Palmerston North

New Zealand Tablet, 10 April 1913, Page 47

Palmerston North

(From our own correspondent.) March At the fortnightly meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society on Tuesday last a ballot was taken for the election of a delegate to the triennial meeting to be held at Napier. Three nominations were received. After a very close contest Bro. Kennedy was elected. On Monday evening, Mr. E. J. Fitzgibbon, of Wellington, who was introduced by Father McManus, gave an address on the Catholic Federation. All were greatly impressed with his forceful style and convincing arguments, and at the close of the discourse many gave in their names as members. Large congregations were present at all the services during Holy Week. The members of the men's branches of the St. Vincent de Paul and Sacred Heart Societies, with the Children of Mary, watched before the Blessed Sacrament on Holy Thursday night. At the early Mass on. Easter Sunday there was a general Communion of the members of all the parish societies. Rev. Father McManus celebrated the 11 o'clock Mass, and preached an impressive discourse. The choir, which was assisted by several friends from the city, rendered the music in a very efficient manner, Mr. Tabor being conductor. The concert held in the Empire Hall in honor of St. Patrick's Day was successful in spite of the unpro-

pitious weather, there being a fairly large gathering. An excellent programme was presented, the items iof which were as follow: —Overture, Polonaise militaire,' Mr. Beg. R. Oakley j song, Molly Bawn,f Mr. T. J. Rodgers (encored); song, ' Come back to Erin,' Mrs. R. Cope (encored); duet, 'Excelsior,' Messrs. S. Carson and o . Rodgers; impersonation, ' Mrs. Brown at the play,' Mr. W. Tabor; choruses, There's no home like the old home ' and ' O steer my barque,' convent pupils; monologue, A bush christening,' Mr. L. W. Hanlon; song, 'Kathleen mavourneen,' Mrs. Reginald Skerman; song, 'Terence's farewell,' Mrs. Bailey; song, 'Alone on the raft,' Mr. D. W. Poole; lightning sketches, Mr. Thompson; trio, The low-backed car,' Messrs. J. Rodgers, W. Tabor, and J. Moore. At a suitable juncture, Mr. M. J. Kennedy, on behalf of the Catholic community and friends, extended a hearty welcome to the Rev. Father McManus, recently appointed to the charge of St. Patrick's parish in succession to the late Father Costello. Mr. Kennedy expressed the hope of the congregation that Father McManus would long be spared to labor among .them, and that his activities in Palmerston would be entirely successful. In responding Father McManus warmly thanked his friends, and said he trusted that his labors would be blessed with the success that the previous speaker had desired. He also returned thanks to the committee for the creditable manner v in which they had worked to do honor to the memory of Ireland's national Apostle, and said he hoped that before very long they would meet again to celebrate the freedom and independence of Ireland. He thanked Mr. W. Devine for his part in helping to make the gathering a success. ..:••..* The secretarial duties were efficiently carried out by Mr. R. R. Oakley.