Timaru

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 32, 6 August 1903, Page 6

Timaru

(From our own correspondent.)

On Thursday last a Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated by the Rev Father Tubman in the Church of the Sacred Heart for the late Pope Leo XIII. The church was draped in mourning, and a catafalque stood before the altar. A great number of the congregation were present to pay the last tribute to their late gieat and glorious Pontiff On the previous Sunday the Rev. Father Tubman preached an able panegyric on the late Pontiff, and on yesterday another sermon on the text, ' Thou art Peter, etc ' Farmer's Mass was rendered by the, choir, assisted by the talented violinist, Ilerr Zimmerman.

The locil branch of the Hibernian Society held their usual foriAievhtly meeting on Monday last SiXi candidates were proposed by Brother O'Sullivan for membership. The secretary reported that two new members were initiated by the officers on Sunday. He also reparted that the officers and several members of the branch went to St. Andrews on the previous Saturday to initiate several members there. They were most hospitably welcomed by Bros. E. Burns, P. Ryan, J. O'Connor, and some 20 other members. The local library hall was engaged for the occasion, and a formal meeting was

held, and the initiation being concluded a discussion arose as to establishing a separate branch at St. Andrews. Bro. Ryan strongly advocated such a step, as by acting conjointly with the Foresters Society already established there a medical practitioner might be induced to reside permanently at St. Andrews. Bro. Dennehy- (Timaru) considered the idea a good one, but as yet premature. The visitors were entertained by the local members, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. Several songs, recitations, and musical items were rendered, and the meeting was wound up by Bro. O'Connor in a neat speech.

The officers of the branch for the ensuing term are as follows :— President, Bro. T. Donovan ; vicepresident, Bro. P. O'Sulhvan (who has proposed nearly 90 members in less than three months) ; treasurer, Bro. J. O'Sullivan (re-elected) ; secretary, Bro. J. P. Fitzgerald (re-elected). The subordinate offices are mostly filled by young members, the greatest interest being taken in contesting the different offices. Hibernianism has made a decidedly forward movement in this , district, mainly through the energy of Bro. O'Sullivan. The St. John's Tennis Club will be to the front again this year, when the season opens. Already they have held a progressive euchre party, with good financial results, to go towards paying preliminary expenses.