Wanganui

New Zealand Tablet, 1 April 1915, Page 43

Wanganui

(From our own correspondent.) Very Rev. Deans Holley and Binsfield arrived hero to-day, after attending the obsequies of the late Bishop Grimes. Special references were made in both churches last Sunday to the late Bishop Grimes. At St. Mary’s at the 10.30 o’clock Mass, the Rev. Father Moloney, S.M., spoke at some length of the great work the deceased prelate had accomplished, and at Vespers the organist (Mr. J. Kearsley) played the ‘ Dead March 5 from Saul.’

Ohakune « (Fiom an occasional correspondent.) Last Sunday, March 21, our little congregation joined those of the diocese in keeping the day as one of expiation and intercession for peace. After Mass at 11 a.in., there was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and, although the weather was most unfavorable and many people had to come from a distance, there as an edifying attendance throughout the day. In the evening there was a large congregation, when the Rosary was recited and Benediction was given. On Wednesday, March 17, the Irishmen of Ohakune and surrounding districts held the first national gathering in honor of the day, which has taken place here. A comprehensive programme of spoils for children and adults had been prepared, but unfortunately shortly before o p.m. the rain came down, bringing the outing to a somewhat abrupt termination. There was a very large attendance, and despite adverse weather conditions all enjoyed themselves. In the evening a social was held in "the Town Mall, when several Irish national items were contributed bv a number of talented vocalists. The proceeds of the day's functions are to be devoted to the church funds, and it is satisfactory to find that a substantial amount was realised. The success of our first St. Patrick Dav celebration has made the committee, who were most, energetic, verv ambitious, and next year’s outing will lie organised on an even bigger scale. Dining the Lenten season there arc devotions in the church every evening, and on Wednesdays and Fridays there is Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. These services have been well, attended, and on Sunday evenings there is always a large congregation. It is a, consolation to Catholics in the back-blocks to be able to follow the practices of their religion to the same extent as their more fortunate co-religionists in the towns, and, judging by the attendances, our people here are duly grateful for the privilege. Ohinemuri From our own correspondent.) About 250 children from all parts of the district were present at the annual St. Patrick’s Day picnic, which was held in Paeroa this year. Special reserved railway carriages conveyed the children from Waikino, Owharoa, and Karangahake. Mass was celebrated by the Ven. Archdeacon Hackett, who delivered a very able and impressive address on St. Patrick in St. Mary’s Church, Paeroa, when there was a crowded congregation. After the Mass the children proceeded to the picnic ground, under the charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph, where a very enjoyable day was spent,, and all the items of the programme were keenly contested. Valuable assistance in carrying out the day’s programme was given by Messrs. J. Wall, R. Wilkinson, J. Patton, and T. Quigly, and Mesdames J. O’Neil (Karangahake), and J. Armour (Waikino).

Qisborne ; V : v'. - ' v • ■- - V" • Irishmen the world over never fail to do honor to their Patron Saint, St. Patrick, on the 17th March (says the Gisborne limes'). Functions of various kinds are invariably the rule in centres where the sons of Erin foregather,, and- the Irish population of Gisborne were not unmindful of what was due from them. The special function-held this year was a huge Irish entertainment held in the Opera House, at which, in point of numbers, a record house must have been present, in such numbers did the Irish and those who were not Irish, of the town attend that at 7.45 the ‘ house full ’ sign had to be hung up to the circle portion of the house, and a few minutes later the lower portion of the theatre was filled to overflowing and hundreds of intending patrons had to be turned away. The first portion of the entertainment was devoted to pictures, three films of more than ordinary merit being shown. Two comedies, ‘ Pat and the milliner ’ and A queen for a day ’ tickled the risibilities of the crowded house to such an extent as to cause shrieks of laughter. The third picture was a delightful drama having its foundation set among the beautiful scenery which exists only in Ireland. After the interval a number of magnificent limelight slides were shown depicting spots in the Emerald Isle which were visited by Rev. Father Lane during his recent holiday in that country. The rev. gentleman increased the -interest which these slides produced by a lucid and graphic description of the different points or interest, and by many a witty anecdote concerning some special feature. The slides covered a wide range. There were included the most notable of Ireland’s public buildings, many of its beautiful churches and colleges, splendid examples of architectural art, spots of historic interest, monuments of warriors and of Irish patriots who have passed away, scenes depicting Irish life and the old style of Irish cottages, a dozen slides of the glorious scenery that abounds around the worldfamed and immortalised Killarney Lakes, and views of some of the thousands of other beauty spots with which Ireland abounds. During an interval in the showing of the slides Mrs. Phil Barry delighted the audience with ‘Killarney,’ that evergreen song which never fails to please, and later Mr. Downie sang ‘ My little Irish gill, for which he was encored. At the conclusion of the slides Mr, Downie sang ‘ A nation once again,’ St. Mary’s Choir joining in the chorus. At the close Rev. Father Lane briefly addressed the audience. Ho said the dominant force actuating the Irish people to-day was loyalty to King and country. Already over 200,000 children of the Emerald Isle had gone to the front to shed their blood and give their lives, if need be, in the service of the Eippire. Britain .was now united as never before, England, Scotland, and Ireland being united in a common cause, and a common destiny. England, he was certain, would after the war fulfil her word and make Ireland a nation once again. The green flag of Erin would then float over a free, unfettered, and regenerated Ireland. The crisis on the Home Rule problem was briefly mentioned by Rev. Father Lane. He said that a report had appeared in the New Zealand papers that civil war between the North and South of Ireland had been imminent. This he emphatically denied, and asserted that the report had no justification. He happened to be in Ireland at the time, and he assured his audience 'that war between the North and South of Ireland was as unlikely as war between the North and South Island of New Zealand. Indeed, it was a fact, he added, that an Orange band had headed a detachment of Nationalist Volunteers who had offered their services to the Empire at the outbreak of the European conflagration. The entertainment was brought to a close by the singing of-the National Anthem. A feature of the entertainment was the special Irish music which the Opera House Orchestra played during the showing of the pictures and during the interval.,