” Better take up and 'read Mick McQuaid, which ran “as a serial for twenty-eight years in the old Dublin Shamrock. Some Contract (Fifty Years Ago) If the following was “meant serious” it was sure some contract: “The Grey Literary 'Society advertises I for a secretary and librarian, his duties being to open

the rooms at 9 a.m. and close at 11 p.m.; to be there every day from four to five p.m. ; on other days, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, from 8 to 10 p.m.; to conduct all correspondence; to catalogue all books; to keep inward and outward entries of receipts and deliveries of books, periodicals, etc. ; to keep up files and arrange them every day ; to wash out the rooms every morning ; to wash and scrub them weekly; to light fires and keep up supplies of coals; to light the gas every night, and to run messages. Salary 19/2 per week.” It is a pity that the committee did not make it an even pound on condition that the librarian should also buy all books and periodicals out of his" salary. Charles Wolfe We wonder how many New Zealand boys and girls have been taught that the author of the famous poem, “The Burial of Sir John Moore” was an Englishman; because he was nothing of the kind, being a boy from Dublin. Apropos of the centenary of his death, which occurred on February 21, 1823, the Manchester Guardian has the following interesting note : A MAN OF ONE POEM. On February 21, 1823, died the Rev. Charles Wolfe, leaving unclaimed the authorship of a poem that had already attained great fame and probably ensures the immortality “ The Burial of Sir John Moore.” “The most perfect ode in the language,” as Byron termed it, was inspired by an account of Moore’s hurried burial at Corunna which appeared in the Edinburgh Annual Register, and was first published anonymously in the Poets’ Corner of an Ulster newspaper, the N entry Telegraph. It sprang into popularity immediately, being reprinted in “Blackwood’s” and numerous other magazines, but, though ascribed to Byron, Scott, and Campbell, and claimed by others of the lesser fry, the authorship remained a mystery until 1841, when the impudent claims of a Scottish schoolmaster caused Wolfe’s friends to establish his right beyond dispute. Born in Dublin, brought to England at an early age and educated at Winchester, Wolfe took orders and became curate of Ballyclog, and later rector of Donoughmore, but his health was always frail, and, after a vain effort to throw off the disease in the South of France, he died of consumption at the age of 32.

W DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN Owing to the heavy rainfall of the past few days, and the flooded state of portions of the city and suburbs, the coronation pageant in connection with the St. Vincent’s Carnival arranged to take place on Monday and Tuesday of this week had to be postponed, and is now advertised to be held on next Monday and Tuesday evenings (April 30 and May 1) in His Majesty’s Theatre. The local commercial travellers have presented Mr. M. Reddington, late ticket inspector of the Dunedin railway section, with a handsome case of pipes as a small recognition of the courteous treatment they always received from him while he was in the employ of the department. NORTH-EAST VALLEY BAZAAR. A euchre party will be given at the residence of Mrs. Thompson (opposite the Botanical Gardens) on Thursday evening next, in aid of the Refreshment and Sweets Stall at the forthcoming bazaar. With Mrs Thompson as hostess, this, like previous functions organised by her, is sure to be enjoyable, and will doubtless attract many visitors. The attractive and enjoyable entertainment £iven last week by the pupils of St. Dominic’s Priory, will be repeated on Friday evening, May 4, at St. Joseph’s Hall, for the benefit of a stall in connection with the abovementioned bazaar. Those who. were unfortunate enough to miss the first concert given by these pupils of the Dominican Nuns should avail themselves of the present opportunity. Nothing better in the nature of a children’s entertainment has heretofore been given in Dunedin. - Ponce de*Leon the veteran Catholic Explorer reached Florida on Easter Sunday, 1513. < The Spanish name for Easter Sunday is Pascua Florida, hence the name given to the land by Ponce de Leon.

. St. Joseph’s Ladies’ Club, Dunedin The 4th annual meeting of St. Joseph’s Ladies’ Club, Dunedin, as at present constituted, was held on Wednesday 7 evening week, the attendance of members being very satisfactory. Rev. Father Bpillane (Spiritual Director) presided. The secretary (Aliss H. McQuillan) read the annual report and balance sheet, which were unanimously adopted. The Chairman congratulated the officials and members of the club on the success attending their efforts during the past year. A good series of functions had been held and the objects of the club well advanced. Every effort should be made (he said) to secure increased membership, and this could be best done by pointing out. the advantages the club offered to our young Catholic girls, and to interest them in the various pursuitssocial and entertainingfor which it was primarily established and is maintained. His best wishes were for the club’s increased success, and every possible effort on his part would be exerted to ensure this. With his Lordship Dr. Whyte as patron of the club, the following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Miss E. Knott (unanimously re-elected) vicepresident, Miss A. Thomas; secretary and treasurer. Miss H. McQuillan (re-elected); committee —Misses E. Smith, M. Thomas, S. McQuillan, M. Quinn, 1. Keenan, and D. Higgins. It was decided to open the present session on Wednesday evening next, May 9, with an invitation social. On each Saturday evening socials are to.be held in the Arthur Street School Hall in connection of the club (the first of these was held on last Saturday, Catholic members of the ship’s company of the warship Chatham being guests of the club). Votes of thanks to the past year’s executive committee, to the honorary pianist, and others were passed. Monsignor Coffey Memorial SUBSCRIPTIONS RECEIVED. The Committee which is canvassing for tin' funds to establish Scholarships to perpetuate the memory of tin late Monsignor Coffey has a number of subscriptions promised or in hand as acknowledged below. The Fund will be permanently invested by Trustees be appointed— and the interest used to establish as many Scholarships as possible. With the permission of the Reverend Administrator a collection will be made at the church doors at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Mornington, and Kaikorai on Sunday, April 29, at all the Masses, to give everyone an opportunity to contribute to the Fund. Mosgiel, North-east Valley, and South Dunedin are making arrangements in their respective districts. Already in hand or promised ; £ s. £ s. N.Z. Tablet Co. 20 0 Mr. T. J. Hussey ... 22 Airs. M. Mills 10 0 Mr. H. Poppelwell ... 2 2 Mr. H. Mandeno ... 5 5 Rev. Dr. Kelly 22 Air. John Moloney ... 5 0 Mr. D. O’Connell ... 1 1 Dr. A. J. Hall 5 0 Frank Woods 11 Mr. John Brown ... 5 0 Mr. J. AlcCluskev ... 10 ?r - at m el Tr° le i y ? o Mr. D. C. AleCliiskey 1 0 Air. W. T. Alonkman 3 3 Mr. Chas. Columb ... 1 0 Mr. Maurice Goughian 3 3 Mr. J. Goodger 1 0 Mr. B. Brady 3 3 Mr. AV. Glass 1 0 Airs. A. Blaney ... 3 3 Mr. AA T . Goughian, Air. J. B. Cal'lan ... 3 3 T Ah " ; S “ 1 0 Air. John Collins ... 3 3 1 1 ]iv an 1 . B 7 °. Su |; j 0 Air. AVilliam Taylor ... 22 Air. L. Pavelitcli, Air. John Hally ... 22 Rattray Street ... 1 0 Air. A. G. Neill ... 22 Other sources 80 0 X*X*X*X>X-' St. Dominic’s College, Dunedin ENTERTAIN BY PUPILS. St. Joseph’s Hall, Dunedin, was crowded to capacity the other evening, on‘the occasion of a bright and varied entertainment given by the pupils of the Dominican Nuns, in aid of the Irish Alission in the Far East. The opening number was a chorus “Heigh-ho for Alerry June” beautifully rendered by a large choir of senior and junior pupils. A very charmingly staged fairy scena was “Bubbles,” in which the juniors and intermediates acquitted themselves admirably both in singing and dancing. The pretty Irish story of “losagan” was artistically portrayed, the “makeup” and acting of the numerous participants being mbst commendable. Vocal solos were nicely' rendered by Aliss

Bessie Gallien “A Poem” and “You’ve Got Your Mother’s Eyes”; Miss Vera Inder “If Thoughts Had Wings” and recall number; Miss Ursula Lundon “My Prayer” and “Down Here”; Miss V. Mackenzie “The Blackbird” and Ihe Linnet ; and Miss Dale “Lullaby” and an encore item. Pupils of the Nuns of their school at Kaikorai gave in character and very sweetly the tuneful chorus “Cockles and Mussels, a performance which mep with the appreciation of the crowded audience. The concert, which was most enjoyable throughout, concluded with our. National Anthem “God Defend New Zealand” sung by the college pupils in really fine style. lhe entertainment is to be repeated on Friday evening, May 4, in aid of the Northeast Valley bazaar funds. Hibernian Society, Dunedin ST. PATRICK’S BRANCH. The fortnightly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch of the Hibernian Society was held in St. Patrick’s Schoolroom, South Dunedin, on Wednesday evening, the 18th inst. The president (Bro. E. Mcllroy) presided, and there was a large attendance of members. Four new members were elected and lour candidates proposed for membership. A. welcome to the meeting was extended by the president to Bro. Belli Christchurch. A social committee was appointed to arrange entertainments for the winter months. At the conclusion of the business the remainder of the evening was filled in with card games, debates, etc. ST. JOSEPH’S BRANCH. The fortnightly meeting of St. Joseph's branch of the Hibernian Society was held on Tuesday evening. Bro. J. J. Marlow, jun., presided over a large attendance of mem-' bers, and read an invitation to a social evening to be given by the Port Chalmers branch on May 1. Bros, P. Walsh, P.P., W. Simpson, ALP., AV. O’Connor, and A. Gillick were appointed to represent the branch at the function. Two new members were elected, after which the secretary reported that the jubilee souvenir was now ready, and he urged all members to procure a copy. Those present then took part in a question tournament arranged by the social committee, which deserves thanks lor the way in which it caters for members. The prize-winners were Bros. P. A\ alsh, 1 .P., and AA . J. Morris. An election debate was chosen for the next meeting. <x^>o

His Lordship Dr. Liston EPISCOPAL VISITATION TO THE POVERTY BAY DISTRICT. (From our Gisborne correspondent.) His Lordship Ur. Liston, Coadjutor-Bishop of Auckland, now on episcopal visitation to the Poverty Bay disrtict, administered the Sacrament of Confirmation at Ormond on Sunday, the Bth inst., and during the week visited other places on the East Coast. On the following Sunday Dr, Liston celebrated an early Mass at St. Mary’s Church, Gisborne, and at 10.30 a.m. blessed and opened the new church of St. Joseph at Makaraka : Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook (who is accompanying Dr. Liston) celebrating a “Alissa Cantata.” The music of AViegand’s Mass was rendered by St. Mary’s (Gisborne) choir, conducted by Air. Charles Wood, whose orchestra also kindly assisted. To the credit of Rev. Father Lane and his generous parishioners, the church was opened free of debt, a donation of £35 being made to the building fund by Mr. Alirlield, of the firm of Burr and Alirfield; architects. Dr Liston administered the Sacrament of Confirmation at Gisborne at 3.30 o’clock, Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook, Rev. Fathers Lane and O’Brien being in attendance. About 100 children and a few adults received Confirmation. The ceremony was most impressive, apd was attended by a large congregation. His Lordship gave an address appropriate to the occasion, and his discourse, which was listened to with marked attention, will be long remembered. He afterwards officiated, at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Bishop Liston concluded a strenuous day by presiding at evening devotions at St. Mary’s, preached to a large congregation and gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The episcopal party, who received every attention at the hands of Fathers Lane and O’Brien during their stay, were to take their departure from Gisborne at the week-end.