ITEMS FROM THE CAPE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 89, 9 January 1875, Page 14

ITEMS FROM THE CAPE.

The Roman Catholics of Kimberley (South African Diamond Fields) intend to forward, for presentation to the Pope, sixteen picked diamonds, as a token of their veneration and esteem. The valuable parcel will be accompanied with an address, expressive of their deep attachment to His Holiness as Head of the Church.

The ' Diamond News ' of August 11 says : — On Friday a diamond of about ten carats, octahedron shape, and appearing externally as though it had been polished -with black lead, was found in one of Mr Ling's claims. It is pronounced by those who saw the diamond purchased by Mr Coster, and which was subsequently cut into a most valuable blue diamond, as identical in appearance with the latter stone. Few at the Diamond Fields are able to judge of the value of such a stone. A new Roman Catholic church was opened at Alice on the 11th August, by the Eight Rev. J. D. Ricards, D.D., Bishop of the Eastern Province. There was quite a large concourse of spectators, and, after the conclusion of the ceremony, a collection was made, when the sum of <£55 was subscribed. A bazaar was held in the courthouse, when about .£95 was netted. In the evening a dinner was given at the Victoria Hotel, the bishop in the chair. The following priests assisted at the ceremony : — Father O'Connell (Fort Beaufort), Father Fagan (King Williamstown), Father Coghlan (Graaff-Reinett), Father Fitzhenry (Port Elizabeth). A meeting was held on the 3rd August of the Roman Catholic community in Capetown that illustrated the vitality and working of the voluntary principle. The Roman Catholic congregation of Capetown is probably the poorest in the place, excepting, of course* those belonging to the Native Chapels yet the subscriptions given at the meeting amounted to the sum of ,£BOO. Half of this is to be be paid at once, and the other half by weekly instalments. The money was asked for improvements in the cathedral, and for building a chapel on the Somerset road, in memory of the late Bight Rev. Dr. Grimley. Bishop Leonard made the appeal to his people, and in doing so submitted a statement that showed he had paid for the church since his arrival, about twelve months ago, no less a sum than £3,000. It transpired, however, that of this amount the bishop himself had contribute! out of his private funds $600^