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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 1, 3 January 1907, Page 19

WANGANUI

(From our own correspondent.) December 28.

Mr. P. B. Lomax (a vice-president of the ' St. Mark's Catholic Club) represents the club at- tlie^Federated encampment of Catholic Societies, which is being held at Christchurch.

The Irish Kiiles presented ""Lieutenant Hold'erness, who " has held this position for the past three years and who is about to leave Wanganui -for Hastings, ' with a walking stick and smoker's outfit.

The great boat race is over, Webb (the' local man) defeating Stanbury (ex-champion of the world) easily. The latter was rowed to a standstill 500 yards" from home, allowing Webb to win without exertion. It was • the greatest event of its kind in the annals of New Zealand. It was rowed on the Kaiwhaike reach of the Wanganui River, about 10, miles above the town.

Before the MarisL Brothers left for. their annual retreat 'at Auckland they took their pupils for a picnic up thie Wahganui Rfiver. 'Almost all the boys" took, advantage of the outing, _it s being a glorious day ;. they all enjoyed themselves immensely, and before going home they wished the Brothers a merry Christinas .and happy New Year.

The comauittee appointed to- receive the Irish Home Rule delegate have made arrangements for the 'visit of Mr. Joseph Devlin, M.P., to Wauganui on Thursday, January 10. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. E. Mackey) has kin-dly consented to pieside at the meeting, which will be held in the Opera House, Wangauui. Messrs. J. Hogan and Symes, M.L-I.R.'s will also be present.

Miss Marie Narelle, the 'Queen of Irish Song,' appeared at the Opera House last Thursday, December 20, when there was a large aud appreciative audience present. She sang well-known • Irish and Scottish melodies, and it is needless to say each of them was sung as only she caii sing. them. Not only did they appeal to the musical sensibilities <of her hearers, but they went straight to their hearts, ' making one feel good all over,' as one patron put it. Mrs. Comyns desires to thank all the people .of Wauganui and district -who so generously gave her' Christmas gifts (in all two laiige cases, and five, small hampers) for the- little inmates of Ilev. Mother . Mary Aubert-'s Home at Jerusalem. She says that for the last three years she has collected for the Home, but this year's collections have exceeded all. Thanks are

-also due to Messrs. Ilatherly, Alf. Smith, and 1 A. - ,-Hatrick" for their kindness in ' taking' charge of parcels --and conveying same to their destination^. '

Our Garrison Baiid, who intend . going to Christchurch 'to compete in the band contest, must feel ,grateful at the lesult of: their Christmas .They started at 9.15 in the morning, ending" shortly after 7 p.rru They toured Wanganui, meeting wit<h universal hospitality and financial support* The result was highly satisfactory, £53 v odd being , received, in eollec-' tions during the day. St. Mary's Church was as ~ usual tastefully decorated for the feast of Christmas. Masses were cele- * brated at midnight, eighb o'clock, and half-past ten. There was a very large number ~of communicants at -.the early Masses. Rev. . Father Mahony preached at the first Mass on the feast of the day. The music at this Mass was 'Farmer's Mass, which was rendered in a finished and devotional manner by the choir under the conduct orship of Mr. 11". Holden. Mrs. Thos. .LJoy-d presided at the organ./ The- choir, was" ably; supported -by an -efficient orchestra. After the- Mass the choir Was entertained by Very Rev. -Dean Gfogan. In the evening Solemn Vespers were sung, followed by. the Benediction of the. Blessed Sacrament. 'Large congregations filled the church at all the services. The Very Rev. Dean thanked the members of the choir' arid -their friends for the very finished manner' in which the music was rendered on Christmas "Day. ~ -