DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 3 August 1911, Page 1462

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

, (From our own correspondent.) . > / July 31. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was convened for last Monday evening. After passing sick pay to fifteen members, the meeting was adjourned out of respect to the memory of the late Bro. Edward O'Connor. At the combined meeting of the Arch-Confrater-nity of the Blessed Sacrament in the Cathedral on last Tuesday evening, the Rev. Father Creagh, C.SS.R., addressed both divisions which were very largely represented. He expressed the great pleasure it gave him to have the opportunity of speaking to them, and which was much enhanced in witnessing the remarkably large number now associated in the confraternity. Members of the Marist Brothers' Old Boys’ Association (to the number of 150), school cadets (70), and senior cadets (40) paraded and marched to the half past nine o’clock Mass at the Cathedral, where they approached the Holy Table. The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm. (spiritual director of the association) was celebrant. After Mass the whole company, together with representatives of other Catholic societies, assembled at breakfast in the boys’ school. The following extracts regarding the recent examination of the Marist Brothers’. School are taken from the report of the Inspectors of the North Canterbury Board of Education 4 This school presents substantial courses, and in a considerable portion of the programme the results are very creditable. The pupils are thoroughly interested, and under examination made good use of their opportunities. Responses were for the most part well rendered, and gave evidence that subjects had been intelligently taught. A cadet corps has been established, and military drill and physical exercise form a part of the regular routine. Order, discipline, manners, and behaviour are good. . The members of the staff seem generally anxious for the welfare of the school, while the headmaster, who has recently taken charge, gives evidence of considerable teaching and managing ability. In the upper classes (VI., V., IV.) oral work is mainly good, while the written tests were for the most part satisfactorily attempted. Individual cases of careless work will require attention. The lower classes respond well in oral work but show weakness in written work.’ Death has been startlingly busy in our midst of late. First we had, a few short weeks ago to deplore the demise of the Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, and last week that of, Mr. E. O'Connor, Church secretary of the Cathedral, and Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P. for Christchurch North, and Mayor of the city, all three of whom were on the platform at the recent meeting of the Irish envoys, and apparently in the full enjoyment of health and vigor. Nothing short of consternation was occasioned in the city at the death of Mr. Taylor. He was one of the best-known men in the Dominion, and certainly crowded more strenuous endeavour into a comparatively brief life than any other man in this country. Mr. R. Hazleton, M.P., who became a warm personal friend of the late Mr. Taylor, wired from Wellington, on the eve of the envoys’ departure, the following message of sympathy to Mrs.. Taylor: 4 Shocked beyond expression at tragic news of the death of your distinguished husband. . Feel it as a personal loss. My colleagues join me in offering you our sorrowing sympathy.’ Christchurch has‘never before witnessed any sight approaching that of the funeral of the late Mr. Taylor, on last Sunday afternoon, which demonstrated beyond any possible doubt the intense affection felt for him. He was indeed the idol of the people. His Lordship Bishop Grimes and Catholic community were officially represented at the funeral by the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, S.M. (Provincial), and Very Rev. Father Price, Adm. * In paying a tribute to the memory of the late Mr. T. E. Taylor, M.P., in the Cathedral on Sunday, the Very Rev, Father Price, Adm., said: 4 To-day Christchurch mourns the loss of her chief magistrate. It was his endeavour to fulfil, in the most complete manner he was able, his duty as Mayor of this city, which

caused him to undertake more than his strength could bear, and which no doubt hastened his death. He is no longer head of, the governing body of Christchurch, but he leaves to us a legacy of eminent uprightness, even amongst the upright. We may inquire what was there about him which has caused such widespread mourning, Why is every class and every age affected? Was it the cultivated mind, so well stored with information which has caused regret so universal at his death ? True, his knowledge was extensive, his memory accurate and retentive it was an intellectual treat to converse with him. But not in his remarkable ability do I find sufficient to account for the mourning and sorrow which pervade every household in this city. It was his singleness of purpose and his indomitable courage in fighting for what he believed to be right. He was often against us in politics, on the education question, and on .other subjects, but we never questioned his motives. We always believed that he was doing what he conceived to be his duty. As a good and faithful husband and father he loved his home, and our hearts go out in sympathy to the sorrowing members of a once happy household. A quarterly general meeting of the society of St. Vincent de Paul, under the circumscription of the Particular Council of Christchurch, was held in the meeting room of the Cathedral Conference (south tower of the Cathedral) on last Monday evening, in honor of the feast of St. Vincent de Paul. The Very- Rev. Father Price, Adm. (spiritual director), was present, and representatives of the conferences of the Cathedral, St. Mary’s (Christchurch North), and St. Joseph’s (Lyttelton) Mission to Catholic Seamen. Excellent reports were given by the several presidents of the works of conferences. Especially interesting were the remarks of Bro. IT. Anthony, president of St. Joseph’s Conference, showing a membership of thirteen active brothers. This conference is promoting a bazaar and art union of paintings in aid of the funds for the erection of a meeting and social hall at Lyttelton for the use and benefit of the Mission to Catholic Seamen. The assistance of all members of the society and lady friends was asked for and readily granted, on behalf of the enterprise. With this united effort it is hoped sufficient funds will be acquired to have the hall erected early next year. Reference was made by the president to the loss sustained by the whole Catholic community in the death that morning of Bro. E. O’Connor, who for many years had been a member of the society, filling most of the offices, and for about nine years guiding its destinies as president of the Cathedral conference. The Very Rev. Father Price, Adm. (spiritual director), in addressing the meeting, referred in feeling terms to ■the death of Bro. 0 Connora sad event which would be widely deplored. Eulogising his noble work in the city and his long connection with the affairs of the Church, the Very Rev. Father Price spoke of the edifying death of Bro. O’Connor which showed a manifestation of faith which deeply impressed him (Father Price), and revealed the deceased to have been a lifelong man of prayer. He expressed himself in appreciative terms at the encouraging reports from the various conferences, as given by the several presidents, and the excellent work being done on all sides. He particularly impressed upon members the duty of personal piety, which, more than anything else, would commend our work to the sympathy and good-will of others.