DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 34, 22 August 1901, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.) August 10. The public exercises of the Jubilee are announced to commence in the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday, September 1. The public teem keen about information concerning Bishop Grimes and his doings while away. All the local papers havesinco his return published, lengthy interviews. With the exception of guarded remarks on the Accession Oath and the cauae of the recent controversy much of the information given has already appeared in the columns of the Tablet. The extraordinary number of deaths recorded lately of old people at ajjes ranging from <;,"> years upwards is the subject of general remark. The great mortality is attributed to the exceptionally cold weather experienced during the winter. The influenza epidemic in rather a virulent form is now very rife, and numberless ailments are affecting children. Ou the whole the medical men are kept fully occupied. The Christchurch Catholic Club held a social on Tuesday evening last with a good attendance. Mr. J. R. Hay ward (vicepresident) occupied the chair, and the following members contributed items to the programme : Instrumental quartette, ' Drum major's daughter ' (violin, flute, euphonium, and cornet), Messrs. W., T., and C. Geohegan and M. Mannix ; recitations, Messrs. M. McNamaaa, M. Findlay, and M, O'Reilly : songs, Messrs. Talbot, D. Carey (with chorus by company), and M. Marnix ; duet, ' A morning galop ' (cornet and euphonium), Messrs. W. and C. Geohegan ; violin solo, Mr. T. Geohegan ; selection, ' Mascotte,' 'orchestra. His Lordship the Bishcp has kindly placed at my disposal a telegram he received on the We^t Coitt through Sir A. Bigge from their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in connection with their recent visit to Christchurch, of which the following is a copy : — ' Their Royal Hiphqpsses desire me to express their regret that they will not have the pleasure of seeing you in Christcburoh, also on the causes which detain you. They beg that your Lonjehip will accept for yourself and convey their sincere thanks to the priests and people of the Catholic diocese of Christchurch for the assurance of their and your loyal allegiance to the King and for the expression of gratitude for his Majesty's recent providential escape (alluding to th- yacht accident) contained in jour message to his Excellency the Governor.' His Lordship the Bishop, now that he has returned, will no doubt notice that very satisfactory progress has been made by the contractors, Messrs. J. and W. Jameson, in the erection of the Cathedral. Already £5000 has been expended on the work, and in addition to the massive concrete foundations, the first courre of Timaru blue stone and the second course of Mount Somers stone have been completed, and this week a start was made with laying the actual walls in Oamaru stone. All the most approved appliances are in use in connection with the work, and a tramway, with iron rails, has been laid round the whole of the exterior for

carrying the heavy pieces of stone used in the building. A good idea can now be formed, by a casual glance at the operations, of the immensity of the structure, or rather what it will be when complete. As showing how keen was the expectancy manifested, and how much the anticipated arrival of the Bishop excited the audience at the Art Gallery conversazione on Wednesday night, during Mr. G. R. Hart's lecturette on ' Celebrities I have met,' some slight movement at the bottom, of the hall occasioned a commotion, and, as if acted upon by some mysterious influence, the entire audience arose and turned their faces towards the doors. Si>me acclamation was indulged in i" 1 Tt ' ' i f ">n« fliaorwprpd tn bp a, false alarm. Immediately his auditors were again seated, Mr. Hart resumed his dincourse, not at 'ill di ori TTifted by tb° nnn«nnl disturbance erood naturedly and humorously making: use of the occasion, and completing his narrative much to the interest and enjoyment of all. This incident in the proceedings proves the intensity of the welcome that the Bi«hop would have received had he put in an appearance during the evening. The Very Rev. Dean Foley preached at High Mass in the ProCathedral on Sunday, and at Vespers his Lordship the Bishop occupied the pulpit and gave a vivid account of their travels and experience^. Mmy incidents were related — some humorous, others pathetic, hut all breathing a sense of extreme thankfulness at the result. His Lordship paid an eloquent tribute of gratitute to the Very Rev. Dean Foley for his z^al and self-sacrifice under most exceptional and trying circumstances He expressed himself extremely sorry at not being present at the 'welcome home' reception, and th.mkel the people for their great thoughtfulnusa and generosity. Among other thing.* he mentioned that during their ministrations on the coast he had preachel or publicly spoken on 117 occasions and confirmed !U5 persons. There was a crowded congregation. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrame,nt was given by the Bishop, assisted by Rev. Fathers Galerne and McDonnell.