DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 50, 14 December 1899, Page 19

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

Mr. Walter Kirby, the rising young New Zealand tenor, who is proceeding Home next year to place himself under the tuition of Mr. Santley, sang at Vespers at St. Joseph's on Sunday evening. Miss Drury, of Port Chalmers, who passed in the middle grade Trinity College (London) musical examination, is a pupil of the Sisters of St. Joseph. A pupil of the Sisters of St. Joseph at Arrowtown passed with honours.

On Thursday evening last a social was given by the Rev. Father McMullen in the Foresters' Hall, Port Chalmers, to the ladies and gentlemen who assisted with Buch conspicuous success at the bazaar held recently in the marine borough. There were about 80 persons present, and the function was an exceedingly enjoyable one.

The handsome new Catholic church erected at Tapanui will be opened on Sunday next, the 17th inst. The occasional sermon will be preached by the Very Rev. Father O'Neill (Milton). In addition to the Rev. Father O'Donnell (Gore), the Very Rev. Dean Mackay, Administrator of the Diocese, and other members of the clergy are expected to take part in the opening ceremony. The annual entertainment in connection with the distribution of prizes to the pupils of the Christian Brothers' Schools will take place in St. Joseph's Hail to-morrow (Friday) evening. An excellent programme, consisting of competition contests in solo singing, elocution, and gymnastics, will be presented, and considering how creditably the boys acquitted themselves at recent entertainments, an excellent evening's amusement is anticipated. A concert will be given on Wednesday evening in Mosgiel in aid of the funds of St. Mary's Convent School. A very fine programme is in conrse of preparation, and the following performers from Dunedin have promised to assist : — Miss Rose Blaney, Miss Mary Blaney, Miss Moloney, Miss A. Marks, Miss Morrison, Mr. Jago, and Mr. Eagar. An interesting finale to the concert will be given by the St Joseph's minstrels, whose performances at various times in Dunedin have been highly appreciated.

In its comments on the production of the ' The Messiah ' at Invercargill the Southland Daily News Bays of the singing of Mr. E. Eagar, of Dunedin : — ' The most difficult position to fill is that of leading tenor, and so that this exacting part would receive a good rendering the services of Mr. Eagar, of Dunedin, were secured. The visitor is not gifted with a powerful voice, but his interpretation of the music was accurate and the florid passages were well executed, while his sweet soft tone enhanced the delight of the efforts. The reoit • Comfort ye My people ' and air ' Every valley shall be exalted,' were received with marks of approbation.' A concert in aid of the widow and family of the late Mr. A. Carter will be given in the Garrison Hall on Monday night. A very good programme, in which Mrs. Hudson, Mrs. J. Coombs, Miss R. Blaney, Miss M. Landells, Miss F. Brewer, Miss K. Moloney, Miss May Donaldson, Miss M. Morrison, and Messrs. A C. Hanlon, J Jago, E. Eagar, J. McKennah, J Coombs, F. H. Stokes, and the pupils of the Christian Brothers' School will take part, has been prepared for the occasion. The case is a most deserving one, Mrs Carter and family of five young children having been left totally unprovided for. It is to be hoped that the organisers of the concert will meet with a generous response to their appeal from the public, who are ever ready to assist in the cause of charity. The devotion of the Forty Hours' Adoration began at St. Patrick's Basilica, South Dunedin, on Friday morning 1 , when Solemn High Mobs was celebrated by the Rev. Father Moloney, 8 M., the Rev. Father Ryan being deacon, the Rev. Father O'Donnell sub-deacon, and the Rev. Father Coftey master of ceremonies. On Saturday morning the Rev. Father O'Donnell sang a Jliasa Cantata. At the Solemn High Maps on Sunday the Eev. Father Moloney, S M., was celebrant, the Rev. Father Kelsh (Tasmania) deacon, the Rev Father O'Donnell sub-deacon, and the Rev. Father Coffey master of ceremonies. The Rev. Father O'Donnell preached on Friday evening and the Rev. Father Murphy on Sunday evening. The choir, under the conductorship of Mr. G. Neill, rendered the music appropriate to the ceremonies in a finished manner, Mrs. Neill presiding at the organ. On Sunday evening at Ye^pprs Miss Morrison gave a devotional rendering of an • Aye Maria.' The attendance at all the services was very good.