DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 20, 15 May 1902, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From oar own correspondent.) May 12. The Rev. Father Oooney returned to Lyttelton during the week after a holiday spent in the North Island for health purposes. According to a report presented to the City Council at its last meeting the providing of muni« ipal music during the summer months by means of subsidised brass b-ind* had proved a prouou'eed success. The season extended from October to April during which period 30 separate performances were given to- ailing over 270 mu&ical selections to an average attendance of 4000 of the publio weekly, or estimated at 120,000 for the season. The first monthly meeting of collectors, under the recently arranged scheme of sixpence per week subscriptions to the Cathedral building fund, was held on last Thursday evening, his Lordship the Bishop presiding. Upwards of thirty pounds (£3O) was handed in as the result of the past four weeks' operations. Whilst at Lyttelton the Very Rev. Dean Foley established the system there, and also collected many previously promised contributions. The building of the Cathedral is going on apace and this week new machinery has been added for fluting and turning the massive columns, one already being finished. Our Wesleyan friends are evidently fast besoming Catholicised if we may judge by the way Mass music is finding a place in their church services I notice that at the opening of a local church last Sunday Mozart's 'Kyrie' and ' Gloria' formed prominent parts of the musical arrangements. It has become quite a common thing for our Mu*s music to be sun*.? in Anglican churches ; the Presbyterians, with char icteristic caution, are introducing it, but so far principally at public gatherings others than churoh service*, and the Methodists have long exhibit, d a h inkerin^ after the music composed by the great masters for the Catholic Church's mo.it solemn office. There was a good attendance at the Catholic Club rooms on Tuesday evening, when a most interesting lecture was delivered by Dr. Frengley on 'Plague and its history.' He traced it from the earliest days up to the present times, and dwelt particularly upon the modern methods for preventing the spread of the plague bacillus. A sketch showing the appearance of this bacillus, and also that of the typhoid bacillus, was shown. The lecturer, who has evidently become a thorough master of the subject, epoke of the countries where for ages the plague has found a habitation, its spread and more recent developments, including the possible source of its introduction to Australasia. The lecture greatly interested those present, and at the conclusion, on the motion of Mr Ronald Duncan, seconded by the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Dr. Frengley, who, in reply, promised at another time to lecture on ' Typhoid.' His Worship the Mayor (Mr A. E G. Rhodes) is to open the Coronation Carnival at the Coloseeum on Thursday. Elaborate preparations are being made for the inaugural ceremony. The carnival is to be continued over the ensuing 11 nights. There are eight stalls with the following ladies at the head : — (\) ' Highland Brigade,' Miss Somervillo ; (2) ' Royal,' Mrs W. Hayward ; (3) Bengal Lancers,' Mrs J. C. Chase; (+) 'Floral,' and art union prizes, Mrs M. O'Brien ; (5) ' 21nt Lancers,' Mrs Burke ; (t>) ' Naval Brigade,' Mrs Hine ; (7) ' Irish Fusiliers' (convent), Mrs Green ; (8) ' Royal Artillery ' (Ladies' Club). Mrs J. R Hunt. A rtfreshment stall will be in charge of Miss Goggen and Mi&s Grady. Music will be provided each evening by the Woolston Brass Band and an orchestra. After Mass on Sunday week, at Rangiora, an adjournment was made to the Catholic schoolroom for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr. Richard Anderson, of the Railway service, who recently removed to Christchurch. Mr. Anderson's connection with the Rangiora Catholic congregation dates back 33 years. At that time he was on the West Coast, and collected £15 towards the erection of the first church in Rangiora. Two years later he took up his residence permanently in the place, and up to the time of his removal, about a month since, has been a prominent, and earnest supporter of the Church, and ever ready to further its interests. Mrs. Anderson and family have also been to the fore in church work, and they will be much missed, The present, which came from the congregation, and consisted of a purse of sovereigns, was handed to

Mr. Anderson by the Eev. Father Hyland, who referred to the recipients many estimable qualities as a parishioner and friend, and expressed the sincere and general regret felt at the necessity which had arisen for the severance of himself and family from the congregation. *