DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 19, 9 May 1907, Page 13

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) May 6. The Rev. Father O'llare has been appointed spiritual director of the Llattoedral Conference, Society of St. Vincent de Pkul, which, it is satisfactory to note, is showing a considerable increase in membership. There was Exppsition "oL the Blessed Sacrament from the eleven o'clo.ck .Mass until after Vespers in tJhe Cathedral- on Sunday. Many attended the adoration during the afternoon, and in the evening his Lordship the Bishop preached an impressive discoiirse appropriate to the occasion. After the sermon the usual procession, in which the various confraternities and societies joined, took, place. Kach evening at the Cathedral there are the customary devotions of the month of May. A ' Pink Tea,' a form of entertainment witjh a local reputation, was given on last Thursday evening by the Gathiolic Club in Iheir rooms, Barbadoes street. There was a large attendance, and the various competitions were entered "into with much enthusiasm, Well patronised side-shows, such as an electric battery, post office, etc., afforded considerable amusement, and a musical programme, to which Misses Pratt and Baxter and 1 Messrs. Hickmott and R. McNamara contributed, greatly aided in the enjoyment of the occasion. The president of the club, Mr. W. Hoban, in thanking the audience for their presence in such satisfactory numbers, stated that this. was the forerunner of other such gatherings to be arranged through the winter months. By the courtesy of the secretary, Capitain R. Linn, I was shown the beautiful ' In Memoiam ' certificate awarded at the recent meetine; of the Royal Human© Society to. the next-of-kin of the brave boy, William Ernest Mullany, who sacrificed his life in an heroic attempt to save tho life of a comrade, under circumstaoiccs already statrd in the ' Tablet.' The certificate is beautifully engraved, and bordered with symbols of the society characteristic of life saving under all conditions. After the heading;, ' Memorial Certificate, Royal Humane .Society of New Zealand, Instituted 189'S,' the inscription continues : ' At a general court of directors, holden at the offices of the society, Christohurch, it was resolved that the courage and humanity displayed by William Ernest Mullany call for the admiration of this cou't, and justly entitle an " In Memoriam " certificate to his next-of-'in, which is hereby awarded.' It 'is signed by Wie Hon. Sir John Hall, K.CM.G. (president?).,, and Captain Richard Linn (secretary). The certificate is in an artistically carved oak frame, the wood being

grown in New Zealand. It may be remarked that the certificate and frame were specially prepared for the society's annexe at the recent Exhibition, and formed its central exhibit, its value therefore being enhanced "by a notable association with, perhaps, the most important event in the Colony's histdry. It is certainly a comiplimesnt to the gentleman who furnished the particulars of the sad "occurrence to the society for its consideration to read the following heading of the official document :— < l The facts are so clearly and concisely stated by an eye-witness, Peter Francis Rogan, in his statutory declaration, which accompanies the application, that I cannot do 'better than give it here .in full ' (which is done without further comment).