DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHUROH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 42, 18 October 1900, Page 6

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHUROH.

(From our own correspondent).

October 15.

I regret very much to learn that the Very Rev. Dean Chervier is lying dangerously ill at Leeston. Mention of the sad circumstance was made in the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday, and the prayers of the congregation were asked for the sufferer. Mr. R. Hay ward, vice-pre-ident, occupied the chair at the weekly meeting of the Christchurch Catholic Club he'd on Tuesday evening, when the question of whether women should be eligible for election to Parliiment was fully debated, the majority heing of 1 opinion that the existing disabilities in the direction indicated should at the earliest oppirtti'iiiy ue removed. Tue trend of the discussion, too, lay in this dir> etioii. On Tuesday last too ladies of St. John rho Baptist Branch of the Hibernian Society entertained a party of ladies uf the Order of Foresters at a social in the Hibernian Hall. Songs were contributed by Misses J. Cronin, Wathew, Courtney, and Duncan, and Mr M. McNamara, and recitations were given by Mr. J. Finlay. Amongst those present were the Very ft*v Dean Foley (chaplain) and Mr A. J. Malley (president), of St Patrick's Branch, H.A.C.B R. Refreshments were provided, various gurais and pastimes indulged in, and a very enjoyable evening we." passed. The Catholics of Hals well gave a mo*h eucoesnful social in the public schoolroom in that locnluy on Friday evening last in aid of the church buildioir fund. The committee who were entrusted with the event did all that was needed for the enjoyment of their patrons, and it is pleasing 1 to kDow their efforts were amply rewarded. The duties of M.C Wf re capably performed by Mr Sraitb, and the programme was interspersed with items as follows : — Song. Miss Anderson (Prebbletou) ; s^ner, Mr F. Kvans (Christchurch); Bong and dance, Mr Green : recitations, Mr J. Fiulay. The dramatic and musical entertainment recently given in St. Aloysius's Hall, in aid of the renovation fund of the Marist Brothers' School, realised about £20, a result largely dae to the careful supervision of the manager, Mr. John McAuliffe. In noticing the event in a previous issue, by inadvertence the active part taken by Mr. McAuliffe in organising and training the company was omitted. Mention also should be made of the services rendered in the musical part of the entertainment by Miss Violet Falvey and Mr. D. Roche, whose songs were a very pleasing feature of the event and so much appreciated that they were frequently recalled. His Lordship the Bishop preached to a crowded congregation in the Pro-Cathedral at Vet-pers on Sunday evening on the subject of the great Catholis Congress lately held in Sydney, and the dedication ceremonies in connection with St. M.iry's Cathedral in that oity. Referring to the statements attributed to Archbishop Redwood on that occasion, and the criticisms in the public Press and elsewhere, his Lordship said if those people for tlic sake of controversy or notoriety sought to involve him or any Bishop in a newspaper controversy they were very much mistaken. He (his Lordship) and priests were willing and even anxious on any occasion to impart to these, who in their hearts desired to know and learn the truth, the necessary knowledge. He did not profess to speak for the Archbishop, as his Grace was quite capable of answering for himself, and no doubt would in his own way on his return. The external appearance of the boys' school has duriDg the last few weeks been very materially altered for the better. Much needed repairs to the main building have been effected and the principal portions repainted. The surroundings have been generally improved, and to keep in line with the other schools of the district, 3, flag pole has been erecLed on the gable end next the street. This was the centre of attraction on last Saturday afternoon when a large crowd of people, including the children and their parents and

friends, assembled to take part in the ceremony of ' hoisting the flag.' A guard of honor was provided by a detachment of the Imperial Rifles and the Wools-ton Brass Band discoursed music suitable to the occasion. Bishop Grimes opened the proceedings by making a Bpeech, in which be said t/nat some time ago an Old Boys' Club had been formed, and the members had thought it a fitting time on his (the speaker's) return from Sydney to hoist a flag over a building which they regarded an their alma mater.

Mr. W. Recce, Mayor of Christchurch, who presided, referred to the history of the British flag: and the bravery of New Zealand soldiers in South Africa, and said that the lady who would hoiat the flag that day was the mother of one of the brave lads fighting in the Transvaal.

Mrs. Tasker then hoisi,e<l the Xevy Zealand flag-, and the volunteers presented arms and fired three volleys, while the band played ' God Save the Queen.'

The Mayor then called for threa cheers for the Queen and the flag, and cheers were given.

Mr. Donnelly addressed the assembly on the progress and extension of the Empire.

Rev. Brother Arthur said that he felt sure that the lads present had the proper patriotic feeling and would be true sons of the land of their birth and of their fUer. lie called for three cheers for the Mayor, who he said had kindly assisted. He knew that they had no kinder friend than their worthy Mayor. Cheers were given and the Mayor returned thanks, and the proceedings terminated.