DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 10 August 1911, Page 1516

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

• .(From our own correspondent.) "- .... August 7. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from the 11 o'clock Mass in the Cathedral on; Sunday last.' Included in the usual procession in the evening was the St. Alphonsus (Men's) division of the ArchConfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. Over four hundred members of the women's division of the ArchConfraternity approached the Holy Table -at the Cathedral and various churches of the parish for the monthly Communion at the early Masses. !

Writing on board the Atua, under date July 21,• his Lordship Bishop Grimes says that since leaving Auckland they had not experienced very fine weather until that day, and once again the Pacific Ocean had belied its name for tranquillity. ‘We are now,’ writes the Bishop, ‘ within 70 or 80 miles of Nukuolofa, one of the group of Friendly Islands, our first stopping place, where I believe the Bishop, Dr. Olier, S.M., is lying dangerously ill.’

There was a crowded audience in St. Mary’s Schoolroom, Manchester street, on last Friday evening at an excellent entertainment given by the pupils of St. Mary’s Schools, and promoted to provide funds for furnishing the new convent chapel of the Sisters of Mercy with appropriate seating accommodation. Several of the clergy were among those present. The following excellent programme was presented, and met with great acceptance, the young performers acquitting themselves admirably—Chorus, ‘Violets,’ pupils;- pianoforte duet, ‘Spring,’ Misses M. Young, L. Moraghan, L. and N. Sunley, F. Gerity, Masters B. Kingan, H. Moody, and D. Morrison;'national flag march, pupils; comic duet, Masters C. and L. Lawrence; piano solo, ‘ Study,’ Misses B. Nicholson, H. Ryan, J. Donnelly, and M. Simpson; .dialogue, ‘Be truthful but courteous,’ Misses M. Hayward, M. Young, T. Ward, A. Ryan, V. Haigh, and M. Petre; vocal solo,- ‘A little child lead them,’ Master M. Lawrence; solo and duet, ‘Simple Aveu,’ Misses L. Young, M. Wood, G. Couzins, V. Wilson, M. Young, and Master Alan Payling; violins; Misses L. Burrow, 0. Westerberg, and Master C. Morrison; vocal trio, ‘Mermaid’s song,’ Misses M. Riordan, A, Geaney, L. Wormald. In the operetta, ‘ The Midshipmite,’ the characters were sustained by Masters S. Lawrence, B. Kingan, P. Riordan, L. Dobbs, M. Lawrence, G. Kingan, Misses K. Haughey, E. McDavitt, N. Goggan, M. Shaw, G. Burns,' Pianoforte duet, * May queen,’ Misses H. Ryan, J. Donnelly, F. McDonald, W. Barcock, G. Harding, M.' Simpson, G. Burns, and D. Goggan; chorus, ‘ Out with the tide,’ pupils. .

After the general Communion of members of the Marist Brothers’ Old Boys’ Association, the Senior Cadet Corps- and; Marist Brothers’ School Cadets, on last Sunday week at the Cathedral, marched to the boys’ schoolroom, where breakfast ■ was laid and dispensed by a number of young lady friends. The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm. (spiritual director), presided, and, in the course of an address, said he was proud and

happy, to be present that morning and witness such a demonstration- of Catholic life and activity, which would act; as a stimulus where such may be needed. The display at the altar rails was a distinct edification to the congregation, and, personally, he was gratified at' the flourishing state of the association on the right lines. ; Distinguished as the members were in . the field of sports, they, too, proved themselves to be faithful in the discharge of their religious duties, which was of more importance. The main function of the association was to take charge of the youth on leaving school, to interest him during hours of recreation, and generally to keep a watchful eye upon him. Without such kindly supervision there was always a danger of some going .astray. In this, therefore, the association was engaged in a very noble and very laudable work, and fulfilling a necessary function in the Catholic life of the city. On retiring three hearty cheers were given for Father Price. Several toasts were duly honored. Among invited guests were representatives of the H.A.C.B. Society and Catholic Club. On the motion of Mr. J. R. Hayward (president of the club) a vote of thanks and appreciation was passed to the executive committee. ‘ Feeling reference was made to the death of Mr. E. O’Connor, a vice-president of the association, and of Mrs. Watson, mother of cne*of the members, a vote of condolence with the relatives being recorded in both instances. Mr. C. Lafferty occupied the chair during the after-breakfast proceedings.. The officers in charge of the Marist Brothers’ School Cadets on parade were Lieutenants Thom, McCarthy, and Christopher. ‘ " ■

In his report to the North Canterbury Board of Education of the recent examination of the schools under the control of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Mary’s Convent, Colombo street- the Inspector (Mr. W. Brock) writes- as follows ‘ St. Mary’s Catholic-school: This school on the whole makes a satisfactory appearance, giving strong evidence of teaching on enthusiastic lines: A fair measure of work has been covered, and a creditable amount of progress has been ■ made. Reading, drawing, and singing are good subjects, while geography is promising. Writing has improved, and greater con” tinuity of style is observable. Sewing is, as usual, of excellent quality. Standards V. and VI. are satisfactory classes, presenting fairly full, well-prepared programmes. The results range from fair in arithmetic to good in composition and. writing. Standards 111. and IV '.-These classes obtain ’a commendable amount of success in the various tests ; composition is mainly a good subject. Standard 11. makes a creditable appearance, and with continued effort should make a good class for promotion at the. close of the year. Standard I. has been carefully taught, and makes a good display, all subjects reaching a satisfactory level, while spelling is distinctly good.’ The preparatory class also came under review and elicited a fair comment. The primary division of St. Mary’s Collegiate School was examined in conjunction with St. Mary’s parochial school, and the remarks-made in connection with that school apply to the various classes of which it is composed in Standards I. to VI.

In his examination report of the Convent School at Darfield, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, the North Canterbury Board of Education Inspector (Mr. Thomas Hughes) in a general summary comments as follows — The school is conducted in accordance with the regulations prescribing the course of instruction in primary schools. Pupils are grouped for instruction in a. suitable manner. A marked improvement is noticeable in the attendance of pupils. The results obtained in the various standards are given as ‘ satisfactory,’ ‘ generally satisfactory,’ and ‘ suitable.’ Time tables are constructed on approved lines they provide for suitable courses of study. Schemes of work, outline programmes, generally, satisfactory in quality and amount. The methods of instruction are suitable, and the teaching sympathetic and earnest. The order, discipline, and behaviour of the pupils are in general commendable, the training afforded is directed towards the formation of character.

SUCCESSFUL NEW ZEALANDERS.

v\ At the recent Sydney University junior examination twelve students were presented from "the, Marist Brothers' Training T College, Hunters X Hill, ' and all passed. v ; Among these were four students from New Zealand; two from Napier, one from Greymouth, and! one :from Christchurch, all former pupils of the Marist : Brothers' primary ;, schools. ,: Francis Merrick and Richard Taylor are from Napier. The first-mentioned obtained five first-class passes -„ and one second \ class. Gerald Gill, from Christchurch, • obtained five firstclass passes and one second class. Cyril Whittaker, of \ Greymouth, obtained three first-class passes, two second \ class, and two third class. Another student, Charles . Meadth, obtained six first-class passes and one -second' class, getting prox.. ace. for algebra. As these boys are all being.trained for the Order, it can be seen that they are - being well equipped to take their places v; as teachers in the schools.. : - : "- V Ashburton ■". ' > -_:.- (From our own correspondent.) - Beautiful spring-like weather is now being experienced here. ; The many severe frosts and plentiful rain supply promise well for this season's harvest in this county. — ~ : / ././.;_.-\ r l-y'.-■-■■',:, _Vf.. : r f The programme for the evening at the last weekly meeting of the 7 Catholic Young Men's Club took the form of a progressive euchre tournament, the prize for which was presented by Mr. B. McDonnell. A very enjoyable evening was spent, the winner being Mr. T. Purcell. A vote of thanks to the chairman (Rev. Father O'Hare) terminated the meeting. ---.-'