VISITATION OF BISHOP GRIMES TO AHAURA PARISH.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 13 July 1901, Page 4

VISITATION OF BISHOP GRIMES TO AHAURA PARISH.

At 11 o’clock this morning Bishop Grimes was met by the popular pastor of Ahaura, Tlov. Father King, at Nelson Creek, accompanied by a large cavalcade of horsemen and a number of pedestrians. A procession was formed by lady and gentlemen riders from all parts of the district, who were conducted to the church at Ahaura by the Bishop. Mr H. M'Gill, on behalf of the parishioners of the parish, presented the Bishop with tho.following address, which was nicely printed in gold at the Evening Star office ; “ May it please Youit Lordship,— A\ e, your diocesans of Ahaura and surrounding districts, bid you welcome, and give you a most cordial greeting on your coming amongst - us. We are all the more pleased to see you ou the present occasion, as in common with all our flock.

“We but recently experienced great anxiety on learning of the hazardous tourney that your zeal prompted you to make in the interests of the people of South Westland. Our feelings were greatly relieved when wo were authoritatively informed that Your Lordship had survived all perils by sea, but at this inclement season of die year, your perils by land must have been almost equally dangerous. Wo thank God, and our Blessed Lady, that you have surmounted all obstacles, and given to the people of the most remote parts of the dioceses the great privilege and blessings of your personal ministrations ; and now it is our turn to welcome you once more amongst us. . ,

“We cannot boast of great material --prosperity, nor is our number great, but we hope to supply for these deficiencies by the warmth of our greeting and the religious zeal we shall display during Your Lordship’s stay amongst us. “Wo trust that your visit will be productive of much abiding, spiritual good, and that the cause for our Holy religion will make great progress. “We are delighted to learn that a project Your Lordship has deeply at heart, the erection of a cathedral worthy of the dioceses of has not only taken shape, but is within measurable distance of realisation. We have one regret in connection with this matter, that our deeds cannot keep pace with our desires; but, encouraged by our pastor, we hope, if not too outbid, at least to rival the efforts of many more favorable localities.

„ “ That Your Lordship may long enjoy the position you so worthily fill is the sincere wish of the people of Ahaura. and surrounding districts,” Here follow a number of signatures.