DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 7, 12 February 1903, Page 19

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent). February 9. Tenders are being invited for the erection of a new convent, in brick, at Darfield, for the Sisters of Mercy. The Rev. Father Ainsworth, S.M., Newtown, Wellington, is at present at the Hanmer Springs. Miss Katie Young, organist of St. Mary's, Manchester street, has been appointed pianiste of the Christchurch Musical Union There arc, it is said, a considerable number of Catholics amongst the ships' companies of the Australasian squadron, and it is suggested that an effort should be made to entertian them on their visit to some of our chief centres. The attendance at the first Friday of the month meetings of the Sacred Heart Society in the Pro-Cathe-dral is noticeably increasing and the congregation singing introduced on these occasions heartily and devotionally taken part in. The Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais, S.M., V.G., returned during the week from his visit to the south, and at Vespers on Sunday evening preached in the Pro-Cathedral an impressive discourse on the parable of the laborers in the vineyard from the day's Gospel. At a special meeting at the presbytery on Sunday afternoon of the ladies St. Patrick's Day celebration committee and others desirous of assisting, the attendance was very satisfactory, and much enthusiasm manifested. Mra. Stratz was elected president, and Miss Murrpv secretary, and all present expressed their willingness to assist in making the event a success. Addressing the Pro-Cathedral congregation on Sunday the Very Rev. Dean Foley remanded his hearers that the day was the second anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of the new cathedral by his Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne. Under favorable circumstances, continued the Dean, by the time the next anniversary arrived the great edifice would be roofed in. Following on the Millers' Trust, another important combine is just reported to have been brought about, and embraces the engineering and agricultural implement industry in this city and various branches established elsewhere. The primary object of the latest combine is to fight the American importations of farming implements, and, if possible, seek a measure of protection from Parliament. The five largest firms of the city are comprised in the new trust. At a poll taken last week the borough of Sydenham decided by a majority of two to one in favor of the principle of a Greater Christchurch, and to sink its own identity by amalgamating with the city. Thus the inauguration of a municipality will soon be witnessed embracing the wide area co\ered by the city within the belts, St Albans, Linwood. and Sydenham, and controlled by a central council This probably is the greatest municipal achievement ever accomplished in the Colony ; or even attempted The St. Patrick's Day celebration committee met on last Friday e\oning. Mr W. Hobnn presided. The Very Rev Dean Foley attended and Rave paiticulars of the work outlined by the ladies committee at their iccent meeting The Rev Father Richards (Lincoln) was added to the concert committee Besides his Lordship the Bishop (president) and Sir George Clifford (Mce-pivsi-dent) ot the celebration, se\eial prominent gentlemen wrote extending their patronage The names of all pations will be gnen publicity to when ihe list 'S complete It was decided to invite the ladies' committee to aiund a geneial meeting a foit night hence Appropnate to the lecent commencement of another scholastic \ear preaching at the High Mass on Sunday last m the Pro-Cathedral the lle\. Father O'Connell selected as the theme of his discourse the ' Training of the young.' ITe attributed, and lightly so, much of tbe want of success in matters educational to parental neglect The lack of home influence was cleat ly discernible ninong many young people after ]ea\ ing school, wludi inoMtably led' up to that incidence- and disregaid lor authontv so abundantly manifest. In vigorous terms he defended the system of education imparted in Catholic schools, the results clearly piovinp c\ cry where that where instances of indn idual failure occurred at examinations the fault lay with the patents in not insisting on the regular attendance of the children, and aiding by precept and example and the influences of a truly Cniistian home the teachers in their aiduous duties It was a lamentable fact, he said, that much of the good done during school hours was undone after hours by the freedom allowed and half-hem ted contiol exercised over the children by their parents Any pet son ol average intelligence couid prove by leforence to the inspectors' examination reports (always available) that the education imparted was up to rcquiiements and the teacheis competent, but many persons were wont to blame everyone but themsel\es in the matteis dwelt upon.

On page 20 of this issue be found a list of Catholic publications which arc offered at very low prices by Mr W P Linehan, wholesale and retail bookseller, Melbourne, and agent for the Catholic liuth Society of Ureland. These books deal with sunjects of immediate interest to all Catholics The list consists of religious, historical, liturgical, and hiagraphical series, t-iles etc and covers a very farge field, providing reading of a healthy character suited to all tastes and ages Copies of the Tablet for January 9, 1902, are wnr.ted at this office...