DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 52, 27 December 1900, Page 18

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From oar own correspondent.)

December 22.

His Lordship the Right Her. Dr. Grimes and the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, V.G., were among the honored

guests present at the Jubilee Banquet given by his Worship the Mayor, Mr. W. Recce, on Wednesday evening last in the Exhibition Building. The function was a brilliant one, 600 guests accepting the invitation. St. Mary's School Hall, Manchester street, was crowded on Friday evening last on the occasion of the annual entertainment given by the pupils of the parish schools, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy. His Lordship the Bishop and a number of clergy were present. The following programme was exceptionally well rendered, after which the Bishop presented the prizes : — Chorus, pupils ; pianoforte duet, Misses M. Flynn and L. Joyce ; chorus, six boys ; pianoforte holo. Miss N. Turner ; operetta, ' Too bad,' in which the following took part — Misses Delia Smith, Josie Sweeney, Kalie Bernard, Annie Bond, and May Haughey ; violin solo, Miss Agnes Nelson ; violin solo, Miss Hilda Flynn ; pianoforte solo, Miaa Maggie Flynn j vocal solo, Miss Buchanan ; floral drill, pupils ; violin solo, Miss Peggie Bain ; chorus pupils. The prize-list was as under :—: — Christian doctrine— Annie Bond, Edward Haughey, Winnie Shaw, Harold Goggin, Olive Main, Fred. Scarf, Louie Langdon, and Grace Haughey. Good conduct — May Haughey, Miohael Flynn, Winnie Shaw, Nellie Brady, Madge Butler, William Shaw, Aileen Mahon, Clare Mullins, Peter Haughey, Kitty McCormack, John Flannelly, and Margaret Barron. Diligence — Nellie Main, Delia Smith, Henry Haughey, Winnie MAdams, James Flannelly, Charles Haughey, Mary Brady, Harry Hanly, Leonard Lafferty, Kate Hanly, John Flynn, Smelda Sweeney, Dolly Goggin, Gertrude Delahunt, Jane Hornby, John McCormaok, and Emily Ryan. Regular attendance— Josephine Sweeney, Nellie Main, Henry Haughey, Leonard Goggin, Florence Griffen, Kate Joyce, Frank Sisson, Bartle Murphy, Bertie Bradford, Abner Slack. Robert Lafferty, and Bessie Hawker. Singing — Delia Smith. The pupils of the Lyttelton (St. Joseph's) Convent Schools, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, gave a very successful entertainment last week in aid of their prize fund. The Oddfellows' Hall was crowded, and the programme was exceedingly well rendered. A pretty cantata, ' The white garland,' was performed by Misses Hilda O'Brien, C. Williams, K. Burns, Maggie O'Brien, and A. Davies, and Masters T. Purcell and P. Murray. Miss May O'Brien gave a song, Master T. Brounie played a violin solo, part songs were given by the school singing class, and a united recitation by Misses M. Madden, I. Serra, M. Morris and J. Bozanti. An orchestra of violins played two overtures, the school children sang some choruses, the senior pupils gave a tambourine dance, and the junior ones sang action songs. A farce, v Mrs Will's will,' was very creditably acted by Misses M. Williams, H. O'Brien, R. Murray, and K. Burns. After an epilogue was ppoken by Miss Maggie O'Brien, the entertainment closed with the bingiDg of the patriotic song aud chorus ' Zealandia.' The jubilee of the settlement of Canterbury, so far &< the aorual day was concerned. 1 ell on Sunday last, the l(>ih ii.st., and from a religious point of view was (iuly observed on that date. On the following day, however, the popular celebrations were held. The weather was simply magnificent, and never has the city been more gay or densely thronged. The streets, in every direction, were fairly alive, and the precession, headed by a team of eight oxen drawing a dray containing a number of pioneers in remembrance of early days, was a grand spectacle. The system of street decorations was on a novel and striking scale, and carried out in a lavish manner. The work of preparing for the great occasion had occupied a large and influential committee of citizens for many months, and po well had all arrangements been perfected that every detail passed off without a hitch. Visitors poured in from all parts to witness the cplebrations. The Catholic Church was represented in the procrsaion by his Lordship Bishop Grimes, the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, the Very Rev. Dean Foley, and liev. Father Leen, who were driven in the episcopal carriage. The 11.A.C.8. Society made a very effective display, being strongly represent d by the city branches, and visitors from Leestou, Timaru, and other centres, having several fine banners emblematicil of their association. Celebrations of a minor order have been going on throughout the week, in which the old identities have acted a prominent part. On Sunday, the 10th, the children of St. Mary's parish, to the number of about 50, made their First Communion, and were afterwards entertained in the adjoining schoolroom at breakfast, which was kindly supplied by the ladies of the congregation. In the afternoon the children reassembled in the church, when the renewal of baptismal vows and acts of consecration to our Blessed Lady and St. Joseph took place. At High Mass the Rev. Father Marnane read the pastoral letter of his Lordship the Bishop on the Jubilee of Canterbury, and also spoke at some length on the position of the Church at the present time and the arduous labors of the early missionaries. At Vespers the Key. Father Leen occupied the pulpit and delivered a very practical discourse. After Benediction the choir sang the ' Te Deum.'