DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 43, 25 October 1900, Page 18

DIOCESE OF DUNEDIN.

For a considerable time it has been noticed that a slight lateral movement has been taking place in the tower at the Rattray street side of St. Joseph's Cathedral, causing the wall to crack for some distance. As the defect might prove difficult to deal with if allowed to continue without being attended to it h:in been decided to remedy the matter immediately, and with the object of taking the necessary steps a meeting of the parishioners was held in St. Joseph's Hall on Sunday evening after Vet-pfrs. Tlin Lordship the Bishop, who presided, said that the movement of the tower had been noticed soon after the Cathedral was finished. This was the source of much anxiety to the late Bi.-hop, and also to himwelf since he had come to Dunedin. The meeting had been called in order to decide what bteps should be taken to remedy the defect. There was no immediate danger, but it would not be wine to de'ay taking action. Mr Petre had inspected the Cathedral, and had drawn up a report which would be bubmitted to the meeting. Mr l'etre then read his report, iin which he gave his opinion as to the probable cause of the movement of the tower, and suggested certain works which would remove the source of the trouble. Mr Callan said it ■would be well that Mr Petre should have the opinion of two other architects on the matter before the work was undertaken. It waa a difficult matter to deal with, and the course he suggested was one that was very generally followed in the medical and legal professions. Mr Petre welcomed the suggestion of Mr Callan. After a conversational discussion it was decided to procure the services of

two architects, who, with Mr Petre, were to make an inspection of the Cathedral, aid present a joint r'port. The Right Rev. Dr. Verdon, and Messrs Callan, Carroll, and Woods were appointed a committ c to carry out this proposal, and to confer with the experts and consider the b si means for giving effect to their recommendations. After the passing: of a vote of thanka to his Lordship for presiding, the meeting adjourned to a date which will be notified later on.