CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 2, 1 May 1885, Page 17

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.) April 28, 1885. Next to warlike things, which still maintain the lead in the public mind here as well as elsewhere in the Colony, matters educational have made the most stir during the past fortnight. The most noticeable is the stir which is best described as a preparation for a stir. I allude, of course, to the preparations for the bazaar in aid of the Convent Building Fund, which will begin the day after to-morrow. It will, I understand, be a great thing in bazaars. A committee of ladies and gentlemen have been hard at work for some months ; many members of the congregation have been helping them ; the good Sisters of the convent have cast their bread upon the waters in the shape of beautiful stuffs and elegant fabrics, that have come back to them, after many busy days, from the fair hands of their numerous friends and well-wishers in time to be cast upon the waters again, with the certainty of coming back at once in the shape of money ; the electric light will play upon a fancy scene of tastef ul'decorations and fancy costumes ; a strong chorus and orchestra have been got together for the opening ; the missionary rector has made several eloquent appeals on behalf of the good Sisters who, he explained, were debarred by the Apostolic prohibition from sneaking for themselves in the churches ; on the whole, it is safe to predict a large sum as the result of all these labours. Touching the main question of bazaars, the missionary rector took the opportunity of explaining that he preferred the collection system to the bazaar system. There are, of course, many who agree with him. There are also some who hold that a honse-to-houße assessment would not only give a better yield, bnt be fairer in its incidence. One of the chief arguments that weigh with the opponents of the bazaar system is that the expenses of a bazaar, which swallow up so much of the proceeds, are unknown to the other system. To this the bazaar advocates are swift to reply that advertising always pays, and that spending of money on a bazaar is in reality spending it upon advertising. There are many other arguments pro and con, of course, into which it is not necessary to enter here. 1 nee 1 only conclude with an expression of my belief that all who prefer other modes of financing will follow the precept and example of the missionary rector, and do their best, seeing that a bazaar has been determined upon, to help to make it a success. This is only another way of saying that our congregation is anxious to uphold the cause of true education. The news that the Militia is to be called out has evoked complaints from the young men who have truthfully given their ages that many young men have baffled the inquiring police-sergeante by false answers. Is this from want of patriotism and honour, or is it from a horror of the Militia uniform ? A gentleman who says he has seen samples of a shipment of a thousand suits, ; assures me that, arrayed in the blue jumpers, moleskin continuations, and Glengairy caps, the brave defenders of their country will, at a short distance, not be distinguishable from Her ilajesty's convicts. My friend, I think, forgot that the belts and pouches, to say nothing of the rifles and side-arms, would make a great difference. He also forgot that there is something more than dress between the honest and dishonest portions of society. To talk about confusion of uniform is to separate society into those who have been forced out, and those who have not. Besides, the unbecoming (and perhaps in some cases confusing) character of the uniform was not known when these false particulars of age were given. We must put them down, I fear, partly to youthful thoughtlessness and partly to a radical inability to understand the beauty of truth or patriotism. Yesterday all the Volunteers were out by order of the Defence Minister (Secretary of War would be a better word), under the command of Colonel Lean. It was a useful field-day on the Port Hills, and the enemy was of course repelled at all points. The manoeuvres were very successful, and the men were much admired wherever they went. The Volunteers have suddenly gi own most popul-r. • • •