GISBORNE

New Zealand Tablet, 13 February 1919, Page 37

GISBORNE

> February 3. An interesting memoir of the early day 6 of the Church in Poverty Bay was recently unearthed by some carpenters when re-laying the foundation of St. Mary's Church, Gisborne (writes an esteemed correspondent). Under one of the blocks was found a bottle which contained a memorandum of the foundation ceremony, bearing the following inscription: —- "On the 14th of November, 1878, we, the undersigned, Francis Redwood, Bishop of Wellington, being delegated by Right Rev. Dr. Moran, Bishop of Dunedin and Administrator of the Diocese of Auckland, sede vacante, have, in the presence of a large congregation, truly laid the first stone of this church at Gisborne, to be erected in honor of the Blessed Virgin, under the title, Star of the Sea, Leo XIII. being Pope, Victoria Queen, and Normanby Governor of New Zealand. »5< Francis, Bishop of Wellington, Stephen Chastagnon, Rector of Gisborne."

The Catholics of Gisborne decided to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone of their church in a very practical manner by effecting necessary additions and alterations to their church property. Accordingly, during the past few months a new stained-glass window has been placed over the high altar, the church has been enlarged, and painted inside and outside; the convent, school, and presbytery have been painted; two music rooms erected at the convent; the organ gallery enlarged; new outbuildings erected at the presbytery ; the school grounds asphalted, and last, but not least, a new pipe organ has been installed in St. Mary’s Choir loft. All these improvements cost approximately £9OO. A strong committee was formed for the purpose*of raising the necessary funds. Circulars were sent to all the parishioners, and the response was so generous that, so far, over £BOO has been subscribed. Special services were held on Sunday, January 26, in connection with the opening of the new organ. The formal opening took place at the 10 o’clock Mass, and was performed by the Rev. W. J. Schaeffer, S.M., of St. Patrick’s College, Wellington, who came to Gisborne specially for the function. The opening numbers were the “Prelude and Fugue,in D Minor” (Bach) and “A “Meditation” (Evry), which were beautifully rendered by the accomplished musician. In the course of his remarks at the 10 o’clock Mass, Father Lane specially thanked Father Schaeffer for his kindness in coming from Wellington to perform the opening ceremony and for his valuable advice and assistance in the selection of the instrument. He also thanked the members of the congregation for their very generous response to the appeal for funds. The occasional sermon, on music, was preached by Father Schaeffer at the evening devotions, and was really a masterpiece. He also played two selected items on the organ. The crowded congregation did not know which to admire the more, the sermon or the musiceach was beautiful. The organ, which was erected by Mr. A. A. Hobday, of Wellington, has a double keyboard; the tone is excellent and suits the building. Its construction reflects credit on the builder. At the opening ceremony St. Mary’s Choir, conducted 4>y Mr. John Vita, rendered Von Brae’s No. 1 Mass very effectively. After evening devotions, the members of the choir were entertained at the presbytery, when Miss N eill was pre-

sented with a valuable piece of silver by Father Lane in recognition of her services to the choir ,as organist, and Mr. John Vita with a handsome silver-mounted baton, the presentation being made by Father Schaeffer in an appropriate speech., . ."v St. Mary’s School re-opened this (Monday) morning, after three months’ holiday. The attendance for an opening day was very satisfactory. ' • Father Van Peek, a.. Mill Hill Father, who has been appointed in charge of the East Coast districts, extending from Pakarae, Poverty Bay, to Omaio, Bay of Plenty, took charge of his extensive parish on the Ist of December. He has made Tolago Bay his headquarters, and his parishioners are at present engaged in furnishing his presbytery.