DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 52, 26 December 1901, Page 6

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent).

tt December 21. Mr. W. Hayward, sen., returned on Friday from a trip to the Old Country.

His Grace Archbishop Redwood returned to Wellington by Thursday night's steamer.

The ordinary weekly meetings of the Christchurch Catholic Club are to be discontinued during the summer months. The Sistera of Our Lady of Missions go into retreat to-morrow (Sunday). It is to be conducted by the Very Rev. Father Treand M.S.H. '

The Marist Brothers meet for their annual retreat at a later date than customary, the time fixed being about the middle of January according to present arrangements.

St. Patrick* schoolroom, Barbadoes street, was well filled on Friday evening la»t when an entertainment, described as a ' Basket pociaJ,' was given by the Olympic Dramatic Club in aid of the school and club'a wardrobe fund jointly. From this portion of the Tablet's wide field of circulation I extend to the (stuff and numerous readers fervent greeting for this festive season with siuoeiest good wishes lor a happy and prosperous New Year.

Dintribution of priz s at the various schools of the Pro-Cathe-dral parish, conduct. <i by the Sisters of the Mission, took place du-in=r tae week as follows: December 1(5, Sacrel Heart. Addington ; December 17, B-üba-ioes street Girls' ; Dec-ember 18, So. Agnea, Harwell E itertainmtnt* were given on e:ich occasion by the pupils before large gatherings of parents and friends. Thß Very Hey. Vicar-General dixtribui<d the prizes and i-poke in laudatory terms of the excellent entertainments provided, which he said the best of the kind 1-e had ever attended. Th« Rev. Fathers Galerne aiid Me Donnell wtrc amongst those pretent on each occasion.

The death was annouDcfd during the week of Mr. George Bonnington, the well-known themi»t, who was of & most kindly and genial disposition, and univercaHy respected. Mr. Donniugton received his education at the first Catholic college in Nelson, being a fellow-stucent of hi« Grace Archbishop Redwood, in the days of the llev. Father Gurin, from which a life-long friendship resulted. The late Mr. Bonnington loved to refer to this fact, and to their early experiences together in the good old days that are past. He was an excellent musician, and by this again was fostered a subject most congenial to the Archbishop and himself. The Antarctic exploring vessel ' Discovery 1 leaves to-day (Saturday) on the expeditions long and lonely journey to tLe far southern regions. Several of the Union S.S. steamerß convey excursionists to accompany her outside the Heads, and the 'send off ' promises to be a 8 hearty and enthusiastic aa the welcome and sub« |vent entertainment of the brave ship'B company by the '■iti/ us of Christchurch and Lyttelton proved. His Majesty the King cabled a farewell as follows :— ' The Discovery — Wish you all God ppeed, ail success, and a safe return.' Amongst the visitors to the ' Discovery ' during the week were the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, who was accompanied by the Very Rev. Dean Foley and Rev. Father Cooney,

The General Committee of the St. Patrick's Day Celebration met on Tuesday evening last in the presbytery. His Lordship th« Bishop presided, and, in view of the representative gathering of nonCatholic gentlemen present, who are taking an active interest in the celebration, explained the great object to be accomplished by their unittd efforts. The Bishop also expressed his approval of the

choice made at n previons meeting of lay chairman, and congratuAat«d Mr. W. Hoba.i in h ■ possession of the unanimous confidence Jot the *>xe';utive committee, and also on the requisite tuct, energy, and ability to worth. ly fill tne position. The various-aub-oommittees tht-n met and elected their respective chairman and s^cretarie-i. The executive committee met, when it was announced that his Excellency the G ivernor had, in a very gracious communication, extended his patronage, His Lordship the Bishop stated that when recently going pouth he had met Sir J. G. Ward who was very pleased to give his patronage as did also his Worship the Mayor, Mr. A. E. ii. Kuodes. <;aiUerbury Hall has been wecuied for the concert, and, as previou^y Htated, Lancaster Park for the tports meeting. Donations co the celebration were acknowledged from the Very Rev Vicar-General, £1 ; Mr. John Barrett, £2 2a ; and Mr. M. Kavanagh, £2.