TEMUKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 3, 16 May 1890, Page 13

TEMUKA.

(Fiona an Occasional Correspondent.)

Temuka, May 12, 1890. On the Feast of the Patronage of St. Joseph Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Fauvel at eight aDd ten o'clock — the last being a solemn High Mass. The church for the occasion had been splendidly dressed out, the best I have yet seen it. The lateral altars, as well as the main, presented a very imposing appearance, especially that of St. Joßeph, which was decorated with artificial flowers specially worked by the Sisters. The choir on this occasion was exceptionally good, and after the " Asperges," sang " Hail, Holy Joseph, Hail.' The " Kyrie," " Sanctus," and " Agnus Dei " were taken from Bordese'a difficult compositioß, and were a marked improvement on the Jast time this Mass was rendered. The " Gloria " and " Credo " were from Webb's ever-popular Mass in G. At the offertory " Holy Joseph," and at the conclusion of the Mass " Holy Patron" were very spiritedly rendered. The Sisters are to be congratulated on the improvement in the choir.

Yesterday, Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Fauvel at St. Mary's, Pleasant Point. The Rosary was recited at St. Joseph's, Temuka.

Special marks of respect are being paid to the Mother of God dring this month, both by prayer and decorations on Our Lady's altar.

I understand that it is intended to have the damage done to the Bpire by the recent gale repaired. It will cost a considerable sum, owing to its being in a very difficult position.

The influenza epidemic is still in full swing here.

There is a matter upon which I intended to make a few remarks, but till now it has alwayß slipped my memory, which is the manner in which the Minister of Lands is carrying out his land policy. One of the prettiest places in the coloay ib the township of Arowhenua, which adjoins Temuka from the sea side. This pretty spot, which boasts of the buildings of St. Joseph's Church and the public school, and is bounded on the south by a beautiful park, and on the east of which is one of the neatest cemeteries in the Colony, was some time back surveyed in quarter-acre sections, with the view of establishing a settlement there. However, since the present mal-administrator of lands came into power the intention of the originator of this settlement was " murdered," and now at sale after sale can be observed the pitiful spectacle of seeing the sections falling into a few " landgrabbers' " hands. At the last land sale one man secured as many as

16 quarter-acre sections. Arowhenua of late has made wonderful advancement in the way of new buildings, and was in every way a promising settlement, but it has been ruined by the game the ConBervative Ministry is playing into the hands of land-sharks. The weather, which till recently has been surprisingly mild, has Changed. Intermittent rain has fallen, and it has turned bitterly cold.