DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 17 June 1915, Page 25

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) June 14. Addressing the Cathedral congregation at the halfpast 9 o'clock Mass on Sunday, Rev. Father Murphy, 8.A., very appropriately applied the lesson contained in the day's Gospel—that of the Good Shepherd—to what is being done at the present day on the battlefields by our Catholic chaplains. This, he said, was emphasised in the admirable booklet, The Priest on the Battlefield, now. appearing in the columns of the Tablet. From letters received from our own New Zealand chaplains, (continued the Rev. preacher) it was seen how the spiritual interests of our Catholic men were looked after. Of the many hundreds of those then at Cairo, and subsequently drafted to the Gallipoli Peninsula, and since engaged in action, it is safe to assume that not one passed out of camp, who had not performed his Easter duty. To enable them to do so, the chaplains devoted the whole of Easter Saturday up to midnight hearing confessions. At Mass on Easter Sunday, at which all these received Holy Communion, the others, who could not be heard in time, were told that an opportunity would be given them to go to confession that evening. To this invitation the remaining 200 responded. When news from time to time reached us regarding the death or wounding of our Catholic boys, this state of preparedness would soften the blow, and mitigate our sorrow at the loss sustained.

Feeling reference was made in the Cathedral on Sunday to the death of Corporal Clarkson, who was for years a sanctuary boy at the Cathedral, and remarkable for his devotion to duty in that as in all other Catholic duties. He was a nephew of Mr. R. P. O’Shaughnessey, well known in Hibernian circles in this city. The deceased was an orphan. His father, Mr. Richard Clarkson, formerly an officer and popular member of the Canterbury Catholic Literary Society, was drowned in a surf-bathing accident at Napier about seven years ago, his mother having died about seventeen months before that. Corporal Clarkson Was twenty-two years of age, and was a motor-cycle expert. He was a mem-

ber of the Signalling Corps (Territorials) and gained the Dixon Institute certificate.—R.l.P.

Reference was also made to the wounding at the Dardanelles of Private Dwyer, another well-known and popular Catholic young man. He is the third son of Superintendent Dwyer, of the Christchurch police. Private Dwyer, who was twenty years of age, was very well known in Christchurch, especially in football circles. Last year he was a member of the Marist Club’s senior fifteen, and had the distinction of being one of the youngest players taking part in the competition, He received his education at St. Patrick’s College, Wellington. Later he, along with his parents, went to reside in Napier, where he became prominent in Rugby circles, and on several occasions represented Hawke’s Bay in the more important matches. Later he transferred to Dunedin, where he took up the Association game. On coming to Christchurch last year he joined forces with the Marist Club.

On last Sunday afternoon a talented little concert party, organised by Mr. P. C. Augarde, gave a charming programme at Nazareth House, greatly to the delight of the. two hundred inmates, old and young, in the fine large schoolroom. Songs were contributed by Misses D. Grant, O. Wacked, and E. Cotter, Messrs. B. Rennell and A. A. McDonald. A pianoforte item was artistically played by Misses Hopping and Rene Mahon. Mr. R. Clarke gave a particularly fine rendering of the Bach-Gounod ‘ Ave Maria.’ Recitations were given by Miss K. Higgins and Mr. F. Cordery. Besides accompanying, Mr. Augarde played most acceptably a piano solo, ‘ Rustle of spring.’ At the request of the concert company a large party of the orphan girls in the institution sang a couple of choruses in that perfect manner which has on many occasions elicited from visitors unstinted praise and expressions of appreciation. ‘ God save the King ’ was sung, and the company were entertained to afternoon tea by the Rev. Mother and Sisters of .Nazareth, who warmly thanked the performers for the enjoyable treat afforded.

The usual fortnightly meeting of St. Patrick’s branch of the 11.A.C.8. Society was held in the Hibernian Hall on last Monday evening. Bro. J. Griffen (president) occupied the chair, and amongst those present was Rev. Father Long (chaplain). Bro. J. Consedine, of Victoria, was introduced to the meeting by the president and given a hearty welcome. Bros. R. O’Brien and J. Curry were appointed delegates to the Catholic Federation for the coming year. Bro. F. Smith (vice-president of the branch), who is leaving for Trentham with the reinforcements, was presented with a wristlet watch. The president, in making the presentation, referred to the sterling qualities of Bro. Smith as a Hibernian, his remarks being endorsed by Rev.

Father Long, Bros. F. J. Doolin, W. Rodgers, M. Grimes, R. O’Brien, etc. After the toast of Bro. Smith had been honored, a short social was held, items being contributed by Rev. Father Long, P. Sweeney, J. Curry, J. Consedine, P. Ilaughey, J. Flannelly,' etc. Cheers were given from Bro. Smith, and the meeting broke up with the singing of ‘ Auld lang syne.’

The Cathedral school committee intend holding their first annual social on Wednesday evening, June 23. The Alexandra Hall with the Victoria Hall and other rooms have been secured for the purpose. A very good programme has been arranged, and the services of the well-known Wells Band have been engaged. The committee expect that a very large number will bo present, and are providing many forms of amusement so that all may have a very enjoyable evening. The proceeds are to go towards the school fund.

Lincoln (From an occasional correspondent.) Much sympathy was felt in this parish with Mr. and Mrs. R. Lloyd, of Spreydon, when it became known that their eldest son (Private John Sheehan Lloyd) had died of wounds received at the Dardanelles. The deceased's father is a member of the local branch of the H.A.C.B. Society, having joined in 1882, on the day the branch was opened, and at present is one of the two original members left.

Hokitika. (From our own correspondent.) June 10. The complimentary social tendered to Miss Myrtle Keller, at the Westland Opera House, on Wednesday, June 2, was a great success. There was a large attendance, and the evening passed off most enjoyably. During an interval a number of presentations were made, the first being the Belgian flag to Mr. \V. J. Jeffries by Mrs Keller. Mr. Pickering, on behalf of Miss Keller, presented Mr. 11. Williams (secretary of her carnival committee) with a gold sovereign case, whilst Mr. W. J. Jeffries, on behalf of Miss Keller, handed Mr. L. Dwan a gold albert. The whole of the presentations, which were suitably acknowledged, were made as an expression of the gratitude of Mrs. and Miss Keller for the excellent work accomplished by the recipients, in connection with the Queen of the Carnival election. During the evening musical items were rendered by Mesdames Richardson, Harris, and Rolling, Miss Daly, and Messrs. Gibbons, J. Kavanagh, and L. Dwan. A pleasant evening's enjoyment terminated with the singing of ' God save the King.'

The death of another well-known pioneer, in the person of John McQuilkin, took place last Tuesday evening at his residence, Hau Han. Deceased was, until recently, a road overseer in the employ of the Westland County Council. In his earlier years he worked on the Victorian and Otago goldfields, and came to the West Coast in 1865. The late Mr. McQuilkin, who was a native of Torrhead, County Antrim, was 78 years of age, and leaves a wife and grown-up family of five sons and three daughters —Messrs. Patrick and John McQuilkin, of Hau Hau, Mr. James McQuilkin, of Te Kinga, Messrs. Hugh and Joseph McQuilkin, of Blackball, Mrs. Needs, Hokitika, and two Sisters of our Lady of Compassion, Wellington — all of whom wore present at his death.—R.l.P.