CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 25, 8 April 1892, Page 31

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.)

cThvbe are strong indications that Christchurch is going ahead. Buildings are going up in almost every direction, and, although nothing in the nature of a " boom " is visible, one cannot help feeling convinced that the " City of the Plains " is steadily marching on to the premier position among New Zealand's chief towns. Prominent among new buildings may be mentioned the Brookfield Roller Flonr Mill, a large and commodious brick building in Add in? ton, close to the railway line. The Press Company's new building, also of brick, has considerably improved that particular part of Cashel street in which it is situated, and the Press is now issued, not from tbe wooden, weather-beaten ruin of days gone by, bnt from a structure which imparts to this well-known paper a sense of dignity and conscious magnitude.

Mr H. O. Forbes, of the Canterbury museum, recently paid a scientific visit to the Chatham Islands. Some interesting discoveries have resulted, the chief being the finding of the bones of an extinct species of the rail family of birds.

Tbe meeting of the Catholic Literary Society, on March 29, took the form of a social. Readings, recitations, etc, were given, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. His Lordship tbe Bishop takes a great interest in tbis Society and is anxious to see its members greatly increase.

The usual services were given in tbe Pro-cathedral on Sunday. The statues being veiled, the church presented a somewhat mournful appearance. At High Mass tbe Rev Father Cummings preached a most eloquent sermon appropriate to the solemn occasion, explaining why the Church concealed her statues at this particular time, and exhorting the whole congregation to attend to their religious duties sot later than Easter Sunday. There was an exposition of the Blessed Sacrament all the afternoon, and the Rev Father Bell preached at Benediction service.