CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 14, 22 January 1892, Page 18

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.')

January 18, 1892. The Rev Brother Joseph has gone for a holiday to see friends in Sydney, whom he has not visited for nearly a period of fourteen years. Tbe Rev Brother certainly deserves his well-earned holiday, and it is tbe earnest desire of bis many friends and well-wishers, whose name, by the way, is legion, not alone here, but in other parts of New Zealand, that be may thoroughly enjoy it, and come back looking better, if that were possible, than he was when he left. The Rev Brother Basil, formerly of Stoke, takes Brother Joseph's place until the latter's return, which will be about tbe first of May.

It is intended to present the Very Rev Father Cummings, V.G,, with a testimonial, from tbe people of the district over which he presided as parish priest before Christchurch was sub-divided. The testimonial will be from the pro-Cathedral parish and St Mary's, and also outlying ones of Addington, Papanui, and Halswell, and will be as a token of the people's regard for Father Cammings, and in recognition of the great amount of work which he has been instrumental in carrying out in this city whilst he has been in charge of the parish. As it will be tn expression of pleasure of tbe people at the dignity conferred upon tbe administrator of the diocese by his Lordship the Bishop, it might seem somewhat late, but this was necessary, as it was feared that if Father Cummings were here, he would pat a stop to any such proceedings, and so a very welcome opportunity occurred by his absence on the West Coast. The Very Bey Father Cummings

hu worked very hard since he arrived here, and has succeeded in carrying to a successful completion several very useful and necessary undertakings, and has undoubtedly deferred very well of the people although the only reward which he expected was the satisfaction o having done his duty. Of course subscriptions will not be limited to those districts, but admirers from any parts of the diocese may Msist, and as an evidence of the general interest felt in the matter, tbe treasurer has to acknowledge already a subscriptios of £5 5s from Mr P. Henly, New Headford. It is to be hoped that many others will be tempted to imitate this liberal act of our generous and public-spirited neighbour. The friends of Miss Flahavan will be glad to hear that ehe has completely recovered from her serious illness, and that she will take over the Addington school again at its re-opening. The school committee of tbe district finding that the funds did not balance for the past year are compelled to have a concert on the 28th inst, for the purpose of assisting the finances. As the people of Addington are not overburdened with an extra amount of the world's goods, and have struggled bravely to maintain their school, it is to be hoped that the people ot Cbristchurch will assist to the best of their ability, An excellent programme is being got up for the occasion, and apart from tbe good object, those who patronise the entertainment will receive full value for their money. It is to be hoped that those gentlemen who are so kindly and unselfishly giving their time and labour in getting up the concert will be amply rewarded in the only way they would wish to be, that is by having a crowded house on the occasion. Feeling references were made on yesterday, both at the proCathedral and at St Mary's, to the loss sustained by the Catholic world through the deaths of Cardinals Manning and Simeooi. The prayers of the congregation were asked for the repose of their souls, and requiem Masses for the same intention will be celebrated during the week, the day not yet being fixed, pending his Lordship's return from Akaroa, where he went last Saturday. A meeting was called by the Mayor of Christchurch during the week for the purpose of making arrangements for entertaining his Excellency the Governor before his departure from the colony. Whether it is that bis Excellency is not popular, or that the people of this city have had a surfeit of banquets, but at any rate the attendance at the meeting showed bow very little iaterest was taken in the matter. It is said that some of the banquets which have been given here during the last few years have not been a financial success, and that some of the promoters found themselves called upon to make good a very substantial deficiency. A burnt child dreads the fire, so I presume that under these circumstances we cannot very much blame persons being somewhat slow in undertaking a responsibility, even at the price of being for a couple of hours within the charmed circle of viceroyalty. I have no doubt that his Excellency is extremely popular with all classes in the community, and that the true reason why so little enthusiasm was manifested in the proposition at first was that the " huppah suckle " of Christchurch society are not at all in sympathy with the plebeian representatives of our local representatives, who are generally at the head of such functions, I am informed, with what truth I know not, that it was the intention of the aristocratic element to tender a select banquet to the Governor before bis departure, and that the suggestion of the Mayor and others was not looked upon with any great favour ; in fact quite the reverse. We are going, during the coming week, to have another socalled theological debate, the champions this time being the Freethought lecturer, Mr Collins, and Professor Bickerton of Canterbury College.