DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 41, 18 February 1898, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Ox Tuesday last a meeting of the executive committee of the Catholic Hall Fund was held The Vi oar-general presided. It was reported that subscriptions were coming in satisfactorily, and hopes were expressed that the required amount would be in hand by March 17. On the strength of the it port, received, it was decided to immediately call for tenders for the lvnoval of St. Aloysius' Hall. On Sunday atternoon la'-t another well attended meeting, both of ladies and gentlemen, took place in St. Jo:>eph's Schoolroom to arrange definitely for the removal of St Aloysius' TTa.ll, also for the due celebration ot the coming St. Patrick's Day. The Vicar-General' presided. The Key. Father Ttaifi rty. also the Rev. Father Marnan, the latter accompanied by a number of his parishioners, were likewise present. The Very Rev. Chairman explained the object of the gathering, the great need of a place of meeting in the parish, and that by St. Patrick's Day the hall would be in its future position and ready for use. A fair sum of money will be necessary to remove the hall. The Vicar-General stated that he had received a very

{rood offer for the hall and for the property upon which the building stands. He showed, however, that a great saving of money would be effected if the hall, which is well-built and in a sound condition, waß removed and renovated and the site sold alterwards for building purposes. The question of celebrating St. Patrick's Day was then discussed, and it was finally decided that on the eve of the festival there should be a grand national concert given in some public hall in the city, and on the day itself there should be an excursion to some convenient and suitable place. Not only the adults in both parishes, but also the children, will attend the excursion. On the motion of Mr. Smith, seconded by Mr. Dobbs, it was decided that the outing should take place at the Riccarton Racecourse. Mr. E, O'Connor was appointed secretary, and a blrong committee of gentlemen, and another one of ladies were formed to arrange matters both in connection with the concert an 1 the excursion.

On Wednesday last the sun was obscured, and presented a lurid appearance during the greater part of the day. The Port Hills were almost hidden for a while and home persons said that they perceived a smell as of burnt wood or grass. In the evening it began to clear slightly, but it remained sufficiently dense to cause the sun's disc to exhibit a crimson hue until it set. The moon also on rising looked, red and enveloped in a niist. The phenomenon was generally supposed to be due to bush tires in Australia and Tasmania. Captain Button considers that smoke would be carried across the 1,200 miles of sea between Australia and New Zealand, if not prevented by some atmospheric influence. What is, says a local paper, probably the most remarkable case of the kind occurred in the Northern States of America over a century ago — on March 19, 1780 — when a darkness as thick as that of midnight overspread the country in the morning and continued all day. This was preceded during two or three days before by curious, dimcoloured vapours, which gave the sun a red appearance. On the " Dark Day " itself some rain fell, and brought down particles of black matter, tolerably conclusive evidence that the phenomenon was due, as was suggested by some people, to distant forest fires. This explanation was, however, too simple to satisfy the majority of the majority of the people of that day and many of them regarded the obscuration as an impenetrable mystery. During the continuance of the phenomenon in Canterbury a north-west wind ■was blowing. The continuation of the east wing of Mount Magdala Asylum is rapidly approaching completion. The new structure is mainly an enlargement of the chapel, and the work will be out of the hands of the contractor, Mr. W. B. Scott, about the end of March next. The ground floor of the new building is 33ft. in length, and it is solidly constructed of brick with white stone facings. Over the chapel, which will now be 80ft. long and 27ft. wide, there is a spacious dormitory, which will be used by the Sisters. Mr. J. C. Madden is the architect, and Mr. T. O'Connell clerk of works. The Rev. Father Ginaty is at present on the North Island, where he is giving missions and collecting for the institution. During his absence the office of chaplain at the asylum is held by the Rev. Father Hault, who came to this Colony from Melbourne, Victoria. He has also been ten years in the Fiji Islands. Since his arrival in Canterbury, his health has greatly improved, and it is pleasiug to be able to say that he will now remain in New Zealand. Father Hault, who speaks English with ease and fluency, is a native of Brittany, in France. On Thursday evening last the members of the committee of the picnic held on New Year's Day in connection with St. Mary'b parish met in the parochial schoolroom at a very pleasant smoke concert, at which they entertained several of their friends. Mr. J. Daniels presided, and a very enjoyable programme was gone through. Songs were sung by Messrs. E. Sullivan, Petersen Brothers, Beveridge, Cairns, Curtayne, O'Brien, Peat and Falvey. Mr. H. Rossiter played a pianoforte solo and accompanied the singers. Mr. Daniels played a cornet solo, and the Rev. Father Marnane gave a humorous reading. A series of magic lantern views was exhibited by Mr. F. K. Cooper, and described by Mr. J. C. Cha^e. Mr. Peat contributed a stepdance. The health of the visitors was drunk on the proposition of Mr. Cooper, and wab responded to by Mo->ars. Teat and (Jan us. (From our Timaru Correspondent). The Rev. Father Lewis, who has boon in charge of this parish for over two years since the departure of Father Tlurlin, left by express on Thursday, the 10th mat., for Wellington, where he has been appointed Administrator of the Cathedral parish in that city. On the Sunday previous a rumour was afloat amongst the parishioners that they were about to lose Father Lew is, and expressions of regret and disappointment were heard on every side, for Father Lewis, during his stay here, had become very popular. On the Wednesday evening a number of gentlemen met at the Priory to bid farewell to Father Lewis. Amongst those present were his Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. Grandi), and apologies were received from several other non-Catholic friends. Mr. Harney, as one of the oldest members of the congregation, on behalf of Father Lewis s many friends, both Catholic and non-Catholic, presented him with a purse of sovereigns, and in doing so assured the Rev. Father that a widespread feeling of regret was felt in the community at his approaching departure. Father Lewis had won the hearts of all with whom he had come in contact by his amiable and unostentatious qualities. His Worship the Mayor expressed his deep regret at Father Lewis's departure. Timaru was losing an excellent and respected citizen. Personally he regretted to lose an esteemed and valued friend. He had put off a vestry meeting of his own (English) church that evening in order to be present and ■wish Father Lewis good-bye ; and he assured the Rev. Father ' that he was carrying away with him the goodwill and respect of his non-Catholic fellow-citizens. The Rev. Father Tubman feelingly expressed his regret at losing hid confrere, with whom lie hud first become acquainted in Duinhilk College years ago, and referred in high terms of praise to Father Lewis's work in the parish, and the cordial relations that had always existed between them. Mr. M. b\ Dennehy also expressed

regret at Father Lewis's departure, and enumerated several works which Father Louis had initiated and successfully carried out during his too brief stay — notably the bazaar in 185)6, by which a net profit of between £300 and £400 was made, and which materially reduced the debt on the Priory ; also the improvements in the financial working of the boy's schools, and the founding of the St. Patrick's Day Sports Association, which was such a decided success last year and which promised to be a successful fixture for the future. Mr. Mahoney tVlt that there was room for regret, but, however much the people disliked losing Father Lewis they must bow to the inevitable, as from previous experience there was little hope of having the change revoked. They must, however, be proud that they have supplied Wellington with their Vicar-General, and now Father Lewis was appointed administrator of the cathedral parish there. Ho hoped that when they had learned to love and appreciate Father Louis's successor as they had Father Louis that there would be no more removals or separations. Mr. McGuinness also cordially regretted father Louis's departure. He proposed the health of the Mayor, which was suitably acknowledged. Father Lewis in responding thanked the deputation for their handsome gift which he looked upon as the gold of their esteem and affection, lie regretted very much leaving Timaru, and predicted a great future for the town, paying a high compliment to the Mayor for his skill and energy in municip.il affairs. The kindness and good feeling displayed towards him by all classes of the community had not been excelled in any of the many places he had resided in. He had always found the people of Timaru generous and good, and would always look back with pleasant memory to his stay amongst them. A large number collected at the railway station on the following day (Thursday) to bid good-bye to Father Lewis, and as the train moved away three ringing cheers were given him. He seemed much affected at parting. On Sunday Father Tubman announced that he had been appointed parish priest and Father McDonald curate. Father Tubman made feeling reference to the departure of Father Lewis, and to the increased responsibility which had, without any seeking of his own, been placed on his shoulders. The work in the parish had much increased of late, Mass now being celebrated at Fairlie, forty miles distant, twice a month, and once a month at St. Andrew's, twelve miles away. Father McDonald preached at Vespers and created a very favourable impression. Timaru was en fete on Saturday over the first official visit of the Governor and Lady Ranf urly and suite. The vice-regal party arrived at 10.4.> a.m., and, after an address had been read from the Municipal body, were driven to the Woollen Mills, Flour Mills, Freezing Works, and Harbour Works. The party also visited the Convent of the Sacred Heart, where they were accorded an excellent welcome by the ladies and their pupils — choruses of welcome, presentations of bouquets, etc., were the order of the day. The party were shown through the spacious building, and expressed their admiration of the convent and its appointments. Lord Ranf urly thanked the ladies of the Sacred Heart for their kindness, and said he would long remember his visit to their institution. Lady Ranfurly remained at the convent for lunch, the remainder of the party (including the Town Councillors and chairmen of local bodies) being entertained at lunch at the Council Chambers. After a drive in the country the Vice-regal party left by the north express amidst the cheers of a large crowd assembled to see them off.