GREYMOUTH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 35, 1 September 1904, Page 19

GREYMOUTH

(From an occasional dorrespondetit. )

General regret was expressed at the news of the death of Mr. T. Burnes, late of Barrytown. The body of deceased was br v oaight into Greymouth for burial, and the funeral was very largely attended. Deceased, who leaves a widow to mourn her loss, was, prior to his arrival in Victoria forty years ago, in the army, having served in the Crimea and in the Indian Mutiny. The local papers state he was one of the ' thin red line ' at Alma, and that he was in India when General Havelock declared to his troops that ' their labors, their Sufferings, and their privations would never be forgotten by a grateful country.' This promise, to the eternal disgrace of each successive Government, has been m too many cases shamefully disregarded.

The Rev. Father Leen. of Ahaura, is energetically canvassing for funds for building a church at Blackball. The Rev. Father has of late had a very severe time, and in his district (extending from the Blackbta.il, Nelson Creek, Ahaura, on to Maori Creek and Marsden) he has gone through real hardship in terrible weather. But witih thci true spirit of the Irish missionary priest, Vvhose sole 1 noughts are on how he ctn best sorve his Divihe Master, he makes light of troubles and has ever a cheerfml smile and a pleasant word for all.

An ex-patient has hVen giving to* the Bocai press his experiences while an inmate of the hospital. The writer pays a high tribute to the surgical skill of Dr. Morice, the house surgeon, and has inothing but praise for nurshig stiaff, which includes nurses McKendry, O'Donnell, and Barry. The writer alsio specially mentioned the negul&r visits of Rev. Father Herbert, whose kindly interest in the patients is much appreciated. As the time for aocepti/ng tenders for the church tower is near at hand, the Very Rev. Dean Carew is busy collecting the promised subscriptions from his parishioners. Many have expressed their willingness to double their subscriptions if it is needed, but, with the caution begotten of experience, it has been very wisely determined rot to commence operations until the greater part of the required amount is in hand. A working l Bee ' of the members of St. Gol'umbaj's Club, assisted by the Marist Brothers, who are the life and soul of the work, and who practically founded the club, are busy every night lining and finishing off their club room. A spirit such as this augurs well for their future success. Certainly those young men deserve for their disinterested earnestness tihe thanks of the parents of tne parish, who will indirectly reap many benefits from the formation of the club.

The opening of the State Coal Mine here isi not an unmixed biessitig, the Brunner mines, which were largely kepi) gping with Government orders, being practically at a stafrid still. The condition of affairs Inhere is becoming somewhat serious, the miners having received notice that aften next week their services may not be required.