WESTPORT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 27, 25 October 1889, Page 15

WESTPORT.

(From an occasional Correspondent.)

The mission which was opened in St. Canice's Church on Sunday, the 6th inst., by the Rev. Oliver Daly, S. J., terminated on Thursday evening with the solemn renewal of their baptismal vows by the entire congregation, and the grantiog of the Papal blessing. It would be useless to dwell on the good which missions bring, the evils which they remove, and the remarkable strength which they afford the militant Christian in the great fight for salvation. And though the present one lasted but fire days, the amount of work which the learned missionary performed could be almost accurately gauged by the crowds who daily approached the altar rails for Communion. I only reiterate the public opinion when 1 say that the piety, zeal, and ability of the Rev. Father wera seen at their best ; hie piety— his devotion to the Sacred Heart has notably touched the heart-strings of many a wayward breast ; — his zeal, I have never seen surpassed, all w^rk, no rest, from early morn to declining eve, alternately praying, exhorting, expounding, absolving. I have no doubt that his ability in expounding the sacred text has been a welcome treat to the people here, who live side by side with others of different religious persuasions; while to many of the latter who came to listen rather than to receive instruction, it has been a surprise. Let us hope that it will cause all to think of the depths to which they may fall, and the glory to which they may arise, by constantly thinking and meditating on the words of the inspired writer, " What will it profit a man to gam the whole world and lose his own soul." Among the benefits derived from the mission, is that of the withdrawal of Catholic children from the State schools, and other and far-reach-ing triumphs in the near future are the formation of associations of tne "Apostleship of Prayer," and the spread of tiinperance. Tho Key. Father ltf c for Dennison on Friday. I regret to announce the death, on tho 2ad inst., of Mr. Thomas Stack, Cape Foulwind, a young man of splendid physique, genial and pairiotic ; he was a native of Miltown Malbay, (Jouuty Clare, and loved the land of bis nativity with the ardjur for which Clare men are remarkable. His funeral was one of the largest seen in Westport for many years. — May his soul rest in peace, and may the soil of his adopted country he lightly on his bosom. The advent of the Irish delegates to New Zealand has begun to cause a lively pulsation among the ; r countiymen here, and I have not a shade of doubt but the welcome which Mr. John Dillon and Sir Thomas G. Esmonde will r'CJive on their arrival will be one which Wes-tport men will always look back 10 with pride — in fact an epoch in their lives.

A lively contest for the Mnyoralty is one of the events of tbe near future. The present Mayor, Mr. James Buiated, has been requisitioned to offer himself as a candidate a^ain, and he has signified his willingness. Mr. James Coh in is the opposing canoidate. Ha is a very popuhr man, has bten chairman of tue County Council and also of the Harbour Board. I should say that he will be a veiy formidable opponent for our present wor'hy Mayor.