DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 14, 12 August 1898, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.)

Rehearsals in connection with the production of the musical comedy, H. M.S. Pinafore, by the newly-formed Christchurch Amateur Operatic Society, are making great progress under the conductorship of Mr. H. Roasiter. A strong company of influential gentlemen has been formed, and judging from the enthusiasm displayed in the matter, there is every prospect that a very fine performance will be submitted to the public. The opera will be produced in the Theatre Royal in the first week in October next. Mr. Rossiter has also been very fortunate in finding capable artists to fill the principal characters in the opera. Great regret is felt at the sudden demise of Mr. Richard Butler, who met his death through an accident that took place at St. Martin's Pottery Works on Wednesday afternoon last. It appears that Mr. Butler was working at the time on a clay facing, and that there was unexpectedly a great fall of clay, which buried him over and another man. They were extracted as quick yas possible, and on examination, in was found that deceased was injured in his spine, and that one of his legs was broken and the other badly crushed. He was at once conveyed to the residence, which is near the works, of the manager of the pottery, Mr. H. B. Kirk, and every attention was bestowed on the sufferer. When asked if he would like to see a doctor he said : ' Bring me a priest, never mind the doctor.' The Rev. Father Rafferty arrived soon at the works and gave the last sacraments to the deceased, who was subsequently taken to the Christehuroh Hospital, where he died at eight o'clock in the evening of the same day. Mr. Butler was well known and much respected on account of his many good qualities. He was only 46 years of age, and was born in Mallow, County Cork, Ireland. About 24 years ago he came to Canterbury, and soon after his arrival he married and settled in Waltham, wh«re he has livel ever since. To mourn his loss he leaves a widow and a grown-up family of two sons and two daughters. On the day of Lhe accident he had made preparations to celebrate the 21st birthday of one of the latter. His other relatives in the colony are two nieces who are Sisters in the order of Our Lady of Missions. One Sister is at present in a convent in Nelson, and the other in one at Rangiora. On Saturday morning last his remains were brought from his late residence in Waltham to the Pro-Cathedral, where the Rev. Father Rafferty, who also officiated at the grave, said a Requiem Mass for the repose of the soul of tbe departed. During the afternoon decensed was interred in the Linwood Public Cemetery, and in the funeral cortege there were a large number of his co-religionists and also many of his fellow-workmen at the pottery.— R.l.P. No stronger argument, says a local paper, in favour of the immediate establishment of abattoirs could be adduced than that supplied by the figures quoted by Mr McHaffie at a recent meeting of the-Selwyn County Council as to the number of beasts condemned by the Inspector during the year, and also the report of the Inspector for the past month. Mr. McHaffie's figures showed that during the twelve months ending 21st instant, eighty beasts, large and small, had been condemned, and the Inspectors report showed ten as condemned last month. If so many as these are discovered with the admittedly imperfect system under which he now works, is it not safe to presume that with public abattoirs, where every beast come 3 under inspection, the number condemned — and consequently the greater safety to the public— will be greater 1 With

the experience of Dunedin before them it is strange that local bodies should waste so much time in deciding this important question. r We are also informed that on Thursday afternoon last there was a large gathering of country and borough councillors and other residents of the town and country of Ashburton to take part in the opening of the Diamond Jubilee Convalescent Ward, a handsome addition which has just been completed. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. Reid), as chairman of the Hospital Committee, was asked to perform the ceremony. In doing so he expressed himself pleased at the valuable addition made to the building, and felt sure that it would be highly appreciated by the patients. He also paid a high compliment to the medical officer (Dr. J. E. Trevor) and to the matron (Mrs. McKay) for the skill, attention, and great kindness they always showed to patients, who, while necessarily having to conform to certain rules, were made to feel thoroughly at home ! Others present spoke in the highest terms of praise of the skilful treatment and great kindness with which the patients in the institution were tn ated. Dr. Trevor, in replying, said he was highly pleased with the new additions. They wanted more room, nnd this want was now supplied by the hauds,ome, cheerful, and well tarnished ward they were that day opening. It was Pometimes stated that patients in fio Ashburton Hospital were made too com- ' lortable. but when people were sick it was just the time they required the greatest attention and kindness. He might add that when the inspector, Dr. Macgregor^paid his last official visit, he stated that the Ashburton Hospital was one of the best managed institutions in the Colony. After singing a verse of the National Anthem to a piano accompaniment, the large company were hospitably entertained at afternoon tea by the matron