Town and Country News

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 51, 23 December 1925, Page 49

Town and Country News

V* : Camaru Notes 'A (From our own correspondent.) December 13. 1 At the Waitaki High School, swimming sports Foss Shanahan, an ex-pupil of the Catholic School, won the junior championship. At the examination in music, conducted under the auspices of the Associated Hoard by Mr. Tidmarsh, a pupil of Miss M. Cartwright, L.T.O.L. (David Murray) obtained a pass in the primary division. Two very old members of the congregation have retired from their positions recently in order to crown their youth of labor with an age of ease. Mr. James Meehan, a very old and faithful employee of the Oamaru Borough Council, severed his connection with that body. He received a warm tribute from the Council accompanied by three months’ nay. Mr. Peter Murray, as well known at the Basilica as he is in the local Railway Service, also retired He has the best wishes' of his friends for a long and pleasant retirement. Oamaru streets are witnessing quite a procession of motor cars passing through the town on the way to the Exhibition. Tradespeople are picking up a few odds and ends of business as a result of Dunedin's enterprise, for the parties usually made a halt here to view the sights. Visitors who have seen the great show are loud in their praise of its many attractions and magnitude. s, The Catholic Men’s Club held another of “their enjoyable and profitable gatherings on the sth. It took the form of a mock banquet. The various speeches made evidenced the value of such clubs in giving confidence to men to expound their views in public. A very old parishioner, Mr. Michael Donovan, died recently; aged 82. He had spent nearly all his life in Oamaru, and was very much respected.—R. I.P. Upper Huff JVotes (From a correspondent.) December 14. Our bazaar was brought to a close »n the evening of Tuesday, the Bth inst., when the art union was drawn. The net proceeds of bazaar and art union amounted to over £SOO —a marvellous achievement for such a small parish. Our local ladies are incomparable workers. On the occasion of the drawing, the Maori entertainers from Petone gave their services by presenting a delightful programme of music. Mr. Stan Brice and bis Petone team, winners of the tug-o’-war competition, very generously donated their prize of £lO to the funds. Throughout the bazaar Mr. Brice was most helpful with his advice and practical assistance. Last Sunday was a red-letter day in our } little church—“A simple thing of knotted pine And corrugated tin; But still, to those who read, a sign, A fortress on the furthest line Against the march of sin.” i; —“John O’Brien.”

At the first Mass fifty little children, arrayed in white, made their First Holy Communion. It was a most impressive spectacle, and the reverence and devotion of the little ones reflected great credit on our worthy priest and the devoted Sisters of Mercy. After the second Mass the devotion of the Forty Hours' Adoration commenced. The altar was most beautifully decorated for the occasion. In the evening the Rev. leather John Kelly (Newtown) preached a most eloquent and devotional sermon on the Blessed Sacrament. On the following evening the sermon was preached by Father Hcgarty, who had travelled all the way from Carterton. At the two Masses each morning, and at the evening devotions the church was crowded. Sir Joseph Ward, looking lit after his recent strenuous campaign, has returned to his summer residence at Heretaunga. Dame Rumor reports that Mr. and Mrs. McCarthy-Reid have purchased a residence in the parish. Our zealous and esteemed parish priest, Father Vincent Kelly, is about to take a well-earned holiday in Australia immediately after New Year. He is to be present at the reception of his sister in one of the convents in the archdiocese of Melbourne. Father Kelly has not been on an extended holiday since his arrival in New Zealand—towards the end of the war period. He is a most devoted pastor, always insisting on carrying out his priestly duties, even when almost prostrated with sickness. The first years of his ministry were spent as a pioneer priest in the roadless King Country, where he endured untold hardships. During his absence we shall miss his cheery word and his scholarly and eloquent sermons. We rll wish him a pleasant voyage, a delightful beliday, and a safe return..