Diocese of Christchurch.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 13, 30 July 1897, Page 6

Diocese of Christchurch.

(From our own correspondent.) THE WEATHER. The continued dry weather, which prevails in many localities, is doing much harm to the farming interest. The ground in and about the Leeston district is baked up in a manner which has probably never been equalled at this time of the year. There has really been no rainfall worth noticing since April, and the little remaining feed will soon become smaller in quantity unless some fairly copious showers come to the rescue. Some farmers are pushing the ploughing along, but it is very severe on teams, implements and men. Except in a few Bwamp lands, the furrows left by the ploughs during the past few weeks are variegated in a manner which would not find favour with the judges at a ploughing match. Unless the desired rain comes soon the next harvest will probably be both light and late. IMPRESSIONS OP CHRISTCHURCH. Lord Brassey, Governor of Victoria, it will be remembered, visited Christchurch in January last. His Excellency has published a diary of his trip in the yacht, Sunbeam, from Melbourne to New Zealand, and of his sojourn in this Colony, and we see there that Christchurch gave him impressions which must last for many a day. With the exception of the scenery of the great West Coast Sounds, nothing in the Colony appears to have appealed more to him than Christchurch, its people, institutions and surroundings. He dwells quite affectionately on what he saw while here, and •ays that " the public gardens, the river flowing round the town between grassy banks planted with willows, the rich green foliage of the English trees, the Cathedral — built from the designs of Sir Gilbert Scott — the charming group of university buildings, the museum, Hagley park and the perfect polo ground, combine to make Christchurch one of the most attractive towns in Australasia." An apt quotation from Cowper's Tank shows that for Lord Brassey. bb for many others, our town has a double attraction— that of the beauties which are its own, and that of the power with which the city revives recollections of England. Scenes must be beautiful which, daily view'd, Please daily, and whose novelty revives Long knowledge and the scrutiny of years. While here, Lord Brassey also saw people who appealed to him. At a farewell banquet given to Lord Glasgow, the Governor of Victoria met a party of ■' thirty five," the great majority of whom had been educated at an English public school or university. They were a most pleasant company of country gentlemen, such as would be gathered together at a oount-y club at Home. Of Port Lyttelton his Excellency has equally pleasant memories. It evidently gave him pleasure to find that the officer in charge of the signal station bad served in the navy in the Crimean War. He hails from Maidstone and knows Preston Hill well. '"After leaving the signal station," adds his Excellency," I scrambled nearly to the top of the high hills which encircle the Port. The views are very fine of the harbour, and the sound by which it is approached from the sea." "Port Lyttelton," he says, when leaving this part of his subject, " is one of the most satisfactory anchorages in Australasian waters." While he was in Christchurch he visited Springfield and the Otira Gorge. He makes interesting remarks about the scenery and the picturesque precipices along which the coach road passes, where, " if the horses were not perfectly trained, and the driving most skilful, coaching would be impracticable." In referring to the land Lord Brassey observes that in New Zealand " the crops of cereals are far heavier than those of Australia. The live stock is of the finest quality, the production of frozen meat and butter is large, and the olip of wool is heavy." THE BAZAAR. The bazaar, which is to be opened in the Opera House on August 2, promises to be the most diversified and attractive of its kind" yet held in Christchurch. The ladies and gentlemen representing the ▼arious characters of the different historical periods are taking great pains and going to considerable expense in preparing their costumes and they are now in full practice under the tuition and guidance of Mr. E. W. Seager. The next practice will take p.ace on Tuesday I evening next in St. Aloysius' Hall when every person taking part is expected to be present. The stalls representing the various events are being built, and the material used will be symbolical of jubilee colours— re 1, white, anl blue. Mr. R. C. Bishop has kindly consented to superintenl the lighting of the hall, both inside and «ut, as the intention of the committee is to erect several jubilee devices in front of the building, and the very latest and most powerful burners will be used for the purpose. Mr. Meyers, of Messrs. Strange and Co., is acting as adviser to the decorating committee, the members of which are determined that the decorations shall be abundant, strikingly beautiful, and in the very best taste. The Most Rev. Dr. Lenihan, Bishop of Auckland, will open the bazaar, and on Saturday last he arrived from the North in Port Lyttelton. On the following Monday he proceeded to Dunedin, and will return to Christehurchon Saturday next. On Sunday, August 1, Bishop Lenihan will celebrate, at the Pro-Cathedral, Pontifical High Mass at 11 a.m., and in the evening there will be Pontifical Vespers, after which there will be a procession of the Blessed Sacrament around the interior of the sacred edifice. At Vespers Bishop Lenihan will

preach, and the Catholics of Christchurch will present him with an address.