CHBIBTCHURCH,

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 45, 9 March 1894, Page 7

CHBIBTCHURCH,

(From our own Correspondent.)

In a recent issue it was eUted that the Irish fl*g was never seen in our city, this remark is slightly incorrect, for so sure as St. Patrick's day came icuud so sure did the banner of green II Mt from the topmast of Barrett's hotel, and that practise ib still observed by Mr P. Burke. However, I trust we will be bleat with a five day to see the flag floating from the Hibernian Hall on the 17th March. At the usual mee'ing of the Hibernian Society on laßt Monday night Mr Rodger?, senr., introduced Misses Rodger* and Shea, and on their behalf presented to the society the new flag. The president then thanked the ladies for their beautiful gift, and they retired, after wbicb a very pleasant evening was spent. The material of which the flag is made is of the best quality, and reflects great credit on Messrs Hale and Co., to whom the order was entrusted, and also to Bey Brother Joseph, who designed it. The central figure is the National Harp above a wreath of shamrocks and surmounted by the letters H.A.C.B.S. Care has been taken to display tbe design on both sides of the flag with equal effect.

Tbe members of St. Patrick's League of tbe Cross are sparing no effort to make the " At Home," by which they intend celebrating their patronal festival, a brilliant success. The energy displayed by the League, together with the popular support which they caa command, may be regarded as an assurance that the celebration will be in every way worthy of the occasion and creditable to tba promoters.

The Canterbury Catholic Literary Society held the usual weekly meeting on February 27, the programme was the reading of competitive essays for a handsomely bound volume presented by his Lordship the Bishop, which was awarded to Mr J. C. Chase for a wellwritten paper on Leo XIII., the great luminary of the present century. The society recently forwarded a letter of congratulation to Sir W. B. Peroeval who was at one time president of tbe society, on his having received the order of knighthood. The meetings for the past few months have been most successful, and under the able guidance of Rev Father Bell, there is no doubt that our success will increase.

In connection with tbe church debt the latest scheme is one which will eclipse all previous efforts to make that incubus a thing of the past. It is to take the form of a Grand Operatic Tableaux Carnival in which the stallholders and assistants will costume themselves to represent tbe leading characters in Borne of tbe most popular operas. Besides the tableaux, the maypole, fan drill and many other attractions are in active preparation. The management of the carnival has been placed in the hands of Messrs J. P. Kelly and B. O'Connor, whose ability in matters of this k'md is too well known to comment npon. The musical por ion 19 under the direction of Mr Harry Roßsiter. It is to be hoped that the enthusiasm which is now being shown will be carried out till the end, and I trupt that ere long we will sing our "Je Deum " over the extinction of the Church liability.

To the untiring efforts of Mesdamts Holland and Sherrin Is due the fact that we have just received from Sydney a crucifix for erection in the pro-Cathedral as a memento of the mission. Tbe figure is in terra cotta, being 4 ft. 2 in. in height, and is a beautiful work of art. It will be hung on a cross about 10 ft. high, and is to be erected at Easter.

Rev Father Purton, 0.8.8., formerly of Lyttelton and Akaroa, and recently of Rargiora, has received an appointment in the Diocese of Auckland.

A mission was solemnly opened at St Mary's, Manchester s reet, on Sunday at 11 o'clock. The choir, under the leadership of Mrs H. Lough nan, sang beautifully, and considerably added to the solemnity of tbe occasion. Mrs W. Cronin presided at tbe organ. After Mass Bey Father Le Menant introduced the Redemptorist Fathers, and in a few well-chosen word* alluded to the success which had attended their late missions at Kumara, Hokitik-a and Greymouth, and also in South Canterbury. Tbe mission will be continued for two weeks ; the Masses will be at 6 o'clock and 9.30 ; evening devotions at 7.30 pm. Father Le Menant has at last achieved the desire of his heart, that of seeing a school in his parish. The tender of Mr Carson has been accepted for the building, which will be sixty feet by thirty. It is to be divided into three class rooms, with removable partitions, and fitted with a large stage. The price is £625, exclusive of furniture and the clearing of tbe ground.

Among the great shows of the coming year will bs a Universal International and Colonial Exhibition at Lyons, which is to be opened early in the summer. The Translations Bureau of London is acting as agent for thid enterprise, as it is for the projected Universal Exhibition in Madrid ; and what with Lyons, Madrid, and Antwerp, lovers of such shows will have nothing to complain of io regard to 1894.

During the past twelve months, which but for the recent gales would have been recorded as one of the calmest and finest in the century, the 303 lifeboats belonging to the Boyal National Lifeboat Institution were called oat 314 times and saved 427 lives ; 27 vessels were rescued from total or partial loss, besides which Bcores of fish-ing-boats would not- have been able to make the harbour but for tbe assistance of the lifeboats.