CATHEDRAL GUILD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3799, 18 June 1880, Page 4

CATHEDRAL GUILD.

A general meeting of fche Guild waa held last evening at Sfc Michael's schoolroom ; the Very Rev the Dean of Christchurch, vicapresident, in the chair. There was a amall attendance. After the proceedings had been opened with singing and prayer, the Rev Chairman referred to the Bmall attendance appearing aomewhat strange after fche crowded meetinga the Guild had had for come little time past. The Dean then spoke of the rapid progreaß being made in the erection of the Cathedral since the signing of fche contract on March 2. The east and west walls of the nave were nearly finished ; the great arch waa being walled over, and the eide roofed in. From 40 to 60 men had been employed on the work, and aa many men were now engaged at ifc a 8 could work together, and there was no doubt the portion of tho building in hand wouid bo completed before the contract time. The completion of the roof would depend a greafc deal on the arrival of the slates from England. Afc a meeting of the Cathedral Commission held the previoua day orders had been sent Homo for the tilea, and also for glass for the windows, and there was every prospect that the nave would be completed in eleven montha from fche preaent time. (Applause.) They would have aeen the most pleasing intelligence in that day's Lyllelton Times that an old resident had undertaken fche erection of the tower. (Applause.) Thia had been undertaken by a gentleman whom he (the Dean) found in Canterbury 30 yeara ago, when the first four Bhips arrived, and the gentleman who had bo munificently promised to do thia work was Mr R. H. Rhodes. (Applause.) Ho (the Dean) had every reaaon to believe thafc the work would not atop there, but be quickly followed by the erection of the apire, and by a peal of bella. (Applause.) Nearly the last words of tho Bishop at tho closing of the recent seasion of the General Synod were, to hope that aome of the membera would visit Canterbury again at the opening of the Cathedra), and he (the speaker) waa in hopes that tho promiaea made by several of the visitors on tbat occasion would at no great distant date have to be fulfilled, and that there would alao be preßent some Bishops from Australia to assist at the serioa of special servicea, which would extend for about a fortnight. The Dean then referred to the neceßßifcy thafc atill existed for raising subscriptions for the ornamental work and fittings, in addition to the presentations promised, and which have already been made public. Aa the Cathedral had been designed by Sir Gilbert Scotfc in 1859, the Commission had taken step to communicate with his son, with a view of having the main doorway enlarged, and the tower altered from ita plain bold character to the more ornate style of the present day. With a desire to obtain uniformity in the windows the Commission had placed them all in the hands of an English firm, and had laid out one goneral schomo to be followed. Another meeting of the Guild would be held at the end of next month, and at that meeting he hoped to be ablo to give thorn aomo definite information aa to the opening of the Cathedral (applause). After some music by the Guild choir, tho Dean read an intereating paper on " Guild work," in which church and charitable work that might be undertaken by members, in addition to that connected with the Cathedral, waa practically illuatrated by local requirements. Hospital and gaol work, industrial achool Bervicea, asßisting new arrivals to obtain employment, and making them known fco the minister of their pariah, wore touched upon as duties which the members might pluco as their servicea afc tho disposal of hi 3 Lordahip tho Biahop, to be called upon to attend to as required. Aa ono branch of the goneral work in which the Guild might aasist, the Dean mentioned tbat in four weeka henco a public meeting would be held in that schoolroom, for the purpoao of forming a branch of the Dioceaan Temperance Society. Aftor a reading by Mr D. Robertson, and selections of music by the choir, the meeting was closed with prayer.