CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 38, 8 July 1892, Page 15

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.) The Rev Father Cummings, V.G., said the usual monthly Mass at Addington on Sunday morning last. There are upwards of 250 Catkolics in tbe suburb, and it will be a great boon to the people of Addington, especially to the very young and aged, when Mass is said again in their midst on every Sunday. His Lordship promised tome time since to attend to this matter, and doubtless, if at all possible, Mass will be said before long oftener than at present. I hear that several Catholics, and a Catholic whose residence is near the little building that now performs tbe triple duties of church, day and Sunday schools, are anxious for another advance. This Catholic, it seems, has calculated tbe cost and prepared the plans for a new and handsome church, and invented a scheme to defray expenses incidental thereto, and only awaits his Lordship's or the Vicar-Gtneral's J?a£ to begin to put his project into operation and to bring it to a successful issue. After Mass at Addington, the VicarGeneral proceeded to Halswell and said Mass there, and preached at Vespers at the pro-Cathedral on devotion to the Sacred Heart. He took for his text the words of the psalmist, " My son, give me tby heart." This is, he said, the great devotion of our age, and a devotion which the late glorious pontiff Pius IX., since he considered it the best means to aid the Church in her trials and difficulties, hai especially confirmed and extended. — A meeting of the Church Committee took place on Monday night last, and the collectors have distributed a great many circulars, and a fair amount of success as to the matter of obtaining money is reported. Mr A. P. Pope and Mr W. Delaney collect on each Sunday in Addington and in its rural environs. Both the ladies and the men's branches of the Societies of St Vincent de Paul are now in fair operation, and a sewing class has been established in connection with the children of Mary. — Mrs A. J. White has sent a handsome donation of clothing to the ladies of St Vincent de Paul, and tbe Misses McCormick have contributed five guineas towards the liquidation of the parish debt. — A most beautiful and imposing Confirmation service took place at Port Lyttelton on Sunday last. Besides tbe usual addresses before and after the administration of the sacrament, his Lordship preached at Vespers to a crowded congregation. At a meeting of the Literary Society on Tuesday evening last, Mr B. Dobbin, the president, occupied the chair, and the programme was a debate on the best means to remove the injustice under which Catholics now labour with regard to the matter of education. Mr E. O'Connor opened the debate, and he had embodied his thoughts in an excellent paper which be read. He supposed himself speaking to tbe Colonial Government, and described their attitude towards Catholics and their present position and prospects as to education. He then pointed out what appeared to him tbe best and only means to obtain aid for our schools. Sicca nearly all Liberal members, and especially members who repreaent the labouring classes, rank among the opposers of justice being done to Catholics, he hoped that no Catholic would vote for any but a Conservative candidate, the object to be aimed at being to place a Conservative Government in power. The Liberals have hitherto, he said, done nothing for us, then let us try what the Conserva'ives will do. Father Bell, Mr Olarkson, the president, and others criticised the paper, and there was a very good debate on the subject under discussion. The Litany of the Blesseed Virgin was omitted at Benediction at the pro-Cathedral on Sunday last, and Messrs Ca9sier, Gunoing, and England, of the Montague-Turner Opera Company, now giving a short season in this city, sung instead a beautiful " Ava Maria," which was an adaptation from Mercadante's trio, " Et unam sanctam," and Rossi's " Tantum Ergo." The Rev Dr Egan, 0.5.8., who said the 9.30 Mass at the pro-Cathedral, and Mass on Monday last at Mount Magdala, suog Nierem burg's " Pater noster." The Misses Williams and Lambert were also present in the choir, aad tbe music on the occasion was far more splendid than what has been heard for some time. Dr Egan comes from Auckland, and returned on Tuesday last to the North Island. The feast of Sts Peter and Paul was observed with much solemnity at the pro-Cathedral, and the VicarGeneral preached at Vespers on Divine faith. Mr Gunning assisted also in the choir on the following Sunday, when the Imperial Mass was again admirably rendered. The leader of the orchestra of the Montague-Turner Opera Company played at tbe High Mass in a most exquisite style, RsfE's Cavatina. The Peter's Pence collection took place at all the Masses on the same day, and the names of those persons who have contributed towards the parish debt were read from tbe pulpit. Some have contributed five guineas, but tbe general donation is one guinea or one pound. Mnch sympathy has been manifested for the unfortunate lady, Mrs Harvey, who died lately in tbis City from sheer want, and for Mrs Anderson, the widow who relieved the deceased in her distress. Mr W. H. Spackmaa has visited the widow, who is the mother of three children, to inquire whether it was true that she had pawned her wedding-ring to procure some brandy for Miss Harvey. To

prove the statement she produced the pawn-ticket. She said, likewise that she had no means of support but her own labour ; that she w»s unwell and found it difficult to obtain work. Mr Spackman, who feele satisfied that tbe widow's is a genuine case of need, and who justly observes that it would be far better to be deceived a dozen timeß than to let a real act of humanity pa 9? unassisted, has, under the circumstances, appealed to the public for aid, and tbe appeal has received a generous response. He has, with the money thus obtained, purchased for her a variety of useful things, and after supplying her immediate wants, he has placed the remainder of the money oa her behalf in the Savings Baok. Upwards of £22 has been already received. The landlords of the three hotels suppressed lately in Sydenham, and the Sydenham Licensing Committee assembled on Wednesday last at the Supreme Court, before his Honour, Mr JasticeiDenniston. A renewal of the licenses was solicited, but the applications were deferred for consideration until July 7. The Lancaster Park, the Waltbam Arms, and the Club, the three hotels within the borough closed at 10 o'clock on Thursday their doors, which are to remain closed, unless a tribunal, superior to the local licensing committee should decree otherwise. But drunkenness, it seems, has not been a rampant vice in Sydenhaaa for two years. In the year just passed when only three licensed houses were in the borough, there were twelve convictions for drunkenness, and during the previous year, when eight licenses were granted, there were eight convictions. Tbe Montague Turner Company have during the week drawn crowded houses, and produced some charming operas. The company is said to have as yet scored the greatest success of the season in Verdi's tuneful opera, "II Trovatore." The music throughout was most rich. The " Bohemian Girl " was repeated on Saturday night last.