Archdiocese of Wellington.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 28, 12 November 1897, Page 18

Archdiocese of Wellington.

(From our own correspondent.) November 6, 18i)7 ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE SPOUTS.

The thirteenth annual sports gathering of St. Patrick's College was held on the Hutt Racecourse on Wednesday. Shortly before nine o'clock the students, accompanied by the professors, and headed by the College Band, paraded the principal streets of the city on their way to the railway station. Everything augured well for the day's programme, but once again the treacherous nature of the Wellington climate was shown, when shortly after raid-day the rain came down at first in a drizzle, but later on a regular downpour set in, necessitating the adjournment of a number of items. When the adjournment took place the students and their friends took refuge in the grandstand, where the weary time of waiting for the return train was whiled away by an impromptu concert. It is a coincidence that it rained last year also on the afternoon when the College sports were held, when it was deemed advisable to adjourn a few of the items, whilst the students contributed to the pleasure of the visitors with music and song?. In future it Avould be well, judging from past experience, if a programme of vocal and instrumental music were rehearsed beforehand in case of a similar contingency. The results of the events decided were as follows :—: — St. Patrick's College Grand Handicap. — First distance, lWyds : First heat— C. L. Ryan, scr., 1; R. Park, 6yds., 2: J. McPaiiand, 6yds., 3. Time, llsec. Second heat — T. O'Connell, (Jyds., 1 ; I. O'Boyle, 4yds., 2; J. Eccleton, 7yds., 3. Time, 11 l-.">sec. Third heat— P. Walsh, 4yds., 1; E. Lahnian, (vyds., 2; W. O'Ccnnor. (iyds., 3. Time, 11 1-osec. Final he it— C. L. Ryan, scr.. 1; P. Walsh, lyds., 2 ; T. O'Connell, (iyds.. 3. Time, 11 1-r.see. 100 yds. (under 12).— P. Dwyer, scr., 1; J. Henry, 2yiK, 2 ; F. Dv Moulin, Syds.. 3. Time, 1 [see. St. Patricks College Grand Han ""icap. — Second distance, 22dvds : First heat— T. O'Connell. 12y,R, 1; R Park. 12\\K, 2;C. L. Ryan, scr., 3. Time, 2(i l-.">see. Second heat — P. Walsh, SyyiL-., 1 ; I. O'Boyle, 12yds., 2 ; J. McParland, 10yds., 15. Time, 2(1 l-.">sec. Final heat— P. Walsh, tfyds., 1 ; C. L. Ryan, scr., 2; I. O'Boyle, 12yds., 3. Time, 2"> l-."Jsec. 100 yds. (under 14). First heat — X. Ewart, scr., 1 ; A. Garvey, scr., 2 ; D. Henderson, 3yds., 3. Time, llisec. Second heat — B. Gudgeon. .Vyds., 1 ; D. Sullivan, 3yds.. 2 : C. BrebneiY-TyiK, 15. Time, 13sec. Final heat — X. Ewart, scr., 1 ; S. Garvey. s>ci\, 2 : B. Gudgeon, syds., 3. Time. 13sec. 100 yd*. (under ]C.). — Firsc heat — B. Ahlfeld. (Jyds., 1 ; T. Lawlor. Byds., 2 ; C. Gamble, scr., 3. Time. 12 l-.%ec. Second heat — M. 0 Connor, scr.. 1: S. Organ, ('.yds ,2; H. Brebner. iVyds., 3. Time, 12 l-.Vec. Third heat — J. : M-Go'e, C.ydri.. I ; X, Ewart. :!yds ,2 : B. Gudgeon. 7yK. 8. Time. ]2* :5-.Wo. Final heit — M O'Connor. bci\. 1; J. M-Gce, liyk 2 ; B. Ahlteld. 15yds .3. Time. 12 2-->seo. The Countess of Ranfurly, a-co-npuiied by Lady Constance Kuox and the Hon. Hill Trevor (private secretary), paid her first vi-.it to St. Patrick's College on Tuesday nftornoon. Her Ladyship was received by the Very Rev. Dr. Wat'ters and the college faculty and shown over the institution, with which she was highly pleased. In fact she expressed astonishment ac the completeness of the college and the up-to-date style of everything in the institution. After a thorough survey of the dormitories, class-room*, etc , the party wan conducted to the study-hall, where the college band and orchestra performed selections. It is needless to observe that Lady Ranf urly received a very enthusiastic reception from the students. Her Ladyship asked for a holiday for tho boys which was "ranted, and after refreshments had been partaken <>i. the vice-regal party left, evidently highly plea-cd at what they had seen and the reception accorded them. The celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of the formation of the City Rifles Volunteer corps on Moiulvy evening was taken advantage of to make a presentation to Colour-Sergeant T. J. Davis ot an illuminated address to com nemorate his long connection with the company. Captain Duthie. in making tho presentation, baid that Colour-Sergeant Davis had joined the company as bugler on its formation and was now one of the oldest members. Ever since that period, with the exception of a break of four years, he had thrown all his energy into tho work of the company. During the p ist seventeen years he h.ul held the position of CoUmrSergeant, besides acting as secretary, and it was needless tor him to tell the company that he had discharged tlu-^e diiui's with benefit to the corps, w ith credit to himself — in f.i;t with con-pi-cuous success. The address set forth the recipients services to th>vorps— in shooting, drilling, aad iroin a social point of view. Mr.

Davis is to be congratulated en the high estimation in which he is held by his fellow-volunteers, as well as for the unassuming manner in which he has invariably performed his duties, preferring to remain in the ranks rather than accept a commission, which he had been several times pressed to accept. It is not alone in volunteering that Mr. Davis has displayed his energy and whole-heartedness, for in every movement for the welfare of the Church he is ever foremost, always ready to do more than his share in every good work.

The meeting called on Tuesday evening to arrange for a suitable reception to the Very Rev. Father Devoy, V.G., on his return from Australia was not as large as was expected, as the weather was very unpropitious. Mr. R. O'Connor was voted to the chair, and Mr. Doherty was appointed hon. secretary. The chairman said it was not necessary for him to take up the time of those present by explaining the reason for which they were called together. They all knew the worth of the Very Rev. Father Devoy, and anything which he could say would not add to the very high, estimation in which the Vicar-G eneral was held, not alone by his own flock but by all denominations. He knew that Father Devoy was averse to any great demonstration so he (the chairman) considered that the testimonial to be presented should consist of a purse of sovereigns (applause). Dr. Mackin and Messrs Davis, Naughton and Devlin supported this view. It was decided to appoint a committee to make arrangements for collecting and to look after the necessary details of the reception. Mr. Davis suggested that the amount of subscriptions should be limited so that all might take part in it He believed that Father Devoy would be better pleased to know that the presentation was the spontaneous offering of 2000 people than 200. A committee, consisting of the chairman and Messrs. L. Dwan, T. J. Davis and Xaughton was appointed to carry out the necessary details. At a meeting of the committee held during the week the parish was mapped out into 10 districts for the purpose of canvassing, and it was decided to call a meeting on Sunday evening for the purpose of appointing collectors. A substantial amount has been already promised, including- five guineas each from Mr. R, O'Connor and Dr. Mackin and a guinea from Mr. J. O'Dea.

The ordinations at the Ecclesiastical Seminary at Meanee will take place on the 2!>th inst.

The annual social of the League of the Cross took place in Thomas Hall on Wednesday evening, when there was a very large gathering of members and their friends. There were upwards of .->OO persons present, among whom were the local clergy and Mr, Gilfedder, M.H.R.

The large increase of population in the Xewton district has a corresponding influence on the attendance at the local church, which is crowded on Sundays. If the ratio of increase of the past year continues the question lof providing increased accommodation will have to engage the attention of the Vicar-General in the near future.