LAYING FOUNDATION-STONE OF NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH AT STBATPOaD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 16, Issue 46, 16 March 1894, Page 27

LAYING FOUNDATION-STONE OF NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH AT STBATPOaD.

weather was rather cold and blustering, but there was no rain during ths ceremony, and that which had fallen duting the morning and previous night had bad the effect of freeing the atmosphere from tbe dust and smoke, so unpleasantly in evidence on Saturday. The new church, the site of which is a little to the southward of the present one, was in a sufficiently forward state to give tbe visitors a fair impression of its Bize and general outline. The concrete foundations being prac'ic&lly finished and a portion of the framework of tbe walls up, it was seen at once that the edifice will be of a verj different order to the one now in use, and will be about tbe most conspicuous building in tbe town. The foundations occupy a space 30yds by 16yds, whilst the old building on y occupies 16yds by 6yds. Tbe stone which played so conspicuous a part in to-day 'a proceedings forms tbe base of tbe north-west buttress, and recta on a concrete bedt io which is a hollow for tbe reception of the bottle containing the newspapers and coins usually preserved for posterity in this manntr. Tbe preparations being complete, at two o'clock a procession wae formed at the door of the old church and, passing round the west and south sides of the new ojb, arrived at a wooden cross which had been erected to mark the future position of the altar. This having been blessed by tbe Archbishop, the procession continued its circuit of the chute* 1 , and arrived at tbe stone. The ceremony of blessing tbe stone w«s performed, and his Grace receiving a silver trowel from the architect, Mr P. J. Smith, the coins and newspapers wjere placed io their secure resting place, a layer of cement was applied bj Mr Russell, the contractor for the masonry, aod under the directions j of the contractor for the building Mr Hart, and bis foreman carpenter Mr Jones, the stone was lowered into its place. A tap from the Archbishop's trowel and the stone is " well and truly laid." The procession is reformed and makes another circuit of the church, during which His Grace blesses tbe foundations. Arriving again at the stone tbe Archbishop takes his position on tbe platform and delivers an instructive address both to his own people and to the members of other churches present. He said that without flattery the church for wbich tbe foundation-stone had just been laid would be an ornament to tbe town and a credit to the Catholic body. He

(Taranaki Herald, February 26.) Thi ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the new Roman Catholic church was performed on Sunday by His Grace Archbishop Bedwood, assisted by Fathers Flood aod McKenna. The Archbishop, who had arrived in Stratford tee previous afternoon, celebrated Mass and preached in tbe old church in the morning. By two o'clock, the time fixed for tbe ceremony, a large crowd had assembled in the v church ground, the numbers being swelled by a stroig contingent by special train from New Plymouth and intermediate stations. The

impressed on his heaters the incalculable blessings of which the church would be the source. Within its walls would be heard every Sunday the Qospal of Christ ; to it would come the people to take part in the great sacrifices of their religion ; here they would receive the sacraments ; here tbeir children would be baptised ; here they would obtain forgiveness of their sins in the service of penance ; here would youag people be joined in wedlock and from this building would go forth the sacred oils that would anoint them on their death beds : from this building would emanate the influences that would make them good citizens in this world and secure them happiness in the next. Taming to non-Catholics his Grace said their presence on this occaeion showed the good will with which they were animated. He reminded them of ihe ancient services the Church had rendered in the cause of Cbristianity, and civilisation, recalling how barbarous ancestors had swept away an older civilisation, and had themselves been redeemed from barbarism by such men as St Patrick and 8t Aagustine. It was Cbristianity that had saved civilisation in those days, and the same agency was necassary to preserve it in these Consequently they were doing a good work io helping to build this church. In conclusion His Grace remarked that although much had been done to provide the funds for the bsildiog, mor* remained to be done and he asked tbe congregation to supplement tbe list of dona* tions made that day and which he would read. A list of donors was then read, and tbe io vita tion to contribute liberally responded to, the fouodation-ttone being almost hidden under the bank-notes placed upon it. The ceremony of laying the atone being concluded the people reentered the old church where the Archbishop again preached and gave tbe Benediction. The total of tbe day's offertories was £120.

On Baturd*y, January 20, 7,400 workman employed in Porjsmouth Dockyard drew in waget £11,100, or exactly an average of 30a eaci. This it tbe highest amount that has ever been paid with £he exception of two occasiona when, after tba passing of the Naval Defence Act, ships were wanted in a great burry. No lest than £1 ,000 of this money was due for overtime. Tbe joiners are working nine daya a week, or time and a half, and other trades in proportion.