DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 4 June 1914, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) June 1. The members of the Marist Old Boys’ Association express deep gratitude to the president, Sir George Clifford, Bart, who has donated a quantity of suitable furniture for the new. rooms, opened last week in Manchester street. Centrally and conveniently situated and comfortably fitted up, the club is evidently in for a long' period of usefulness in the interests of Catholic young men. Mild, but heartfelt, rejoicing was indulged in when it became known that the Home Rule Bill had passed its third reading in the British House of Commons, indicating at length the realisation of the hopes and prayers of all true Irishmen and women, and countless lovers of the dear, suffering Isle of the West. The green flag of Ireland proudly waved above the Hibernian Hall, and all the Catholic schools were granted a half-holiday, to mark the happy event. At the Convent Schools, Lower High street, the children sang heartily ‘ God save Ireland ’ and other patriotic songs, whilst green ribbons floated from the convent windows. Whilst passing through Christchurch on her way to Auckland,' Miss Callan, the late energetic diocesan secretary of the Catholic Federation, Dunedin, called upon several officers of the executive of the local Diocesan Council, who were particularly pleased to meet a young lady who has shown such praiseworthy zeal and interest in a* Catholic movement' which is evidently destined to accomplish great things in this Dominion. We trust that Miss Callan’s example, in so ably filling an exacting office for a time, will inspire others v to imitate her, and thus show that men alone need not monopolise every position. , ■ln \ Federation matters in this city, the indications in this regard are entirely satisfactory, some of the most energetic members of the Federation being ladies.

The Rev. Father Taylor, S.M. (Marist Missioner), has been engaged during the week conducting a mission at Addington; On Wednesday he is to open a mission at Halswell. The Rev, Father McCarthy, S.M., who is now conducting missions in the Rangiora parochial district, will, on next Sunday, commence a mission at Woolston. At the recent term examination held in connection with the schools of the Sisters of Notre Dam© des Missions, Christchurch, the following obtained the prizes in the various classes;—Commercial class, Nellie Murphy (High School) Standard VI., Kitty Murphy (High School); Standard V., M. Williams (Addington) ; Standard IV., M. Flood (St. Joseph’s); Standard 111., A. Consedine (Addington); Standard 11., B. O’Connell (Addington); Standard 1., J. Cassin (Addington), T. Nottingham (Halswell). The following girls in the High School scored the mark ‘ excellent ’ for the term: —K. McDrury, M. Clark, C.-McElroy, A. O’Donoghue, M. O’Donoghue,. E. Murphy, K. Hannan, N. Murphy, I. Bradford. The usual weekly meeting of the Christchurch Catholic Club was held in the rooms on last Wednesday evening, there being a very good attendance of members. In the unavoidable absence of the president, Dr. A. B. O’Brien, Mr. P. McNamara (vice-president) occupied the chair. The evening’s programme was an impromptu debate on the question ‘ Should compulsory military training in New Zealand be abolished?’ The following gave their views for and against the measure: Rev. Father Murphy, 8.A., Messrs. P. McNamara,. Devonport, Madden, Augarde, McKeon, Brittenden, Smith, J. McNamara; and Murphy. The expressions of opinion proved very instructive. The fortnightly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall on last Monday evening, Bro. IT. A. Sloan, 8.P., presiding. It was decided to have a stall in the bazaar to be held in August in aid of the Marist Brothers’ School. The officers and members present were elected a committee for the undertaking, the first meeting to be held on Tuesday evening next. The secretary of the hall committee reported that a euchre party would be held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, St. Asaph street, on July 1. Bro. R. O’Brien forwarded his resignation as a member of the hall committee, and it was accepted with regret. Bro. E. McQuillan was nominated for the vacancy. s