CHRISTCHURCH NEW CATHEDRAL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 16, 21 April 1904, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH NEW CATHEDRAL

INTERESTING LETTER FROM THE BISHOP

We are in receipt of the following interesting communication from his Lordship Bistoop G-rim.es :— Bishop's House, Christctturch, April 17, 1904. Editor, • N.Z. Tablet.' Deaf Rev. Sir, Will you kindly allow me, through the medium of your valuable journal, to say a few words which, I trust, will be of deep interest to many of its readers. The Oatholic Cathedral now in course of construction in the city of ChristchUrch was begun thjree years ago ilast Febfuary. We are assured by the contractors that we may rely on its being completed and ready to be opened soon after the coming Christmas, unless we are compelled to stop the works— a calamity which may God avert ! Even in its unfinished state, the noble and majestic building is the admiration of all who beholld it. Competent authorities have declared it their conviction that our new Cathedral, when finished, will be one of the richest and handsomest buildings in the southern hemisphere. Its is estimated to cost £48,000. This amount isj apportioned in the following manner : — Removal of the Pro-Cathedral, preparing of the site, printing, advertising, bank charges,, interest, etc., about £2000 ; metal for the ceilings, the flanking towers, and dome, £3000 ; fees for the architect and the clerk of the works, another £3000. In cash amd promises we have already received the munificent sum of over £32,000 — in cash over £24,000. We hope to receive, in the very near future, the balance of the promises, amounting to a sum of between seiven and eight thousand pounds. Up to the present date we have expended between £28,000 and £29,000, for which purpose we were ojbliged to borrow £5000. Trfe~ contractors have already received well nigh £24,000, the architect and tihe clerk of the works, £2080 18s. A sum of £1000 will be due almost immediately for the first instalment of the metal or/dered for the ceilings and the roofing, whilst the contractors' certificates come in monthly. To stop work at this critical stage would not alone be disastrousit wojulid be nothing short of a real catastrophe. Most earnestly then do we appeal to dux friends to come to the rescue and help us to avert sto serious a calamity. For this we implore those who ha,ve not yet fulfilled their solemn promises, to do so at once, and we begj all who have at heart the greater glory of God, who love the beauty of His House and the honor of our holy religion, to give a donation towards this noble work, even though they may have already contributed. Qur Holy Father the Pope has graciously promised a special blessing to all those Who contribute, and every week Masses are offered up for the benefactors, living or <dea,d. Realising the gra)vity of the position, and eager to prevent what would be nothing less than a grave scandal, some, within the last few days, have come forward with their long-promised subscriptions. Amongst these are P. Henley Esq., of New Headfond, who has just sent a cheque for £200, bringing up his subscription to the amount of £1000. Whilst offering- -theim thefexpression of our heartfelt thanks, we venture to hope that othera may follow their generous example, with a fervent prayer that our dear Uord will bless and spare

them and others to do even more for God's greater glory and the good of their immortal souls. Thanking you, in anticipation, for yojir kindness in affording me the hospitality of your columns, I remain, dear Rev. Sir, yours faithfully in Christ, *b J- J. GRIMES, S.M., Bishop of Christchurch.