DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 35, 28 August 1902, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.)

August 25.

His Lordship the Bishop was on a business vißit to Hamner Springs during tbe week, and on Sunday last, accompanied by the Very Rev. Dean Foley, was at Rangiora making an episcopal visitation and administering the Sacrament of Confirmation. Oxford, Kaiapoi, and other parts of the Rangiora parish will be visited in succession.

About 4000 children, those of tender years, were entertained on Friday last in Canterbury Hall in commemoration of the King's Coronation. Bishop Grimes was present on the platform, attended by the Rev. Father O'Connell, and in very appropriate terms addressed the assemblage.

At the local centre examinations in connection with the Asso* ciated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music the returns give the following successes to the local conventß: Olive Mary Bos worth, Mary Guiney, and Olive Wilson, pupils of Our Lady of Missions, Sacred Heart High School, Barbadoesstreet; Gertrude Schmidt and Alice Scott, Sisters of Mercy, Manchester street.

His Lordship Bishop Grimes was one of the selected speakers at the annual meeting of the Children's Aid Society held last week. He expressed himself as deeply interested in the annual report placed before the meeting, and like previous speakers felt the need of the society and realieed the noble work it was carrying out. Such -societies, he said, were a sad necessity, but they were doing admirable work and should be supported. It was deplorable to read in the annual report regarding children who were the victims of vice and misery. He would be exceedingly willing to do all in his power to assist the society. At the ordinary weekly meeting of the Christohurch Catholio Club held on laßt Tuesday evening, Mr J. R. Hay ward, vice-presi-dent, presided. After transacting the routine business the programme, a mock 'Trial by Jury,' was carried out and proved very entertaining, the following members taking part :— Mr R. O. Duncan (judge), Mr M. O'Reilly (the accused), Mr J. Shanley (orown prosecutor), Mr J. Quinlan (counsel for the defence), Messrs M. Finlay, G. J. Farna, and M. Reddington (witnesses for the Crown), Messrs H. M'Oarthy, J. M'Gee, and E. Turkington (witnesses for the defence). All the legal formula was duly carried out, including the empannelling of the jury, the wearing of wigs by 'his honor,' the learned counsel, etc.

In order to raise sufficient funds to pay off the small balance owing on the Addington church, the parishioners organised a social evening for Thursday last in the local Oddfellows' Hall. There was a large attendance, and among those present were the Rev. Fathers McDonnell and O'Oonnell. Refreshments were provided, and among other attractions there was a guessing competition, basket auction, bran tub, eto. An exoellont musical programme was arranged, Miss J. O'Connell and Mr W. Shanley divided the duties of accompanists, and the folio vingoontributed items : — Overture, Geohegan'a Orchestra ; songs, Missis McLiughlin, M. Stewart, A. Archer, K. Goggin, and Messrs J. Hynes D. Mahoney, W. McKay, C. Goggin ; comic songs, Messrs Fruer and R. Maskie ; whistling solo, Mr F. Wolledge ; mandolin solo, Mr J. Shanley ; cornet solo, Mr C. Geoheban; comic duet, Mi-sea Furna and McCarthy ; pianoforta duet, Misses Kelly and Ryan. The third annual meeting of St. Mary's Cricket Club was held on Friday evening last in St. Mary's Sohoolhall, with a fair attendance of members. The report for the past year was favorably commented upon and the balance sheet showed the finances to be in a sound condition. The following were eleoted office-bearers for the ensuing season : — Patron, the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes ; president, Rev. Father Marnane ; vice-presidents, Rev. Father Gallais, Sir Geo-e-e Clifford, Messrs G. T. White, W. F. Roche, W. Hay ward, and G. Hay ward ; club captain, Mr J. R. Hunt ; treasurer, Mr R. MoNamaia; secretary, Mr B. Hart; managing committee, Messrs J. Griffin, W. Hine, J. Ortnandy, W. Shaw, with club captain, treasurer, and secretary ; delegated to Wisden competition, Messrs J. R. Hunt and B. Hart. The subscription was fixed at 5a annually for seniors, and 2a 61 for juniors from 16 to 18 years of age. When oricket is out of season the club is to continue as an association for social enjoyment. The Shamrock football team, composed of junior members of the Ohristchurch Catholic Club, having won the fourth class competition flag, were on last Wednesday evening entertained by the club at a complimentary social, to in ark its appreciation of the team's prowess in the domain of sport. The number of points scored by the team in the competition was — for 232, against 14. Their highest scoring in any one match was 75 to nil against Ghrift College Second, which is a record for the year in New Zealand. The Rev. Father O'Connell presided, there being present also the Rev. Father McDonnell and over 50 members and guests. Musical selections were contributed by Messrs Geohegan's orchestra, gongs by Messrs Evans, Farna, McCarthy, Scott, and Clark, a stepdance by Mr M'Hugh, and a violin solo by Mr T. Geohegan. Mr J. Shanley acted as accompanist. The toast of ' Kindred Societies ' was proposed by Mr M. O'Reilly and responded to by Mr J. Shanley (Hockey Club) and Mr O'Brien (Hibernian Society). Mr G. Dobbs proposed the toast of 'The Ragby Union,' Mr G. Scott (in the absence of the secretary) responding. ' The Shamrock Football Team ' was proposed by the chairman and responded to by the secretary, Mr J. M'Gee. Amcng the pueßts present was Mr E. O'Connor, president of the Society of Sf. Vincent de Paul. Refreshments were handed round, and a thorougb'y enjoyable eveaing was pas6ei.

There in a growing md renewed interest in the scheme of a 'Greater Christuburoh,' an interest which is likely to be subUined. The present occupant of the civic chair is a strong advocate of amalgamating the city and suburbs, a<id at his suggestion a f-eri s of public meetings are to be organised to endt-avor to put the project into efft-ct. There is alrea' y a fedt r .tion of the lo^al governing" bodies to carry ont a system of electric tramways, as the rights of the existing lines cease Electric lighting and an adequate water supply are wants which the people are commencing to r< alise. The latter is especially required for fire prevention and sanitary purposes. The oity does not feel capable of providing these necessaries without the assistance of the populous suburban boroughs. Formerly, with the then system prevailing of selecting Mayors from amon? the councillors, point of seniority bjing deemed the necessary qualification, the city was in a state of municipal stagnation. Latterly, however, we have bean blessed with Mayors selected from among mdepende >t citizens possessing foresight and business capacity to whom the city is indebted for many notable additions and improvements. Specking at the presentation of a testimonial to Mr W. Recce, the ' Jubilee Mayor ' and f rmer bead of the City Council, a few evenings ago, Councillor McDona'd, having in view the inadequate and fast-diminishing water supply, gave a warning note of what would inevitably happen shou d a large fire break out and get a strong hold. Others endorsed his remarks and pointed out that notwithstanding a well equipped and up-to-date system of fire extinction all efforts would bd unavailing without the necessary element.