WANGANUI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 6, 8 February 1900, Page 5

WANGANUI.

(From our own correspondent). February 1, Mr. Herbert Stedman, one of the five men selected from Mr. station, Ruanui, for the Wanganui contingent for South African service, is an ex-pupil of old St. Mary's school. The many friends of Mr. Michael Gordon, Tay street, Wanganui, will be grieved to hear of his death, which occurred at his residence on Monday last. The deceased, who was (»4 years of age, was a native of County Cork, Ireland. Some years ago he was in the railway service, but, owing to failing health, was obliged to retire. There is a large family to mourn their loss, and to these and his sorrowing widow heartfelt sympathy is extended. — R.I. P. Of late the members of the choir have b^en exceptionally diligent in their practices, and the result is a great improvement in the music aud singing. This was evident last Sunday, when the choir, accompanied by a small orchestra, rendered Mozart's Seventh Mass in a highly-finished manner. At Vespers, too, special music was sung ; Zingarelli's ' Laudate,' given at Christmas, was repeated, and also Denby's ' Magnificat.' In the former, Mr. Gellately again took the solo parts, his sweet tenor voice being heard to distinct advantage. Rev. Fx'her Ginisty, of Sydney, celebrated the Mass and preached in the e/tning. Before commencing his sermon the Riv. Father paid a ln^li compliment to the choir in the following 1 words : ' While celebrating Mass this morning, I faucied myself back in my own church, St. Patrick's, Sydney, and the illusion was heightened when the strains of the beautiful Mozart music came from the choir gallery. It was an exact reproduction of what Iso often hear at home, when the organ is presided over by the city organist. I never expected anything like it in a comparatively small town like Wanganui I give you tho palm for Vespers ; I have never heard them sung with such devotional spirit in my own parish church.' The rev. preacher, after referring to the untiring efforts of the Very Rev. Dean Kirk to make the teaching staff of our schools as efficient as possible, gave an interesting review of the education question, concluding with an earnest exhortation to Catholic parents not to send their children, on any account, to the State schools. This homily was most appropriate, as the parish schools re-opened on January :50, after a vacation of &ix weeks.