KARAKA GOLD-FIELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1311, 29 January 1868, Page 2

KARAKA GOLD-FIELD.

(FKi'M OUB SPECIAL BEPOBTEB.) Shobtland, January 27. Divine service was held yesterday, in the American tlwatre. Archdeacon Lloyd preached both in the morning and evening, to large congregations The congregation in the evening was pretty nearly as many as the theatre would hold, β-liich is about 600. The attendance on the previous Sunday evening was 537. The Kev. Father Nivard officiated yesterday in the newlyerected Konian Catholic Churoh, at the corner of Witloughby and Baillie-streets. This place of worship will be, I am informed, ready for consecration on Sunday next, and it is expected that Bishop Pompallier will officiate at the consecration. The following jieasurpments t*UI give your renders some idea of what is being done here, the more so as it is only six weeks ago siuce tenders; were called for the building. The main building is 50 feet, long, 25 feet wide, and 12 /eec walls, entering by a porch S feet by 10 feet. Theroof being supported by four pairs of light principals constructed in a way that the necessity of iron rods is done away

with, and the interior of the roof looks open and light. The body of the building is well lighted with four large windows on each side, and well ventilated by louvres in the gable. In passing through the entrance the appearance ot the altar and rails is striking, they bemg plain but well arranged. From the altar floor, : the vestry 13 reached which adds an additional feet to the main building. One of our worthy diggers, Mr. Matthew Barry (better known as Patsey), hag, in addition to Ms liberal subscription, undertaken to have the church lined and. provided with 28_ seats before_the end of this month at"Es own expense." Adjoining the Church is a four-roomed eottage built for the residence of the priest, the 3£ev. Father Nivard. The whole of the work appears to have been carried out in a satisfactory manner reflecting credit on the builder, Mr. Whitlock, and all concerned.

A meeting is called for this evening to take the steps necessary for the erection of a place of worship for the Church of England. News reached here last evening that the unfortunate woman, Mrs. Brown, who is alleged to have shot herself, but who certainly was shot in the mouth, at the Tapu Creek about ten days ago, expired at half-past nine o'clock a.m. Arrangements had been made to remove the deceased to the Provincial Hospital, and the Midge was to have called in at Tapu this morning for that purpose. An inquest will of course bo held. I append below the evidence taken on Saturday last, on view of the body of Marie Lapine, an unmarried woman, native of France, who died on the previous day in a tent, on what is called the Waiotahi flat, a sort of sub-township which is springing up on some land which, until very lately, was supposed to have been reserved for Maori cultivation, but which is now being leased by agents employed by the Maoris themselves. It is necessary that I should give this explanation of where the death occurred, as there would otherwise seem to be some gross want of humanity in leaving a fellow creature, and a woman too, to die alone and uncared. As it is, there is a something which needs explanation. I have several times intenied to call attention to the absolute necessity of some hospital accommodation here. This woman evidently might have lived had she been cared for. Possibly Mrs. Brown might have lived had hospital accommodation been closer at hand. In a population such as ours no one can say the day or the hour hospital accommodation may be required ; but who is to provide this accommodation ? lam told that the Provincial Government will give some old beds and bedding towards such a very desirable end ; but I do not think that in our circumstances either the duty or the responsibility of the Government will end here. We want a building, a medical officer, medicines, and attendants. I know the answer will be; but I ask for bread—not a stone.

The company at the American Theatre have had several very successful performances during the week, and, as the " rawness " gets worn off, they are Teally coming to their work very well. Keport says we are to have Madame and Mademoiselles Oarandini <"lown here.

The Eesident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts sat for some hours on Friday. There were a large number of cases, but not of such importance as to be worth reproduction in your columns.

A building is being very rapidly erected upon lot 28, in Pollen-street. lam told that it is intended for a branch of the Bank of New Zealand, but I cannot trace the report to any sufficient authority ; there is also a report current, that there is to be a great case for trial in the Warden's Court, here, between some of the shareholders in Barry's claim and the new Kuranui Gold Mining Company. January 28,1868. An inquest was held yesterday at the Tapu Creek on view of the body of Mrs. Brown- The evidence taken is withheld at the request of the Coroner, for tho furtherance of the ends of justice. A. meeting of persons interested in the erection of a Church of England place of worship here, was held last evening in Butts' Commercial Boom. Mr. Archdeacon Lloyd was called to the chair. There was a very good attendance, and amongst those present were the Rev. Thomas Grace, and G. Maunsell, and Mr. James Mackay Jun. A resolution was proposed and adopted " That a Committee be appointed for the purpose of devising measures for the erection of a Church of England place of worship, and for carrying them into execution." An influential Committee was then appointed with Mr. Mackay as treasurer, and the Rev. G-. Maunsell as convener; and after some general conversation votes of thanks were passed to W. ! H. Taipari, who had piven half an acre of land free as a site for the Church, of which he is stated to be_ a member, and to the Chairman, when the meeting broke up.