CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 28, 29 April 1892, Page 27

CHRISTCHURCH.

Thousands of people took ad ran tag*? of tbe lenurkably fiae weather on Easter Monday. The Autuaao meeting of tbe Canterbury Jockey Club was more largely attended than oßual. lhe ladies, tempted by the splendors of tbe day, appeared in full force, aud many of their dresses are characterised as marvels of good taste. New Brighton and Bnmner, especially the latter, were not forgotten. What would become of Chrietcbuich people but for tbe pure invigorating sea air and recreation that can be obtained as ibese sea shore n sorts ? General Booth says that but for the influx of people from the country the inhabitants of London would soon degenerate, physically and socially, into the condition of the pygmies io the interior of the vast and gloomy African forests. While Bitting on tha hill Bide, overlooking the bathing sheds, from whence a splendid view of tbe township and bay can be obtained, I could not bat consider Sumner a pretty place. The sunshine lit up the lownbhip. Columns of smoke atcended from amidst groups of pioe trees around tbe dwellings. Thousands of happy and well-dretssed people walked on the long beach or sat on the low sand iidges, and groups of juveniles bathed in tbe surf. Tbe grand old volcanic relic, the cave rock, wherein the waves long since have grottoes and tunnels, was covered with visitors. The ladits in particular patronised this romantic rock. The snn dtclining, there waß a general return to the city. The trams were co crowded tbat not half their occupants were able to get seate. When near the town, at every stoppage, there was a disgorjem nt of human f. eight, which was indeed a general relief. Oae young lady, who felt evidently strong on the matter, remarked when leaving—" I am glud to get clear or that baasilyitram." But evaryona was in i good humour. la one densely packed carriage, a dog, whose paws bad not received due respect, protested lustily, and thia occasioned some mirth. On the evening of tbe same day the bazaar to rtmove the debt on St Mary 'B purist) was opened in the Tuam street hall, and will probabiy close at tbe end of tbe weeV. Tbe show opens at 8 p.m For an hour before this tbe Palace braes band plays at the entrance of tbe building. About three thousond persars attended on tbe first night, aud the b*ziar bas been well patronised and can be pronounced a success. Tbe ball bas been made to represent an Eastern garden by means of palms, ferns, fern-trees and a fountain. Tbe balcony,

which in a theatre would be termed the dress-circle, is decorated with Indian palm, fans, hot -house plants and flags. Fairy lamps are suspended in all directions, and the ornamentations, the beantifnl appearance of tbe liob goods for sale, and the piotoresqaeness of the fair attendants' dresses, make np a charming spectacle. Indeed tht scene when viewed from the balcony is said to be the most artiatio ever witnessed in tbe city. Tbe stage is fitted up like the court of King Assaerus of Persia, and tbe scene depicted on tbe first night was the crowning of his Queen, Esther. Mr Olarkson acted the part of the King, and Miss Annie McGill, who tor this occasion wore a diadem and a superb oKam»coloured dress, richly embroidered with gold, that of the Queen. Tte Septette band played the "Silver Cross " as a triumphal procession of ancient Greeks, Japanese. Bgyp. Hans, Syrians, Circassians, Indians, Gipsies, train-bearers, maids of honour, torch-bearers and guards, proceeded slowly through tbe garden and the palace where the Queen was received by her royal lord and crowoed with doe ceremony. Prince Aman— Mr O. Oummings — then ia the name of His Majesty, announced the " Grand Oriental Bazaar " open for six days in honour of the royal marriage. Tbe coronation scene over, tne ladies returned to their stalls, and the business of the bas tar began in real earnest. On the next night the tableau on the stage was a Gipsy's encampment, and on each night there is a different scene and a grand procession before the basaar begins. The effect of the tableaux is splendidly heightened with coloured fire. Each stall is named from the costume of tbe ladies in charge. There are ten stalls— five on each side of the hall— and they are placed between the pillars that support the balcony. Visitors find no difficulty in moving about. At every tarn they meet oae or another of the Bastern young ladies, who are all eagerly bent on business. All the ladies engaged in the bazaar woie national and fancy costumes, and the ladies in charge of stalls are Mrs Comings, Gipsy ; Mrs Welsh, Byrian ; Mrs McGarva, Indian ; Mrs Dobbin, Modern Greek ; Mrs titrate, Persian ; Mrs Houlihan, Ancient Greek ; Mrs Harper, Japanese ; Mrs O'Donohue, Circassian ; and tbe Children of Mary, Egyptians. Daring the evenings the baud plays selections of music and there are choruses sometimes of fifty voices, conducted by Mr H. H. Loughn*n. The stage management is in the bands of Mr J. P. Kelly. Tbe ball and stall committee are Messrs O'Donohue, Cassin, Dobbin, and W. Cronin. Mr D. Stynmits and a staff of assistants conduct tbe drawing for prises. On Wednesday night tbe Bight Rev Dr Morau, of Dunedin, accompanied with bis Lordship, Bishop Grimes, honoured the baz ar with his presence. Everyone will be highly glad to teir that Brother Joseph, the supe • rior of tbe Marist Brothers in this city, has retnred to Christchurcb.and tbat he intends to lemain here and resume his former duties. Brother Joseph, a* is well known, went away some months ago to Sydney. Many persons were from his lonz absence beginning to be afraid that we had seen the last of him. But he. leit here to visit the place of bis former sojourn, bis mother, a brother, several sisters and a large circle of old and valued friends. The good Brother bas returned much improved ia health. He bas travelled a good deal, seen many rare and interesting sights, and acquired a vast amount of valuable information on various subjects. The depression among the working classes in Sydi-ey, be says, is great and distressing. Tbat tbe poverty in this country is mtbiDg when compared to the poverty tbat prevails in the en pi al of New South Wales. He advises strongly no one to go in quest of employment from Naw Zealand to Sydney. Yet, he says, tbat Sydney is a splendid city, and many people there are rich, notwithstanding tbe poverty of the masses. Is not this the same old story that can unfortunately be told now about many large capitals — wealth and luxury on the one hand, starvation and misery on tbe other ? He was surprised at the city's great pi ogress. Places where formerly there were only a few scattered cottages, have swelled into vast and densely-populated suburbs. He was indeed surprised with th« progress that the Church has made and is making there. Besides tbe Cardinal there are two bishops and many priests. The city is divided into several parishes, wherein are splendid churcher convents, colleges, and schools. The Catholics in Sydney— even the men— are, it seems, earnest about the salvatioa of their souls. In St Patrick's parish tbe Vincentian Fathers gave recently a mission. The congregation consisted on one occasion of men, and so great was their number, that the spacious church was densely crowded. The preaching had been good but nothing mere. No one, therefore, could say that these men had assembled from other than genuine motive? of piety — not simply to witness something novel, or to listen to eloquent discourses. At this mission, on Good Friday last, the Rev Father Ginaty, our former sog garth aroon, preached a splendid sermon. In another parish cburch, St Bardina'j, the high alter is of pure marble, and cost £600. The altar steps and tbe tesselattd sanctuary floor are of the Bame material. Brother Joseph visited country places, and has brought borne a collection of photos of churches, colleges, and views of other interesting objects and places. He attended several concerts in tbe Centennial Hall, which is said to be tbe largest town hall in the world, and to contain an organ which is tbe large t in existence. Tbe organist of tb s remarkable hall receives a aahry of £500 a year. Among other persona whom he saw are the Rev Father Kickham, formerly parish priest at Lyttelton,and

Mr Jobs Joyce, once the secretary of the Catholic Literary Bodety in thia city. Both are well. A depuration of the Catholic* of Addington, whereof Mr A. P. Pope mi spokesman, waited this week on his Lordship Or Grimes, to request him to permit Mass to be stid every Sunday in the school* chapel at Addington instead of bat once a month, as is the case now. His Lordship promised kindly to investigate and consider the matter, and, if at all possible, he would willingly grant the request. On Saturday night last there were tug-of-war contests in a large mwqnee opposite the theatre in Gloucester street. The marquee was fairly packed with spec ator*. There were two trams engaged ; ten men were in each team. The first contest was Australia t. Germany. ICany of the Tentons had a grand phystqne, bat their team seemed to haw no chance against their Australian opponents, aod the Germans wen completely defeated after a poll of about fiiteen seconds. The next and final contest was New Zealand t. Obina. This was indeed a terrible struggle, and lasted one hour and fifty seconds. China was victorious. A considerable number of Celestials was present, and among them there was great excitement and uproar. The captain of their team bravely encouraged his men, and their victory was gained inch by inch. Other contests between other nationalities are arranged to come off aext week.