Diocese of christchurch.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 11, 16 July 1897, Page 31

Diocese of christchurch.

(From our own correspondent.) VICTORIA PARK. AMID the record reign rejoicings, on June 22 last, the improvement, now known as Victoria Park, commenced under circumstances which augured favourably for the future popularity of the reserve. There was a good attendance at the ceremony, and the hoisting of the Union Jack and the planting of some trees by a young lady and a number of gentlemen were carried out with due eclat. The gathering were well repaid for their walk up the hills, for, if the landscape of the plains wxs obscured by a fog, that circumstance at least proved how much better off they were than those in the city, over which the fog hung and gave ocular evidence of the value of the park. They had also the pleasure of listening to a speech, which was marked with -eloquent passages from the Hou. W. Rolleston, who has for years taken great interest in the reserve on the hills. He told his hearers it was at his instance that the reserve was laid out, and therefore it was fitting that he should be the first to draw the public attention to the park as a resort. With the considerate thoughtfulness for posterity, which had characterised so many of the actions of the early settler-,, Mr. Rolleston, when superintendent of Canterbury, looked forward to the day when Christchurch people would tire of the everlasting flatness of their city and would betake thenwlve-. to the hills. Along the top of the hills roads were therefore laid out. and they will be found of use when his dream is realised and the city creeps up the lower slopes of the hilis and Victoria Park i- on the confines of the future suburbs of Christchurch. That day has not come yet, but according to the opinion of a prominent doctor in this city, if the next generation of Christchurch residents wish to enjoy good health they must live on the hills. Dwellers, then, on the flat would do well to take greater advantage of the hills than has been the case hitherto. The improvement of the reserve, which is on the Port Hills and some distance above the Convalescent Home should be a strong inducement towards this being done. When the ceremonies incidental to the occasion were over, the gathering began to disperse. The members of the committee returned to the city, but many people lingered on the hills or walked on to Governor's Bay, along the excellent and picturesque road leading thereto. VARIOUS. Mr. H. Rossitor, choirmaster at St. Mary's, has composed a very pretty " Tantum Ergo," arranged as a quartette. The harmonies are well blended, and it will be sung for the first time on Sunday evening next at St. Mary's. He has also just net to appropriate music an ode which Mr. E. Thompson has composed in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The music is in the key of D minor. The opening is written in recitative style, and is followed by a four-part chorus, which is of a spirited character and which gives places to an appropriate prelude, leading up to the .finale "God save the Queen." On Monday evening last a very pleasant gathering of the members of St. Mary" s Catholic Club and others took place in the local school hall. The object of the meeting was to bid good-bye to the Rev. Father Malone, who has been transferred to Greymouth Amongst those present were the Rev. Fathers Ginaty and Marnane. Mr. A. If. Blake, a> president of the club, occupied the chair, and expressed the deep regret that one and all felt at the removal of Father Malone, who had endeared himself to all. The president said that he had much pleasure in presenting Father Malone with a writing case. The members of St. Mary's choir presented him with an umbrella. The altar boys also gave him a beautiful stole. Father Malone, who was received with much cheering, said in reply that he felt very much the parting from the people of St. Mary's. He had been shown every kindness, and they would always be remembered by him with deep and sincere affection. The chairman apologised for the absence of the musical conductor, Mr. H Rossiter, but during the evening sjngs were sung by Miss Lucy. Ryan, Miss T,ouie Grady and Messrs L. Blake, J. Peterson and others! Mrs. W. Cronin presided at the piano.

The Minister of Mines has decided that the Ninety-Mile Beach gold workings shall be attached to theOtagogoHfields.and that the warden at Oamaru shall have the supervision of the district. > At Mount Peel, where opals have recently been discovered, operations at the Zealandia claim are expected to be in full progress in five or six weeks' time. Last week there was sent up from Aahburton a hut with eight bunks, which, with the accommodation at present available, will provide sleeping room for twelve or fourteen men who will be employed in working the claim. The necessary survey fees have been lodged, and the survey is being proceeded with. Queensland experts have recently expressed a high opinion ot the prospects of the mine.