BISHOP GRIMES IN WESTLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 26, 27 June 1901, Page 5

BISHOP GRIMES IN WESTLAND.

A PERILOUS VOYAGE.

Wr are indebted to on esteemed corrresponrtent for the following particnlarH of the trip of the steamer. Jane Douglas, with his Lordship Bishop GrimeN an 1 a number of priests on board, froaj H> kitika to Jackson's Bay, and also an account < f hid Lordwhip's visit to some of the settlements in that remote district :

His Lordship Bwhop Grimes having arranged Lo violfc th.- most gonthern part of his diocese on the West Coant — Jackson's Bay — was advised that by taking the steamer and goiug direoL It \\\u'd be a matter of 14 hours' trip, and having arrived he could then make the return journey overland, visiting the various centres of population to celebrate Mass and administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. Upon that advice the genial pastor of Hokitika (Father Le Petit) to do honor to the Bishop and give a treat to his confrere* took tickets for hi* Lordship, himself, Father Malone, and Dean Foley by the steamer Jane Douglas. The Jane Douglas is a vessel about 90 tons burden, and is commanded by Captain Coulson. Owing to the bad weather the steamer was delayed from Tuesday, May 28, till Thursday, May 30. On Thursday at 8 p.m , with the Bishop and party, and s»ven other passengers, the little vessel steamed down the river and crossed the bar successfully. Going about seven knots an hour she passed Bruce Bay 87 mileß from Hokitika, and went 13 miles south as the very heavy weather prevented a view of t*ie Bay. Finding his mistake the captain at once turned the vessel and entered Bruce Bay about 9 30 a.m. on Friday, May 3 1 .

The snrf boat was manned by the mate (Mr. Williams) and three seamen, and lowered, but a landing was impossible owing to adverse wind and heavy seas. The steamer anchored in the bay during Friday, Saturday, and Sunday forenoon, as the captain wished to land cargo for the settlers who live in the vicinity, but every attempt to do so proved ineffectual. On Sunday afternoon, Jnne 2, the weather appeared very threatening which made the captain and passengers anxious, as there was no shelter, and the vessel being exposed to the full force of the wind wa* in danger of being stranded. The captain very wisely ordered the anchor to be hauled in, and ran before the gale to what is known as Open Bay Island. Open Bay Island is a rock about three chains long, and 30ft high, evidently of volcanic origin, and providently placed to afford small shelter from the north-east gales to vessels in distress. The storm blew with hurricane force, and lightning flashed accompanied by loud thunderclaps, whilst the rain poured down in torrents. There was no comfort on deck, which was exposed to wind and rain, and all the passengers had to keep in the small saloon. Here the steamer lay at anchor three days and three nights, bo it can be readily understood that we were verily ' rocked in the oradle of the deep.' On Wedne>day, June 5, the captain gave orders to haul in the anchor, intending to enter the Akura river but the tide did not answer, and an enormous sea was breaking over the bar. He then directed his course southward, passing Mussel Point, the weather bein^ very hazy and preventing a view of the land. At 2pm. wr lay off the entrance to Jackson's, not being able to see the way After an hour the dense fog lifted, when *c entered Jackson's Bay, where there was once a very populous settlement. It is said that in the days gone by upwards of £100,000 were spent on works of improvement here, but the land being unproductive the settlement proved unsuccessful, so that there now remains only a couple of families where there were several before. I was told that at a race meeting at Jackson's in the good old days there were upwards of 600 people gathered from the neighborhood The few settlers who live about five miles out of the bay had not heard the whistle of the steamer, so there was no one to greet us on our arrival

As Bishop Grimes intended to leave the steamer and return overland, the captain and all the passengers desired his Lordship to express their united thanks to God for vouchsafing a safe passage amidst so many dangers. The Bishop, in a few appropriaie words, spoke of the power of invocation and our dependence upon a merciful Providence, and expressed his thanks and the thanks of his priexts and fellow-passengers to the captain, his officers and crew for their watchfulness and attention to duty in those perilous hours when the small craft was tossed about at the mercy of the wind and weather.

The first relief, being now a week at sea, came to us upon the beautiful Feast of Corpus Christi. During Wednesday night, when anchored in Jackson's Bay, the captain sent up rockets to apprise the settlers of the Bt^amer's arrival. On Thursday morning at nine o'clock the shore presented a lively appearanoe. Father Bogue, who for a week was anxiously awaiting his Lordship, with many friends arrived. A boat was lowered, and the Bishop, priests, and passengers were rowed ashore. After mutual congratulations, the Bishop, mounted on a horse, and accompanied by Dean Foley and Father Bogue, with Mr. Empson, cattle inspector, and others, rode off, leaving the steamer to unload cargo. His Lordship, with Father Bogue, rode to the residence of Mr. Clarke, where he intended to stop and celebrate Mass that morning, having remained fasting. Dean Foley, accompanied by Mr. Empxon, after breakfast at Mr Beumestre's, who ferried them across the Arawatta, rode on to the Waiatoio, where the ferryman put them over the river to Akura to catch the steamer.

On Friday morning, June 7, Bishop Grimes confirmed the candidates presented by Father Bogue. As it was the first visit of a bishop to the district most of the candidates were adults. When the oeremony was finished a start was made for the ferry. Mr. Beumestre plied the oars, and after a long and strong pnll his Lordship and Father Bogue were landed. Then, mounting horses, they set out towards the Wai ato to. The weather, which in the forenoon was warm, now changed to extreme cold, with lightning and thunder and a downpour of rain bo heavy that the like had not been

witneeped there for many a day. They reached Akura famished with oold, but his Lordship was rejoiced by the warm reception he received, and comfort afforded by the kind harbormaster, Mr. J. Cuttance. The Bishop was the guest of Mr. Cnttanoe during his stay at Akura. Next day, Saturday, was busily spent decorating the hall for celebration of Mass on Sunday. The Bishop and four priests heard confessions on Satuaday night. Confessions had to be heard in the house of Mr Nis«on, who lives beyond the river Turnbull. I might say that three rivers empty their waters here into the cca — the Akura, Turnbull, and Hapuka.

Sunday, June 9, that within the Octave of Corpus Christi, was » memorable day for Akura. There were four early celebrations of Ma9s. at which numbers received Holy Communion. At 11 o'clock there were upwards of 30 who had the happiness to receive Confirmation. It was like the apostolic time, fathers, mothers, and children were confirmed. Mostly all the settlers are Catholic. The Bishop delivered a very practical Bermon, showing from Holy Scripture that the Sacrament of Confirmation, that he, as Bishop of the Catholic Church, was administering to the candidates present, was received by the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday. He pointed out to the recipients their obligations to preserve and confess their holy faith at the risk of their life.

Evening service was held at seven o'clock. The hall was again crowded. The Rosary was recited by Dean Foley, after which his Lordship preached on the love of God for mankind.

The people in Akura are very musical. Two families of the Cuttance sing beautifully. Father Malone organised the choir. Mr. Saville made a capital organist. Mr. Hutcheeon kindly lent his organ, and Mr. Collier rendered great service by his singing.

On Monday the Bishop and Father Bogne continued their journey to the Haast, where Mr. Oron received them most hospitably.

The people of Akura are most generous and hospitable. They are all like members of one family, and to a visitor they give a most affectionate reception. I left them bringing away with me the happiest recollection of their warm-heartedness.