WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 39, 15 July 1892, Page 27

WELLINGTON.

(From oar own Correspondent) July 9, 1892. The great event of the week, from a Catholic stand point, has been the meeting held in St Mary's Cathedral on Wednesday evening for the purpose of taking steps for the collection of funds towards the enlargement of the cathedral. The question has been debated, I believe, for some time as to whether it would not be better to build a new one altogether, bnt after carefully considering the^r** and com the obstacles especially in the way, such as depressed times, and th* comparative poverty of the Catholic population, and the many other calls upon their generosity— it was considered that if the present pretty structure was enlarged it would suffice for the requirements of the present generation. It is not definitely known as yet how far the improvements will be carried out, as I presume that will depend in a great measure on the response which will be made to the appeal in the various districts of the archdiocese, bnt if the result of Wednesday night's canvass be taken as a criterion, the success of the undertaking is assured. There was a very good attendance at the meeting most of the prominent and leading Catholics of the city being pr* sent. His Grace the Archbishop occupied the chair, and the following clergy, amongst others, were present :— Very Bey Fathers Devoy V.G., and Le Terrier (Provincial of the Marist Order), Bey Dr Wat.' ten, Bey Fathers Mahoney, Eirk, Grogau. Lane, Dawson, Power Goggan, and Hon Dr Grace, Dr Oabill, and Messrs W. M. Masksll, M,' Kennedy, and J. Maginoity occupied seats within the sanctuary, Apologies for unavoidable absence were received from Sir P. a! Buckley and Mr J. Collins— the latter sending a cheque for £25 and a promise for a similar amount when the work is proceeding. Hit Grace the Aichbishop, in the course of an eloquent and powerful appeal — which space does not permit me to quote at length reminded his hearers that the meeting was a very important one, inasmuch as it was the inauguration of a new era in church-building. In the past they had made a record— a noble record— in the direction of providing schocl-buildings, and in the improvement' of educational matters generally. When he took over the charge of the diocese edu. cation was in a very backward state, and it was apparent to him that if the Catholics of Wellington were to keep pace with the times, it was absolutely necessary that radical changes ahould be effected, and he was glad and proud to say that their efforts were crowned with success. They had now educational institutions in Wellington which had & reputation all over the Colony. It was, therefore, time that something should be done for their churches, which were not in keeping with so progressive and important a city as Wellington, which was destined from a geographical and commercial stand point to become the most important centre in the Colony. Mr M. Kennedy, who was called upon by his Grace to propose the first resolution, moved—" That this meeting thoroughly approves of raising a cathedral fund, and it pledges itself to support the movement to the best of its ability." The resolution was seconded by the Bey Father Kirk, who eaid that as Wellington was honoured by being made the religious metropolis of New Zealand they should feel a pleasure in making their Cathedral worthy of the' great honour conferred upon this city. The resolution was put to the meeting and carried, Mr W. M. Maskell moved—" That an Executive Committee with full power to administer the cathedral fund be appointed, and this committee consist of his Grace Archbishop Bedwood, Very Bey Father Devoy, V G., the Hon Dr Grace, and Mr M. Kennedy." The resolution, which was seconded by the Bey Father Lane, was put to the meeting and carried. Dr Cahill moved the third resolution to the following effect—" That the work be not proceeded with until half the estimated cost be obtained in oash and lodged in the bands of the executive trusteei." The resolution was seconded by the Bey Father Mahony, who described it as a most practical, necessary aad important one. The resolution was put and canied. The Hon Di Grace moved— 1 ' That a subscription list be now opened, and that all be aeked to subscribe aa much as they can conveniently pay within two years, and that the clergy be requested to open subscription lists in their respective parishes and districts.'* In supporting the resolution the mover gave some statistics regarding the improvements which have been effected since the death of Dr Viard. At that time there was a debt of £1000 on the parish, which was paid off. £1200 was paid for improvements in the interior of the cathedral, the noble altar cost £600, and the organ a similar sum. The resolution was seconded by the Bey Father Grogan. The Very Bey Father Devoy supported the resolution, and took occasion to apologise for the absence of Mr Collins, who promised a donation of £25, to be supplemented by a similar sum as the work proceeds. A subscription canvass was then made, and after a short time it was announced that a sum of £781 14s was promised, among the donations being £100 from his grace the Archbishop ; £50 each from the Bey Father Devoy, Hog Dr Grace, Messrs M. Kennedy and O.

Johnson ; and £25 each from lira M. Kennedy, aad the Revs Fathers Le Terrier, Gogan andiMahony. Mr J. Maginnity then proposed tha last resolution, to the following effect :— " That a committee be appointed to carry out the work, and that this committee consist of his Grace the Arota bishop. Fathers Devoy and Dawson, and Messrs Kennedy and Collins, and Hon Dr Grace." The resolution, which was seconded by the Bey Pr Wattere, was carried unanimously. On the motion of the Hon Dr Grace, seconded by Mr Maskell, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to His Grace the Archbishop for presiding. It is expected that the alterations proposed to the cathedral will cost from five to seven thousand pounds, and will depend in a great measure on the liberal response made^to the committee's appeal. There can scarcely be two opinions on this point, when the amount promised at the meeting on Wednesday evening is taken into account. The students who remained at 8t Patrick's college during the vacation gave an entertainment on Monday evening last, to which several of tbeir friends were invited. The first part of the programme consisted of a farce entitled the " Man with a carpet bag." £he characters were very ably sustained by Mr G . Mahoney, in the title rile ; Mr M. Crombie as " Grab " ; 0. SeDars as " Wrangle " ; Mr W. Fallon as •• Pluckwell " ; Messrs M. Byan and L. Flannigan 41 Waiters" ;J. Fortune as " Landlord " ; A. Mcßae " Boots "; A McDonnell as " Coachman." The play is full of humorous situations and absurdities, while the actors, who displayed considerable histronic ability, made the most of their parts, for which they were warmly applauded. The second part consisted of songs and recitations. Mr P. Mulligan opened with a well recaived vocal item ; Mr 0. Bellars recited ". Pauls' charity " very well. ' Master W. Orombie was very successful in his Bong"Tbe Frenchman," which was encored. Mr N. B. Moloney's pleasing voice was heard to mnch advantage in " Home Bwtet Home," which he gave with much feeling and expression. Mr G. Mahoney 's rendering of that popular song, " The old folks at home " was warmly applauded. The programme concluded with a nigger stump speech entitled " De drink in the coooannt," by G. Mahoney which was productive of much amusement. The stage management was under the direction of the Bey Father Clancy, who proved himself an adept in the business, whilst the Bey Father Carolan deserved the thanks of the audience for his very able accompaniment. At the conclusion of the performance, the Bey Dr Watters congratulated the students on the successful manner in which they acquitted themselves in this new departure, and also thanked them for the very excellent treat afforded to those who had the privilege of being present. I hear that the Bey Father Kirk is making great efforts to establish a school by the Marist Brothers in Wanganni, and I believe it will be a fait accompli as soon as he can procure the Brothers. Of course there is expense to be incurred in all thi«, and in order to raise the necessary funds a bazaar will be held very soon, active preparations for which are now going on, It is to be hoped that the •Sorts of the Bey Father Kirk and his parishioners to procure the means of a sound Catholic training for the rising generation will be crowned wish success. Writing of Wanganui, I may mention that Miss Wells, who has been for some time music mistress at the convent, has been joined in holy matrimony, on Monday last, to Mr A. B. Kitchen, by the Bey Father Kirk — at least I gather so from a local paper. A committee of the Catholic Library and Beading Boom was held last evening, when the Very Rev Father Devoy, V.G., occupied the chair. Drafts of rules and regulations for the reading room and library were brought up and adopted, and also a deed of a trust. There are at present in the hands of the trustees about 500 volume 9 , the property of the defunct Literary Society, which the present committee will receive as a nucleus, and as it ia expeoted that person 9 , having more books than they require, will donate some of their surplus literature, there ought to be no reason why the newly-inaugurated library should not be a success. The committee made a start to-day in arranging the books on the shelves and cataloguing them, the formal opening being decided upon to take place on Monday fortnight, when it is expected that the ceremony will be performed by his Grace the Archbishop. The committee are to be congratulated on the success which has attended tbeir efforts in providing such a boon for the Catholic public, and to them much praise is due, but more especially to the energetic secretary, Mr M. Hodgins, who is always ready to assist in any good work, sparing neither time nor trouble in bringing it to a successful issue. We sadly need a dozen such young men in this city. Ovide Musin, who is playing here just now, ia declared by a gentleman who ia competent to judge, as ons of the greatest, if not the greatest, violinist that has ever visited this Colony. Whatever his abilities may be, he displays not the slightest conceit on the stage. To use a vulgar but expressive term, " he does not put on the slightest side." On Friday morning last he called on his Grace the Archbishop and inspected a violin with which Dr Redwood was presented when be was last in Europe. The great violinist declared it to ba a true Stradivariuf, and valued it at £1000.