CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 382, 13 August 1880, Page 15

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.)

That Christchurch has progressed rapidly in extension is nowhere K> remarkable as in the neighbourhood of the Catholic Church, Barbadoes street South. Though not many chains from the busiest part of the city, it has till lately been looked upon as backward, partly owing to its low level and the scarcity of habitations, and, I daresay, tht apathy of most people to settle down convenient to a Catholic church, except, indeed, they be intelligent Protestants or Catholics. Those acquainted with this locality will have no difficulty in remembering the time when, in order to get to the church fiom the *erry road, they had to wade knee-deep in water, or, at a still earlier period, when they had to walk as best they could on the top of sod fences from Barrett's Hotel. The sod fences alluded to enclosed a large expanse of swampy laud, used as a kitchen garden by Chinamen, who were allowed to squad together in a shed without window or chimney It was the property of Mr. W. Wilson (better known as m Cabbage Wilson of this city, who, a few years ago, had it cut up into sections and sold. Chain roads now intersect it, which are well metalled and drained into concrete channels, conveying the water into one of the principal sewers. Few persons absent a couple of years but would notice the almost incredible change in this locality which is now thickly studded with residences of respectable appearances and shops, as well as coal and timber yards, &c &c • indeed, the locality bids fair to be one of the most important in Ghnstchurch. r They say the mongrel cock crows loudest on his own dunghill I am reminded of this by the tone of one of our evening papers here when reasoning any matter it does not approve of. One time it is J^e, Jesuits," then the " Hall Government," again the "Hospital btaff, then the " Domain Board," and sometimes the " Victorian Government," no matter by whom lead, whether Berry, Service or even O'Shaughnessy. It is surprising how this editor comes round matters when be wants to give a person or body of persons a drive. He is an upholder of the present system of godless education, and because he knows that Catholics all over the world are opposed to it he is uncomfortable, and knows not how to excite public feeling against them. He spotted the "Jesuit Order" in the Old World I fiw weeks ago, and did what he could to show they were unworthy t3 live. He now comes at the Catholics in general, those of Victoria in particular, and Sir John O'Shannassy (whom he derisively styles the « big knight ") he picks out to poke fun at. I say to poke fun at, for I believe educated minds can have no other reason for perusing his paper uow-a-days but for fun. Imagine how he argues He hears that Sir J. OS. in Victoria represents a constituency in its House of Parliament. This member exercises his rio-ht to demand 3ustice done to a large section of the people, and is pui down there and then by this editor as the " political coach which stops Victoria's way." Further, he cautions the public against giving Catholics their rights in this most important matter, for fear it should be said •' that they were in a position to control, to any considerable extent, the elections to the Assembly." He goes out of his way, in fact, to make the public believe that had Catholics their due they would tecome intolerant, and so tries to cause angry and hostile feeliDgs against them. And yet this editor is a most liberal man. That he has been partly successful in putting class against class here is patent, from how a number of the citizens endeavoured to ruin a certain publican by signing a petition to cancel his license, though declared innocent of the misdemeanour preferred .against him in a court of law, and further, how the Chairman of the. License Commissioners publicly avowed that it was useless hcaiing Barrett's application for a renewal ofhis license, as they (the Commissioners) had already made up their minds not to renew it, or something to that effect. Had Barrett been a Hindoo instead of an Irishman, or a heathen Chinee instead of a Catholic, the License Bench would never have the mortification of hearing from tLc Attorney-General that, in depriving Bairett of his license, they had exceeded their power. I wonder will they resign now as they threatened to do. Some time ago I ventured to judge, from a few words dropped by the parish priest, Rev. Father Ginaty, at the conclusion of the exercises of the month of June, that the conferences would be continued by a weekly link, which would lead U3 on to the sweet month of the Sacred Heart again. Those of the month of July were mainly directed to show, ik seemed to me, the great ignorance in which so many non-Catholics are, with regard to Catholic truth. The parish priest, who betimes is both bold aiid soul-stirring in his sermons and conferences, has undoubtedly an indulgent leaning to admit the position in which many arc placed by the circumstances of birth aad

early training. But at the same time, in scathing terms, he dwelt on the malice of those who hate the Church just because she is Catholic, and it was the sacredness of the edifice alone which could prevent a smile, as from time to time, by some well-chosen anecdote, he painted the inconsistency and ridiculousness of those who prattle about what they do not understand in Catholic doctrine. His exposition of the term " good faith" and " bad faith " was beautiful and clear, and I am sure more than one of his vast circle of converts heaved a sigh of gratitude to think that the Catholic Church did not destroy the hope that some dear departed friend of theirs may have been Bayed. But as I have neither the time nor the talent to follow him through these conferences, and give to your readers even a short analysis of attractive doctrine, put before bearers in attractive terms, I shall terminate by a few words on the last conference. As non- Catholics, talking of what they do not understand, must very often make use of language which is somewhat hard to bear, this conferenca came as a solace in time of trial. One of the twelve fruits of the Holy Ghost, " Forbearance," was chosen as the subject. Having explained this virtue, some very homely arguments showed its real worth, and the happy efforts produced on the souls of those " who bear persecution for justice sake." In my mind this appeared the ! " cream " of all the conferences, but perhaps I am partial, just because it is the precise virtue I need to practice, and I practice it betimes so badly. A graphic account of the conversion of a Protestant clergyman by the forbearance of a Sister of Mercy, in a well-known hospital in Dublin, brought this conference to a close, after which I strolled along home to my peaceful villa of " Urbs in rure," musing over the words of Williams — " It is not here we seek our treasure," She cries, " where all is vain ; Not here I seek the short-lived pleasure, Which folly brings from pain. Be mine the task in every season, To soothe the suff ' rer'6 woe ; On grief-wrung thoughts and wand'ring reason, Sweet mercy to bestow." The Eev. George Wilkes, master of the Ferry Road District School, appeared at the Magistrate's Court here the other day, for having committed a violent assault on one of his pupils. It appears that the singing of " Kule Britannia" was the cause of the flogging. Had the flogging been given in a Catholic school, and for such an \ offence, I doubt if the teacher would have got off so easily, as most likely a different view would have been taken of the case. I was pleased to hear, however, the magistrate dismiss the charge, with the remark, " that children at the present day showeu far too much disrespect for their superiors." This is quite true, but whose fault is it ? It is the State's, who will have them taught nothing about their duty to God or man, and ignorant parents, who consider their children too much their own masters to be reprimanded by schoolmasters, except in a certain fashion. As sure as the sun shines those parents will, together with the State, have cause to regret this training of ohildren some day or another.