DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 31, 23 July 1924, Page 31

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

Dean Lightheart, whose many friends down here are always glad to hear of him, wishes to thank all Otago and Southland contributors to the fund for the Maori Missions, and we are only too pleased to convey the Dean’s message through the columns of the Tablet. Not because they wore glad he was going to Dunedin, but to show Dunedin people their appreciation of him, the Gore parishioners recently brought Father Kaveney down to give him an orthodox and cordial soud-up. Our new Adm. came homo blushing after listening to all the nice things said about him by people who never even saw Blarney. Castle on a picture. Tie also came “carrying his sheaves,” which took the form of a wallet that looked worth while annexing. It was noticed also that somebody gave him a beautiful ebony walking-stick. It will be many years before he can call it Ic baton tie sa vieillesse, but when he waves it the “lazy wans” will remember that Father O’Flynn did not altogether depend on coaxing to get sinners to tackle the hill to Heaven. About a week ago the microbe of bazaaritis was identified roaming around the North-east Valley. It has since infected large numbers and you would think some of them had galloping consumption. The disease is not taking but the victims —taking all they can lay hands on! You « will not escape them, so you need not try. They will track you to Tomahawk; they will overhaul you at Opoho; they will rob you at Roslyn; and capture you at Caversham. So, if you are wise in time you will yield up the spondulix with a good grace and bestow your blessing on the willing workers for a good cause. A visitor recently extended himself in the daily papers on the rapid growth of Auckland as compared with Dunedin’s slow progress. We are not excited about it down here. Quality before quantity is Dunedin’s old-fashioned motto. And, besides, if all the visitor said be true we might claim Auckland as one of our suburbs. He tells us” that Auckland forges ahead helped by Dunedin’s money. Ross and Glendining, Sargood, and so forth, went up north to show ’em how. And it is not in business only that Dunedin is Auckland’s benefactor. Don’t forget that ,we sent the people up there no less than two bishops. Behind Auckland, indeed! ell, yes, in the sense that the man is behind the gun or the skipper abaft the binnacle. Anyhow, what’s in being a big city Especially when we are all only villages compared to little old New York or roaring London. And, even in Timbuctoo they know that this burg is the Athens of the South, although some people call it the actors’ grave. On Sunday morning his Lordship the Bishop celebrated the early Mass in St. Patrick’s Basilica and afterwards blessed the "beautiful Lady Altar, a gift of the South Dunedin Sodality of the Children of Mary. ■- The altar, which is of oak elaborately carved, was built at the factory of Mr. J. J. Marlow. Six pairs of valuable brass vases for its decoration have been donated by the Misses Dunford, and the Misses Mullin have given a neat altar-fall. . On behalf of the orphans, the Sisters of Mercy desire to thank the kind friends who contributed generous gifts of cakes, fruit, confectionery, etc., for the patronal Feast - of the Institution.

:-* ? rhe quarterly meeting of the St. Vincent de Paul ■ Conferences of Dunedin will be held on Monday, the 28th inst., at St. Joseph’s Hall. His Lordship the Bishop will deliver an address on “The Church and Charity.” The executive extends an invitation to all ladies and gentlemen who take an interest in the society’s work. On Wednesday evening, the 16th inst., the members of St. Joseph’s Ladies’ Club held a “Hard Up” social. The prizes, according to vote, were awarded to Miss H. McQuillan (first) and Miss A. McCready (second). Musical items were contributed by the following:—Pianoforte solo, Miss K. Whelan; songs, Miss G. Wilson and Mr. A- Dunne; recitation, MisS N. Dunn. Supper in keeping with the nature of the evening was then served. Rev. Fathers Kaveney and Spillane visited the gathering during the evening; the latter presenting the prizes. ALEXANDRA NOTES (From our own correspondent.) July 19. Father Hunt paid a visit to Alexandra recently and renewed many old friendships. His friends are delighted to see him in such excellent health. He speaks in glowing terms of Win ton and its people. Though Southland poets may parody Bracken’s immortal “Not Understood” to “wet under foot, we move along asunder,” still for tho hospitality of its people and the richness of its pasture the slippery south is difficult to surpass. Another successful Catholic social and dance took place on Thursday night. The jazz band was in attendance. The frocking was dainty and of brilliant shades, green predominating. Visitors were present from as far as Sydney. Alexandra, is in the boom — a substantial profit to the building fund will result. Tablet references to early Church history in New Zealand and to the pioneer priests who “blazed the trail,” are road with interest, especially by the old people. A former old resident of Fruitlands (or Bald Hill Flat, a name more familiar to the ancients) and now residing in Alexandra, Mrs. Pierce Car roll, handed in the following paragraph for insertion in these notes: —“I saw in last week’s Tablet an account of an old-time priest, a Father Norris, also his photo. I can remember him quite well. He came to Alexandra on either two or three visits, shortly after he landed in New Zealand. On one of these visits he married my late husband, Pierce Carroll and myself. That was on the 22nd July, 1869. He said we were the first couple he married. He was a most promising young priest and an excellent preacher. He went to the North Island after leaving here and in two or three years we heard of his untimely end. He was a native of the Co. Waterford.” The Catholic ladies of Clyde are organising a social and'dance for next Friday night, the 2oth inst., in aid of the P.P.A. (parish presbytery appeal). As these ladies are “live wires” the success of the function is assured. Applications were recently invited for the best conundrum making appropriate reference to the local pastor’s present financial position. Here is the winning effort: “Why is the parish priest of Alexandra like a baker?” Answer: Because a baker kneads dough and so does the parish priest. Readers, when they see the joke and before the smile dies away, are requested to send along to Box 76, some of the much needed “dough.” <X*> DISASTROUS FIRE AT TIMARU * MARIST BROTHERS’ SCHOOL DESTROYED. (From our own correspondent.) The parish has suffered a great loss by the complete destruction of the boys’ school built in 1881, which was burnt on the morning of the 18th inst. The cause of the fire is at present unknown. The building and. contents were partly covered by insurance. Arrangements arc being made for classes to be conducted by the Marist Brothers, in St. Patrick’s Hall, until an up-to-date school is built. Mr. Porter of the Government Education Department here has very generously offered the use of a number of old desks and other appliances; and his assistance in this respect is deeply appreciated. ' The Rev. Father Hurley expressed his appreciation of the splendid services rendered by the brigade in saving St. Patrick’s Hall (adjacent . to the school), which has lately been added to and completely refurnished at some considerable expense .',. , .... .