New Plymouth

New Zealand Tablet, Volume L, Issue 37, 20 September 1923, Page 26

New Plymouth

(From our own correspondent.) September 13. Mr. I*at Clarke, organist and conductor of the St. Joseph Choir, has been called to Auckland owing to the serious illness of .his mother. ilov. Father Lynch recently dedicated a beautiful statue of Our Lady of ' Lourdes placed in the church to the memory of a former, parishioner (Mrs. E. M hittle) by her husband and family, preaching also on the Sunday following a very impressive sermon on 'Lourdes. lh'\. lather M. Dillon, who has for the past two years been assistant priest at New Plymouth, was entertained at a social gathering alter devotions on Sunday evening, September 2, prior to his departure for Marton. The no-

tice of Father Dillon's transfer being short, an impromptu farewell was the most that could be tendered him. Mr. Hardy, on behalf of the parishioners, presented the departing priest with a small token of the esteem and respect with which he is held by the Catholics of New Plymouth. Messrs. Gillick and Grace eulogised the splendid work Father Dillon, had done both in New Plymouth and in the back-blocks, where the work of a priest was beset with great hardship and self-sacrifice. It is hoped to extend Father Dillon more adequate recognition when he visits New Plymouth in about a month's time.

The Holland Hall was filled to capacity on Monday evening, September .3, when a very successful entertainment was given by the members of the recently-formed choir of St. Joseph's Church, assisted by some friends. A varied programme of songs, duets, and concerted items made up an interesting evening, and met with the hearty appreciation of the large audience, who marked their pleasure by consistently recalling performers. Songs were given by Mesdames .1. J. Powell, I). Oram, Clyde Ferrick, Gillick, and Miss Jean .Bennett, Messrs. T. O'Connell and Chas. Trehey, while Miss and Mr. Whittle and Mr. and Mrs. Powell sang duets. The humorous element was supplied by Mr. W. Johnston, who gave several clever songs and .monologues. Ofle of the most popular items on the programme was a "Flame Dance" cleverly executed by Miss Grace Avery. Members of the choir gave a plantation chorus, and "Sweet and Low," the final number for the choir being omitted on account of the length of the programme. During the interval, the Rev. Father Lynch expressed his pleasure and that of the congregation 'that a choir had been established in connection with the church, and eulogised the work the members were doing. At the close of the concert, Mr. P. J. Clarke (choirmaster) acknowledged the compliment paid the choir by Father Lynch and also by the audience, in the appreciative manner in which they had listened to the programme, and he expressed the hope that the choir would receive the utmost encouragement from the congregation, and that having now been well established it .would never be allowed to languish. Fie complimented the members upon their ability and en- ' thusiasm for the work. !••,,'