CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume X, Issue 495, 6 October 1882, Page 17

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.) October 2, 1882. The new church in Ashburton is making rapid progress towards completion, and will be a handsome building. The ceremony of opening will, it is to be hoped, take place in the course of a couple of months, and I shall look forward to the pleasure of assisting on that occasion. Father poffey's zeal and courage have been so great in undertaking this very important work, that it is to be hoped they will be amply recognised and rewarded by many generous and substantial contributions towards the good work. — The police in Ashburton have of late been particularly active in obtaining convictions in cases of cruelty to animals ; no less than five persons having been fined during the last few days. — I am glad to notice that in answer to a request from the Secretary for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Society for facilities with a view of interesting the children attending the Christcharch Normal school in the objects of the Society, the Board sanctioned Mr. Shaw's meeting the child ten after school hours. Though the attendance may not be large at first, still, it is something to get the thin end of the wedge of humanity in at all, and in its wake may follow other virtues in some degree, — I suppose it is almost hopeless to wish that means might be devised so as to train the girls attending the Government schools in habits of gentleness, refinement, and modesty. Those who have had opportunities of con-

VAEIETIKS.

trasting the conduct of these girls with that of the Convent Schoolchildren, and remarked with pain, the bold, brazen, unblushing forwardness of the former, their self-consciousness, their flaunting and impudent manner, as opposed to the gentle, modest appearance and unassuming mauner of the latter will, I am sure, agree with me, however unlikely may be the realisation of such a desire. — Lancaster Park looked its brightest and gayest on the occasion of the Sydney Football Match, and the attendance of spectators was large, not less than three thousand. Our men had the disadvantage of a strong nor'wester during the early part of the game, but afterwards played so well that, in the opinion of maDy good judges, they would have turned the tables on their opponents could a second game have been arranged. — Mr. Lodge's Cricketing Pavilion has been a favourite place of resort during the winter months, and now our cricketers have begun the season in good earnest. It is expected to be a lively and successful one ; cup matches will no doubt greatly enhance the general interest ; and a great many additional members have joined the leading clubs. — The buildings in process of erection for Mr. John Inglis, the New Zealand Grain Agency Company, the Union Bank of Australia, and the new Public Hall, in Tuam street, are making great progress, and will add to the architectural beauties of our city. The new Manchester-stieet Bridge is likewise proceeding. — If correctly reported, Mr. Whitefoord, 8.M., in committing some "neglected children" to St. Mary's, Nelson— their Catholic mother being lately dead, their Protestant father in gaol — thought fit to make some very uncalled-for remarks. According to him, because the cost of sending Catholic children to Nelson is considerable, they should instead be sent to that " excellent institution," Burnham, notwithstanding the trifling drawback of the probability of their ultimately losing their faith through the Protestant influence there brought to bear on them. Perhaps, however, this is the result actually aimed at by Mr. Whitefoord, who is a strict Protestant, if not an Orangeman, As a magistrate, supposed to have some acquaintance with the principles of justice, Mr. Whitefoord might have remembered that Catholics, who are so heavily taxed to support an educational system of which they cannot conscientiously make use, may justly assert their claims— if only in exceptional and rare cases — on the paternal (!) assistance of Government.