ROSS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 28, 11 July 1901, Page 6

ROSS.

(From our own correspondent.)

June 2<). His Lordship Bishop GrimeH arrived here from his visitation to South Westland on Tuesday last. He was met at the Mikonui river and escorted into town by the Very Rev. Dean Foley, Rev. Father King, of Ahaura, and a number of the prominent Catholics in the town. Before the evening service Dr. Mcllroy read and presented the following address to his Lordship, which was signed on behalf of the congregation by Dr. A. J. Mcllroy, and Messrs J. Crowley, P. Healy, T. Houlihan, and T. Minehan : — ' May it please your Lordship, — We, the members of the Catholic community of Ross, desire to tender you a hearty welcome on the occasion of this, your episcopal visit to this parish. We beg also to express to you our great feelings at the success accomplished, by continued perseverance on your part, in the great work of inaugurating the building of what will prove a magnificent building in your episcopal see. This great work of yours presents itself to New Zealand, and more especially to your pastoral district, as an expression of our faith, and stands aa an emblem thereof. We, your Lordship, are proud of both the faith and the emblem. That such is the case will be evident to you by the improvements which have been effected in our local church, school, and buildings pertaining thereto, since your last visit. Such results have been the outcome of the zeal and energy of our worthy pastor, the Rev. Father Bogue. That Catholic education has been well carried out in our midst by the devoted Sisters you will observe by examination results, which are equal to any in Westland. As a tangible proof of our adherence to the faith we extend to you our heartiest co-operation for the continuation and completion of your great work. We are filled with admiration for your apostolic zeal in visiting the extreme portion of your diocese, for we know the great difficulties and privations that were to be endured in such a journey from rain, flood, and storm. We can assure your Lordship that since commencing your tour you have always been present in our prayers, and now we offer you our heartiest congratulations on the successful issue of your mission, and beg to assure you that such will always be appreciated in and south of Ross. Accept the sentiments of our filial love, and from our hearts we say, '• Cead Mile Failte." ' In replying his Lordship thanked the congregation most heartily for their kind thoughtfulness, and gave a brief acoount of his southern trip, which, as you are probably aware, was anything but pleasant. In fact the Bishop took the opportunity of warning the Rev. Father Bogue to be very careful when visiting these parts of the diocese. On Wednesday and Thursday there were large congregations at all the services, and on the latter day some 16 boys and girls were confirmed, and in the evening his Lordship preached an eloquent sermon, after which there was a renewal of baptismal vows. I understand that a sum of nearly £100 has been received by his Lordship from the Catholics of this district in aid of the Cathedral Building Fund,

His Lordship made special reference to the work of the ohoir, the altar boys, and those ladies who looked after the decoration of the church. The Sisters also came in for a well-deserved meed of praise.