ADDINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 24, 1 April 1892, Page 31

ADDINGTON.

(From an Occasional Correspondent.)

A tkbt interesting and commemorative meeting of Catholics took place recently in connection with the Addington school. chapel, which was suitably decorated with evergreens and lit up with chandeliers for the occasion. The dark and hasy night, tLe lights within the chapel, and the numerous gathering made tbe scene somewhat romantio, and reminded vividly the Rev Father Oummingg, V.G., of a dear little country church which he used to attend in the venerated land of his birth and early manhood. The children, under the care of th«ir teacher, Miss M. Milner, were arranged in lins on each side of the pathway that leads to the chapel. About 8 p.m. his Lordship and the Rev Father Oummings arrived %nd entered tbe building. This was his Lordship's first visit to the chapel. When seated in front of the altar, Mr P. A. Pope, supported by Messrs J. Eennell and W. Delaney, read a short address, bsantifally framed, and has been illuminated by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, Chriitchurch. The reading concluded, two children advanced and presented his Lordship with the address, which is as follows :— "To the Bight Rev Dr Grimes, 8. M., D.D., Bishop of Christ* church. — May it pleasa your Lordship,— We, your humble children of Addington, tender you a trne and a hearty welcome to this part of your diocese. With sorrow and joy we greet you — sorrow that we cannot receive you as we could wish, and joy that you have favoured us with your presence. We offer you, my Lord, in return for this favour, our love, sympttny, and gratitude— our love because Almighty God has appointed you our bishop, and a princs of His Holy Church ; our sympathy for all the sufferings that you have endured frem ill-health, and from a separation for a time from your children, and our gratitude for this visit. We pray, my Lord, that Almighty Gad may accord you a long life and good health to guide us in the ways of Holy Church, and to obtain this favonr as loving and obedient children, we ask your Lordship's blessing upon ourselves and families. — Signed, on behalf of the Catholics of Addington — J. Rennell, J. O. Chase, W. Delaney, D. Campbell, J, Baroett, P. A Pope." His Lordship, in reply, very feelingly and eloquently dwelt on the terms lovs, sympathy, and gratitude that occur in the address* He spoke of the necessity of making sacrifices to support Catholic schools, and of giving children • thorough Christian education. The present godless system, he said, could never lead to salvation or to anything good. He was pleased to see what efforts and sacrifice. Addingtonians make to maintain their little church, and he encouraged them to continue in the good work. He reminded them of Mr O'Connell'a famous maxim, "Agitate, agitate," and advised them never to cease to agitate until the Legislature of New Zaaland granted their just and necessary demands. He expressed his thanks for the kind reception given to him, and said what pleasure be felt to come among the people of Addington, and to bestow upon them and their families bit Episcopal benediction. Meanwhile, in the Oddfellows' Hall, in another part of the township, Mesdatnes Pope. Rennell, Mooreland, Hynrs, Delaney, Misses Murphy, Havahan, O'Carney, and other ladisa were arranging flowers and viands, and preparing a banquet. When hid Lordship arrived at the Hall, and was conducted to the head of a table, be was annz d, and said :—": — " Father Cun.mings invited me to meat my people in Aldington, but I never thought that I should be brought here and made into an Oddfellow." Everyone, save the children, adjourned from ths chapel to the hall, and more than one hundred persons were seated around tbe tables. But before tbe rare an i savoury edibles thereon received rather serious attention, Mr Pope, the chairman of the past year's school committee, also the presiding chairman, read a balance-sheet, which showed a fair margin, notwithstanding the unusually heavy expense of the late year. He next read a long, interesting, and often humorous report, which was nothing less than a historio sketch of the school from its inception to the present time. Daring the evening songs were sung, and tbe following toasts were duly honoured :— " His Lordship Dr Grimes," •' The Vicar-General," who when replying made especial and kind mention of the late teachers, Miss Flavahan and Mr J. 0. Chase ; " Ths late Committee and the Ladies," coupled with the names of Messrs R. P, and T. Lonargan, and ■Wl'Namara. Tbe gathering ended witb the elecion for the eosuiug year of a new committee, the chairman and treasurer whereof is Mr Rennell, and the secretary Mr F. Milner. Oa the following Saturday the children attending the school were entertained with a picnic in the grounds whereon the school is situated.