Southland News Notes

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 21, 21 May 1903, Page 6

Southland News Notes

(From our own correspondent.)

May 18

Steps are being taken locally to comply with the wishes of the late Deaif Mahoney, of the Stoke Orphanage, Nelbon, about which I shall have more to say latex on.

A popular marriage took place at St. Mary's last week, the parties being Mr. P. O'Byrne (brother of Mr. T. O'l\rne, the well-known athli., 1 ; and Miss Li/-/ie Maher (daughter of Mr. John Maher, J.P., of Kew). Owing to a late bereavement in the bride s family the nuptial festivities were dispensed with, but the largo number of costly presents betokened the popularity of the couple. The honeymoon is being spent in Tmia.ru.

Great interest is being taken in tho formation of a branch of the Hibernian Benefit Society at lnvercargill, and Air. Gilfedder (who is undertaking the work by special request) informs me that Grove Bush, Rakahouka, and West Plains people are also eager to join. There is no reason why the membership should not be some hundreds, especially in these days of competition and unionism, while it is the cheapest of all the friendly societies. The opening night is to be celebrated by a banquet A prominent Irish visitor, in the peison of Mr Thomas Petitt, champion wood-chopper of the world, was tendered a farewell banquet last week prior to his departure for his home in Tasmania. Mr Thomas O'Byrne, the popular president of the Sawmillcrs Union, occupied the chair, and amontrst the many present wei c Sir J. G Ward, KCM.O,, Mr A. I, Fraser, MIT R , and prominent citizens. The speech of the e\ening was that of Chairman O'R>rne, who has world-wide inioimation and statistics at his finger-ends On behalf ot the people of Southland he wished Mr Potitt a safe return and long life, health, happiness, and piospoiity m his home beyond the Tasman seas The lnvercargill Catholic Literary Society gave another 'literary evening' in St Joseph's last week. The Veiy Rev Dean Burke presided and the building was crowded to tho doors, which shows the populanty that surrounds such tunctions here Mr J Robertson (tormotiy of Waikaia) contributed a paper dealing exhaustively "with the state of sla\ery in America. His contribution showed great caie and study in its preparation, while tho crisp and racy style of the paper made it veiy interesting and attracthe. The rev chairmail paid a high tribute to Mr Robertson's efforts , and the plaudits which followed his remarks echoed the sentiments of tho appreciate e audience Mr James Eagar also ga-ve a paper, his subject being ' Sir Charles Gavan Duffy,' into which he entwined anecdotes and reminiscences connected with the brief but memorable existence of the ' Young Irish Party ' Mr Eagar being so much at home in literary matters and so broad-minded on political questions, it goes without saying that the suhiect recoi\ed full uistice at his hands. He held his audience at times spoil-bound and at other times moved thorn to hearty laughter, and his paper was instructive in a high degree During the e\enine Mr. G. W. Woods (of the Massoy-ITarns Co ) r^ave some splendid selections through the medium of Edison's giant phonograph, and at the conclusion of the mooting he kindly treated the nuns and the convent boarders to several choice items An orchestra of tho best talent procurable, under the leadership of Mr A R Wills, rendered selections admirably. Miss Hishon presided at the piano.