ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8, 25 February 1909, Page 303

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

February 20. The Home for the Marist missionaries lias now been fixed at Temuka instead of Meanee.

The Otaki Convent School .picnic was held .in the vicinity of that institution on Wednesday, 17th inst.

The Sisters of Mercy intend taking over the Sunday schools at Brooklyn and Mitchelltown from the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

At Carterton St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated by a concert and social in Victoria Hall in aid of the Catholic Church funds.

The following pupils of St. Patrick's College were successful at the Civil Service Senior examination. : — Passed — Robert Lavery; passed in five subjects, James Rochford, Bernard Ryan, James Ryan; passed in four subjects, Alfred Cullen,* Michael Maher.

The Rev. Dr. Capra, of Milan, Italy, arrived in Wellington on Wednesday and was the guest of his Grace the Archbishop until he left on Thursday by the express for Auckland. Dr. Capra is inquiring into the conditions of Italian residents of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society was held on February 15, Bro.~ E. F. Reichel presiding. The secretary reported the progress that had been made by the St. Patrick's Day celebration committee, and stated that there was every indication of a successful celebration.. His Excellency the Governor, his Grace the Archbishop, and the Mayor and Mayoress have extended their patronage to the national concert for. St. Patrick's night, and have also signified their intention of being present. Before the meeting closed a resolution of sympathy, condoling with the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives in the ill-fated Penguin, was passed by the members.

On "Wednesday, 17th inst., in the Sydney street schoolroom, Thorndon, a most enjoyable social was held in aid of the Karori Catholic church building fund. At this initial entertainment (as it is the intention of the committee to hold a series" of socials during the coming halfyear to augment the above fund) there was a large number present. The committee, consisting of Mrs. Campbell, Mrs. Hull, Mrs. Lessington, Mrs. Prendeyille, Misses Prendeville (2), Mrs. Nimmo, Mrs. Kay, Miss N. Kay, Miss Feeney, Mrs. Swan, Miss Barrow, Misses Hurley, Putnam (2), Messrs. Monaghan, Pearce, J. F. Lessington, Crombie, Cimino, Kay, Devine, and J. J. Costall (hon. secretary), worked hard for the successful function.

At St Patrick's Hall on Thursday evening the Wellington Catholic Seamen's Conference was held, when there was a full attendance of members present, including the spiritual director (Rev. Father Yenning). The report stated that during the half-year the number of foreign vessels visited was 63 ; Catholic seamen met, 273 ; 79 packages of Catholic and secular literature were distributed. The report was highly gratifying, and the figures double those of the previous six months, except in regard to the literature. There is a credit balance of £11 18s lOd. Three concerts to seamen were given under the auspices of the Conference during the half-year. Arrangements have been made with the spiritual dixector to have a Requiem ' Mass said on Tuesday at St. Mary of- the Angels' Church for the deceased members of the crew of the Penguin. The Conference has also donated £1 Is towards the relief fund. The election of officers for the ensuing half-year resulted as follows: — Spiritual .director, Rev. Father Yenning;" president, Mr. James McCusker; vice-president, Mr. E. J. Donoghue; hon. secretary, Mr. 13. F. Reichel; hon. treasurer, - Mr. C. Cotteiill; librarian, Mr. C. P. McKenziej shipping reporter, Mr. Charles Lenihan. Mr. J. McGrath, our late Chief Detective, was farewelled by Bench and Bar previous to his departure for

Christchurch, where he is to assume the duties of Hull Inspector of Police At the Magistrates Court Mr A L. Herdman, President of the Law Society, sa id l the .mom' ben of the legal profession practising in appreciation of those who had been so fiequentTv nitted against him One of the principal qualities thaf]S made the ex-Chief Defective respected was lf s invariaS fairness.. Often when some unfortunate individual an peared in court for a breach of the law, and was X represented by counsel, Mr. McGrath had' informed him of circumstances in his favor, so that he mightTave a chance Moreover, the ex-Chief Detective possessed I good heart, and extended a helping hand, toml™ an Sjpifc SaZ C i fi^oi tbil^ai'd f£^^ McGrath in returning thanks, said that no words of .commendation were of so much value- to him Is those which came from persons who were in a positSn to cr?t£ owe his work He felt honored at the large gathering in Court, and could only say that his promotion ias mingled with the regrets at parting from old associations