CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 20, 14 September 1894, Page 27

CHRISTCHURCH.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) Another of the series of welcomiogs accorded to hiß Lordship the Bißhop which ia well worth recording ig that given by the Sodality of the Children of Mary on Sunday, 26th August. The members assembled at the Convent in the afternoon to the number of about seveuly, and upon the appearance of his Lordship, the proceedings were opened with a song of welcome which had been specially composed for the occasion. The pnsident of the Society, Miss O'Rourke, •then read an address to the Bishop on behalf of the memberp, welcoming him back to their midst after his absence in the South Seas. The members also presented his Lordship with a haodsome Japanese writing deßk as a Btnnll souvenir of their regard. The Bishop thanked them for (heir kind expressions and handsome present, gave the members some useful advice and expressed the hope that the Society would continue in its present flourishing condition. Rev Father CummiDgs, V.G , chaplain of the Society, also addressed »he assembly upon the aims and objects of the Sodality and the benefits of belonging to such associations, after which some light refreshments were handed round by the members, and a very pleasant afternoon was Bpent. During the afternoon several musical selections were rendered, notably by Miss Lonargan who sang the " Pater Noster,' and " Ora Pro Nobis." Readers of the Tablet are, no doubt, well aware by this time that a branch of the Irish National Federation is firmly established in this the City of the Plains, but I wish to further infoim them that the s^d branch is in a very nourishing condition and is exceeding our most sanguine expectations. We have this advantage in our flat country, that the log rolls easier and has no prospect of going down hill. There are people who endeavour to hamper the movement by circulating reports to the effect that the movement is in a critical coodition, and to these I would say their ravings are not likely to effect in any way the progress of the I.N.F. At the last meeting twelve new members were elected. A resolution was passed and ordered to be sent to Auckland to the senior branch asking them to formulate a scheme for obtaining a united expression from all the branches in Australia, and calling upon the Irish parties at Home to settle their petty differences and unite their forces for the common good.