Colonial News.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 10, Issue 618, 13 June 1866, Page 3

Colonial News.

The ‘ Southland Daily News’ says, 44 The Bluff and Invercargill Railway is rapidly advancing towards completion. With the exception of one mile and 45 chains of the line between this town and the level crossing at the Greenhills, and one mile onvthe other side, the platelaying is finished. .Some slight delay has been caused by having to cut through an outcrop of rock at the Greenhills. Some 70ft. of this cutting has yet to bo done, which will occupy about a fortnight. Through communication may then be said to be established, although the ballasting, &c., will take some little time longer. The construction of the engine shed at the Invercargill terminus is so far advanced that the building is ready for the iron roofing. The hopes expressed that the line might be ready for traffic next month are thus in a fair way of realisation.” The consecration of St. Paul’s Church, the Cathedral of Wellington, took place on Wednesday, June 6; the time appointed for commencing this important ceremony was eleven o’clock, but long before the hour arrived every available seat was occupied by an earnest and highly respectacle congregation. The Lord Bishop, accompanied by tlie clergy of his diocese, was received at the entrance-door churchwardens, trustees, and other gentlemen, and proceeded up the, middle aisle to the Communion Table, repeating the 24th psalm, “ The earth is the Lord’s, and all that therein is.” The Bishop having been engaged in prayer for some time read aloud and signed the form of consecration, after which his Lordship fervently addressed the following prayer to the Supreme Being :—“ Blessed be Thou, 0 Lord our God, and the God of our fathers, for ever and ever. Thine O Lord, is the greatness and the power, and the glory and the victory, arid the majesty : for all that is in Heaven and in earth is Thine : Thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou reignest over all : and in Thine hand is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now, therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name. But’ who are we, and what is this people, that we should be.able to offer so willingly after this sort ? For all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee. For we are strangers before Thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers ; our days on the earth are as a shad 0 !'’? and there is none abiding. 0 Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build Thee a house for Thine Holy Name cometh of Thine hand, and is all Thine own. We know also, 0 Lord, that Thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of our hearts We have willingly offered all these things ; and now have we seen with joy Thy people which are present here to offer willingly unto Thee. 0 Lord our God, and the God of our fathers, keep this forever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart, and prepare their heart unto Thee.” The service usual when the Holy Communion ffp administered was proceeded with, the Bishop delivering a mOst effective sermon, taking as his text, psalm xlv. verse 14—“ The King’s daughter is all glorious within ; her clothing is of wrought gold after which a collection was made in aid of. the building, amounting to £4B 6s Id. His Excellency the Governor, attended by his Staff, and accompanied by Bishop Monrad, witnessed the ceremony. The singing by the choir was highly creditable, and though the professionals did not muster very strong on the occasion, yet the harmony was pleasing and agreeable, and gave much satisfaction to all present.— 4 Wellington Postfe.’