DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 15 May 1913, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

. (From our own correspondent.) May 12. • ?.; The Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., is at present in the North Island for health purposes. His Lordship Bishop Cleary is to deliver a lecture in the King's Theatre on Thursday, May 22, on the Bible-in-Schools question. . The members of the Catholic Club held a very successful smoke concert on last Friday evening to mark the occasion of the departure of their popular president (Mr. E. T. Harper), who is about to pay.a visit to England. The boisterous weather prevailing prevented many from being present, but notwithstanding this, there was a very good attendance to do honor to the guest of the evening. The chair was occupied by Mr. F. Rowe, and amongst those present were the Rev. Fathers Boyle and Long, and Dr. O'Brien, who has just returned from a prolonged visit to the . old country. During the evening Mr. Rowe, on behalf of the club, presented Mr. Harper with a case of pipes •and a razor as a small mark of the esteem in which he is held by the members, and in doing so referred to the sterling qualities of the recipient both as a fellowmember and as a Catholic gentleman. Dr. O'Brien, Messrs. J. R. Hay ward,' D. O'Connell, and E. McKeon also spoke in eulogistic terms of the departing guest, who, on rising to respond, was warmly applauded, and all present joined in singing 'For he's a jolly good fellow.' Mr. Harper, in a brief speech, thanked the different speakers for their kind words and good wishes, and said he would always treasure the gifts which would remind him of the firm friends he had in the club, and their kindly interest in his welfare. Light refreshments were then partaken of, after which a programme of excellent music was rendered by the following:—Piano solo, 'Caprice,' Mr. P. C. Augarde; songs, Messrs. E. T. Harper, J. R. Hayward, T. O'Connell, and F. Healey; recitations, Messrs F. Rowe, F. McDonald, and P. McNamara. The accompaniments were played by Mr. P. Augarde. A JUBILEE CELEBRATION. At St. Mary's, Christchurch North, on last Wednesday, four pioneer Sisters of Mercy of the Convent, Colombo street, who that day had attained their silver jubilee in the religious state, were most enthusiastically honored. These are Rev. Mother M. Cecelia, Rev. Mother M. Stanislaus, Rev. Mother M. Joseph, and Rev. Mother M. Mechtildes—all from the West Coast, having originally come from Grey mouth to found the convent of their Order in this city. Bv a happy arrangement, the clergy, who assisted at the Solemn High Mass of thanksgiving on Wednesday morning were also from Westland. The Very Rev. Dean Carew, S.M., was celebrant, Rev. Dr. Kennedy deacon, Rev. Father McDonnell, S.M., of Greenmeadows (a brother of one of the jubilarians), subdeacon, and Rev. Father Hoare, S.M., master of ceremonies. The Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), was present in the sanctuary, and, addressing the very large congregation, spoke in appropriate terms of the event being celebrated, and congratulated the devoted Sisters on their , splendid record in this city. The following clergy were subsequently entertained to dinner by the Sisters at the convent: Very Rev. Deans Regnault, S.M., Carew, and Hyland, Very Rev. Father Price, D.C., Adm., Rev. Fathers Richards, Cooney, Leen, Kerley, S.M., Smyth, S.M., Fanning,

M.S.H., O’Boyle, Dignan, S.M., Murphy, Long, McDonnell, S.M., and Rev. Dr. Kennedy. ■ ' . A very successful concert was given by past pupils in St. Mary’s Hall, Manchester street, on Wednesday evening in connection with the jubilee of the . four Sisters of Mercy. The hall was well tilled with ex-pupils and their friends and several visiting clergy. Owing to the -inclemency of the weather a large number of friends and pupils were prevented from attending. A beautifully illuminated and framed address was read and presented by Miss H. Ryan, and Mr. A. T. Donnelly,- in a happy speech, spoke of the love and esteem in which the bisters - were held, and on behalf of the past pupils , asked them to accept a substantial purse of ; sovereigns as a mark of respect and appreciation. He trusted that they would be long spared, to carry on their noble work in the service of God.

Rev. Father Hoare in the unavoidable absence of Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., replied on behalf of the Sisters, and thanked the performers for their enjoyable concert, and all others who had assisted in any way to make the function such a success. He thanked especially Miss H. Ryan and Miss G. Haughey (joint secretaries) for their successful efforts in promoting what was undoubtedly the finest event of its kind in the history, of the parish. , Light refreshments were then handed around.

The following was the programme: —Address, Miss H. Ryan; 'King Cotton' (Sousa), four pianos— D. Goggin, W. Barcock, I. Young, K. Haughey, M. Simpson, G. Burns, G. Harding, and A. McDavit; violins—Misses L. Burrow, McMillan, K. Cosgrove, and M. Cassin; 'cello, L. Hemus; mandolins, N. Turner and A. Barnett; recitation, Miss J. Scully; 'cello solo, Miss Lalla Hemus; song (comic), Mr. G. Lawrence; recitation, Miss E. Devereaux; duet, 'Sleigh bell tingle,' Misses M. Wood, J. Donnelly, E. Barnett, F. McDonald, C .Cooper, 11. Ryan, and G. Haughey. The second part consisted of the play, ' The Doulton teacups,' Mrs. Heatherstone (Cynthia), Miss Eveline Sullivan; Dick Heatherstone (husband), Mr. Fred. Cronin; Reggie Blackbourne (college friend), Mr. Charles Lawrence; maid servant, Miss Ivy Barnett. The accompanists were Miss G. Haughey and Mr. P. C. J. Augarde. Ashburton (From our own correspondent.) Matters in connection with the several Catholic clubs are in a satisfactory condition, especially the Catholic Young Men's Club, whose weekly meetings continue to be well attended, the programme set down by the club's council being to a great extent responsible for this pleasing state of affairs. Farm work and all outdoor pursuits are practically at a standstill, the weather of the past fortnight being very inclement. VPHHHaHMMOIRmaHHHanMI