DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 41, 1 October 1924, Page 36

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN

K On Sunday last, in beautiful weather, his Lordship Bishop Why to opened and blessed the new Brothers' Schools in • Invercargill. There was a large attendance and the subscription towards the building fund, handed in on the spot, was in the neighborhood of three-quarters of a thousand- pounds. Details next- week. Speaking at the meeting of the Irish Society the other evening, Mr. A. Ryan (who presided) referred to the Irish section in connection with the Dunedin Competitions to which the society contributes prizes for folk lore songs. At the competitions now being held there were 14 male competitors and an even greater number of lady entrants. The desire of the Irish Society (he said) is to encourage the study of Irish folk lore, and the money it provides for this purpose is devoted to a good object. At the theoretical examinations (Trinity College) held last June, the following pupils of Miss M. P. Noonan, L.T.C.L., were successful:—Junior Division: Ethel H adfield 96 (honors), Eileen Houston 95 (honors), Winifred 'Rodgerson 93 (honors), Mavis Storrie 60. Preparatory Division: Beryl Barron 81, Nan Rodgerson 75, Ruby Price 75, Thomas Rodgerson 71, Mary Donnelly 60. We are all bound, according to our means, to give in charity a share of our superfluous goods, and prudence dictates that we should give where it is likely to be most advantageous. There is no more practical way of fulfilling the precept than by helping the Catholic charitable institutions which are models of Christian benevolence. One such is the Home for the aged maintained by the Little Sisters of the Poor, who have devoted their lives to the care of the old and infirm of all creeds. A visit to the institution at Anderson's Bay cannot fail to inspire admiration and gratitude for the good work the Sisters are doing in our midst. Unostentatiously and silently the spacious group of buildings continues to grow and to afford more accommodation for the fortunate men and women who find, under the care of the good nuns, such a peaceful.-shelter for their declining years. The new east wing, recently added to the main building, is approaching completion, and already the west wing is up to the first story. The wonderful confidence of the Little Sisters is always almost miraculously justified : Divine Providence'"enables them to extend the scope of their zeal as the occasion demands. All who co-operate with them in their mission cannot fail to secure the blessing of God, and what is given thus will be repayed a thousand-fold hereafter. During the month of October, the Little Sisters will visit Invercargill, where, notwithstanding the fact that a new convent, two new schools, and a new house for the Brothers have sprung up recently, there will still be a warm welcome for the nuns and a tangible appreciation, of their self-sacrifices in the cause of Christian charity. The Children of Mary have had their Garden Party. Beautiful weather came to aid them when they assembled at the Priory grounds on last Saturday afternoon and evening.'" The flags of all nations waved in the breeze as a sign that all comers were welcome to the fete, and, later, countless electric lamps, in many colors, shone forth on .the. scene of enjoyment. The games and the competitions went off merrily, and if everybody did not win a prize it is to be hoped that everybody was satisfied. The Children of Mary. certainly were, and it is an open secret that the fruits of their labors will later on put many a brick in the new convent in the North-east Valley, where the old building grows every day more like the Leaning Tower of Pisa. We welcome to Dunedin a new Catholic family, who are, however, no strangers here. Mr. and Mrs. Street have taken over the Provincial Hotel, which, under their supervision, is certain to be conducted with the care and attention for which it was noted when controlled by Mr. and Mrs. Coughlan who are enjoying a well-earned rest after their long years of honorable connection with the Stafford .Street hostelry. It is rumored that Messrs. Win. and Maurice (junior) Coughlan intend to devote themselves to farming in the near future. In this they set a good example *»to Catholic young men who can never be sufficiently encouraged to get back to the land, which every good'lrishman ought to love as he loves a

horse and the sea. The Tablet wishes all prosperity to the new hosts, - and a cordial ad.multos annos to the old. . <£<s-£■ Timaru (From our own correspondent.) September 26. The official opening of the season of St. John's Tennis Club took place on the 20th inst., in the presence of a good attendance of members and friends. At 3 o'clock the president (Mr. J. G. Venning) in a few remarks welcomed the visitors, referred to the various activities of the club during the past year, and then invited the patron (Rev. Father Hurley) to address the gathering. Father Hurley, in a characteristic speech, warmly congratulated the club upon its continued success, wished the members a very happy and prosperous year; and then declared the season opened. The two asphalt courts, lately top-dressed by Mr. R. O'Brien, were in splendid order, and the club captain (Mr. G. F. Doyle) and the lately appointed secretary (Mr. Sidney Mason) kept the games going during the afternoon. The ladies' committee dispensed delicious refreshments which were duly appreciated. The members of the Catholic Club and their friends recently entertained the members of St. Patrick's Dramatic Club to an evening at St. Patrick's Hall, when a very enjoyable time was spent. After an hour or so at games a short musical programme was contributed by Miss P. Lynch, L.A.8., Messrs. 0. F. Doyle, B. Cunningham, and Greg. Fitzgerald. « <M$M> Ashburton Catholic Literary and Debating Society (From our own correspondent.) The 26th annual general meeting of the above societywas held on Wednesday evening last, the president (Mr. W. Bryant) presiding over a large and enthusiastic attendance of members. The annual report, presented and read by the secretary, stated that the past year had been a most satisfactory one. At the beginning of the year the attendance of members at the meetings had not been encouraging, but a big improvement had been effected. In literary work the club had advanced considerably. Debating, impromptu speaking, oratorical contests, and essays had been freely indulged .in, and a decided improvement was noticeable particularly among the junior members. The club had again been successful in a return debate with the St. Stephen's Club. The social side of the club had been well attended to. Inter-club card matches had been played and several enjoyable, social functions held. During the year the club, suffered the loss of Mr. T. M. Brophy, one of its most prominent members, through his leaving the district. Mr. Brophy had been a member since the opening of the club and had at times filled the position of president and secretary. The balance sheet disclosed a highly satisfactory position. Although the year commenced with a small debit balance, there was now a credit of £6 3s lOd, with an excess of assets over liabilities of £59 16s. The report and balance sheet were adopted. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: —Patron, Very Rev. Dean J. J. O'Dcnnell; president, Mr. Val Cullen; vice-president, Mr. F. Lennon; treasurer, Mr. W. Bryant; secretary, Mr. 11. Lennon; librarian, Mr. Ed. Brophy; auditors, Messrs. S. Madden and E. McSherry; executive, Messrs. L. T. J. Ryan, T. Purcell, T. Sullivan, T. Gorman, and Rev. Father Brown A motion to the effect that a recommendation be made to i the incoming executive to reduce the amount of the members' subscriptions from 12s to 7s 6d per year, further reducible to 5s if paid by the Ist of March in each year, was carried unanimously. It was also decided that the executive take into consideration the advisability of admitting lady •members. "Mr. F. K. Cooper, well known throughout Canterbury as the father of the club, moved a hearty vote of thanks to the outgoing officer-bearers for the splendid work accomplished by them, during the year. The motion was carried unanimously. Votes of thanks were also passed to the ladies for assistance given at social functions, and to the N.Z. Tablet for publishing reports of club meetings, sent • by its correspondent.