CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXII, Issue 16, 16 August 1895, Page 29

CHRISTCH URCH.

(From our own Correspondent.') I'm report of Dr Giles, Royal Commissioner, on the recent inquiry into tbe management of the Christchurch flo^pi al has been published in the local papers and read with much attention. Tbe whole affair, which for weeks has been tbe sensation in this city, is said to have arisen mainly from the publication in a local newspaper of a letter signed " Tongariro," the writer of which has been proved to be Dr Stewart. Dr Giles condemns the anonymous letter, which was the method of attack adopted by Dr Stewart, but it is contended that there would have been no inquiry without the letter. Dr Giles, who takes the allegations acd innuendoes seriatim, shows in his report, which is a very carefully written aud lengthy document, on account of the extent and variety of the allegations, and th« great number of witnesses examined, that nearly alt the charges male against the institution have no reasonable foundation. The report ahows further that a few errors have been committed, and that some matters need improving, but nothing has been foand seriously amiss. During tbe agitation many regrettable things have been said and done, bat the people in this city have a great admiration for the institution, and the hospital authorities may be congratulate! on the favourableness of the commissioner's report. The superior of the Marist Brothers in this city, Brother Danie 1 and the other Brothers and pupils, were honoured on Tnursday last by a number of visitors from Tim am, and their school room and grounds were en fete and greatly throngedjwith people. The occasion was a football match, arranged between the pupils at the Marist Brothers' school in this city and the pupila ot the Marißt Brothers' school in Timaru. Three Brothers and thirty-four of their pupils arrived at noon by a special excursion train from Timaru. They were met at the railway station by Bro'her Daniel and his pupils and conducted to the schoolroom, where Mesdames Strata and Holland and Meßdemoiselles O'Oonnell, Kearny, Hynes, Whelan and Hickmott had, unsolicited, kindly prepared, and were in attendance at an excellent dinner. The Bight Rev Dr Grimes, accompanied by the BeT Father Galerne, presided and said grace. The meal ended, fifteen pupils from each school were formed into two teams, and ove r them Mr H. T. Evans was appointed referee. Tbe contest, which lasted an hour and teo minutes, took place in the school grounds, and two thirty-five minute spells were played. Good play was shown on both Bides, and the " Shamrock?," as the members of the local team are named, were in the second spell about to gain a decided advantage over their Timaru opponents, when the sound of a locomotive engine whistle warned the latter that the time of their departure was near. The game was therefore pronounced drawn or rather nn« 'finished, and both teams returned to the school room, where the same ladies who had waited on them at dinner, were ia attendance and provided them with a capiUl luoch. The Rev Father H. G. Bowers was present, and wben the repast was over, the three Brothers and heir pupils were escorted to tbe railway etation by tha Brothers of this city and their pupils, who gave three hearty cheers as the train containing the welcome visitors departed at 4 p m. for Timaru. The business of the Buprem3 'Jourt, at which was a great muster of the Bar, whs suspended on Thursday last in respect for the memory of the late Mr Jusstice Richmind, of Wellington. Mr Justice Denniaton referred to the sad ev^nt, and when he began to speak tne members of tbe Bar rose, and remained standing during the addres. Mr H. B. Webb and others propo9e that the site in Hagley Park of the old running ground, which is now never used for the purpo«ei for which it was formed, should be converted into a small lake. The •pot at present is merely a boggy depression covered wi h rushes, and without question such a work as the one proposed wjuld add to the beauty and attractiveness of tbe park. Bat the situation which, is bounded by trees on three side", is very picturesque, and, were a little taste displayed in conslruciog a miniature luk^, with one or two islets in it, the work might probably become one of the park's prettiest features. No great expenditure would be necessary to accomplish this work as no great depth would require tojbe excavated, and a couple of artesian wells, with a pipe drain to carry the overflow to tbe river ought to include tbo required water supply. As has been suggested, could not the unemployed be engaged in the construction of the work? Were they engaged in formirg a lake there would be something psrmaaent tj show as a result of their labours. The Winter Fund, subsidised by the Government, might be expended in the construction of the lake, and it is to be hop°d that the City Council and the Domain Board will take the matter in band. Mr J. P. Young occupied the chair at a meeting of tne League of the Cross oa Thursday evening last. The programme was impromptn speeches. Ten minutes were allowed each speaker, and Messrs Findlay, Edmonds, Ormandy, Coortayne, Power, and Tehan made good speeches on tbe occasion. This manner of passing an evening affords a fair opportunity for a member to practice the art of speaking, which is an art almost everyone should bave some ambition to acquire. What Greik or Roman youth did not study eloquence when he wished to qudify himself to take an active part

ia tbe i fEaira of bis country ? Such was the wiidotn of the aacienti, and in this particular it is pleasing iv record a fact which many persona mtut have noticed, that not a few of oar Catholic young men, who are or have been members of the League of the Gross, or Societies somewhat similar, can speak very well. New members are steadily joining the League, and the association fs not only increasing in numbers bat also advancing quietly yet effectively the great cause of temperance. At a previous meeting tbe members forwarded Bn expression of their sympathy to the Very Be* Father Camming?, Y.G., whose delicate state of health has caused him to dUengage himself from tbe cares of hie parish, and to sojourn for a short while in a clime warmer than our city. May be soon return in excellent health.