CHRISTCHURCH. (From our own Correspondent.)

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 27, 22 April 1892, Page 5

CHRISTCHURCH. (From our own Correspondent. )

On Tuesday evening, April 5, his Lordship Dr Grimes delivered a very interesting lecture in the Catholic Literary Society's rooms. The subject wai " My first visit to Loretto," and bis account of the removal and description of this wonderful shrine of Our Lady was attentively listened to by a numerous attendance. Mr B. Dobbin, president, presided. When the discourse was concluded a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to his Lordship for his splendid lecture, for honouring the meeting with bis presence, and for the interest that he has ever manifested towards the Society. At the meeting on Tuesday last, the spiritual director — the Bey Father Bell— proposed the followin* subject for a debate :— " Is it advantageous for Catholic families to settle in New Zealand 1 " Members who spoke in the affirmative pointed out the natural beauties and advantages of this Colony , also onr free and independent form of government, and that with the exception of the matter of education, Catholics here had as much freedom as is consistent with safety ; that the present secular educational system would eventually break down with its own weightindeed, that the system would not have obtained till now were Catholics more united, and that all they desired were equality and fair pky. Members who followed in the negative mentioned the numerous and discordant sects in this city, the Freethought, and the scientific, or rather the jally-fiab, and protoplasm element. The state of society was then contrasted in countries and communities purely Catholic, and it was argued that in the latter it is far pleasanter to live and easier to bring up a family in a thorough Christian manner. The debate proved interesting, and elicited many useful ideas. The long-talked about and the elaborately-arranged bazaar in connection with St Mary's parish will be opened on Eaater Monday next, and will continne throughout the whole week. The Tnam street Hall, on account of its size and central position, has been chosen for the bazaar. It is to be hoped that the walls of this handsome and spacious building will be continually thronged. Indeed, neither expense nor art has been spared to make the show attractive and absolutely unique. The hall has been splendidly decorated like an Eastern garden ; and the stage like the court of Kirg Ahasuerus. The coronation of Queen Esther will be the opening ceremoDy. A grand triumphal procession will follow, wherein over two hundred persons, arrayed gorgeously like ancient Greeks, Japanese, Egyptians, Syrian f, and other Eastern nations will be eeen. Queen Esther, Burrounded by pages, maids of honour, torch-bearers and guards will be an interesting scene. As to the correctness of the dresses and representations, it ie sufficient to Bay that the whole show has been planned by the Bey Father Le Menant deß Chesnais, who is well known to be deeply versed in Oriental antiquities. A grand and numerous orchestra has been provided, and during the evenings there will be vocal and instrumental selections. A number of priests came from the surrounding parishes to assist at the solemn office of Tenebiae at the pro-Cathedral on Wednesday last. A beautiful altar of repose was erected on the gospel side of the church, and the services on Holy Thursday were most impressive. Hi* Lordship Dr Grimes, who has ever the ioterests of religion at heart, fulfilled a promise he lately made to expose for the veneration of his people, during Holy Week, a most precious and sacred relic that he had obtained whiie recently in Borne. This relic is nothing less that a portion of the true cross. The reliquary, which has a firm «tand, is a cross of gold, and is of txquieite design and workmanship and about as large as the crucifix that is usually placed on a tabernacle. Where the two portions of the cross intersect, covered with

lenee, there is a receptacle, and within this, the relic, which is a little cross, is placed. The relic was exposed in the charcb oa Good Friday and devoutly venerated by the congregation from three o'clock in the afternoon until the commencement of Tenebrre. The weather on Good Friday was cloudy and unpromising, and towards night rain began to fall free y. This was a sad disappointment to many persons and kept them at home. Yet picnieß, shooting and boating parties visited fairiy well Lytteltoo, Samner, New Brighton and oher places. The steamer Akaroa was crowded on her excursion to Pigeon Bay, and the launches Canterbury and Waiwera took large numbers to Governor's Bay. The chief event in Lyttelton, however, was the Wharf Labourers Society's picnic at Rhodes Bay. When the weather is fine every swell and belle tarns oat in his or her best and there is usually a general stampede. How many people outiide of the Catholic Church appear to understand the impart of the day 1 Indeed dees not Byron's sketch of the Sabbith day in the Knglieb metropolis describe what takes place here on Good Friday f The seventh day this ; the jubilee of mac. London 1 right well thou know'st the day of prayer. ♦ • • • • Some o'er thy Thames row the ribboned fair, Others aloDg the safer turnpike fly ; Some Richmond Hill ascend, some wend to Ware, And many to the steep of Highgate hie." At High Mass at the pro-cathedral on Easter Sunday, His Lord* ship preached an appropriate and eloquent sermon, taking for a text the words of the psalmist : " This is the day which the Lord hath made : rejoice thereon." The really splendid music had been especially chosen for the occasion. A numerous choir, aided by an effective string band, admirably rendered Beethoven's Mass in C. Mrs Kelly and Miss G. Peader as usual shone in the solos. Miss Bryant sung also in her accustomed neat and finished style a solo. Mr G. Cronin and Mr Dougal were likewise especially heard to advantage in the solos.