Diocese of Christchurch.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 12, 23 July 1897, Page 7

Diocese of Christchurch.

(From our own correspondent.)

THE HISTOEICAL CARNIVAL. The Historical Carnival, which will open at the Opera House on August 2, promises to be a very successful gatheri g. The carnival is in aid of the funds for pnyingr off the debt on the schools in connection with the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Barb.idoes street, for which the nuns hive m.ide themselves personally responsible. Arrangements are in progress for the opening of the carnival with a gurgeous pageant, in which the whole of the periods from the Norman to tho present Hanoverian will be represented. The opening procession will bo taken part in by over three hundred characters, all in the various dresses of the centuries which they depict, the royal families of each period being impersonated as well as the notable characters of each reign. In connection with the carnival there will be a bazaar and sale of work whiv>h will extend over the twelve nights. Each of the ten stalls will be presided over by the king and queen, with their courtiers of the period which it represents, and each evening during the season historical tableaux, as well as concert programmes, will be given on the stage. The articles which will be offered for sale, will include some very handsome work and curios. Many have been made by the nuns and Sisters at the Convent, whilst others have been sent by friends from all parts of the Colony. The carnival will be opened by the Mayor of Christchurch, assisted by the Catholic Bißhop of Auckland, and the Very Rev. Father Cummings, V.G. The arrangements for the procession and the various tableaux and limelights are in the hands of Mr. E. W. Seager, and Mr. H. Rossiter has charge of the musical arrangements. As all connected with the carnival are working with a hearty will it should be a great success. Many offers of gratuitous assistance have been received from members of other denominations. H.A.C.8.8. On Monday evening last the half-yearly meeting of St. Patrick's branch (No. 82) of the H.A.C.B S. was held in the local hall. Brother J. R. Hayward presided and there was a large attendance of member-. The b ilance-sheet of the branch and the hall were read and adopt, d. The former showed receipts for the quarter to be £101 15s 2d, and the expenditure £73 10s 2d ; and the latter (the hall) showed a credit balance of £37 13s 10d. It was decided to transfer £30 from the hall account to the branch account as interest and to hand over the sum of £r>o to the trustees for investment. Five members were admitted during the quarter, an addition which makes a total of 102 members now od the roll. Brothers Gresham (president) and J. R. Courtney (treasurer) were appointed delegates to the United Friendly Societies' Benevolent Association. Brothers Daly and Doran were also appointed to represent the branch at the half-yearly meeting of the district to be held in Auckland. A challenge from the Recreation Club of the A.0.0.F. to a friendly game of euchre was accepted, and the motion to take further steps with regard to the formation of ladies' and juvenile branches was held over till next meeting. A statement showing the receipts (£l4 13) and expenditure (£ls 9s Cd) in connection with the reception of the delegates at the recent an ual meeting was read and approved. It was decided to devoti the balance to the new regalia fund. A lar^e amount of correspondence was dealt with, and accounts to the amount of £47 1 1 » 8d were passed for payment. The :ollowing officers ware elected and installed for the ensuing term : — President, James Gre«ham ; vice-president, C. Courtney ; secretary. G. J. Sellar.s (re-elected : treasurer, J. R. Courtney (re-elected) ; assistantBecretary, J. Steel ; warden, James MCormick ; guardi.m, F. Doolan ; sick visitors, F. T. O'Connell and F. O'Donohue. It was decided to present Brother P. Burke, P.P., with a collar and testimonial for past valuable services and to inscribe his name on the Respect Board. Votes of thanks to the retiring officers brought to a close a most successful meeting. THE LATE MISS HOY. With much regret I record the death of Miss Norah Jane Hoy. youngest daughter of Mr. Thomas Henry Hoy, contractor, Selwyn street, Addington, at the early age of nineteen years. The deceased young lady, who was greatly respected on account of her amiable disposition, died on Wednesday last at the residence of her people. Though not endowed with the great blessing of robust health, yet notwithstanding her infirmities, she was ever cheerful and happy, and she was, moreover, a constant and devout frequenter of the services at the l'ro-Cathedral. Her funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Friday last, and the Vicar-General who was with her during her last illness, said, in the Pro-Cathedral, a Requiem Mass for the repose of her soul. He also said for the same intention the Mass which was celebrated on Sunday morning last in Addington. She was interred in the Linwood public cemetery and the Vicar-General officiated at the grave, where he delivered a touching address on the many good qualities of the deceased. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. The recent completion of certain alterations and additions to the Public Library, in connection with the Reference Department, now has the effect of making the institution one of the most perfect of its kind in the Colony. The most noticeable alteration is the construction of a gallery, ■which runs round the room and enables the overcrowded shelves below to be relieved to some extent, though e\ en now i here is not sufficient shelving. The gallery has been fitted with shelving on the northern and western sides, but the southern side has not yet been so fitted. Instead there is a large bo..k-case, which h 1. s a considerable quantity of books. On 'he northern side there have been placed two desks attached to the railings, there not, being room enough for the tables, but a table has been put on the southern side. The political papers, having reference to the Empire and Australia are placed in the gallery. The New Zealand political papers and books of reference being

more universally consulted have been placed downstairs. It is intended to cover the gallery floor with linoleum and have some chairs placed here and there. The staircase, the steps of which are covered with leather, is broad and easy of ascent. It ia intended later on to carry the shelving all round. It would have been better to have done this while the building was undergoing repairs, as it will necessitate another interruption to the work of the library, f'he wnole of the books in this department of the library, numbering 10,000, have been overhauled and replaced. Another important alteration has been the raising of the arch at the eastern end of the reference library room by some 9ft. This will serve the double purpose of enabling the officers of the circulating library department to see into the gallery and also to give more light in the circulating department. Downstairs in the reference department T gas lights will be placed so as to each light two compartments. When the whole work is completed and the gas fittings in, the reference library will be airy and light, and also an excellent place for the particular work and study it is intended to facilitate. The institution was established in 1839, and when one becomes aware of its history, and sees what it was in the beginning and what it is today one must consider that the citizens of Christchurch have great reason to be proud of the progress which the Public Library has made.