A NEW CONVENT AT PORT CHALMERS.

Evening Star, Issue 12866, 16 July 1906, Page 1

A NEW CONVENT AT PORT CHALMERS.

The solemn blessing and opening of tho new convent at Port Chalmers for tho Sisters of St. Joseph took place yesterday, when the ceremony was performed by Bishop Verdon. Solemn high mass was celebrated at eleven o’clock by Father Cleary, of Dunedin, Father Howard, of South Dunedin, acting as dea-con. Father Hearn, of Port Chalmers, as sub-deacon, and Father Coffey as master of ceremonies. Bishop Verdon gave a sermon appropriate to the occasion. The music i Farmer’s Mass in B flat! was rendered with excellent effect. Mr E. Eager was organist, and the soloists were Miss Fitzgerald, Mrs Eagar, Mr O’Rourke, and AD Briggs. As an offertory Mr Eagax and Mr Briggs sang ‘0 Salutaris.’ After the mass . the building was blessed and opened by Bishop Verdon, assisted by the clergy whose names arc mentioned above. There was a crowded congregation. The offerings amounted to about £l7O. I’hc new building has one storev to the street and two storeys at the rear The foundations arc of concrete. The walk are of red brick, with cavity, the front being of pressed bricks, tuck-pointed,, with black joint window's, finished with cement dressings. The front has a verandah. 7{« gable in the centre is filled in with rough cast. The apex is surmounted by a Latin cross. The basement contains a dimug room, kitchen, laundry, and bathroom, while on the ground floor there arc reception room, music room, chapel, pariqr, four bedrooms, vestibule, and passage. Ali the walls and ceilings are plastered. Air R. _ Bauchop, of Port Chalmers, was tlvs builder.