CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 20, 7 September 1888, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.)

At present all subjects, public, private, and social, have dwarfed into insignificance as topics of conversation in Christchurch beside the one all absorbing theme of the earthquakes. Indeed, it is no easy matter to think of anything else, for the earthquakes are keeping themselves remarkably well "before the public." Bven as I am writing this letter the table is vibrating with the tenth or eleventh shock. A very good record this for two days, and one which promises to leave Wellington completely in the shade as a monopolist of earthquakes.

Saturday morning s experience is not likely to be sooa forgotten by the people of Christchurch. The phenomena produced a profound impression upon the minds of timid persons, and even caused an mnpleasant sensation to thrill the nerves of those who are not readily susceptible to the emotion of fear. It is almost impossible to describe the startling effect upon the mind of being suddenly awakened from sleep in the darkness of the morning by being roughly shaken from side to side m one s bed by an unseen force. The first conscious thought appeared to be to wonder how long it would last. The uncanny effect of the situation was heightened by hearing doors fly open, and the house bells ring, while loose objects wire shaken from walls and tables in a shower about the room. The rockine cansed by the first shook on Satnrday morning was very much like the roll of a small steamer with big engines when crossing Cook's straits npon a very stormy night. The physical sensation produced upon most persons aloaely resembled that of sea-sicicness A very pronounced feeling of nausea was experienced after the unceremonious and vigorous shaking had ceased. Many people, half dressed, rushed terrified from their houses, imagining that they were safer in the "^ ' *u eT6 'f *u dl^ 8 fa ! nted » and childre n shivered with fright. All over the city the dogs barked loudly, and soon the patter cf feet, harrying towards the centre of the town, was heard along the streets which a moment before had been silent and deserted. The whole city awoke as if by magic; scarcely a tingle person could have slept throughout the shock. The ringing of the Cathedral bells was heard many miles away. Directly the first alarm subsided everyone thought of the Cathedral, the one great architectural glory of Ohristchurch, and fears were entertained that it had fared badly. When daylight came it was found that the graceful spire, which could be seen from all parts of the city, stood out against the sky disfigured and broken. About forty feet of the to D Bnapped during the first shock, and fell crashing on to the pavement.

All day on Satnrday crowds of people thronged the streets in the vicinity of the square, inspecting the damaged building and searchingly scanning the Post-office.and other brick or stone structures in search of cracks or some such visible signs of the recent presence of earthquakes. Biißiaess was almost entirely suspended SboDpine doubtiess, seemed a frivolojs occupation for people who might at any moment share the fate of the inhabitants of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Ihere was an anxious and somewhat awed expression upon tht i faces i of the people. Everyone appeared to be conscious of the fact that they were in the presence of an uncontrollable and destructive force, whose power they had experienced, and whose Dower might again be manifested. •• Where did it bagin ?' was the onestion most frequently asked. In order to obtain an answer to this important query, people eagerly bought up the early editions of the evening papers, extra numbers of which wero sold by the hundred about the streets. The earthquake produced a rich harvest for the newsboys. From the violence of the first shock, it was evident that the cause i of the earthquake could not be at any great distance, but no one thought of locating it nearer than •' somewhere on the West Coast. Professor Hutton'a opinion that the commotion originated on Banka s Peninsula, the scene of old volcanic eruptions, has tended to increase rather than to diminish the fears of the people of Christcbuicn. r At Hanmer Plains the most violent effects cf the earthquake were felt,

Luckily the convent at Mount Magdala and that in B^rbadoes street, both of which are built of brick, have sustained do damaee .In the Anglican Cathedral and in the Wesleyan church to-day there were no services held. This was wise, as Ido not think that the most devout worshipper could have sent his thoughts further heaven ward this morning while praying under the roof of the Cathedral than to the top or the broken spire. During the last day or two ordinary people as well as scientific savants have developed a moßt extraordinary interest in regard to the geological strnctureof the site upon which Christchurch is built borne people assert that in its shingly foundation lies its safety, others again declare that owing to the crumbly nature of this portion of the Plain the bottom will fall out of the city at the next shake. Others again hold the theory that Christchurch must at one time have been the bed of the sea, and that it will sooner or later resume its natural

However, as there has been somewhat of a lull in the series of upheavals, only three or four having occurred during the past twentyff O vt rtletnr tletnn Bhn8 hnu UPPOBe T* a /l nOtgOiDg to be entom bed beneath the Lyttleton hills or eugulfed by a gigantic wave rushing in from New Brighton jost yet. Therefore I will proceed toadviae theChr°stchurch leaders of the Tablet to turn up in large numbers at the Literary n?gTt VepTmbeM^ 11 " '° * gIVeQ in St ' A1 °*°™ Hall on Mond^

Ihe concert deserves the patronage of the public because it promises to be an unusually good one. Miss Tunston and Mrs. J P Kelly are to be among the performers. Their names alone should bj sutneient guarantee that there i a something good in store. S?hniv c m ! m J« 8 ° f t he choir . aQ d of our other leading Catholic musical lights have piomised to assist in making the concert oae of the best which has yet been given in connection with the

Society. The object for which the entertainment in to be given is one which shculd commend itself to everyone. That object is to financially improve the position of the Society's brass band. A good brass band is a decided acquisition to the Oitholic body. In an efficient state it could be made the mainstay of all Catholic entertainments and pnb.lc celebrations. It cannot be in an efficient state without money The necessary music, even, not to speak of other incidental expenses, cannot be got by the band for nothing. If the public will not assist the band, the band will cot be in a position to as«istthe public. Perhapfl, however, the most potent argument which will induce a large attendance at the concert lies in the facb that the price of admission is i very low, ridiculously low, indeed, considering the nature of the bill of fare promised by the promoters of the concart. People, as a rule, have a strong liking for always getting the worth of their money, but when they are assured that by attending the Literary Society's concert on the 16th, they will get fully five times the value of the modest coin demanded as an entrance f se, perhaps they will not, as upon former occasions, be conspicuous by their absence. It is always said that the Catholic people of Christchuroh will pitronise any performance but such as are given by their own people. I hope that this reproach will be removed by the presence of a largo audience m St. A.loysius' Hall on Monday night. I believe that the 80-called upper ten belonging to our Church make it a point of never attending any of these concerts. If this is true, it is to be hoped that their example will not have any effect outside their own very exalted but sparsely inhabited sphere. I must again impress upon the minds of the people of Christchurch a fact which should not be forgotten ; that is that Father Kickham s concert takes place on the thirteenth. om , itt - ed to mention iQ m 7m 7 last letter that I had been informed that Dr. Grimes and Father Cummings were present at the capping ceremony last Friday week. That, I believe, was the Bishop's first participation in a public ceremony in Christchurch, that is outside of affairs connected with the Catholic Church. Fatber Marnane, not Father Briand, has been made chaplain to the H.A.C.B. Society. One night last week the Bishop, Father CummingP, and Father Marmane were present at a meeting of the Hibernian Society. The Bishop expressed himself as very much pleased at the instillation ceremony of members. He intimated his willingness to become an honorary member and stated that he would recommend his priests to do likewise.

Father Cummings took advantage of the occasion to make a very straightforward and ardent profession of his national faith. He openly and earnestly avowed his Irish sympathies, dcslariDg that every drop of blood and every feeling in him was Irish, and that he gloried in the fact. No man can say more than that. It is when a man who ought to say it does not say ir, that suspicion is aroused by the ominous silence. Father Cumings also, justly, gave the Irish people the first place as preservers and propagators of the Catholic f dth. r r v F

It is gratifying to record that Mr. O'Connor, of Barbadoes Btreet, has again joined the Hibernian Society. Mr. o (Connor( Connor is a shrewd, clever, thoughtful man, with a good business head on his shoulders, and a sound heart cf a true Irishman in his breast. I have much pleasure in congratulating the Society upon having again Becured him and hope that they will retain him this time. The more men i.?u ? Gonaor ' 8 stam P tfa at can be induced to don the greea and gold badge, the moic assured will be the progress of the Society. Father Halbwachs is the happy possessor of a very steady nerve He was, I believe, among the first spectators upon the square after the collapse ot the spire on Saturday morning. Lovers of good singing who attend the pro-cathedral will be pleased at the fact that Mrs. J. P. Kelly has again returned to the choir, from which her pleasant lice, and swest voice have bean missed ior some time.

Mr. Donnolly's new rink in Gloucester sticat is approaching completion.. The building is on an enormouj scale, and extends from Gloucester to Armagh street. The rinking season will be over before tne Hall will be opened. It is said that it is to be turned into a lawn temscourt during the summer months, This would be sensible, n would be much pleasanter to play lawn tennis in summer time in the hall than beneath the boiling san in Lancaster Park. I must confess to take a malicious delight in seeing England compelled to eat " humble pie," as she has been obliged to do over the b isher les Treaty. Had the celebrated " message " emanated from a state without a grand army at its back, it would have been received in a different manner. But England's policy is never to strike one of her own size." She reserves all her pswder and shot, her big guns, and coercion, and bounce, for Danizulu, and other petty African potentates who c mnot hi t back again, aod for Ireland. • f fV Gr - lmeß visited Father O'Donnell's parish last week. His visit, I believe, was a semi- private one. He returnod to town a»ain on Thursday. °

t , Tne . Iweather1 weather yesterday after the earthquake was bitterly cold, ie-day (Sunday), the sky is leaden and dull, and the air is stuffy and suffocating. It i Bi B to hi hoped that no more eanhquakes waves wilr take our city m their course. We have taai sufficient experience of upheavals to last uu for the next twenty years.