REEFTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 27, 26 October 1888, Page 13

REEFTON.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) October 9. 1888. Since my last communication, things se^m to have brightened up considerably in Reeftcn, and the ensuing months promise to be very brisk and lively. Prospectors are hunting round industriously for indications of new reefs ; speculators are once more looking eagerly, yet cautiously, about for safe investments, and sharebrokers art joy* fully anticipating a general revival in mining affairs, and a return ot the good old days when a hundred pounds, made in so many minnter, were regarded as a mere bagatelle. — Boatmane, too, baa received a fresh impetup. The Welcome mine, which of late has dwiud ed somehow into insignificance, has again come to the front, the last crushing yielding the splendid result of 3£ozs of gold to the toa. This, of course, has infused new life and eneigy into everyone. The number of buildings that are going up in Reef on is simply amazing, and carpenters and painters are to be seen busily at work ia all directions. Here, as in other places, Catholics have had the privilege of attending the Requiem Mass, which by the authority of oar Holy Father the Pope was celebrated all over Christendom on tha 16th of September, It was a beautiful thought of our Sovereign Pontiff that the souls in purgatory should be remembered on earth amidst tbe rejoicings of his Jubilee year, and thereby have reason to rejoice alto. The forty hours' adoration drew a large number of worshippers to the cnurcb, and a number of communicants knelt each morning before the altar. As the debt on the Presbytery still continues larger than it ought to be, the ladies of Reefton contemplate having a bazaar during tbo approachiog Christmas holidays in aid the Presbytery fund, and expect to realise a handsome sum. The committee are working hard to make the bazaar a success, and collectors have been scouring the country right and left for contributions. A moßt enjoyable concert was held in the Oddfellows Hall on last Monday evening on behalf of the Catholic school. The element* were highly unfavourable, neveitbeless, the building was crowded almost to suffocation, and the proceeds amounted to about 4t5. The first part of the concert consisted of songs and instrumental pieces. Tne tecond part introduced a novelty in the shape of a May* pole darjee — performed by a number of little children, who, with their pretty dresses aDd bright, Bmiling faces, looked like a group of small fair.es. This was one of the most attractive items on the programme, and reflected great credit on the school teacher, Miw Dunne who took an immense deal of trouble in training the little ones. The entertainment corcluded with the laughable farce entitled •' The Area Belle," n which oar t»ro schoo'-teachers, Mr. Jones and Miss Duune, distinguished themselves by their clear delineation of the characters allotted to them. Ladiei and gentlemen of other denominations aleo made themselves conspicuous iv some of the leading parta, and their kind assistance deserve « a grateful lecognition. There has been a good deal of sickness heie during the winter and epring months, but fortunately among our Catholic population only three or four deaths have occurred. The first of tuese, who fill a victim to bronchitis, was a beautiful little girl of tJ years of Rge, the only daughter or Mr. and Mrs. Murpby, old lesidents of Rctsfton. The second was a fine promising giil of 13 years, whose death resulted from inflammation of the lungs. She was the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. Maguire, of the Albion Hotel, and was the first ef the Childienof Mary who has died in Reefton, and, iadeed, it Beemed as if the Blessed Virgin must have obtained for her favoured child some sj ecial privilege and grace, for her death was a singularly happy and edifying ode, her soul departing peacefully about 3 o'clock oo Fridsv, 14th September — ihe same day and hour on which our Saviour died. The funeral took place on the following Sunday, and was largely attended. A number of young girls dressed in white, with white veils and black gloves and sashes, followed the remains of their little companion to her last resting-place. Alas ! it is the end that all must ccme to. The bravest, brightest, mosc beloved and best ; Death is the autocrat we must succumb to, And in the tomb the fairest form must iert. The golden sunshine all the day is beaming Down on the world genially and bright ; The silver mooalight o"er tbe earth is streaming, And the frost whitens all the land at night. The grass sprouts up, the flowers gaily bloom, The trees wave green and beautiful, as when The dead, now mnuld'ring in sepulchral gloom, Mixed proud and joyous with tfceir fellow-men. And so with us : the tears shall soon be dried That friends may shed when we have passed away > Into oar places other forms shall glide, And we shall rest forgotten in the clay. Oh I then may Heav'n'd benignant Lord protect a?. Saviour of men we place our trust in Theo ; Firm in the iaith that Thou wilt not i eject up, We'll calmly enter on Eternity.