ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 30, 23 July 1903, Page 4

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

(From our own correspondent.)

July 18. The tenders for the erection of the Stoke Orphanage have been opened and are much higher than anticipated Mr. J. Hegarty, of Greytown, forwarded a handsome donation through the ' Times ' office in aid of Mother Aubert's Home for Incurables. In all the churches on Sunday last the serious illness of the Pope was referred to, and prayers were as!-ed for his recoveiy. St. Patrick's College re-opened after the mid-winter vacation on Friday last, and the ConuT.t High School resumes studies on Monday ne\t The Manst Bi others' Old Bins' Association held the third of its monthly reunions at Spillers' Hall on Wednesday evening last. A most en|o\aL!e time was .spent by those present. Miss Kttie Maginnity is now stuchm^ at the Royal Academy of Music, London, and is under the tuition of Professor Moretti, who is greatly pleased with her voice, and has advised her to study for oratorio work

The Hibernians of Wellington intend enieitaining the Hon. William Beehan, ML C , of Auckland, at a banquet in honor of his appointment to the Vrper House Mr. P. M. Twomey has been appointed sec i clary to the committee.

The \en Archdeacon De\ oy was unable to attend the funeral of the late Dean Rolland owing to the West Coast boat's not arriving in time His Lordship. Bishop Grimes represented the clergy from Wellington.

The seventh annual social of the ladies' bianch of the Hibernian Society was held at the Victoria Hall on Wednesday even i re' last There were 50 couples piesent The evening was de\oted to dancing, and at intenals songs and recitations were ghen by members Miss X Robinson was a most energetic secretaiy, and the following ladies formed the committee Misses L. Butcher, H. O'Flaherty, M Robinson, A. Grant, A Trainer, N. Doyle, and Hicks From the ' N Z Times ' T clir. the following :— ' Mr. J. H. Walker, who describes himself as one of 'the survivors of Rua Arum and Te Ngutu-o te-Manu, writesAlthough the Very Rev Father Rolland has passed from our midst, his memory will not be foreotten by many who knew him in the sixties dunrg the Maori war in Taianaki. Well do I remember that noble and much-beUued gentleman at Rua Aruru and at Te Ngutu-o-ie-Manu. He did not carry sword or gun, yet he wa-. e\er to the fore, ministering to wounded and dvme, and was ever ready to assist to carry a comrade His pleasant face and

cheery word will be remembered by all of us, irrespective of caste or creed. If ever a departed one was entitled to a memorial that very reverend and much-loved gentleman is.'

At a social tendered on Wednesday night to the visiting delegates to the Liberal and Labor Federation the Hon. W. Beehan, M.L.C., was the recipient of a presentation from the members of the Liberal Federation of Auckland on the occasion of his appointment to the Upper House. The Premier, in making the presentation, said it was his duty to hand to him an illuminated address and a gold watch. Proceeding, Mr. Seddon said when the Government decided to submit Mr. Beehan's claims foi the favorable consideration of the Governor they did so knowing that his appointment would be in the best interests of the Colony. He referred to the interest Mr. Beehan had always taken, right back to the time of Sir George Grey, in the cause of advancement and prosperity, and felt sure he would worthily occupy the position to which he had been called. Mr. P. J. Nerheny, president of the Auckland branch of the federation, also extolled Mr. Beehan's good qualities. In thanking the Auckland delegates on behalf of the donors for their valuable gifts, Mr. Beehan said he could not adequately express his thanks in words. He assured the members he deeply appreciated their gift, and would always endeavor to work in the interest of the people and of New Zealand.

For some time past a local committee has had in hand the task of reviving the Old Boys' Association of St. Patrick's College, and it is pleasing to note that their efforts in this direction have been met with a great measure of success. The gathering, which took the form of a smoke concert, held in Godber's rooms, Cuba street, on Thursday evening last, bore ample testimony to this fact, and it must have been gratifying to the energetic secretary, Mr. M. J. Crombie, and his efficient committee, who have bestowed no small amount of time and labor in endeavoring to resuscitate the Association, to see such a large muster of old boys respond to the call and rally round the flag of their Alma Mater. The success of the smoke concert augurs well for the establishment of a healthy and vigorous Old Boys' Association, which will see at no distant date branches formed all over the Colony. It is to be hoped that suitable club rooms will soon be procured, where members may meet to indulge in the amusements and pastimes that kindred institutions, possessing club rooms, are fortunate enough to enjoy. By this means, old boys, when on a visit to Wellington, will have a place to go to, where they will be sure to meet many old school mates and renew acquaintance with faces familiar in college days. That the movement is arousing enthusiasm in other parts of New Zealand is evidenced by the fact that numerous apologies for absence were received fiom influential expupils of the college resident m other centres, and expressions of regret at their not bein? in a position to attend the evening's function. Apologies for absence were also reccned from the Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, Very Rev. Father Lewis, Rev Fathers J. Holley, T O'Shea, and R G. Kimbell. Vocal items were rendered by Rev. Fathers F J Hills, J Ainsworth, and N B. Moloney, Messrs. L Dwan, W. R S. Hickson, D. Rvan, A. H Casey, D. Kenny, A. Ross, and P. M'Coll, and recitations by Messrs S. J Moran, B. J. Devine, and W. X Butler, the last-named being responsible for recalling to mind reminiscences of College life away back in the eighties Alt C McDonald acted as accompanist. 1 The Very Rev Father Keofh, Rector of the College, who lias the interests of the old boys deeply at heart and is always ready to extend a hand of welcome to old boys of the college, presided o\ er the gathering. The other members of the clergy present weie the Rev Fathers P. Fay (Blenheim), Gco" Mahony (Nelson), and C. O'Reilly (St Patrick's College.