CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 48, 30 March 1894, Page 18

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.") Ok«b more have we had the bußtle and excitement of the elections, and the busy struggles of the two opposite parties to secure the mucb-coveted three.fifths majority. The result has been most satisfactory I consider, the moderate party being in power in most cases. The •• no license " principle would be, I fear, an extremely Tiolent method of dealing with the drink evil. The present state of things should have a two-fold effect ; firstly, it will close the worstcondncted public houses ; and secondly, those that are left will no donbt exert all their endeavours to preserve a respectable standard in the future. The annual encampment of the local volurteers is being held at Ohair, near the Kaiapoi Railway Station this year, under very favourable weather. The Easter season is anxiously looked forward to by our volunteers for the novelty of a few days of camp life and the ixcitement of a sham fight. The camp is visited by ministers from four different sects, but I have my doubts as to the success of their missions, for, as a rule, I think the majority of those who attend camp are not of a class who relish very much religions instruction. Those who wish to observe Good Friday and Easter in a Christian manner will most likely stay at home and do so. The services at the pro-Cathedral during Holy Week have been considerably longer than on previous years, owing to the Redemptorist Fathers being in our midst. The Triduum was continued on Monday night when Father Shearman delivered a discourse on the conduct of the women towards our Lord and their treatment of Him during His paseion. Oa Tuesday Eight Father Burke preachai a very touching scmon on the life anrt dea'h of a Onristian. On Wednesday morning the ceremony of blessing the altar stoves for the diocese was performed by his Lortisbip the Bishop. Oa (Jooi Friday the new cross was erected and blessed by his Lordship as a memento of the mission. Easter Sunday dawned a bright and glorious morning and the number of communicants at the seven o'clock Macs was about the largest that has been seen for a considerable time. The church was ; beautifully decorated with flowers aod banners, and looked very cheerful after the past few weeks of sombre silence and mourning. At 11 o'clock Pontifical High Mass wai sung by his Lordship, assisted by Rev Father Cummings, V.G. ; Father Bell, and Father Burke. Rev Brother Joseph acted a 9 master of ceremonies. The choir, under the able leadership of Mr Funtton, sang Haydn's Imperial Mass. Tbe soloists were Mrs J. P. Kelly, soprano ; Misses Cronin and Bryant, alto ; Mr Dougail, tenor ; and Mr G. D. Cronin, Bass. Miss Fanston presided at the organ, and the " H;ec Dies " was sung as an offertory. In the evening there were Pontifical Vespers and Rev Father Burke preached, the subject being '• Catholic Teaching and Modern Unbelief.' The rev preacher dwelt at considerable length on the fearfol growth of freethought during tbe last twenty years and exhorted bis hearers never to trust to their own opinions but to always listen to and abide by the teachings of that Church which was founded on a rock and supported by Christ Himßelf. After Vespers hiß Lordship wished the congregation all the joys of the seasoD. and spoke in a touching manner of the great work done by the Redemptorist Fathers, who, he regretted to say, would shortly be leaving our shores and probably would not be seen here again. On dit the choir are likely to lose the cervices of their alto primo. The banns of marriage were declared for tbe first time between Mr E. C. Bowler and Miss Nellie Cronin. I am sure she has tbe best wishes of the choir, and all who have known her, in her new sphere of life.

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