OPENING OF THE CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 490, 1 November 1881, Page 2

OPENING OF THE CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL.

[by telegraph.] [from our own correspondent.] The Christchurch Cathedral was opened to-day with eclat, and the city is in a great state of excitement. Nearly all the places of business were closed in honor of the event. His Excellency the Governor had fully intended being present, but was prevented by State affairs from keeping his promise. Long before the hour fixed for the ceremony—eleven o’clock—an enormous crowd had assembled outside the Cathedral, which very shortly after the doors had been thrown open, was literally crammed. Seatage accommodation had only been provided for 900, and 2,000 people were unable to obtain admission to the building at all. At eleven o’clock about forty attending bishops and clergy, headed by the Primate bearing his crozier, walked in procession around the building to the western doorway, and thence into the Cathedral. The ceremony of consecration then commenced, and was of the most impressive character. A special service had been prepared, and the hymns with which it was interspersed were beautifully rendered by the highly-efficient choir. The lessons I for the day were read by Archdeacon Harper and the Dean of Christchurch. The Primate preached an appropriate sermon, which was listened to with the profoundest attention by the large congregalion. The service lasted about three hours. The weather has been lovely all day, and the town has quite the appearj ance it wears on a great bank holiday.