Diocese of Christchurch.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 20, 17 September 1897, Page 4

Diocese of Christchurch.

(From our own correspondent.) THE PREMIER IX IRELAND.

Aftee a couple of days in the neighbourhood of Annan, in Scotland, Mr. Seddon (saya the correspondent of a local paper) took his party over to Belfast. During the brief stay in the heart of Ireland's commercial life the Premier and his wife and daughters lunched with the Lady Mayoress, inspected the famous works of the Belfast Linen Company and equally celebrated ropg works. At the latter place Mr. Seddon had the pleasure of seeing New Zealand hemp and flax spun into ropes of various thickness, from the ordinary clothes-line guage to cables of from four to six and eight inches in diameter. From Belfast the party proceeded to Dublin, breaking their journey at Dundalk, where they were hospitably entertained by the relatives of the Rev. Dr. Watters, of Wellington Catholic College. In Dublin Mr. Seddon and his family were the guests of the Royal Society, whose Council entertained their visitors at lunch and enabled them to see the sights of the town rapidly and effectually. The Bank of Ireland, the Zoological Gardens, College Green, and Trinity College were included in the round, and of course the visitors were driven through Phoenix Park. They were also .shown the site where Djnnybro >k Fair was held. The Premier also paid a visit to the great 'distillery of Sir John Power and Sons, and the I'rle.ids of temperance iv the Colony will be shocked to heir that h.j did not resist the temptation of his guide to sample the contents of o-ie ot the 11.000 casks of whisky stored in the firm's cellars. The oven.ny was spent at the house of Mr. J. Talbot Flowers at Le- pardstowi. at<d next day Mr. Seddon crossed to Liverpool and went tlrj-ioj to So. Helens to sp -nd a few hoars with his old foreman, Mr. Mellings. Mr. Seddon enjoyed his brief trip to Ireland immensely, and confesses that though the hospitality of the English, Welsh and Scotch pjopl^ to him during his stay at II »m ; was almost, too great to endure, yet it was almost exceeded by the royal truauivnt he met, widi in the sister isle.

A LECTUKE,

On Thursday evening last Dr. Bolger gave a very interesting lecture in St. Mary's School Hall on Japan and the Japanese. There was a large and appreciative aud.ence present, and thj lectu c was well illustrated with lime light views, which were admirably shown by Mr E. Beardsley. The Rev. Fathers G ->gg m and Marnane were present, and the latter introduced to the gntherinj> Dr. Bolger, who made on the occasion a very successful debut as a lecturer! The scenes shown included a great many portraits of the Jap mese and views of the principal places and objects of i.i tercet in tinbeautiful and fairy-like country of Japan. The lecturer explained in a few well-chosen words each scjii^, and at the same time introduced a number of amusing and instructive j.noodotes. Though Japan is so near to China yet the languages of the two countries are so different, that the Chinese and Japanese cannot understand each other unless they use a language common to both and the English tongue is the usual medium of co.ninunicxtion between them. The timetables at the railway stations, als<i the newspapers are in English and the English language is therefore generally known throughout the empire. At the conclusion oi the discourse Mr. A. J. Malley proposed to the lecturer a cordial vote of thanks which was carried with acclamation. As Dr Bolger's travels are not confined to Japan he will doubtless give Boon, on s >me ether place, another lecture equally as interesting as the one already given. During an interval a short but well-selected musical programme was rendered under the direction of Mr. H Rossiter. Misses J. Moir, A. Gundersen and M. M'Lau^hlin gave boi gs. Mr. T. Tankard played a corn<-t solo, and Mrs. K. You-nr a piano solo. Before the gathering d^persed those who had taken part in the programme and others and some membeis of St. Mary's Catholic club, under whose auspices the lectutre was given, wi. re kindly entertained by Mrs. J. C. Chase and Mrs. F. Cooper, who provided and presided over a nice spread of light refreshments iv an ante-room adjoining the hall.

VARIOUS.

On Sunday week the Rev. Father Rafferty said Mass at Addington. In epite of the early hour there was a large congregation present, and were Mass of tener Baid the suburb would soon become an important part of the parish. On Thursday afternoon last the Vicar-General visited the local school chapel in order to establish ;*n Altar S ciety and to promote the devotion of the Living Rosary. Mesdaraes Rennell, Toorish, Archer, Campbell, Steel, O'Connor, and others were present. The Vicar-General explained the good work and many spiritual benefits attache I thereto, and probably before long au altar society will be formed and many persons enmlled iv the sodality of the Living Rosary. To show what wonderful things can bo done in the course of time by small contributions, he referred to the Pro-Cathedral Altar Society, whose members have, during the last decade of years, aollected about nine hundred pounds, all of which money has been expended in providing requisites for the altars and in keeping them in repair.

On Sunday last the Vicar-General announced that on Sunday week there would be a meeting of the Catholic people in the parish in order to arrange for the formation of juvenile and female contingents of the H.A.C.B S. The ureat importance of such a movement is evident, as t.ie Society will be one of the best safeguards against the infidel spirit of our age which is leading so many of our young people of both sexes astray. The movement has the cordial sanction of the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, and were he not absent he would no doubt preside on the occasion. It is to be hoped that the coming meeting will be well attended, and that before long great numbers of our young women and young men will become members of the Society. The Vicar-General received on Saturday last a letter from Bishop Grimes who was at the timi he wrote in Ireland and making a tour through that c untt-y. He has already visited Dunda'k, Dublin, Kilkenny Limerick, and many more places in the Emerald Isle.

Sunday last, the festival of the Holy Name of Mary, was observed in an especial manner in both parishes. At high Mass at the pro-Cathedral the Vicar-General preached an eloquent and instructive sermon on devotion to the Mother of God, and at St. Mary'p, after Vespers were sung in the evening, he again delivered a very impressive disc -urse on the same subject.