DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 4, 22 January 1903, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.) January 13 St. Mary's Collegiate High School of the Sisters of Miercy, Colombo street, is announced to re-open on Monday next, the 26th ins>t., after the Christmas -vacation The Retreat of the diocesan clergy concluded alter Mass, which was celebrated at half past seven this (Monday) morning. Subsequently theie was the annual session of the diocesan synod. Tho Yen. Archdeacon Dcvoy, S.M., Provincial, was present in Christchurch during the Retreat of the clergy, and preached on Sunday evening at Vespers in the Pi oCathedral an impressive discourse on the text ' Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice, and all things else will be added unto you.' Owing to municipal entcrpiisc the residents of L/vttelton are to be treated during the summer months to open air music at regular intervals, the two local brass bands: supplying a selection alternately. The co-icerts, which are being given each week on the city rotunda, are the means of attracting many thousands of interested and delighted listeners and are well worthy of imitation elsewhere. The Cheviot district appears to be particularly unfortunate in its treatment by tho elements. On last Saturday afternoon week a hailstorm disastrous in its effects passed over tho settlement. Orchards weie denuded of fruit, crops completely ruined, window glass smashed, and even corrugated iron perforated in an alarming manner. The hailstones, or more correctly lumps of ice, were of an abnormal size, some, it is icported, being four inches in circumference and weighing thirteen to the pound. St. Mary's Cricket Club played a match on Saturday last withi the Papanui Club, whom they defeated by 114 runs, the scores being St. Mary's 87 and 64, Papanui 2,} and 14. The principal scorers in the winning team were Brown 21, Hart 14," Cronin 15, Hunt 16 and 22, MacNamara 14. Hart, Sullivan, and Brown bowled most effectively for St. Mary's, and Ford, McClelland, and Dennett performed best for Papanui. St. Mary s team still leads in the Wisden competition. In a match recently played between the Pro-Cathedral and St. Mary's Clubs' the latter won by 14 runs, the scores being St. Mary's 56, Pro-Cathedral 42. Brown performed

best with bat and ball for the winners. Addressing the Pro-Cathedral congregation after the sermon on Sunday evening his Lordship the Bishop, who is himself far from well, referring in feeling terms to the Rev. Fat bar Bogue now lying in a state of hopeless illness, said that just a year ago the sufferer was among them in Retreat and apparently well. He alluded to the great loss sustained by the diocese in the death of the Rev. Father Malone, one who had greatly aic'ed him (the Bishop) in the work of providing for the erection of the Cathedral, and also to the late vicar-General, the Very Rev. Father Cummings He asked the prayers of his hearers for those mentioned and also for the Rev. Father Ainsworth, of Wellington. Continuing his remarks the Bishop made allusion o the work of the Cathedral, stating that about nineteen thousand pounds sterling had been received in cash and practically expended and a further cum of about nine thousand pounds promised. Tho building was more perhaps than half completed and the operations, financial and otherwise, had now reached a critical stare. He appealed to the priests, who were all assembled m the sanctuary, and peoplo alike to lighten the burden which is ob\iouslv harassing and mailing him positively ill. To add to the worries of the situation be was in danger of losing the almost indispensable services of the Very Rev. Dean Foley, who by his medical adviser was recommended to discontinue the splendid work he (the Dean) had for so long and with such signal success been doing in giving missions and collecting. The news of the Dean's retirement from the wonki had been such a shock as almost to have prostrated him. For the magnificent labors performed, the Very Rev. Dean was well worthy of the highest position in the diocese, srid his Lordship.