Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 52, 28 December 1905, Page 18

Diocesan News

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON (From oat ovm correspondent.) December 22. I am; pleased to report that (Mr. B. Doherty, about whose condition grave fears were entertained, is now making rapid progress towards recovery. The Rev. Father McCarthy, who was recently ordained, is at present assisting the Rev. Father Ainsworth at South Wellington. The members 1 of St. Patrick's branch of theH.A.C.B. Society have donated £2 2s to Mother Mary Aubcrt, £1 Is to St. Joseph's Orphanage, and £1 Is to the Mount Magdala Home ±o provide Christinas che.er.for the inmates. "' ' J^' Messrs. Condon, Sullivan arid Rejchel have been the recipients each of a gold medaj from the members of the city branch of the H.A.C.B. Society— the former for his zeal in promoting the membership of the branch, the two latter for their services in connection w,ith the social side of the society. The concerts given by the pupils of St. Mary's Convent are always among the treats afforded to lovers of song and music in Wellington, and the one given at the Alexandra Hall on Wednesday evening was certainly no exception. His Grace the Archbishop was present. Misses Evans and Jones commenced the programme with a duet on two pianos, 'Pas dcs Cymhales, 1 in which they acquitted themselves admirably. Miss Lilian Irvine sang with exquisite taste Gounod's ' Valse de Romeo et Juliette,' and was compelled to add Scarlatti's charming ' Canzonetba.' Miss Irvine's vocal qualities were heard with good effect in Tosti's ' Good-bye,' and as an encore number ' Summer is here ' was given in such a pleasing manner as to earn a further recall. Mrs. Oscar Kember contributed ' Melisande in the wood ' most artistically. Miss Segrief was awarded an encore for 'Happy, song,' and responded with ' Day and night.' Miss Van Staveren was similarly greeted for her rendition of 'To the angels.' ' The lark now leaves his watery nest ' was capably interpreted by Miss D. Isaacs, and Miss Blow was successful with ' A dream.' Miss Butler's recitations were meritorious efforts. In addition to a pianoforte solo, Miss Evans also played the accompaniments. The choruses and part songs were given by Misses Irvine, Isaacs (2), M. Segrief, McDonald, Sidey, A. Blow, Hannah Stevens, M. Seddon, Van Staveren, McSherry, Keraber, H. Von Dadelzen, Mesdames Kember, Dwan, Messrs. Searle, Sinclair, Ward, McMannaway, and Lillicrap. A prominent feature of Catholic school life is the great respect that the pupils have for their teachers, a feeling that develops in after years into a warm interest and regard for the old school and its associations. This feeling is very characteristic of the relations that exist between the ' old boys ' of the Marist Brothers' School and the Brothers -who have in hand the direction of that institution. Every year, just before the Brothers leave on their annual retreat, they are entertained by the members of the Catholic Young Men's Club, originally founded by, and now largely composed of, expupils of the school. Thursday evening's gathering was a very pleasant one indeed. The large room of the old school was for the time being transformed and filled with faces young and old assembled to do honor to an Order that .is doing so much to place our schools in the forefront. The chair was taken by Mr. A. H. Casey, who had on his right Brother Paul and Mr. J. J. Devine, on his left Mr. Martin Kennedy and Mr. J. McGowan. The first toast honored was that of the ' Pope and King.' ' Our Alma Mater ' was proposed by Mr. H. McKeowen, who made reference to the great regard that old boys had for the school and its teachers. He wished the Brothers a happy Christmastide and a prosperous and bright New Year. Brother Paul, in a speech deligtfully reminiscent of the very first days of Catholic schools in Wellington, suitably acknowledged the kindly sentiments expressed by the proposer. He sincerely thanked his young friends for the warm interest they took In the doings of the school. The toast of the ' Catholic Young Men's Club ' was proposed by Mr. J. J. Devine, who founded the first club of this kind in Wellington. He paid a tribute to the good work being done by such an institution, and trusted that the fortunes of the club would increase, and that its members taking the place of the older ones, would help in holding aloft the banner of Catholicism which had been borne so well in the past by those which he might now aptly term ' the old guard.' The toast was acknowledged by Mr. McGowan, who spoke of the remarkable progress made by the club during the year. Mr. Martin Kennedy, in proposing the toast of

1 Catholic EdfuckYon'^ 'refelM^^P|iett sacrifices made by Catholics in this connection. He paid a warm tribute to the splendid services rendered to the community by . the 'religious? Orders,? Jf hb HHadMiaised the standard of our educational system to such a high place. He expressed the great pleasure it gave him to be present that evening to take part in the ceremony of entertaining the Brothers. The toast was.acknowledged in a brief and forcible speech by the Rev. Father Kimbell, Several other toasts were duly honored during the 'evening. 'Musical items were given by Messrs. C Gamble, P. J. McGovern, Cobcroft, Foote, R. Sievers, A. Searle, and T, Lawless. The accom"paniments throughout were played by Mr. T. Lawlor.