DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 11 March 1915, Page 13

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) r>. March 1. A general meeting of the conferences of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in the circumscription of the Particular Council of Christchurch was held on last Monday evening in Ozanam Lodge, Manchester street. The Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., presided, and there was a large attendance. Reports from the Superior Council, Sydney, and correspondence were read and dealt with. Reports received from the various conferences and confraternities of the Diocesan Ladies of Charity showed that a great, amount of useful and necessary work was done by them. A fitting acknowledgment wts made to the Very Rev. Dean Hills for his gift of- a fine picture, suitably framed, of his Holiness Pope Benedict XV., and now placed in the meeting room. The Very Rev. Dean exhorted all present to continue in the good work reported upon. The society was essentially a' charity organisation, and thus all, who were engaged in the varied spheres of activity associated with it, were doing God’s work. During the holy season of Lent more and more should be don© for the love of God in this regard, for the love of our neighbor, and for the sanctification of our own souls. Penance may be accomplished by doing good, but this should be done kindly , and tactfully without any motive of worldly reward. The picnic, organised by the Cathedral school committee, was held last Saturday in fine weather, and proved most enjoyable and successful. A train conveying the excursionists left Christchurch about 9 o’clock, and arrived in Ashburton at 11. The visitors were officially welcomed by the Mayor, and then proceeded to the beautiful local Domain, the scene of the day’s festivities. Included in the party were the Very Rev. Dean Hills, S.M., V.G., the Rev. Father Hanrahan (Lincoln), several of the Cathedral clergy, the staff of St. Bede’s College, the Marist Brothers, and- visitors from Timaru and elsewhere. The school committee, with the secretary (Mr. P. A. O’Connell) left nothing undone to perfect all the arrangements, with the result that the day passed very pleasantly. The excursionists started on the return journey at a quarter past 6, and the city was reached before 8 o’clock. An enjoyable programme of sports was carried through during the afternoon, and resulted as follows:—100yds Championship—J. Holehan 1, T. Mahoney 2, M. McManus 3. 880yds Championship —V. Kingdon 1, L. Mahoney 2. 100yds Handicap (under 16) — C. Batchelor 1, J. Darragh 2. 100yds Handicaps (under 15) —F. Main 1, 11. Hammil 2. 100yds Handicap (under 14) — R. McKay 1, D. McLaren 2. 100yds Handicap (under 13) — C. Dobbs 1, E. Goodman 2. 100yds Handicap 12) — V. O’Donnell 1, C. McArley 2. 75yds Handicap (under 11) — M. McGarva 1, J. Healey 2. 75yds Handicap (under 10) —J. Commons 1, E. Maher 2. 50yd^ Handicap (under 9) — J. Marriot 1, T. Grimes 2. 25yds Handicap (under 6) — E. Batchelor 1, E. Browne 2. Novelty race (under 12) —T. Cotter 1, A. Matheson 2. Potato race —C. Batchelor 1, W. McCormack 2. Married ladies’ stepping race—Mrs. Branch. 440yds Ladies’ handicap —A. Murphy 1, A. McGarva 2. Single ladies’ stepping race— Nelson. Baby show Mrs. IT. Wilson’s child 1, Mrs. Roche’s 2, Mrs. Walsh’s 3. District relay race —Sydenham 1. Swimming. — 50yds Championship —P. Gregory 1, P. Murfitt 2, L. Cotter 3 : 50yds handicap —P. Gregory (scr) 1, P. Murfitt. (scr) 2, L. Cotter (3sec) 3 ; 30yds (under 12) —L. Cotter 1. Diving — Murfitt-1, P. Clarksoil 2.