ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 1, 5 January 1899, Page 6

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

CFrom otur own correspondent.) . December 30th, 1898. THE festival of Christmas was celebrated with the usual solemnity in all the Catholic churches of the city. At St. Joseph's, which is now used as the episcopal churoh of his Grace, the Archbishop, Poutificial High Mass was celebrated by his Grace at half past ten, the Very Rev. Father Devoy being assistant priest, Rev. Father S. Mahoney, deacon, Rev. Father N. Moloney, sub-deacon, and Rev. Father 0 Shea, master of ceremonies. Prior to the beginning of the Holy Sacrifice the Archbishop and clergy marched in procession from St. Patrick's College, and as they entered the sacred edifice the orchestra played .the ' War march of the priests.' The music of the Mass was Haydn's No. 1, which was splendidly rendered by the choir and a numerous orchestra under the conductorship of Mr. H. H. M.Cardell, Mr. Ennis presiding at the organ and Mr. Hotop leading the stringed instruments. The soloists were Missep Sullivan, Rigg, N. Gallagher and Sandbrok and Messrs Girling- Butcher, Haughey and Montgomery. A special feature of the music was an ' Adeste Fidch-n," sung as an Offer.torv piece by the choir. At Solemn Vespers in the evening Benediction was givtn by His Grace. The high altar was very be .unfully decora'ed by the ladies of the Altar Society. At the early M.kvs a large number of pc-sons received Holy Communion. At St. Mary of the Angels' there was Solemn High Mass at 11 o clock. It was snug by the Her. Father Ainsworth, Rev. Father Hickson being Deacon, R v. Father KimbL-11 sub-Deacon, a^d Uov. Father G. Ma'ioney Master of Ceremonies. The irm.-ij was Hoy lns No. 2, which w.is ,\d nirab'y interpret d l.y the choir, under tie conductorship of Mr. F. Oakes, a^isied by an efficitnl orchestra ltd by Herr Lehmann, Mr. D. Kent y presiding at the organ. In the evening Sjlemn Wipers were chanted by t!» Ryv. Father Mxhont-y, who was assisted at Benediction by the Rev. Fathers OVhea and Duherty. There was a veiy large number o) Communicants at aU the early Masses. The decorations of the High Altar were in excellent taste, the lighted candles forming two hearts iv a groundwork of flowers, the arrangement being the work of Misses Sheehv and Kent. J The Guildford Terrace school-room, which has been utilised as the parish church for Thorndon since the destruction of the Cathedral, had been specially decorated for the great Feast, the decorations being carried out by Miss Vincent. A temporary altar has been erected, and a choir gallery is in course of construction Ihe Rev. Father Alexius, of Sydney, celebrated High Mass and also preached a fine discourse appropriate to the season. The choir, under the conductorship of Mr. S. Cimino, rendered the music, the Boloists being Mesdames Swift and Cimino, and Miss Pender, and Messrs. Blight and Ballance. Elaborate preparations were made for the schools' picnic of the united parishes of Te Aro, Thorndon, and the Lower Hutr, on Boxing Day ; but the weather, which looked promising enough in the morning, spoiled the whole outiug Sho tiy after J) o'clock the children marched iroin the Boulcott street rendezvous to the Te Aro railway station, headed by Jupps Band and accompanied by the members of the Picnic Committee aLd the clergy. It wa» a very fine collection of young New Zealamiers. who looked as intelligent happy, and well-cared-for a lot of youngsters as it would be possible to find in any par* of the globe. Up to embarking on the train everything pointed to a pleasant day : the weather seemed favourable, the arrangements had been carefully planned— in fact, nothing was left undone to en.Mire success. But here the treachery of the Wellington climate was once again demons trated. for scarcely had the tram left the station than rain commenced ; although blight at first, it eventually settled down to a regular downpour before the Hutt was reachpd, aud lasted the whole day. The committee secured a hall for the children, where they were a^com-nodated until trains were got to bring them back to town. The Hibernian Society had arranged to have an outing at the Upper Hutt en the ISew Year's holidiy, but have now decided to abandon that project and throw in their lot with the children, who will again be taken to tne Hutt on Monday, when it is hoped the weather will be ia a better mood. Mr. T.McMahon, who already enjoys more th-in a New Zealand reputation as a writer of short stories dealing with life in the early days of the gold fields in this Colony, informs me that he has received a very encouraging communication from a leading London publisher, to whom he had sent specimens of his work, and that the Home firm is anxious to see some more of the New Zt>« lander's work. As the samples sent were some of Mr. McMahon's earliest work, it is presumed that when his later efforts are placed be fore the literary taster of the big publishing house the result will be much to the benefit and reputation of the talented West Coaster The Very Rev. Father Ginaty, of Christchurch, was in Wellington on Christmas Day. The choir of St. Joseph's Church made a presentation to MLss Driscoll on Christmas Day. Miss Driscoll, who has been connected with the choir for some years and has rendered valuable assistance during that time, is about to take up her residence in Sydney. Mr. F. W. Petre, of Dunedin, was in Wellington during the week for the purpose of conferring with His Grace the Archbishop and the Building Committee with regard to the new church to be erected on the site of St. Mary's Cathedral. The basilica stjle has been definitely adopted, minus the dome. It has not yet been settled whether the building is to be in stone or brick, as this will depend mainly on the estimated cost. The entrance to the new church will be at the eastern end overlooking the harbour, where stood the tower of the Cathedral, and will be approached by a flight of steps. By building in this way the five proportions of the

church and the main front^will be seen by visitors to Wellington on coming up the harbour, besides which it will be more convenient. As soon as plans and sp=cifications are ready tenders will be called for the carrying out of the leork.