DENNISTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 13, 28 March 1901, Page 5

DENNISTON.

(From an occasional correspondent.) St. Patrick's Day was observed in Denniston in an unostentatious yet fervid manner. At an early hour that air, dear to the Celtio heart, 'St. Patrick's Day in the morning ' was heard. In the hamlet on the hill were to be seen men, women, and children wearing the trefoil Bprig, or bit of green ribbon. By a fortunate circumstance it was Denniston's turn to have Mass on this Sunday, St. Patrick's Day. The Yen. Archpriest Walshe was the celebrant, and to the little church at the back of the village the whole Catholic population flocked. Glancing over the congregation I was ■truck with the fact that three generations — the aged, middle-aged, and youthful — wore the Irish national emblem A race with such virility is indestructible. During Mass, Archpriest Walshe addressed the congregation, taking for his text — ' Obey your prelates who have spoken the word of God to you.' These words reminded them all very forcibly of the great day they were celebrating. Their illustrious apostle, St. Patrick, had been led captive to the shores of Ireland, and sold as a slave to a petty prince in the north, by whom he was ordered to herd cattle. The pious teaching and exhortations of good parents ever remained with Patrick. When, some years after, he was restored to his father's home and country, he always yearned and thought of the Western Isle. A voice constantly reigned with him urging his return. He hearkened to it, and, forsaking hia home, kind parents, friends, and country, he hurried to Ireland. Hia bloodless conversion of Ireland following his signal victory at Tara, culminated in making a pagan people thoroughly Christian. Ireland was, however, subsequently destined to shed rivers of blood in defence of the faith of Patrick in the invasions of Dane, Norman, and Saxon. A country, which had shed renown through its piety and learning, was devastated by the cruel invaders who passed restrictive laws, which were a disgrace to mankind. Above all persecution arose the sons of St. Patrick proud and triumphant. From the days of their glorious Apostle to the present they were the propagators of the Faith, the builders of churohes, schools, and convents. St. Patrick's fervent prayer that his faithful Irish children would ever prove true to the Faith had been, thank God, fully

granted. Let them continue to be worthy sons of Patrick, worthy of the name of Catholic and Irishman, when, with Bt. Panl, they would join and say : ' I have fought the good fight ; I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, and for the rest there remaineth for me that crown of glory which the Lord, the justj ust Judge, will render to me on that day.'

Miss Morris, who is severing her connection with the local school, was recently entertained at a social in Parker's Hall, Denniston. The proceedings were marked with great enthusiasm. The hall on the occasion was thronged by the parents, pupils, and friends of Miss Morris, all of whom vied with each other to do her honor. During the evening Mr. John Dent, chairman of tho school committee, attended by all of his colleagues, presented to Miss Morris a very flattering address, in ■which, they expressed their keen regret at the great loss which the district was about to suffer through her severance fiotn the teaching staff, a position whioh for eight years she had filled with credit to herself and with satisfaction to everyone interested in the advancement of the school. A presentation of a silver teapot, suitably inscribed, and gold double bar brooch, studded with rubies and sapphires, was handed to Miss Morris by Mr. Dent, who, in a few well-chosen words, informed her that these handsome gifts were from her pupils, past and present, and in a email measure testified their high appreciation of all she had done for them. Mr. N. Milligan said he could heartily endorse the kindly remarks of the chairman. Mr. Dencker, headmaster, on behalf of Miss Morris, thanked the children, the school committee, and her many friends for their valuable presents and kindly expressions.

When it waß made known that Miss Morris was about to temporarily Bever her connection with Denniston, in view of her approaching marriage, the local Catholic residents deemed it necessary and opportune to marK, in some slight manner, their high appreciation of her unremitting and lengthened services, ungrudgingly given Sunday after Sunday to the education of the Catholio youth of Denniston. A committee was formed, and an active canvass for subscriptions was made with great success. On the evening of March 13, a large meeting of the Catholic residents of Denniston was held, over which Mr. Nicholas Milligan presided. Miss Morris was invited to attend. The chairman expressed his great pleasure, a pleasure in which they all shared, in testifying to the good work carried on for so many years in their midst by Miss Morris. He spoke as a father of a family with a full knowledge of all the benefits which his children had derived from Miss Morris's labors, and in saying that, he had but re-echoed the feelings and gratitude of every Catholic parent in Denniston. He hoped her future course through life would be happy and prosperous, and on behalf of his co-religionists he had the greatest pleasure in handing her this beautiful gold curb chain bracelet with locket attached, which bore the inscription ' Miss M. J. Morris, from her Denniston Catholio friends, 1901,' and a nice lizard skin purse, silver mounted, which was well filled with sovereigns. Miss Morris gratefully received the handsome presents. Mr. Michael Connolly, on behalf of Miss Morris, in very suitable terms returned thanks to the generous donors for their beautiful and costly presents, which she would ever treasure with fond remembrance. To Misses Milligan and Edwards was due in great measure the success of the whole affair.