ASHBURTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 3, 4 November 1892, Page 11

ASHBURTON.

(From an Occasional Correspondent.) As tbe parish of Ashbnrton is generally considered one of the most important in the diocese of Cbristchurch, readers of tbe Tablet are often at a loss to understand why so little is ever heard of its doings. One reason, doubtless, lies in the fact that for many years the people have been saddled with a heavy debt, the weight of which has much dispirited them, causing them to lose energy and interest in parochial matters. Lately, however, a silver lining began to appear ia the clouds. Lart San day week the Very Rev Father Cbastagnon made an earnest Appeal to his parishoners for help to liquidate the debt, and in response during the week a fair amount of money came in from Catholics and Protestants. As another proof of the vitality of the parish may be mentioned the re-opening of the boys' school with William D. Jones as teacher. This gentleman possesses exceptional qualifications, having enjoyed a college and university education before his advent to the colonies. Under his direction the pupils, to the number of 50, are making marked progress.

The latest principal social event that tools place bere was the marriage of Mr A. J. Millar and Miss Kate Henry, concerning which the Christchurch Press has the following :— '• Owing to the somewhat recent bereavement in the family ot the bride, the wedding was intended to be a quiet one, but notwithstanding this, a large number of friends assembled at the church of the Holy Name of Jesus at balf-past nine, at which hour the marriage ceremony was celebrated by the Very Rev Father Chastasjnon, and immediately after the ceremony Mass was celebrated. The bride look d exceedingly bright and happy, and was set off to charming perfection by a very prettilymade heliotrope dress beautifully embroidered with floral designs. She wore a brooch and bangle studded with diamonds and pearls the gift of the bridegroom. Tbe wedding presents were numerons and valuable and included several cheques. During the marriage ceremony Mr D. Jones, the new choir-master of the church, presided at the organ and played an exceedingly pretty " Wedding March " of bis own composition, and in such a manner as to leave no doubt, even on tbe most sensitive ear, that he is a thorough musician and a complete master of the organ. Mr Jones, it may be added, has only recently taken up his residence in A9hburton and assumed charge of the Catholic school. As a teacher he ranks very high in his profession, and as a musician he has talent of a very rare order of merit. His manipulation of the organ affjrded the richest musical treat that has been heard in the Catholic church for a long time, and Mr Jones is certainly a great acquisition to the town and district." To-day the Very Rev Father Chastagnon announced from the altar that the parish would shortly be put under the charge of Father O'Donnell, from Darfield, and that he himself would, on Sunday next, preach his farewell sermon. General and deep regret is felt at his projected departure, as, during the last eight years he has eu« | deared himself very much to his flock,