OUR TEMUKA LETTER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 28, 29 April 1892, Page 15

OUR TEMUKA LETTER.

(From an Occasional Correspondent.)

Temoka, April 23, 1892. Since my last letter Passion Sunday, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and the great festival of Easter, 1892, are numbered amongst things of the pas*. On the first-named day the choir bad the benefit of rather a distinguished vocalist, Miss Bartos, of Wai mate. In the morning the young lady rendered the solos, " O Salutaris," aud " Veni Jesu," and in the evening again sacg several solos, which were veiy eminent for the excellent manner in which they were rendered. Miss | Bartos possesses a voice of extraordinary power and range, which is backed up by a thorough knowledge of, and appreciable soul for, music. Many flatteriog comments were elicited from those who were capable of judging sublime harmony, Certainly it was the best singing beard in the famous church of St Joseph. Good Friday proved extremely quie\ both priests being in Christchurcb, assisting at the ceremony which took place on Thursday. In the evening the Stations of the Cross were followed. The Good Templars had to hold their picnic in the Tolunteer Hal (owing to the wet), where, like the Jews on that memorable day, they enjoyed themselves even in ancing. On EasW Sunday, the church, which during the week looked so sorrowful with its drapery, was beautiful to behold, the decorations being artistic, the work of the Sisters of St Joseph. At half-past ten solemn High Mass was sung by the Rev Father Fauvel, who preached an impressive sermon from the text of the gospel for the day — " He is risen ;He is not here ; behold the place wherethey laid Him." The choir, under the leadership of one of the Bisters, was exceptionally good. The "Mass of the Annunciation" (C. M. Baeteus) was rendered, and bpfore Mass " Tidi Aquam," and the " Resurrection Litany," the Offertory piece being Labat de Serene's popular composition, "Regina C« i." A selection from Haydn and ftfozirt was also given. The solos and due's on the occasion were sustained by Mrs Twoompy, Misses Connolly, L. Quinn, aad B. Connolly, and Masers Polaschek and Scannell sustained the baß solos in the Mass. In the evening solemn Vespers were sung, amongst the items rendered by the choir being Father Police's popular Litany. The excellent manner in which this piece (and others) is always sung by the choir is due to the splendid tuition of Father Aubrey (now, I believe, in Blenheim). Miss Qumn presided at the harmonium at both services. Tbe Rev Father Le petit officiated at St Mary's, Pleasant Point, on Easter Sunday. The church was prettily decorated for the occasion. The choir, with Misa L Hoare at the harmonium, were very successful with their appro- ! priate renditions, The Eev Austin Aubrey, the Diocesan Inspector of Schools, in his report on St Joseph's School, recommended some alterations to the building, which, I believe, will shortly be carried out. It is intended to add a room of 20ft to the western end. When the school is completed the V uilding will be a comfortable cne. It is also intended to make improvements to the convent, and to rectify the injured spire of 8t Joseph's churcb. The parish is entirely free from debt, which has been hanging on for a good time. In justice I might remark that for a long time the interest on money due to tbe bank was paid by Fatber F..uvel, which was rather a large item. There is now a surplus in hand. Tbe eea's in the chorcb are being let, and with this it is intended to do any necessary work that may arise. When his Lordship was in Temuka on his visitation be expressed a desire that the " Angelas " shouli be rung in tbo usual manner. This wish has been gratifud. Tbe bells of St Joseph's have been heard both in Timaru and Geraldine, about 12 milts distant. A number vf photographers visite J St J seph's at different times with tbe objects of their art in view. At that time tbe beautiful church was surrounded with " pines,' which rendered it practically impossible to <ake the building. No doubt they will be pleased to learn that the trees have been removed. Tr.is alteration has made a wonderful improvement ia the general appearance of the locality, miiiht mention that on Baser Monday there was quite an influx of Froustaut visitors to the chuicb, and many remarks of aduamtion could be heard.