ONEHUNGA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 26, 26 June 1902, Page 20

ONEHUNGA.

(Fiom an occasional correspondent)

June 14

A vory enjoy ible ent'rUinm^nt w<n giraioi Tuesday evening June 10, in St. Mary's Hall, Onehunpa, to a very lar/e and appreciative audience by the VeryV c ry Rev Father Benedict, OP. The entertainment took the form of a lecture on 'Atiownt and Modern Rome,' with limelight vi-ws, supplemented by song-a rendered by local ladies, and gramophone selections under the direction of Mr Gentlee, of Auckland. The lecture was a literary treat from every point of view, and was of a highly instructive character. Father Benedict began by giving a brief history of the foundation of Rome by Romulus and Remus about the year 750 8.C., and of its subsequent wonderful expansion. In eloquent language he depicted the Eternal City as the home of civilisation and refinement, of architecture and the fine art*. The Roman people, said he, were clothed, so to s^eak, with all the gnrmp-i^ of civilisation and culture long before the other nations of iiie world knew the utility or the purpose of suoh vebtments. He next portrayed Rome as the cradle of Christianity and battlefield, wherein was fought a stubborn oouteat between Christianity and paganism, which resulted in a glorious victory for the Christian Church. The rpv. lecturer's masterly exposition of bis subj >ct, and his realistic de«cr ption of the 'Antiquities' of the Eternal City coupled with numerous limelight views illustrating the scenes and events touched upon in his lecture, riveted the attention of the audience and seemed for him the most marked manifestations of their appreciation. Miss Rita Brennan contributed the next item on the programme, ' Ora Pro Nobis,' which wao eung in a finished manner and warmly applauded This ltum was illustrated by lime.ight views, whioh were very fine. That popular Irish song, ' KilLtrney, 1 was given with much expression by Mi fe s Katie Nixon. The last, but by no means least, enjoyable item consisted of gramophone selections with which Mr. Gentles delighted the audience. Messrs Lonergau, of Auckland, successfully operated the limelight apparatus and deserve to be congrarulated, as it was, I understand their first appearance in public in that capacity. The lantern, a recent purchase by Father Benedict, was used in public for the first time and worked very sat sfactorily. Miss Leahy, the church organist, ably presided at the piano.