DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 6, 7 February 1901, Page 6

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(.From our own correspondent.) February 4. The Rev. Father Henry, M.S.H., is at present conducting retreats for the Sisters of Mercy at Greymouth and Hokitika. The Jubilee Industrial Exhibition, after a successful run of three months, was closed on Thursday evening last with a profit of something over £3000. Th 3 Rev. Father Kerley, S.M., returned to Ghristohurch on Friday last after a visit to his parents at Geelong, Victoria. The Sisters of the Mission, Barbadoea street, have received intimation that Miss Agnes Ryan, one of their High School pupil* and the only candidate they sent up, passed in the recent Matriculation examination. At the annual retreat of the Sisters of the Mission here, members of the community from Ashburton, Rangiora, Lees ton, and Kaikoura were present. At the close of the retreat Sisters were sent to strengthen the communities at New Plymouth, Napier, and Nelson. The Christohurch diocese was represented at the opening ceremony of the Sacred Heart Basilica on Sunday last by the Bight Rev. Dr. Grimes, Very Rev. Dean Foley, and Rev. Father Tubman (Timaru). They were accompanied to Wellington by the Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay, of Oamaru. The tender of Messrs. J. and W. Jamieaon for £40,300 has been accepted for the building of the new cathedral, and one of the firm, it is stated, will immediately proceed to England to arrange for the necessary appliances for the work. Work has already been oommenoed on the site preparatory to the foundation stone being laid, which ceremony is fixed for Sunday next, at 3 o'clock. l On Monday last, at the Convent of the Sacred Heart, Barbados* street, nine postulants made their profession, the oeremony being

presided over by the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnaii, BJkf ., V.G. His Lordship the Bishop, the Very Rev. Dean Foley, Rev. Fathers MoDonnell and Leen were present at a subsequent oelebration of the occasion. The various committees for the reception and entertainment of the visiting' prelates met on Sunday afternoon to report progress, the Very Rev. Vicar-General presiding. It was definitely decided to have admission to the Pro-Cathedral at High Mass and Vespers by tioket, at a cost of 2s and la available for one or both services. On the Monday evening following a conversazione in honor of the visitors will be held in the Art Gallery, for which elaborate preparations arc being made. The Arohbißhop of Melbourne will lay the foundation stone of the new cathedral. On Monday last, in the presence of a large concourse of people. his Worship the Mayor, from the balcony of the Counoil Chambers, went through the formula of proclaiming the new King, Edward VII. The weather waß the reverse of pleasant, but, notwithstanding the dismal nature of things, a good deal of enthusiasm was exhibited and cheers raised. As elsewhere throughout the Colony, two hours' holiday waß almost universally observed for the occasion, whilst Saturday was strictly observed as a olose holiday on the occasion of the funeral of the late Queen. Probably the most numerously attended public meeting ever held in Christohurch was that in the Exhibition Concert Hall on Tuesday evening to consider the much-debated question of utilising the power of the Waimakariri River in regard to the requirements of the city. The scheme, locally known as ' harnessing the Waimakariri,' is a most comprehensive one, and judging by the remarks of the various speakers, some of whom were experts, and all enthusiasts, is feasible and possible of attainment. Electricity ia the power sought to be generated, and the effect of this power when utilised in the various ways indioated will, it is expected, entirely revolutionise the existing order of things, and render the place a veritable working man's paradise. The highest expert opinion is to be obtained from America and Europe, and all things proving favourable, no time is to be lost in carrying out the enterprise.