Diocesan News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 46, 15 November 1900, Page 5

Diocesan News.

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

(From our own correspondent.") November 10. Rev. Father Ainsworbh opens the mission in the Hutt district to-morrow. The Rev. Father Hehir, whose arrival in New Zealand I noted last week, left for Masterton on Wednesday. He is to relieve Rev. Father Osborne, who returns to England. At a reoent Wellington Shorthand Writers' Association examination Misses Isabel O'Galligan and Rose Falconer, pupils of St. Mary's Convent, gained Pitman's speed certificate for 180 words a minute. This is, I believe, the highest certificate granted to a pupil of any school in New Zealand. At St. Mary of the Angels' on last Sunday about 80 children received their first Holy Communion. Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father O'Shea, who also preached a short sermon appropriate to the Bolemn occasion. Hymns were sung at the Mass by the children of the schools. The ladies of the parish provided an excellent breakfast for the communicants. The renewal of baptismal vows was made at St. Joseph's Church after Vespers. At the OddfellowB 1 Hall, Lower Hutt, on Wednesday evening an entertainment was given by the Petone Amateur Dramatic Club in aid of the convent schools. Vocal and instrumental music, contributed by Misses Ashcrof t, Minogue, McGuirk, Pearoe, Cairns, and Bowman. Messrs. D. Campbell and J. McKinnon, filled in the first part of the programme, and in the second part selections from the opera ' Maritana ' were given. The character of Maritana was ably ■ustained by Mre. Adams, that of Lazarillo by Miss Fraaer, Don Jose, Mr. Adamß, and Don Caesar by Mr. 0. D. Avison. At the conclusion of the performance a dance was held, the music being supplied by Mr. J. McMenniman.

The interim report of Mr. Charles Edwards, examiner of practical music on behalf of Trinity College, London, shows that each of the four candidates from St. Mary's Convent obtained a teacher's certificate. Misses M Sullivan and K. Connell are now Vocal Associates, and Misses R. Falconer and Sheila Clarry are certificated pianists. The following are the additional results : Senior Division — Honors (singing) — Gwendoline Flanagan, Rose Mildred Bennett, Constance Macloekey. Senior Division — Honors (piano 1 ) — Nettie Drummond, Winnie Richardson, Lily White ; pass— Rose Bennett. Intermediate Division. — Honors (piano) — Mary McKeown ; pass Irene Webb. Junior Division. — Pass (piano) — Teresa O'Connor, Nora Lavery. Preparatory Division. — Pasa (piano)— Honoria Doherty.

The Fabian Dramatic Club began their « Arrah-na-Pogue* season at the Opera House on Thursday evening, when there was a large audienoe. Good aa was their presentation of 'Conn, the Shaughraun the present performance is a decided advance on their initial effort. Miss A. Marshall gave a most creditable impersonation of the heroine. As Shaun the Post Mr. R. A. Keenan was thoroughly at home, his interpretation of the part being marked by vigor and originality. The thankless part of Michael Feeney, an informer, was entrusted to Mr. W. Healy, who made the most of it. Theminor parts were allwellfilled, and the fins scenery used was from the brush of Mr. A. Ingelson. The orohestra waa under the baton of Mr. F. J. Oakes, and Mr. F. Roberts had charge of the mechanical efFects. The performance was in aid of the furnishing fund of the Newtown Convent. The oomplete cast of characters was as follows :— Colonel Bagenel O'Grady, Mr. M'Lachlan ; Beamish M'Coul, Mr. R. Marshall ; Major Coffin, Mr. W. L. Dickens ; Michael Feeney, Mr. W. P. Healv ; Irish Secretary of State, Mr. G. H. King ; Winterbottom, Mr. E. "Freeman ; Shaun the Post Mr. R. A. Keenan ; Sergeant, Mr. H. Blake ; Ciny Farrell, Mr. W. Knox ; Andy Regan, Mr. C. Gamble ; Lanigan, Mr. F. Swift ; Tim Cogan, Mr. J. M'Phea ; Patsy, Mr. J. Gibto ; Denny, Mr. L. Richardson ; Mike, Mr. N. Ewart ; Fanny Power, Miss Marshall ; Katty, Miss Ready ; Arrah Meelish, Miss Agnes Mart-hall.

The sixteenth annual sports meeting of St. Patrick's College was held on the Basin Reserve on Thursday and was a most successful gathering. The places in the grand handicap were filled by J. Quill, 10 points, 1 ; D. Twohill, 8 points 2 ; M. O'Brien and D. O'Malley tying for third. The results of the various events were as follows :—: — St. Patrick's College Grand Handicap. First distance, 100 yards— J. Quill, 1 ; M. O'Brien, 2 ; A. Garvey 3. 100 Yards R »cc, for boys unJer 14.— J. Dignan, 1; H. Bridge 2, High Jump Handicap. — A. Evennen (4in) and M O'Brien (3in), tie, with a jump of 6ft 2in, including handicap ; J. Kelliher (sor), sft lin, 8. 100 Yards Handicap, under 12. — H Bridge, 1 ; Dv Moulin, 2. Bandßmen's Race, 150 yards.— M. Hannon, 1; J Kelliher, 2. 100 Yards Race, under 16.— J. M'Govern, 1; J. Quinn, 2; J. O'Connell, 3.

St. Patrick's College Grand Handicap. Second distance, 200 yards.— J. Quill. 1; p. Twohill, 2; A. Garvey, 3. 220 Yards Handicap, under 14.— J. Dignan, 1; E. M'Cardell, 2. 250 Yards, under 16.— J. M'Govern, 1 ; J. Qa'inn, 2 ; A. Even-

Potato Rac<\— M. Murphy, 1; C. Arthur, 2. 150 Yards Championship.— D. O'Malley, I; F. Tymons, 2;W. J. O'Kane, 3.

Bicycle Race, one mile.— D. Twohill, 1; C. O'Connor, 2 : I, Bridge. 3

120 Yards Open Handicap.—J. M'Govern, 1 ; M. O'Brien, 2 : M. Hannon, 3.

440 Yards, under 16.— J. M'Govern, 1; J. O'Connell, 2. Half-mile Race. — J. Conlan, 1 ; J. Prendeville, 2. Grand Handicap, third distance, 140 yards.— D. Twohill 1• C O'Malley, 2 ; F. Tymons, 3. ' Old Boys' Race, 150 yards.— J. Smith. 1: J, Brady, 2 : B Weybourne, 3.

One Mile Handicap.—J. Prendeville, 1 ; P. Gillon, 2 : G. O'Kane, 3.