WAIMATE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 14, 6 August 1897, Page 20

WAIM A T E.

(From an occasional correspondent.) . Waimate, July 27, 1897. A Loxa felt want at Waihao has, I am pleased to be able to say. nowbeen supplied, thanks to the energy and zeal of the pastor of the parish and his faithful people. lam referring to the new church which was blessed last Sunday, 2:>th July, by the Right Rev. Dr. Verdon, Bishop of Dunedin, under very happy auspices The buildinn: is in brick, modelled on Gothic architecture, the contractor Mr D. W . Woods, doing full justice to the excellent plans prepared by Mr. i . W. Petre. It is fifty -seven feet long, by twenty-five feet wide, the sanctuary occupying fourteen feet by twelve feet The sacristy is ten feet by eight feet. It is lighted by very neat windows, the one over the altar being stained glass. The altar, too, though chaste in design, is very neat. The seating accommodation is c cellent. The cost of tho building was about C7<)(). Dr. Verdon and the local clergy were driven to the Waihao on the date mentioned where they were met by a large concourse of people. The entrance from the gate to the door of the church was artistically decorated with evergreens and Hags, and added brilliaiuy to the memorable occasion. The altar and interior of the church wore decorated with very commendable taste by Missllanly An imprewve sermon was preached by the eloquent and popular Bi.shop of Dunedin. Tho Waimate choir rendered appropriate and excellent music, (the Mass of the Annunciation), and were entertained after the service by Miss II inly and other kind friends, the rev. party being the guests of Mr. Crowe. The collection amounted to about t:2oi>, which leaves something like ii IS!) of the £700 to be raised. This fact speaks volumes of praise tor the zealous pastor and the generosity of the people. (xi-eat credit is due to a god mini her of the Waihao farmers' particularly to Mews John an 1 Patrick Hanley, Edward Crowe, j' Ryan, Peter Burke, .1. Morns, William and N. Quiu of Makikihi' V. McDonough, B. Martin. B. Fancy and M. Harn-y of Waiulu not only for the r substantial donations, but r< r their ever ready willingness to give their time in carting materials etc, whenever required I must, not omit to mention 'that thero are five acres attached to the church, the magnitiociit gift ot Mr. Allan McLean. The church is a In ing testimony to the self -sacrificing labours of the people of Waihao and surrounding districts a-sisted by the Waimate friends, and 1-, a credit alike to their pan-h priest and to them.

I must not foru.'t to mention that Father Aubry's pi ice has at la-t been supplied, the Rev. Father Gallai-sin h-iving- arrived lately fio.n Sydmy. The rev. gentleman will supply a niucli-ne< ded want and lender v ilu ible a>-i.tuice to our pastor. We give him a trae 1/111/ nr', jailU to Waimate.