ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 22, 31 May 1900, Page 3

ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON.

(.From our own correspondent.) May 28. The Mother Superioress of the Brigidine Nuns, Masterton accompanied by Sister Joseph, paid a business visit to Wellington this week. Mr. G. Hunt is the successful tenderer for the building of the convent in Newtown, the contract price being £773. Mr. J. ODea is the architect for the building. Last Sunday, the feast of Our Lady of Miracles, St. Joseph's choir repealed its Ea«ter Sunday music. Mr. Pope again assisted and sang the bass solos in Haydn's Imperial Mass in his usual finished style. Rev. Father Herbert was the celebrant at Mass. The first prize in the Easter Carnival art union was won by Mr. McMahon, of Mole^worth street. It is a magnificent painting depicting the visit of the three Kings, and is valued at lUO guineas. It has, I hear, been purchased from the lucky winner by the Hon. Dr. Grace, M.LC. St. Patrick's College authorities have decided to give the senior students the benefit of a course of military drill, and during the week received from the Defence department a number of MartiniHenry rifles for this purpose. Sergeant Thompson, of the Permanent Force, and drill instructor at the College, will have charge of the cla*9. The social organised for the Sisters of Compassion was held at the Skating Rink on Wednesday evening. Despite the very boisterous weather the attendance was large and the affair was a pronounced success. The Yen. Archdeacon Devoy, the local clergy, and several prominent citizens were present. The ladies' committee provided an excellent suppar which was, of course, highly appreciated. The first part of the programme consisted of a concert given by the following ladies and gentlemen - Misses White and Flynn (St. Mary's Convent), Rev. Father Moloney and Mr. T. Wilford, M.H.R., and a cornet solo was given by Mr. Parker, the leading player in the local Garrison Band. At the conclusion of the concert the room was cleared for dancing the music being supplied by St. Mary's Orchestra under the baton of Mr. F. Oakes. The sum of £80 is expected to be realised. Mr. Hyland made an efficient secretary. Excellent progress is being made with the erection of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and a good impression of the ultimate beauty of the completed church can now be obtained. Since I last described the amount of work done the aiale roofs and organ loft floor have been cast and the clerestory walls raised to the height of the impost of the archivclt of the second order, including the fixing of the clerestory window sashes. The piers for the colonnade of the portico have also been constructed, and the dies of the columns are being cast in position. Internally the sanctuary and springers have been placed, as also have the dies of the columns of the baldaohino, while the walls of the confessional, strong rooms, and the two lower sanctuary galleries are completed, and the two upper ones approaching completion. The roofing tiles and metal ceiling have arrived from Sydney in readiness for fixing when the roof ia framed, a work that, given fine weather and considering the magnitude of the building, ought to be accomplished at no diatant date.