OPENING OF THE CATHEDRAL.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2365, 1 November 1881, Page 3

OPENING OF THE CATHEDRAL.

The ceremony of tho consecration and formal opening for divine worship of the Cathedral took place to-'-'.ay, and was very largely attended, every part of the buildiDg being crowded to excess. Indeed, a large number of the public were unable to obtain admittance at all.

The ceremony commenced shortly after eleven a.m. by a prooeeeion of the Dean and Chapter, choir, &0., to the west door. On arriving there the procession opened out, and took up a station on both sides of the centra aisle. The Very Rev. the Dean presented a petition to the Bishop, praying that the Cathedral might be consecrated, which was read by the Registrar of the Diocese, the Rev. F. Knowlee. The Primate, the Bishops of Wellington, Nelson, Dunedio and Waiapu then headed the procession, and in front of them was borne the crosier presented to tho Primate. The Dean and Chapter, clergy, choir, and band of brass instruments followed. As the precession advanced up the centre of the Cathedral, Psalm xxiv. was recited. On reselling the west door again the procession returned towards the ohancel steps, singing as a processional hymn 239. The Vory Rev. the Dean then presented the deed of dedication to the Primate, who then proceeded with tho special services as arranged. After several special prayers had beensaid by the Primate,the Hon. H. B. Gresson, the ohancellor of the diocese, road the deed of consecration, signed by tho Primate. After a hymn, " Who are these lite stars appearing," the ordinary fully ohoral morning service was rendered by tho Rev. W. H. Elton, preoentor to the Cathedral. The Venite and proper Psalmß for the day were sung by the choir of the Cathodral, assisted by the choirs of other ohurohes, under the direction of Mr Wells, organist to the Cathedral, Mr Neville Barnett, F. CO., orgaDist of St. Luke's, presiding at the organ. The first lesson was read by Arohdeacon Harper, and was taken from 1 Kings viii., v 22—62. The Becond lesson was read by the Very Rev. tho Dean, and was taken from Hebrews x, v 19—26 .The Epistle was road ty tho Bishop of Nelson, and the Gospel by the Primate. The latter then delivered a very eloquent sermon, taking for his text Ps. Ixxxiv, verse 2. A fully choral communion service followed, and the ceremony, so far as the morning service was conoerned, concluded. An evening servico, also fully choral, will take place at 7.30. The Bishop of Nelson will preach a sermon on the subject of ' The Interest of the whole Church in the Welfare and Progress of every part."