CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 28, 8 November 1895, Page 27

CHRISTCHURCH.

(Prom our own Correspondents On Wednesday evening last a meeting was held in the hall of the Chamber of Commerce of upwards of twenty-five Irishmen and other persons interested in the proposed visit to this city of Mr Michael Davitt. Mr M. Nolao, who was voted to the chair, said that all lovers of literty everywhere respected the name of Michael Davitt. It was, therefore, most fitting that he should receive a suitable reception here, and the meeting had been convened to arrange for such a reception. Mr Davitt was expected to arrive at the Bluff on the 4th of the present month, and in a fortnight hence would probably ba in this city. Mr E. O'Connor J. P., said he had written to his Worship the Mayor asking him to attend the meeting. His Worship replied, regretting that ha was uruble to ba present, Mr O'Connor had also Bent letters to the representatives of several Trades Unions, inviting them to be present, and he understood the absence uf the last-mentioned was due to the belief that Mr Davitt'a tour was likely to be a political cne. Mr O'Connor explained very clearly that Mr Davitt's visit was not of a political nature, and that he was Bimply coming on a lec'uring tour, in order to reimburse himself for losses entailed when criven into bankruptcy through contesting his right to a seat in Parliament whereto he had bun elected. As an Irishman Mr Javitt deserved the highest esteem of his countrymen, and he was also honoured by persons who sympathised with the labour party, and by the frieads of humanity generally. Mr O'Connor apologised also for the absence of Mr John O'Hallorai, of Glentui, who regretted bjing uaable to bs presant. Messrs R. P. Linargau, J.P. ; A. H. B ake, W Jjnes.ani M. Djnaelly made speeches on the grand character of the expected visitor and lecturer, and Mr Donnelly showed that Mr Divitt should not ba exclusively coasidered a labour advocate, la Mr Davitt's addresses, said the speaker, there was nothing whicn could give offsace to any class; and Mr Jones, in the c mrsa of his eloqueDt speech, proved that Mr Divittwas an humanitarian in everything. He was one of the leading minds of the age, and his motives were unselfiih. Mr Lonargan moved — "That those persona present form themselves into a committee, with p^wer to add to tbeir number, to make arrangements for Mr Davitts reception and lectures. Mr Blake seconded tho motion which was carried unanimously. Tie meeting then went into committee, and Mr O'Connor waaehcted secretary, Mr P. Barke, treasurer ; and Mossrs M. Nolan, T. P. L^nargan, T. G pcs, M. Donnelly, A. H. Blake, W. Jonep, G. J. Sjllars, J. Hynes and J. Nelson were chosen as members of an executive committee, with po*er to add to tbdir number. Oa the motion of Mr Djnnelly the secretary was instructed to wnte to Mr Perrin, of Duoedm, asking that Mr Davitt should visit trmcity and give one or more lectures, and the committee deciied that when a reply in the affirmative arrived the executive should prepare a plan for Mr Davitt's reception and lectures and report the plan to a subsequent meeting of the general committee to be called together by Advertisement. The proceedings ended with a vote of thanks to Mr O'Connor for convening the meeting, also to che chairman for presiding thereaN

In the issue of the Lyttelton Times of Wednesday last appeared an interesting article on Michael Davitt, The article givea a historic account of the great patriot's career, and points out that he had refused to accept a national testimonial in recognition of his services to Ireland '' Mr Davitt," continues the article, " was repeatedly urged to enter Parliament, and at last consented to become a candidate for North Meath. Ha was elected by a majority of 403 votes over Mr Pearce Mahony,but was unseated on petition. The expenses mcnrreii in fighting the case were so heavy tnat he was driven into the bank, uptcy court During his brief Bojaurn in Parliament, Mr Davitt made, during the debate oa the Government of Ireland Bill, a speech which excited the highest admiration from friends and foes by the closeness of its reasoning, and the power of its eU q iet.ee. It was styled by the London Chronicle " the m )Bt impressive voice of Irish nitioialism siuce t!ia days of O'UoDnell." Mr Davitt is an interesting figure to others basides the people of that land for which he has done and suffered so much. He is a friend of humanity as well as of Ireland. Ha has displayed some leaning towards Socialism in his spaecies and writings — he has

taken up literary work as a means of livelihood — and his theories on tbe land question have been described as being somewhat in accord with those of Henry George. His work in the cause of humanity has received recognition from many men of other races than his own. The London Chronicle, referring to his Australian tour, says :—": — " We are glad to hear that there is every prospect of a brilliant reception, not from Mr Davitt's own countrymen alone, but from the labour world oi Australian labour, and Irish Australia would indeed be ungrateful if it failed in cordiality to one of the few heroic figures in modern politics ; but may we suggest to Mr Davitt that, when be comes back, he should return to the House of Commons ? Both Irish Nationalism and English Radicalism want him." In an address presented to him by the trades and labour organisations of Melbourne he was described aa "the unselfish friend of humanity, the ardent opponent of all monopolies and privileges which oppress the human race, the leader, who, above all things, proclaims the equal right of all to the land on which they must live and work." Therefore, in the words of the address, men of various creeds and nationalities " offer the homage of their heart, and witness in the flash, one whose great saciificee in the cause of the poor and the oppressed have endeared him to the democracy of every land."

A. conversazione will be held on Tuesiay, November the ]2tb, in St Patrick's Hall in order to Wilcome the Very Rev Father Cummings, 8.M., V.G., who will shortly return fr m Sydney, where he went sevtral weeks ago for the benefit of his health, which a withdrawment from parochial cares and a sojourn in a milder climate have happily greatly improved, The ladiea of the pansn are about to very tastefully decorate the hall and prepare it for 4 general gathering of the Catholic people in the city. Aa address will be read to tbe Very Rev Father Cummings, and an attractive vocal and instrumental musical programme will be gone through. The absence of the Vicar-General has been much regretted, and on the occasion of his return and recept. on no doubt St Pa'riek's Hall will be greatly thronged by persons anxious to express by their presence the great joy they feel to see him again in the parish and in good health. This method of honouring the Very Key Father Cummiigs was decided upon at a large meeting of ladies iv the Presbytery on Thursday last. A nominal sum is fixed for admittance to the conversazione, and whatever amount is realised froai the sate of tickets will be expended in liquidating the remaining remnant of the parish debt.

There was solemn exposition of the BUsaed Sacrament during the afternoon at the pro- Cathedral on Bunday last, and in the evening the Vespers of the Blesaad Virgin were Buag in honour of 3t Charlea Borromeo, whose festival the Sunday was, After Vespers a solemn procession of the Blessed Sacramant took place around the interior of the Bacred edifice. The Bight ilev Dr Grimes spoke again on the occasion in refutation of the unfounded statement in the pamphlet written by a local Anglican clergyman, and published in tbia city. The Bishop's discourse proves a f^ct wall-known, that any person, even a fool, may ask ia five minutes more questions than a person of learning and talent could answer in as many hours or sometimes even days. If not urged on by a sense of duty, an 1 by charitable motives the Bishop would, indeed, treat the publicatioo with what it justly merits — silent contempt. For what otber mo ives could iaduce one to waste one's time in refuting the purely gratuitous assertion that the Anglican Church, established by hw, exis ci in England prior to the raign of Haury Vlll ? In answer to this and similar unfounded statements the Bishop quoted from the writings of Froude, Dr Ohilds, Dr Lee, and of other non- 'atholic authors. On next Sunday evening the Bishop proposes to speak for the last time in refutation of the extraordinary and extravagant statements with which the pamphlet is literally crammed.

On Monday evening next the members of the local branch of the Leagu* of the Cress will give a concert in the schoolroom at St

Mary's in order to raise funds for parochial purposes in connection with that parish. During tbe same week the same performers, will proceed to the parish of the Rev Father Chervier at Leeston and giv« there a concert and a dramatic entertainment.