CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VIII, Issue 417, 8 April 1881, Page 14

CHRISTCHURCH.

("From our own Correspondent.) Apbil 4, 1881. When His Lordship The Most Rev. Dr. Redwood paid his first official visit to this part of his diocese a few years ago, he was received by the clergy and laity in a manner becoming so exa-lted a luminary of the Church of Christ. The laity turned out in hundreds, dressed in their best with sashes, regalia, and bannerets, the school children brimming with delight appeared in great number*, comprising, with the clergy, a vast procession which accompanied His Lordship from the railway to the church, at Barbadoes street. No such reception was ever given to any one mam here (except perhaps a Governor), as that given Bishop Redwood then, and it will be remembered for many a long day to come. His arrival now amongst us, after twelve months absence in Europe, gave his devoted people another opportunity of showing the depth of their love for him, and though the exact time was not known till twenty -four hours before his arrival, the spontaneousness with with which the people turned out to welcome him was worthy of their faith and themselves, and the theme ot surprise and astonishment to those not belonging to the Catholic Church. His Lordship, accompanied by Eev. Fathers Fcley and Coffey, arrived by the express from Timaru at 8.20 on Friday evening last, and was met at the railway by the clergy of the immediate district and some members of the congregation, whence he was driven in a carriage drawn by a pair of greys to the church, followed "by other carriages. The decorations and illuminations outside the church were varied and numerous. From the Ferry Road to the Town Belt South was a vast concourse of people, and immediately over them, intermixed between the trees, were hung Chinese lanterns innumerable' The sight was imposing, and was greatly added to by the large poles, 60 ft. high, used in the erection of the new convent, being studded with lanterns, which lighted up all the surrounding locality. Immediately on the approach of his Lordship three hearty cheers were given him, after which he alighted at the church gate from whence to the church itself was lined by members of the H.A.C.B. Society in regalia. The band belonging to the society was also in attendance, and played several airs whilst his Lordship robed in one of the rooms attached to the school, after which he entered the church, the organ, under the management of Mr. Towel, pealing out in powerful strains the melodious music of a grand march specially written for the occasion. I forgot to state that immediately over the gate was to be seen the time-"honored and, to Irishmen, never to be forgotten motto, " Cead viille failtlia,' ' and further on, above the church door, was a white scroll on which was written, " Welcome, Prince of the Church." The inside of the church was becomingly decorated with banners, evergreens, and mottos. The Blessed Sacrament being removed from the tabernacle to the side chapel of the Sisters, his Lordship went there to tender his homage, and afterwards entered the sanctuaiy, where a throne was prepared for him, accompanied by the following clergy : — Rev. Fathers Foley ; Ginaty, P.P. Christchurch ; Donovan, P.P., Lyttelton ; Chervier, P.P., Shand's Track ; Binsfeld, P.P., Rangiora ; Co*£ey, P.P., Ashburton ; and O'Donnell, Christchurch. Rev. Father Ginaty, on behalf of the clergy-, then read the following address : —

" The hearts of your clergy, my dear Lord Bishop, are full of joy and pleasurable emotions to-day, as assembled here we have met to felicitate your Lordship on your safe return to your diocese, and to offer you our welcome. Whilst absent from us, our earnest constant prayers accompanied your journey ; and when from the distance tidings reached us of your safe arrival at one or other place upon your route, we one and all experienced a personal cause of happiness. An absence of 12 months to many may not appear a very long one, yet where the feelings are so deeply concerned as ours were, it is not an easy matter Tightly to estimate how long the absence appears. In such separations uncertainty will stir the mind's depths with irrepressible uneasiness, and so to-day at seeing your Lordship returned in health to resume your eminent place amongst us, we feel we have a. legitimate cause for gladness and rejoicing, and for profoundest gratitude to God. The Almighty has assigned to your Lordship a charge, the weighty importance of which it would be difficult to overrate, and that He has blessed it under your control must be visible to the most cursory observer. Few years, my Lord, have passed since first your Lordship entered upon that position whose duties are as arduous as they are exalted, and the large measure of happy results achieved in that comparatively limited period, will form in the history of the Catholic Church of New Zealand a brilliant not to say dazzling page. " No one of us is ignorant of the great religious works already accomplished under your Lordship's active care ; no one is ignorant o>f the works already in an advanced stage of progress ; no one is ignorant of the important works contemplated for the future. We need not here particularise localities. We have only to Bay, as we travel from Waimate on the extreme south and pass parish on parish in review to the furthest north — ' circumspicite.' The works arise everywhere to confront us, and to bear witness palpable to your Lordship's great pastoral care and untiring energy. To a dignitary of the Church of Christ constituted as your Lordship, and so placed, these reminiscences are a theme of joy ; and as we, your spiritual subjects, recall them, what feelings can more naturally rise within our hearts and overflow them than those of gratitude and thankfulness to God, the Universal Father and Disposer, for this fresh manifestation of His goodness towards us— displayed in your Lordship's safe return. There is, my Lord, a deep reverence towards you in these expressions of our attachment and admiration. It is conveyed in broad portraiture in the words of the great Apostle of the Gentiles. This great Apostle, in writing to his beloved Galatiacs, thought it no exaggerated expression to say, 'You receive me as an angel of God — even as Chri9t Jesus.' This feeling it is, my Lord, that underlies all our love, and, in his words is a plain and simple setting forth of a Catholic's recognition of one holding the place which your Lordship bolds and ornaments in tbe Christian Hierarchy. "We shared, too, with your Lordship what must have been an impressive pleasure, when at length arriving, 'Ad Liminia Apos tolorum,' it was your valued privilege to greet, in these dark and dismal days, the foremost figure of the time — Christ's Holy Vicar on earth. You saw and venerated the suffering successor of St. Peter, saluted with affectionate warmth the Fisherman's Ring — rich heirloom of so long a line of Pontiffs — and received the treasure of his blessing, which we hope to have imparted to us, likewise, at your Lordship's hands. Oh ! how closely do the world's blind persecutors attach to our august Head the hearts of his faithful children dispersed over the broad surface of the earth, malting them cling as tendrils to Him to whom the Most High has committed the doctrines of Hia grand undying Church — * Our Mother, in whose womb we were conceived, at whose breasts we were nourished, and in whose bosom we hope to die.' Within our hearts His cherished name, His joys, His sorrows ever G.nd a shrine 1 " Having already made reference to the many religious results which have shed lustre upon your Lordship's Episcopate, we will only further add that on all 6ides. parochial residences, convents, churches, have marked your administration. But, perhaps, above and before every other subsidiary work, we ought to mention one especially dear to your Lordship's heart, the erection of Christian schools as opposed to the multiplied efforts at Atheistic education. It is not, indeed, without an indignant sense of injustice that we are driven to include our schools among our unaided works. Every description of non-Catholic body meets, in this momentous matter, with the consideration and fostering care of Government. Protestants, Infidels, Atheists are lavishly provided for, whilst Roman. Catholics, because they wish to recognise God as holding the premier place in the formation of the youthful mind, meet with harsh and shameless violation of their merest rights. " In conclusion, my Lord, we cannot close our welcome without an affectionate reference to those whom your Lordship justly loved for their many virtues. Them you left amongst us, but their wonted places are vacant. We hope that it will not be deemed irrevelant on so happy an occasion, for looking as we do upon their lives and virtues we feel confident that we are speaking of ineffable happy friends. Ripe in years — ripe in virtues — ripe in all that could sanctify the man ; their Master has called them, and with trustful confidence we believe that the Very Reverend Fathers O'Reilly and Pezanl have died the death, and inherit the rewards, of the just. " Again, My Lord, from heart sincere our welcome glad is given ; and may the welcome given here its sanction find in Heaven." Immediately afterwards Messrs. W. M. Maskell, R. A. Loughnan, and W. B. Perceval entered the sanctuary, and on behalf of the laity Mr. Maskell read the following address :—: — •' To the Most Reverend Dr. Redwood, Lord Bishop of Wellington. " May it please your Lordship, — On behalf of the laity of the parish of Christchurch, we beg most cordially to welcome you on your arrival amongst us, after your long absence. " We take the first opportunity to comply with the pious custom of the faithful in all lands, who always acknowledge their obedience to the Holy See by making special preparation to receive with honour the princes of the Church on their return to rule over them after their visits to the successor of St. Peter. We beg, therefore, to give you to-day a welcome in sign of Catholic unity.

" Haring discharged this our sacred duty to our hely xeligion, vie beg cordially to express our loyalty to yourself personally ; as to the honoured spiritual chief who has laboured so long, so unselfishly, and so well for our best interests. For your safe return to your diocese to resume your high place amongst us, we offer our grateful thanks to Almighty God, who has been watchful over your •welfare. "We come here to this church, moreover, to look upon your Lordship as one who has seen the G-reat High Priest of the Church tearing himself nobly in the face of tribulation ; who has heard the vords of truth and justice, wisdom and good counsel that come from Iris lips for the guidance of Christendom in these trying times of infidelity ; who has assured the Holy Father of the sympathy and devotion of his faithful subjects in these far off islands ; and who has returned to us carrying the Apostolic Benediction. " Your Lordship has been an eye-witness, of the gigantic struggle between the Church and the enemies of religion. From every country the news of persecution and injustice comes thiclc to the great Catholic centre. If the eyes of the successor of St. Peter fall en the German Empire, he beholds his faithful children deprived of ■ their pastors, their spiritual rulers, and the consolations of religion, "by the edict of irresponsible despotism acting in the name of Constitutional Government. In Belgium he marks the blows struck at the faith of the nation by the unscrupulous faction, that has attacked the educational system of that unhappy country. In France, his most trusted Ministers, the most loyal, honourable, energetic sons of the Church, the inheritors of learning, the guardians of morality, the friends of the poor, are thrust from the field of their labours by the ruthless hand of mendacious Atheism. Holy Church is thus made to suffer in the very name of that liberty of which she is the only real and effective guardian. In Italy, the Holy Father has been a prisoner in his palace for ten years. Around him he has witnessed the most wholesale and wanton spoliation of the noble religious Orders. In that unhappy country the civil power has seized the property which for centuries had been administered in such a manner that religion was advanced, charity fostered, the solemnity of worship provided for, and general prosperity encouraged by a noble example of learning, thrift, enlightened agriculture, and untiring methodical industry. The dreadful contequenc.es which Lave become apparent warrant the fear of similar deplorable results in the other lands, where the hand of opression is now beginning to be felt. These things has your Lordship seen. At the same time you have marked the great Pontiff bearing himself as the head of the Church, against which tie Divine Saviour has promised that the gates of hell shall never prevail. And you have also seen the glorious messengers of Grace driven from the countries that have been their homes for centuries, spreading to other lands, carrying with them the gospel of peace, and planting; the seeds of true religion. As one who has witnessed these things, and believes with us in the ultimate triumph of the Church of God over her persecutors, we welcome your Lordship cordially amongst us. " Education, your Lordship, following the inspired teaching of the Holy Father, has often styled the defender of the faith. Your Lordship will therefore, we feel sure, be pleased to observe the progress its cause has made in our city during your absence. Towards supplying the want of the higher education for boys, an important step has been made in the establishment of St. Leo's High School. As yet the scholars are few, and, by comparison of those of similar institutions, necessarily backward. But the school is established ; it is gaining favour from day to day, while measures, which have already borne excellent fruit, have been adopted to make it thoroughly deserve the appreciation of the people. The Convent, of which your Lordship laid the foundation stone, has begun to rear its walls. Your Lordship, on visiting the ground, will see busy artisans, surrounded by brick, stone, timber, and building materials of many kinds ; the bustling scene giving promise of a permanent substantial building for the sisters, who are, we hope, under the blessing of the Most High God, destined to educate the pure mothers of many generations. For the temporary convenience of the sisters and their numerous pupils another building has been erected, so that the cause of education has not suffered from the lack of accommodation which at one time threatened to paralyse it. Provision, as your Lordship is aware, was some time ago made in the present Convent for the higher education of girls. The pupils, we are happy to inform your Lordship, have attained to such proficiency that this 'special school' under the management of the sisters has acquired a name for itself throughout the country. The soundness and breadth of the education given was shown by the varied character of the examination papers at the end of the last term. The exhibition of needlework, of useful as well as ornamental character, on that occasion likewise obtained great praise. Lastly, your Lordship -will also be pleased to learn that the Boys' Primary School (St. .Patrick's), which since your Lordsbip's last visit has received an increase of twenty per cent, in the number of its scholars, is iv the flourishing condition in which it ought to be to do the important work expected at its hands. We cannot leave this subject without bringing to your Lordship's notice the encouraging fact that the primary schools of the parish are attended by over 700 children. " We would like to enlarge farther upon this subject, but feeling that we have already trespassed too much upon your Lordship's time, we must conclude by once more wishing your Lordship a hearty welcome. " We beg to subscribe ourselves your Lordship's most obedient Bervants in Christ, '• W. M. MASKELL "I *:„„:„„ t " T Kwitatw ! themselves and «W B Perceval I tbe laity of " P. Doyle J the congregation." During the reading of both addresses the congregation, which numbered close on 2000 souls, remained standing. All the societies in the parish were represented, and wore their regalia. His Lordship, who appeared to be suffering from the effects of a slight cold, replied feelingly, and, considering the lateness of the

evening, exhaustively, to the many points touched upon in the addresses. He thanked the clergy and laity for the warm and cordial reception given him, which, considering the hurried nature of his visit, was fai more than he expected. He would take the reception accorded him as an indication of their faith and devotion to Holy Church. There were many beautiful points touched upon in the addresses which he should wish to reply to at some length, but at the present he would only advert to a few of the most prominent ones. The address of the clergy contained praise of himself, which he could not entirely endorse, as the main credit for what had been done in the way of erecting churches, schools, &c, was due to his co-operators, the clergy and the Catholic people. Had it not been foT them he could do but little. The priests appealed to the faith of the people, which, being real, had made a noble response, and on that account it was not himself who deserved praise, but the/. The other point referred to by the clergy had touched the most thrilling cord in his breast. He meant the removal from amongst them of two holy missionaries ; -who had fought the battle of our Lord nobly ; who were foremost, as it were, at the birth of New Zealand ; who mixed with all races, the Maories as well as Europeans ; who attended them in the battle field, and encountered every danger in the order to preach the word of their Lord and Master. This widespread popularity, the many signs of respect accorded them during life, and the great crowds that followed their remains to the grave, showed the high position these noble pastors and soldiers of Jesus Christ occupied in the hearts of their fellow-men, and gained for themseWes an immortal name. We must not in one sense regret their loss, as no doubt they enjoy the beatitude of the blessed in heaven, at which we should rejoice, as there they can do more for us than on this earth. Once more he had to thank the clergy most sincerely for the address and for their appreciation of the work he had tried to do in the vineyard of the Lord, and for the help given him by them in carrying out this great work. Replying to the address of the laity, he thanked the deputation for the eloquent picture they had given of the conflict of the world with the Church of which he had been an eye-witness. What a picture they had drawn of the spiritual destitution of G-ermany, Belgium, beautiful France and Italy, and of the state of the Church over the whole world ! At the present time there were two great camps — the Camp of God and the camp of the world — each striving for the mastery. The -world was proceeding against the Church by persecution, of a kind which the Arch-Bishop of Sydney had characterised as the most ingenious, by depriving youth of the knowledge of God, by driving the belief in the divinity of our Saviour from the schools of the people. Such were the measures employed for depriving the world of Christianity and truth, religion and civilisation. But the Church was steadfast. She had come through the terrible storms of the persecution of the Roman Empire. She had withstood the awful flood of barbarism that had swept that Empire away from among nations, and she would pass triumphant from the ordeal now imposed upon her. The invasion on the present occasion was of pretended science, which he would characterise as a return to barbarism. Already, however, there were signs of reaction. Men were beginning to see that if the Church was spept away nothing could prevent a general return to a condition of idolatry such as the world had never seen. The spirit of the world was aiming at taking God out of His own universe. Deprived of the knowledge of God, man, who must worship something, would worship himself. This was the tendency of the worship of intellect and of the exaltation of material progress, of which so much is seen in the present day. Against this tendency the Catholic Church was making great headway. This was the knowledge which was now beginning to enlighten the highest minds. That bright light would gradually spread downward, illuminating the minds of the people now led away by specious reasoners and shallow disclaimers, and then would come the triumph of the Church. But even then she could not hope to enjoy complete peace upon earth. Had not Christ himself predicted continued contradiction for His Church. The deputation was right in speaking of education as the principal weapon of the Church. He ■was pleased to hear of the progress they had spoken of, and he expressed his admiration for the sacrifices the faithful had made and the devotion they had shown in the cause of their religion in estab> lishing and supporting the noble institutions he was proud to see amongst them in such numbers. Speaking of The Pontiff he thought the address had given a good guess to what he had 6een in Borne. The Holy Father was bearing himself nobly at the head of the Church. Such serenity, such dignity, such complete knowledge of the varied affairs of the Church in many and distant lands, and such power of mind were worthy of the representative of Jesus Christ. At his audience with the Holy Father these qualities had filled him with feelings of the greatest reverence and awe. It was almost like being in the presence of Christ himself. The Holy Father had put to him numerous questions by which he reviewed the state of the Church, in New Zealand, asking particularly to be informed if the people were practical Catholics, if they supported their pastors liberally, and if they were zealous in the cause of Christian education. It afforded him the greatest satisfaction to be able to answer hia Holiness by simply giving a true picture of the state of the congregations of hia diocese and detailing the numerous works which had been achieved by their hands. He was put questions by his Holiness about other matters concerning the countries on this side of the globe more numerous and varied than he could have thought it possible for one so occupied ever to find time to reflect upon. He left the audience, which had been distinguished by the paternal kindness towards himself ot the great Pontiff, with feelings of inexpressible emotion, great astonishment, and the liveliest and most complete satisfaction. He obtained, before leaving the Pontiff's express permission to give them bis special pontifical blessing, which he would do before leaving them this evening, and in order that they may benefit the better by it he would ask them beforehand to make an act of contrition, The blessing vrhich he would impart would be equally efficacious as if pronounced by the Pope himself. He was pleased to hear of the establishment of high schools for boys and girls, and equally pleased to

know that the parish schools were in a flourishing and efficient state. He once more thanked the priests and laity for their kind reception, and proceeded to the Sacristy to vest for Benediction. The Benediction was a Pontifical solemn one with Deacon and Bub- Deacon. The altar was beautifully decorated, presenting a most imposing appearance when lighted up, to one standing at the end of the Church. Tbe Benediction being over, his Lordship gave the Pontifical blessing, after which the choir sang the Te JDeum, which j brought the ceremony to a close. The reception was a most decided success, nothing occurring to cause the slightest impediment, indeed, it is the opinion of many that it was a more becoming way to receive a Prince of the Church than any other. His Lordship visited New Headford oa Saturday, and was highly pleased with the new church lately erected there by Eev. Father Chervier. On Sunday night the church was crammed to hear his Lordship preach, it being announced at the Masses during the day that he would do bo. He took for his text these words, " Christ suffered for us , leaving you an example that you may follow His footsteps." He adverted to "the appearance of Holy Church on this occasisn mourning as it were for the solemnity of the day— Passion Sunday. Every thing seemed mournful and silent, and justly so. He expatiated feelingly on the nrst part of bis text by defining who it was who suffered and what he suffered for. He showed the superiority of the body and soul of Christ as man over those of other mortals and declared that as man no suffering could be endured so intense and complete as His. Christ having suffered, so we should not murmur when we are overtaken by trials and crosses, as it is expected we should always be prepared to take up our cross and follow Him. He knew no way so efficacious to merit Heaven as meditating on the passion of our Lord, and for that Iwa^n1 w a^ n T* Ported his hearers to contemplate between now and JSaster the sufferings of Him by frequently looking upon the crucifix, and then observe the nails which pierced His hands and feet, the crown of thorns, &c. Sin being the cause of the agony of our Lord, in the garden, and subsequently His ignominious death on the cross, howcareful we should be to avoid it ; and no better preventative could he found than the frequent meditation on His sufferings and death. After exhorting the congregation not to sacrifice God for the gratification of any worldly pleasure or sensual vice, he brought one or. those instructive and interesting sermons for which he is remarkable to a close, after which there was Pontifical Benediction, at which he acted as Celebrant. On Monday the children attending all the OatJiolic Schools in the parish received his Lordship on that part of the Convent grounds once known as " the pond," where a temporary ' throne was prepared him by the Sisters. Immediately above this was a scroll containing the words Cead Millc Failtha, which I am sure niß Lordship can translate, and truly it may be said that no words could more fully express the feelings of the vast concourse of little ones then present than those did. The young ladies attending the feelect School of the Convent immediately surrounded the throne and i botn sang and played some pieces of music in a most creditable ! manner, after which Miss Holly, accompanied by four tiny girls, dressed in white, came forward and read the following address, which was beautifully engrossed and emblazoned by the pupils on vellum :— I " May it please your Lordship. "Permit us again, my Lord, to approach your Lordship -with renewed and increased feelings of the most affectionate and exalted kind. On no occasion did joy and gratitude fill our hearts to such a degree as that which now overflows them, as we gather here in our cool shade to greet your Lordship with a hearty welcome on your return from the Eternal City. "Favoured beyond many schools, indeed, by the daily fresh marks of the true Christian maternal solicitude of the Sisters under your episcopal care, and of the constant vigilance of our priests in the midst of their varied and important hourly toils, nevertheless, my lord, we longed for tfce return of our chief guide. For though young and inexperienced, still we know what is going on around — cruel and unjust laws would fain rob us of what -we must ever prize— viz., that religion which produces, nurtures, and perfects those fruits which are the brightest ornaments of our sex. We are not, my Lord, unmindful of your efforts in the sacred cause of education, and as we have been taught to refrain from unwomanly pursuits— the platform, the dissecting room— still we know it is honourable and obligatory to cultivate and enrich the talents which we have received. " This promise, my Lord, very many of us had the happiness to make you on a former occasion, and we feel sure that it is right to recall our promise and to say that we believe we could not afford your Lordship more pleasure than to say we have striven to be iaith- " And in saying this, my Lord, we have said that all during your absence we have followed you by land and by sea in our prayers, * va aS yQU knelfc before the hallowed shrines of Erin, the tombs of Edward or A'Beckett, or as you gazed in sadness upon the grand monuments of the land of Charlemagne and St. Louis, now so distracted, or as in the sunny south of Rome you beheld a land purpled with the blood of countless martyrs. " And may we not, my Lord, fondly hope that we— a portion of your cherished floek — came before your mind as in each of those sacred resting spots you stood at the altar to invoke heavenly favours on a people committed to your care. Yes, my Lord, we know it was so, and we know, too, that as you knelt before our Holy Father the Vicar of Christ, to place at his feet our loyalty, our veneration, our affection, you received for us and " Alma Mater " the plenitude of that love which kneeling at your Lordship's feet we ask you to bestow by the Apostolic Benediction. " Signed on behalf of the pupils. "Ellen Holley, Sabah Pope. " Sacred Heart Convent Schools, " Christchurcb, April 4th, 1881." Master Charles CUrty then read the following address from the pupils of St. Leo's High School :—

"To the Most Eev. F. Redwood, D.D., Bishop of Wellington, New Zealand. " May it please your Lordship,— "We, the undersigned, pupils of St. Leo's High School, an institution but yet in its infancy, and inaugurated subsequent to your Lordßhip s deparhire hence on a visit to the Holy See, hnmbly beg to offer you a hearty welcome on this, the occasion of yoor first visit amongst us. "We can but feebly er press our gratitude to the Providence, which, having guarded and accompanied you during your journey, has in due time brought you back in safety to us, your children, who have ardently awaited your return : bot, your temporary absence having been caused by your Episcopal zeal for the greater glory of God and the advancement of His Church in this colony, we could not doubt but tha.t He would in His goodness abundantly bless all your undertakings, and restore you safely to us fo witness the fruits of your labours. "Through the indefatigable exertions of our zealous Parish Priest, we now enjoy the means, while our spiritual interests are amply provided for, of pursuing our studies in the higher branches of secular knowledge, and thus preparing ourselves to fulfil our fatnre destinies in life, and knowing at what a sacrifice this has on our behalf beexi achieved, we trust by our conduct to evince our appreciation thereof, and thus in some slight degree express our grateful acknowledgements to its promoter. " The school being but young, and its numbers as yet but small, we cannot be as demonstrative or enthusiastic in our welcome as we would fain be, but trust that the seed now sown in our midst may take firm root, till by development it becomes an institution renowned no less for the piety of its pupils than for its scholarly attainments, so that on the occasion of your next visit, we may the better be enabled to accord you a welcome more conformable to your Episcopal dignity, of which at present the means, though not the desire, are wanting. " Thanking your Lordship for visiting us thus early after all the fatigues of your journey, trusting that you may long be spared to preside over this portion of the vineyard of the Lord, and humbly asking your Episcopal Benediction, we have the honour to subscribe ourselves your Lordship's most obedient children, " CHA.TBLBB Gabty ) On behalf of the " James Combr I pupils of "B. MoMahon [ Sfc. Leo's High "M. M'Gbath ) School. The address of the pupils of St. Patrick's School was next read by Master William Hayward. *' To His Lordship the Most Eev. Dr. Eedwood, Lord Bishop of Wellington, New Zealand. " May it please your Lordship, We, the pupUs of St. Patrick's Sclool, Christchuicb, hail with extreme delight your return from Europe and the Holy See, and thank God from the depths of our hearts for having brought you back once more to take the helm of that portion of the Church entrusted to youT care in this far distant land. " We have, during your absence, frequently thought and prayed for you, besides endeavouring to do those things required of us by our priests and teachers, knowing that in pleasing them we should please you. " Young as we are, we are not unmindful of the many saciifices endured by our priests and parents in order to have us educated in accordance with the faith of our fathers, neither are we ignorant of the fact that as Catholic boys we aie not dealt with fairly in the matter of education by the Government of this country. " We shall, always do what the Church commands, and wait patiently for better times which, we trust, will corse sooner or later. "We further promise to be obedient and respectful to our teachers, to persevere in our studies and show the world though heavily handicapped in the matter of education we nevertheless can maintain a respectable position among- the other boys in the colony. " Wishing your Lordship a long and. prosperous career as prince of Holy Church, we beg to remain your Lordship's most faithful and obedient children, — The Pupils of St. Patrick's School. W. Haywabd, ) Signed on behalf J. O'Maixey, V of W. Courtney, ) School. His Lordship, who was vested, and was accompanied by the Rev. Fathers Ginaty, O'Donnell and Foley in soutanes and surplices, replied to these addresses Ln childlike terms. He thanked the children for their remembrance of him as indicated in their addresses, and declared that in all bis travels he never ceased to remember them. He thought no better proof could be given of the sincerity of Catholics and their determination to have religion mixed with secular knowledge than their appearnce in hundreds there to day, and he hoped that such displays occasionally would show those entrusted with the government of the country their foLly in having so many citizens estranged from them. He was pleased to see thab a great want in education had been supplied since his last visit to Christchurcb., viz,, j the establishment of St. Leo's High School for boys. He hoped this would be the nucleus of an institution in which the higher branches of knowledge, as well as preparatory subjects, would be taught in the time to come, and to give them an idea of the intarest taken by himself in this school, he procured a special blessing for it from the Holy Father when in Rome. He would, then, when imparting the Pontifical Blessing to all, give it in a special manner to St. Leo's High School. He had no occasion to paise the good Sisters for their care and attention to those entrusted to them, as the efficiency of their schools was now well known. He trusted all the children would persevere in their studies, and as their addresses stated, wait for better times, which weTe bound to come sooner or later. He then read certain prayers, after which he gave to all present the Pontifical blessing. 'Jhe children were afterwards taken to the church, the naves of which were barely sufficient to hold them to attend Benediction given by his Lordship, and then dismissed to their homes, His Lordship leaves here to-morrow for 1 Wellington.