BLENHEIM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 7, 10 June 1887, Page 13

BLENHEIM.

One seldom sees anything in the N. Z. Tablet about the above interesting, and by no means, unimportant town. Surrounded by hills as it is, I suppose it is cnt off from outside notice, however this may be, the people of Blenheim, so far as my observation goes, are busy, thrifty, and industrious, as are their neighbours in better known localities. Their exports and imports are considerable, and tax two steamers, the Kanieri and the Neptune to their utmost in conveying produce and passengers to the Imperial city, a great quantity of which, no doubt, is there transhipped and carried to more distant ports. A large per centage of the inhabitants is Oatholio-—the great majority of whom hail from the dear old land (Ireland), which it is needless to say, they have not forgotten. We have established here, as our fellow-countrymen have done in other places, a strong and energetic Branch of the Irish National League, with a view to assist the good cause of " Home Rule " now being struggled for by our indefatigable countrymen, both in the British House of Commons and elsewhere. The movement, although started by Irishmen, has many sincere supporters of other nationalities, whose advocacy of justice being done to Ireland speaks well for their liberality, and tends to establish a feeling amongst the people of Marlborough that other places might imitate with advantage. Blenheim has not only its National League ; it has also a strong and flourishing branch of the Hibernian Society which is of the greatest benefit to many, te the Bey. Father Lewis, our esteemed parish priest, in particular, and to Catholics generally throughout the district The services of iti excellent band, too, are always at the disposal of the priest, whether for children's sports or other gatherings, so that I may, without any exaggeration, say that the Hibernians of Blenheim are in reality the right hand of the priest. The new Catholic church here, is one of great beauty, and reflects the greatest credit on both priest and people. It is truly edifying to see completed such a noble building erected to the honour of God, by the Catholics of the town and district, especially when one takes into consideration their limited means, and this is not all they have done and are doing— they have two nourshing schools which they support generously : St. Mary's boys' school — a handsome building— large lofty and well ventilated ; furnished with every requisite ; the convent school, too, which is at present, although a spacious building, far too email for the number of pupils ; but this inconvenience happily will soon be a thing of the past, as the good Sisters in charge, are having it con* si derable enlarged. Both church and schools occupy one of the best sites in the town, and clearly manifest the care and judgment of the selector. The honour conferred on our beloved Bishop, by Hi? Holiness Leo. XIII. in raising him to the dignity of Archbishop, was a source of the greatest satisfaction to the whole community here. People of all demominations received the news with sentiments of pleasure and delight, and if others so rejoiced, much more so did His Lordship's own Catholic children, who deservedly esteem and love him. Besides Blenheim there are a considerable number of Catholics in other localities in Marlborough, one of which— namely, the pretty little town of Havelock, about twenty five miles from Blenheim, and fifty-four or five from Nelson, situated at the head of the Pelorus Sound — presented an animated appearance on the twenty-fourth, the Queen's aniversary. The occasion was a bazaar held there in aid of the Catholic church, which I am pleased to say, was an entire suocess, some repairs being required, it was suggested some time previously, that the best means to raise funds for that object would be a baiaar. The priest in charge, the Bey. Father Aubry, who is universally esteemed, both by his own flock and by the people of all shades of opinion throughout Marlborough, consented, and was ably assisted, in the getting up and carrying out of the affair from the beginning to the end not only by his own people, but by almost all the Protestaat ladies and gentlemen of the town and district all of whom worked in a most praiseworthy manner to bring the undertaking to a successful issue. Besides the Bey. Father Anbry, the Bey. Father Lewis, of Blenheim, and the Rev. Father Mahoney, of Neleon, were present, and contributed in no small degree by their gentle kindness and genial manner to make the large assemblage of people of town and district, and those from Blenheim, Picton, and Tua« Marina, spend a happy and joyous day. The Hibernian Band from Blenheim was in attendance, as their motto is to assist the Church at any inconvenience to themselves ; and the admirable manner in which they rendered some choice pieces of music gave the greatest pleasure to all piesect ; indeed the Catholic bazaar, and the number of visitor! it brought to Havelock, will be long remembered by the good and kindly people of the town with feelings of pleasure. Besides the places in Marlborough I have mentioned above, TuaMarina and Picton have each a neat and well-attended Catholic Church. The Catholics in Tua- Marina number between 90 and 100, most of whom, as in Blenheim, are Irish, and firm and spirited supporters of our branch of the Irish National League. Picton, too, a pretty little town, promising a prosperous future, with its splendid harbour, capable of admitting ships of the largest tonnage, has a carefully and well-kept Catholic church, with a congregation of at least 80 people. The ladies of the Altar Society keep the church in grand order, and look after it in a manner that does credit to their piety as Catholics. They seem to take the greatest pleasure in beautifying it, and in making everything in and about it wear its brightest aspect. The body of the Rev. Father Bazant, one of its first missionary priests, rests in the Picton cemetery. His memory is still fondly cherished by the Catholics who knew him, and is held in kindly remembrance by the people of Picton and the district generally. Indeed there are few places that I have been in in the Colony where the people are more genial, open-hearted, and kind than they are in Marlborough, or where there is a greater absence of bigotiy aud snobbishness. Observer.