DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 2, 8 January 1903, Page 19

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.) January 5. The Very Rev. Dean Hoyne, of Hobart, visited Christehuroh during the week. «r ?£ c Yer * Rev - Fa«*er Keogh left on Friday last for the West Coast, and is expected to return to Christchurch again next week. 6 • uHiBu HiB Lordßni P tne Bishop returned from Westland on Saturday night, reporting that no improvement is apparent in the condition of Father Bogue. St. Patrick's Day in again this year likely to be a general holiday. The Canterbury Agricultural Society and Floral Fete Committee have combined to celebrate the occasion with a gigantic display on the grounds of the former, and divide the proceeds for the separate objects. No move has at present been made in the direction of a national entertainment in the evening, although such an event is to be arranged. Owing to the holidays the usual monthly meeting of the Sacred Heart Society was transferred from last Friday to Sunday evening, when the spiritual director, the Rev. Father O'Connell, preaohed at Vespers a fine discourse on that excellent devotion. There was Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from High Mass, and the customary procession in the presence of an unusually large congregation. The Right Rev. Mgr. Mackay came up by the early excursion train on Monday morning last, principally to view the progress made in the new Cathedral, which he had not seen since the foundation Btone was laid, and expressed himself as delighted with what has been accomplished during the interval and the splendid structure so far as it is completed. He returned to Oamaru next day. The annual picnio of the Pro-Oathedral sanotuary boys was held in perfect weather during the week on the beautiful grounds of Mr H. H. Loughnan at Opawa, kindly lent for the occasion, and proved a most enjoyable outing. The party, a fairly large one, were conveyed to the picturesque suburb on the banks of the Heathcote in drags, and on arrival entered into games of various kinds, including a cricket match. The ladies of the Altar Society and a few friends provided ample refreshments and entertained the picnickers. Among those who visited the grounds during the day were the Very Rev. Vicar-General and local clergy, the Very Rev. Father Keogh S.M. (rector of St. Patrick's College), Rev. Fathers McCarthy, CM.', Marnane and Gallais, and the Marist Brothers. The Very Rev. Vioar-General presented the prizes to the successful contestants in" the various events, a return being made to the city in time for the evening devotions. Mr and Mrs Loughnan granted permission for the use of the tennis lawn and other portions of their well-appointed grounds, besides assisting to render the day's outing in every way enjoyable. At the conclusion of the day's festivities hearty cheers were given by the boys for their host and hostess and all who had aided in making the event such a pleasant one. In the Government Inspector's report of the Convent of the Sacred Heart High School, Barbadoes etreet, recently examined, it is recorded that steady and satisfactory pr gress in all the standards, which correspond exactly with the Stata schools, haß been made during the year, and the thorough efficiency hitherto enpha^ised fully maintained, and in the majority of the classes almost a maximum number of points obtained. With comparatively few exceptions, owing to ;ib\sence and other causes of which the teachers (the Sisters of the Misbion) cannot be held responsible, those examined in the respective standards have been advanced a step higher. In his general report the inspector. Mr J. Baldwin, after pointing out in detail the noticeable defects, sums up as follows : — Brush work, one of the subjects of manual instruction, has been introduced into the school and has made a very good start. The character of the work produced at the examination reflects the highest credit on the teaching staff of the school. The behaviour of the children daring the examination was very good. Mrs Baldwin reports the needlework as excellent and the children's behaviour very good. Attached i* a special report on standard seven, the subjects comprised being algebra, arithmetic, Euc'id, English, geography, history, physiology and French. Nine students were presented for examination in theae mbjects, two of whom obtained i) 0 per cent, of marks; three, 80 ; one, 7o ; one, 70 ; one, 65 ; and one 60. The infant classes are receiving very satisfactory instruction, and the school as a whole has passed a very good examination in the Government syllabus and additional subject- 1 . Iv the Pro-Cnthedral (Girls') parish school, also conducted by the Siste s of the Minion, equally good results were recorded, a general advancement being the rule, with the exception of some absentee^, and a few who through irregular attendance f&iL-d to pas^. In the comprehensive report the inspector Pt >tea that the school on the whole has pasard a very satisfactory examination, especially in the lower standards, whilst the infants appear to be receiving suitable inntruction. Mrs Baldwin reports the needlework as excellent, very useful work being shown. The behaviour of the children during the examination was very good.