DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 13, 28 March 1901, Page 6

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(.From our own correspondent.) March 24. Miss Kate Connell, the talented young vocalist from the North Island, now on tour with a concert company, gave a very fine rendering of the sacred solo, ' 0 Divine Redeemer ' in the pro-Cathedral on Sunday night. Various minor errors were apparent in my communications last week which in justice to those interested call for correction. In the item referring to his Lordehip the Bishop's sermon on St. Patrick the word ' finest ' was printed ' first ' discourse yet heard on this particular theme, which is obviously absurd. Aerain, it was stated that the green flag of Ireland floated over the 'Government' buildings, which Bhould have read Exhibition buildings, where tho national concert was held on the evening of St. Patrick's Day. In another place the name of Father Price, of Hawarden, was misspelt. At all the servioes in the city churches on Sunday on opportunity was afforded the members of the various congregations to contribute towards the fund being raised to help defray the heavy expenses incurred by the Marist Brothers in defending themselves from the false and vindictive charges recently levelled against them by sundry wrong-headed individuals in connection with the Stoke Industrial School. The matter waa referred to in the notices of the day and a hope expressed that the Catholics of this placp will not be behind those of other centre 3 , who responded most liberally to the appeal. There was a full attendance of members at the weekly meeting of the Christchurch Catholic Club held on last Tuesday tvcning, Mr. E. O'Connor (vice-president) occupying the chair. The principal business of the meeting waa the consideration of an offer by his Lordship the Bishop to erect a club-room adjoining the parochial library, and to haDd over the reading-room and library to the Club under certain defined conditions. It is needless to say his Lordship's exceptionally liberal offer was unanimously accepted. This concession on the part of the Bishop will place the Club in the foremost position of similar institutions in the Colony, and with such exceptional advantages and such a valuable asset its future success is assured. The erection and furnishing of the club-room will immediately be proceeded with, and will supply a want that has been very long felt. The practice of whistling at entertainments to express applause, low in manners and extremely annoying to performers and audience alike, received a timely check by the Bishop on the occasion of the Irish Concert on St Patrick's night, and I cannot do better than append the remark of his Lordship, which appeared in next day's Pres* : — After one item in particular the fiendish noise was so loudly prolonged that Bishop Grimes, who was sitting in the front row of the dress circle, publicly delivered a severe rebuke to the offenders, when peace was again restored. 'If those young fellows who were whistling in that hideous manner,' said his Lordship, ' do not respect themselves, they should respect us. That whistling is exceedingly low, and I feel exceedingly mortified that so much of it should have been heard to-night. The item is deserving of the greatest applause, but certainly that low whistling is not applause at all ; it is quite the reverse, and I hope it wijl cease.' This rebuke of his Lordship's waa greeted with loud applause by the audience, and the whistling complained of ceased for the remainder of the evening. The annual meeting of St. Mary's Catholic Club was held on Tuesday, March 12. Mr. A. Smith, vice-president, occupied the chair and there was a good attendance of members. The balance sheet, which also embodied reports from the secretary and treasurer concerning the working of the club during the past year, was considered highly satisfactory and adopted. Besides the possession of a piano the club owns property worth about £.10. The following officers were elected for the ensuing term : — President, Mr. R. .T. Hunt ; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Smith and L. Blake : treasurer, Mr. M. Gough ; secretary, Mr. W. J. Ormandy ; council, Mes«rs. C. Haughey, Harvey, and Griffin. Votes of thanks were accorded the retiring officers and to Messrs. J. Hynes and J. Goggin, secretaries of the meeting. At the usual weekly meeting held on the subsequent Tuesday evening, the president, Mr. R. J. Hunt, occupied the chair, the spiritual director, Rev. Father Gallais, being present and a good attendance of members. The programme of the evening was of a social nature. Songs were contributed by Father Gallais, Messrs. L. Blake, J. Hynes, T. McAntee, J. Goggin, J. C. Chase, C. Haughey, and C. Sullivan; recitations were given by Messrs. D. Sullivan and J. Ormandy and a reading by Mr. A. Blake.