DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 33, 14 August 1902, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own^oorrespondent.)

August 11.

The Pro-Cathedral Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul met on Wednesday evening last for the election of officers for the ensuing year. All those who held office last year were reappointed with the exception of the secretary, a position to which Bro. W. 8. Malaquin wa-. elected in place of Bro W. Fox, retired. The ladies' association in connection with the Society are to meet next Sunday afternoon in the prebbytery for the election of new members and officers.

At the Monastery of the Sacred Heart, Barbadoes Btreet, on Wednesday last, bis Lordship the Bishop celebrated Mass at 7. 80 a.m. and at three o'clock in the afternoon received into the Order of Our Lady of Missions and invested in the black habit five novices who had fulfilled their term of probation. Tho Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais. V.G., Very ftev. Dean Foley, and Rev. Fathers McDonnell and O'Oonnell were among those present. The Coronation celebrations may be said to have commenced in this city on Friday, when 7000 children attending the various town and suburban schools (including tho Catholic echools) were entertained in the Canterbury Hall and each presented with a souvenir. Those chosen to address tho children en the occa-ion were the Mayot and the Catholic and Anglican Bishops. Win Lordship Bishop Grimee, who was loudly cheered ou rising to speak, Baid that they were like the chest n of God, of whom they read in Scripture. As chosen children of a part of the Bririuh Empire, they were gathered in thousand* to rtjoice with millions of loyal and devoted subjects throughout the world. They were there to give vent to their feelings of gratitude and delight. The nation had gone through a trying ordeal, and was now calmly hopeful for a bright and prosperous future. At this time he would remind them of the need for prayer to God, They munt humbly beg Him, 'by Whom kings reign and law-giv^rs decree just things,' to pour down His greatest blessings on their Majesties that their reign might be long, peaceful, happy, and glorious.

What was in reality the first official act performed by his Worship the Mayor in regard to the Coronation was the placing in position on the facade of the Cathedral one of the massive fluted pillars in commemoration of the event. The ceremony was commenced punctually at 10 o'clock, at which time a large crowd of interested sight-seers had gathered on the site. Music was provided by Derry's private brass band. The New Zealand ensign floating in the breeze from the highest pinnacle of the elevated hoisting crane. On a raised platform were grouped the Mayor and Mrs. Wigram, Bishop Grimes. Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, V.G., Dean Foley, Rev. Fathers Hyland, Marnane, Cooney, McDonnell, and O'Conneli, members of the executive committee a representative of the contractors, the clerk of works, a few workmen and others. Bishop Grimes gave a brief address. He explained the object of the gathering, expressed sorrow at the illness of the King, but rejoiced at the fact that his Majesty would now be orowned in the great Cathedral erected by our ancestors centuries ago. The Mayor and his gentle consort had attended that day to plaoe in position the shaft of one of many columns in the new Cathedral, which, when completed, would compare in height with the highest of the buildings fronting High street. Briefly deeoribing the Cathedral, he said that elaborate precautions had been taken to cope with anything in the nature of a panic. The Mayor, some time ago, had marvelled at what the Catholic people had done in regard to the work connected with churches, schools,

convents and charitable institutions. There was onlj odo ex* planation, and that was the spirit which animated the people whose generosity led them to make many great sacrifices He stated that the contract price for the building would be £40 000, that, when a start was made, there was in hand about £10 000 and S?r nn!? C V- hh T n *¥?? had beea «**iv«l in cash and promises £2b,000. His Lordship gave a few illustrations of the remarkable sacrifices made by members of the church for the sake of the new building. He said that two gentlemen, when the work was commenced, gave a donation of a thousand guineas each, representing the earmnga of a life-long labour. Some of the Bishop's illustrations ha.i a rather humorous side. A short time ago, when he maufirnratpo 1 a new Bcheuie of collection, two gentlemen went to him and eaid :— ' We do not drink much, but do a good deal of PhfHirmer 1 We will neither drink nor " shout," and the money hitherto tpent in that direction will be given to the weekly collection.' Another gentle.-nan, who did not drink or ' ehout,'relinqimhed a luxury in the shape of a pipe, in which he had indulged. Ladies had foregone new bonnets, and new suits of clothes, to assist the movement, and one gentleman who had given a generous donation had said that had he been in Christchurch when the work was started, he would have mortgaged his land to help to raise the contract price from £40,000 to £50,000, or £60 000 He heartily thanked the Mayor and Mrs. Wigram for attending The Mayor said that those who had the privilege of visiting the cities of Europe would realiee the influence exercised by old temples on the people. That was due not only to a wealth of outward architecture, but to the associations. In this Colony, young as it was, there were good traditions in respect to the early pioneers who came to conquer the wilderness here. That stage of the Colo y'a history had been passed, and the people were now building great citi< s and doing all that could be done to push forward another period. When New Zealand became Old Zealand it would be recognised more than ever that those who came here in the beginning had brought with them some of the gentle culture and art of the Old Country. He heartily congratulated Bishop Grimes on the figures he had used to show what had been done by members of his Church in respect to the work of the Cathedral. They were very marvellous figures, considering that they applied to a small community. His Lordship had great reason to be proud of the result. He deolared the Coronation columns to be well and truly laid. J

The Mayor laid the shaft of the column on the left hand side> next the door, Mrs Wigram that on the right, and Bishop Grimes the second on the right.

Later on his Lordship planted a Cathedral Coronation oak in the ground in front of the library, saying he hoped that future generations would find under its spreading branches shade and shelter.

The services in the Pio-Oathedral on Sunday were of a most impressive nature. Special re ference to the Coronation was made at tbe earlier Masses. At 11 o'clock there was Pontifical High Maps to implore the Divine blowing on the new reign. His Lordship the Biahop was celebrant, the Very Rev. Vicar-General assistant pridnt. Vciy R. v. Dean Foliy deacon, Rev. Father OT'onnell eubdeacn, and Rev. Father McDonnell master of oeretuonics. The Bishop preached and also read the • King's menage bi his people,' and in laudatory terms emphasised the truly Christian nature of the Monarch's words which he said breathed the true Catholic spirit. The rressage, continued the Bishop, was full of prayer, gratitude, and recognition of a power infinitely greater than any earthly sovereign. The musio of the Ma»s was Gounod's ' Mea*e Soleni elk-.' Mr H. H. Loughnan conducted and Miss Funston was at the organ. The soloists were Mieses Bowler and Biyaut, Messrs Schwartz .and Beveridge. At the offertory Gounod's 'Aye Verum ' v\an nung and at the conclusion of the Mass Wtbbe'a ' Domine Salvam . fac' There were Solemn Vespers in the evening, at which the Bishop preached on ' Crowning of kings in olden and modern times,' basing his remarks on the text, 'Fear God, honor the king.' During the course of his sermon he, with considerable warmth, refuted the oft* repeated fallacy of disloyalty on the part of the Irish people, and quoted numerous notable instances where they had conclusively proved that their loyalry to the tLrono was second to none. If opposition to iniquitous lawß and tyrannical government could be termed disloyalty, then certainly they were so ; but what part of the British domiuions would be otherwise under such unwise and unjust treatment. To the Crown of Great Britain they were and had always been the most loyal of all subjects. The Bishop also paid an eloquent tribute to the greatest of all leaders of the Irish nation, the illustrious Daniel O'Cornell. After Vespers a trio was Rung by Migss Bowler, Bryant, a> d McGill. At Benediction of the Blest ed Sacrament the Bishop officiated, the assistant priests being the Very Rev. Vicar-Gen, ral and Very Rev. Dean Foley. The 'Te Deum' was sung in thanksgiving for the King's restoration to health. Messrs Schwartz and Beveiidge gave a splendid rendering of Rossini's ' Tanturn Ergo,' the accompaniment being brilliantly played by Mjbs Funston; and as a recessional the 'Hallelujah Chorus,' from the ' Messiah,' was played by the organist.

A bazaar to liquidate the debt remaining: on the Hornby Church (St. Michael's), the foundation stone of which was laid about three years ago by Archbishop Redwood, was opened in the Midland Company's salerooms on Tuesday last, and continued on the following days. A very attractive programme of musical and other items was given each evening-, and excellent business was done at the ■various stalls. There is little doubt that when the net results are known the existing liabilities, about £40, will have been paid off. There was a large gathering at the close of the bazaar, including the Rev. Fathers Marnane and McDonnell. Among those who have been prominent in the undertaking were Mrs E. Mullins (hon. ccc.), Mrs Cahill, the Misses Poff, Coutts, Roden, and Mr M. Ryan.

Mr Frank McLean, son of Mrs McLean, formerly, and for a number of years housekeeper at the Presbytery, Barbadoes street, is now second engineer of the new steamer ' Beira,' and is visiting Ohrietohnrch. He served hiß apprenticeship with Messrs John Anderson and son of the Canterbury foundry.

Corporal-dispenser W. J. Burke, son of Mr P. Burke, of Christohurch, who went to South Africa as a member of the bearer oorps with the eighth contingent has juat returned home.

The Very Rev. Dean Foley returned during the week after a sojourn of two months at Akaroa. Whilst in oharge there, he visited all the outlying settlements of the Peninsula and collected a considerable sum towards the Cathedral building fund, and established the weekly -contribution scheme. On behalf of his Lordship the Biahop he installed the Her. Dr. Kennedy in charge of the district, and departed with the best wishes and appreciation of the people for his efforts during his stay in the parish.