DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 47, 23 November 1905, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

November 20

His Lordship the Bishop rctuined to the city during the week, and preached at Vespers in the Cathedral on Sunday. ' If elected, would you be in favor of allowing the children ot Catholic and private schools to compete for the National scholarships '> ' was a question put to a local candidate for Parliamentary honors. ' Now this is a sound question,' he replied, and answered ' Yes, most emphatically,' and continued : ' Any man who, horn conscientious motives, puts his hand deep down in his pocket and pays for his child's education, should be allowed all the privileges enjoyed by those attending the State schools. There should be no distinction.' These sentiments elicited considerable applause. The contract for the main building of the International Exhibition was signed during the week, and the work is being proceeded with with all possible despatch. The time allowed for completion of the structure is eight months trom the signing of the contract. The work should therefore be completed early in July, or nearly four months before the time fixed for the opening of the exhibition. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone will take place on December 18, Canterbury's Anniversary Day. The laying of a railway line into the exhibition grounds is now proceeding rap*, idly, and the course of the next fortnight or three weeks should see railway communication an accomplished fact.

There will be an ordination to the priesthood in the Cathedral on Sunday, December 3, and First Communion of the children, followed by administration, of the Sacrament of Confirmation on Sunday, December 10. As a commentary on the parsimonious policy of the local Charitable Aid Board in declining to hand back even one shilling a week to the aged inmates of the Jubilee Home (an institution under the Board's control) from their old-age it may be noted that for years past the Cathedral Conference of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul have provided the few Catholic inmates with tram fares to enable them to attend Mass on Sundays and holidays of obligation at an approximate yearly cost of £6. Yet the late chairman and members of the Board say that if the concession were made, the old people would -not know how to spend it, and ( point out as a clinching argument that recently two of the number had died, leaving a legacy of £2 and £1 respectively !