CHMSTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 453, 16 December 1881, Page 18

CHMSTCHURCH.

THE MAYORAL ELECTION.

THE ELECTIONS.

FIRST COMMUNION.

THE CAJPTERBURY CATHOLIC LITEBARY SOCIBTY.

(From our own correspondent.) Writing of the Catholic Book Depot leads me quite naturally to mention the Canterbury Catholic Literary Society which was some little time ago established in Christchurch. It has for its object the mental improvement and enjoyment of its members by means of its library, and by holding evening meetings at which lectures, debates, readings, games, and other suitable entertainments are provided. The Society has grown out of the " Catholic Young Men's Society" which was formed here on the arrival of the present Parish Priest (Father Ginaty), Fa her McNamara being the spiritual director, and on his leaving Christchurch, Father Devoy took the same charge. Under its new name, the Society is now showing increased signs of vigor, and already much good has been done by it. The present rooms for meeting — some in the old Presbytery, which, by the way, have served for a variety of very useful and necessary purposes — are altogether too small and inconvenient, and when the Society is able to take up its abode in new and spacious rooms, its many advantages will no doubt be brought within the reach of a large number of the Catholics of Canterbury. I should add that the Society has the warm approbation and valuable co-oper-ation of the Parish Priest, and Father O'Donnell is its spiritual director. Its rules have been approved by the Bishop of the diocese, and are the result of much forethought and wisdom. The election for the worshipful office of Mayor for this important city brought forward two unusually eligible candidates, and after a close contest Mr J. G. Ruddenklaw. an old and respected citizen, was returned by a majority of 29. The conflict was conducted in a very friendly and harmonious way, and some good-humoured " chaff " was indulged in as to the personal appearance of the candidates, one of whom regretfully admitted that his rival carried off the palm in the matter of good looks, and -was therefore perhaps entitled to the votes of the ladies. The ladies however appeared to be of another mind, and "manfully" (I cannot say " womanfully") rallied round the ranks of the less prepossessing-looking candidate, who was ultimately returned. He will have ample opportunities for affording fresh proofs of the truth of the old adage, " Handsome is that handsome does." So far as the city of Christchurch and its suburbs are concerned, the general opinion appears to be that the elections on Friday last created far less interest than on the occasion of the last general election. This seems a little strange, considering the great excitement which has prevailed during the past few weeks. A great number of electors in varions districts failed, for some reason or other, to record their votes. The keenest contest was undoubtedly in Christchurch South, between Mr. John Anderson and Mr. John Holmes, and 1 hear — though, of course, I do not vouch for the truth of the statement — that the latter owes his success to the Catholic vote. The Corrupt Practices Act exercised a wholesome sway, bo far as hiring of cabs, placarding, aud " shouting " were concerned, though it is reported that one of the candidates became for the novce the purchaser of a number of vehicles. He has, however, since retired from his novel line of business. I fancy that had it been possible to put the whole of the candidates into a huge bag, shake them well, and then draw them out at random, the result, so fax as Catholics are concerned, would have been pretty much the same. I must, however, cay a few words about Mr. John Evans Brown, the successful candidate for St. Albans, on whose base insinuations against Catholics I have before now commented. At the nomination he produced what he called the " mandate " from Bishop Redwood, v commanding Roman Catholics to vote for no man who favoured secular education. He was quite content to lose the votes of Catholics •who chose to sacrifice their consciences on every other question." Mr. Brown appears to be peculiarly sensitive about Catholic consciences, as he has twice expatiated on the subject, or perhaps he may not be altogether comfortable as regards the monitions of a certain Protestant one. He ought at least to have known that he was trying to place an entirely false issue before his gullible auditors, who, being inhabitants of one of the largest Dissenting constituencies in the country, applauded him to the echo, for no abuse of Catholics, however gross, would be too outrageous for them to swallow. Mr. Brown, in his worldly wisdom, nevertheless availed himself of the surest, if not the most honourable, means of securiug the position he bo much coveted ; but as his ability will hardly prove commensurate to his goodwill, so far as the injury of Catholics is concerned, they need not trouble their heads much more about him. The children who have for some time past been making: preparation under Father O'Donnell, made their first Communion on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. The daybefoie the great event the weather looked threatening and gloomy enough, but on. the morning itself the sun shone brightly. At"iin early hour carriages drove to the church, and on the approach of tho hour (8.30) they arrived in unusual numbers. The boys, in charge of Mr O'Connor, head-teacher of the parish school, wore blue rosettes with white streamers, and the cirls. und^r the care of the Sister?, were ncitly, modestly and suitably attire.], wearing white dresses, wrcatbs, and Teils. Father O'Donnell preached a beautiful sermon, suited to the capacity of the children, on the text " Suffer tho little ones to come to Me," and in the evening he prpaoherl on the *' Renewal of the Baptismal Vows,"' when not only tue children, but the whole congregation were deeply impressed with the sermon, and indeed with the entire ceremony, the order of ivhich was as lollowj :— Vespers, sermoi— renewal of baptismal vows ; canticle to tho Sacred Heart of Jesus, read by one of the boys, ariuuded by four others bearing lighted torches ; canticle to the immaculate Heart of Mary, read by one of the girls, attended by six children, also with lighted torches. Procession of the Blessed Sacrament then followe ). in which only the children walked who had made or renewed their first Conimuniou. This was one of the most touching sights ever witnessed in the church

of Barbadoes street, and most striking the profound respect and devotion of the children, evidently realising with lively faith that the Lord of Glory was following them in His sacramental presence. The parish priest himself took cbarge of the procession, and thus, with the aid of Mr O'Connor, order was perfect. Father O'Donnell carried the Blessed Sacrament. The Benediction concluded a day ever to be noted as remarkable even among the many remarkable ones in connection with devotions at the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament. The examinations at the Convent schools — the VARIETIES, select school and the parish school — took place last week. The results are not yet made public, but it is not too much to anticipate that they will be as satisfactory as on past occasions. The usual entertainment and distribution of prizes will come off on Tuesday and Thursday, many handsome volumes having been provided for the fortunate recipients. — The pupils of St. Leo's High School will be examined during the present week. — The Rev. Father Tieacy, recently arrived in the Cotopaxi, has just passed through our city on his way to Wellington. — The parish priest yesterday announced that the Bishop of the diocese will administer the sacrament of Confirmation on the first Sunday in the New Year. — Among the legacies left by Dean Stanley is one of £500 to Paul Emanuel Loyson, the son of Hyacinthe Loyson (the notorious " Father " Hyacinthe), payable on the death of the survivor of the Dean's two sisters.