ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 31, 8 December 1898, Page 66 (Supplement)

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

(By telegraph, from our own correspondent.) Ttlß Cathedral fire has been the chief topic of conversation during the week, as the calamity has been so unprecedented that the public can hardly realise that the fine edifice has been totally destroyed. On the arrival of his Grace in Wellington from Masterton (where he had been informed of the disaster), messages awaited him from all parts of the Colony conveying expressions of sympathy from the Bishops of Dunedin and Auckland, the Governor, the Premier, and many of the olergy and laity. It is said that before the fire' was out the sum of over £20 was subscribsd for the new building in one Government department, many of the donors being non-Catholics. The Convent High School children were the first to offer theiij mite, placing a sum of £20, collected for annual prizes, at the disposal of the administrator of the parish. The Rev. Mother and Sisters, while recognising the self- 1 ' :crifice of the children, have determined that p izes will be given all the saure. Many of the children of Si,. Mary's Orphanage followed the good eximple and offered their little ■ savings. Many nou-Cathulios have intimated their intention Oi* marking their sympathy in a practical manner. Mention of the orphans reminds me ol the admirable manner in which they worked during the pio^ress o f the fire carrying buckets of water to those who were engaged in saving the Archbishop's residence. The saving of the vestments and aloar linen, etc.. was due in great measure to the presence of niimi of some of the Sisters who, when apprised of the outbreak, hurried to the Cathedral, and, with the aid of the school-children, removed the most valuable articles to a place of safety. In her anxiety, one of the Sisters so far forgot danger that burning debris from the tower set her habit on fire, but it was fortunately put out before much damage was done. A fine bronze statue of Our Lady, presented in 1867 by Dr. Viard, was injured by the heat, but, nevertheless, remains substantially intact. The fine marble altar, the best of its kind in the Colony, was broken into piece 3. Already steps are being taken to raise funds for building a new church. The Sisters of Mercy are organising a series of highclass concerts, the items of which will be supplied by the pupils, assisted by the leading musical talent of the city. The first of these concerts will be given in the Theatre Royal on Wednesday next. A preliminary meeting for the purpose of taking steps to raise funds for rebuilding St. Mary's Cathedral was held in the schoolroom, Guilford Terrace, on Wednesday night. Archbishop Redwood presided, and there were present all the local clergy and many leading Catholics from both the city parishes. Several speeches were delivers I, the conoensus of opinion being that it would be advisable to erect a church on the present site sufficient for the requirements of the congregation attending it, and that the future Cathedral should be built in a central position, say where the Church of St. Mary of the Angels now stands. Several handsome subscriptions were promised, amounting to about £1,500. It was decided to hold a public meeting in Thomas's Hall on Monday for the furtherance of this object. Several committees were appointed, and the greatest enthusiasm was manifested throughout the proceedings. The annual distribution of prizes took place at St. Patrick's College on Thursday night in the presence of a numerous gathering of ladies and gentlemen. After an excellent programme of selections by the College band and orchestra, and vucul items hy Fathers Hill and Mahoney. and prior to the distribution of pri/.05.. the Very Rev. Dr. Watters addressed the audience. Ho &aid it had been a year of earnest and sustained work, of solid progress all round, and of educational activity in all branches of the College life. The work in all departments, especially in the upper forms, had been very satisfactory, although he could not t-ay they had attained perfection — far from it. They had done well in spite of many obvious difficulties, and masters aud boys showed a determination to bring the year to a satisfactory conclusion. Throughout the school the spirit and tone had been good. The teal to be set on their labours will be mainly seen in the public examinations that have taken place and are to take place for the new University College. The thanks of the people of Wellington are due to the present Government, for it remained to them to put the coping-stone on this secondary educational edifice. The College had done but little in the way of physical science, but next year they intended to impugne on the fringe of it. He had made a remark on a similar occasion last year that it was intended to initiate the manual side of technical science. This remark had been misunderstood by sacred scribes and unfledged politicians. There was no understanding between the College authorities and the Government on this matter. Archbishop Redwood then distributed the prizes. In the special prize list C. Yenning (Timaru) got medals for good conduct, diligence, excellence in music, and excellence in Latin ; J. A. Eccleton (Greymouth) medals for Christian doctrine, oratory and debate, English literature and English essay writing ; P. McEvedy (Southbridge) medal for Irish Hfstory ; C. Graham (Christchurch) medal for excellence in mathematics ; A. Ongley (Oatnaru) excellence in mathematics. (Second class) ; F. W. Crombre (Wellington) drawing ; J. F. O'Connor (Christchurch) good conduct, readiness, and industry. On the motion of Hon. W. C. Walker, seconded by Count do] Courte a vote of thanks was passed to the Archbishop for presiding. The Archbishop in replying paid a high and well-merited compliment to both students and superiors, and guve the boys some kindly words of advice. The proceedings terminated with tlireo hearty cheers for Uxe Archbishop, the Rector, and the Professors.

The Revs. N. Moloney, Eugene Kimbell and G. Mahony, who were ordained deacons in St. Mary of the Anils' Charon, were raised to the dignity of the priesthood in St. Joseph's Church. Buckle street, by Archbishop Redwood on Sunday 27th November. An inquiry is to be held into the action of the Wellington Fire Brigade at the burning of St. Mary's Cathedral. (From our Westport correspondent.) Theopeningof the Gape Foul wind church takes place on December 18th. The Forty Hour* Adoration commenoal ou Sunday, November 20, with the usual solemn procession, turf other solemn ceremonies. The consecration of the Children of Mary took pUne on the Mon day following, the Very Rjv. Father Walshe officiating. On Sunday, November 27, prjajhing at Mis*, the Very Rev. Father reminded those pivsent of thaic ducy to support the only Citholic newspaper in New Zealand.