CATHOLIC CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1734, 5 July 1917, Page 2

CATHOLIC CHURCH.

GROUND IMPROVEMENTS. Although the Rev. Pother Corley lias only been in the district a few weeks he has already inaugurated an improvement and beautifying campaign in connection with the church and convent grounds. Father Corley is a native of Belgium, but lived for many years in the United States of America, and yesterday, •Inly 4lh, being American Independence Day, lie celebrated the occasion by launching his scheme for the beautifying and improvement of the . grounds. From an vary hour in the morning, and throughout the whole day, a large hand of volunteers was hard at work, scooping and levelling down the hill in the section Cook and Johnston Streets, no than lifteen draught horses being hr use. It is Father Corley's intention ■o form a plateau with terraces b,n both sides, and for the lop dressing' of same he is getting soil from the Aloutoa district, the first loads of same being brought to the ground yc.-iserday. Working bees will he on (he ground every Saturday afternoon, and if the work in tin; future is carried out as well as was done yesterday. Working bees will he loiig before Ihe surroundings will present a very different appearance to llm! of a few days ago. The children were not forgotten, a large number of bright-faced lilile ones spending a very enjoyable day. Lollies, cakes, buns, ole., there were in plenty, and also crackers, dmible-bangei s. and lireworks of all descripl ions. During the al'lermem. in iVonr of the Presbytery, where llie lings of the United States and Belgium ami the New Zealand Fiisjgn were hoisted, the little ones aaliiercd lug;; ! her |o make a preaiilalion to Father Corley, Miss nary Gupwell, on behalf of the/ school children, read the f« llowing address, ami handed Fa 1 her Corle\> a haiid-paiiued picture—a dig with 1 *" a red cross band, above which was ihe “Stars and Stripes of America" and llm inscription, “Count on .Me," ** "i! Bunling was a large re pro‘liK'lnm cd' I lie cover page of the day number of American “Life"; — “As a token of our appreciation of all you are doing for us, we. the school children, on (his your adopted eounlry’s national holiday— the lii'sl you have celebrated :,n New Zealand—beg you to accept this lit'h 1 gift. We nisi that. God will pless and guard Belgium, your brave and noble homeland." The roeipienl. in returning thanks for the gift, 1 el erred lo the three flag’s they were 'binding under at (he time. The “Stars and Slripes" was /'outing I rom a high pole and towered above Ihe other flags that were one* on each side, as a giant of the forest does amongst (he saplings. It behooves (Inis indeed because ibis was lor ;m American on America day. I'alher Corley said; Fellow citizens, the westerlies are ominous to-day. I hey tally expand the three glorious Hags and make (hem duller towards ihe etisl, I lie horizon of dawn and of Impt* pregnant with aeeompilshments. The Hag of Belgium—I hat heroic Jiflle Belgian naliou that saved Mnrope and the world to iisation againsl barbarism, Kaiserism and Prussian militarism, hv holding np the hordes of German? • luring the first three weeks of (lie war. .1 lit* world wondered how a small place like Belgium could hold hack the hordes of Germany, hue it should he remembered that in his “Commentaries on (he Gallic Wars," Julius Caesar, in 55 8.C., wrote: “Gallonim omnium forlissimi sunt Belgae"—The Belgians tire (he bravest amongst all the Gallic tribes.

Hi' was proud lo he a unlive of Belgium. “Tin' S(iti's and Stripes of; America,” the Hag of his adopted country, who h;id now entered the Wiir with heart and soul in the infuresis of Jmuumily find who would see it (o a finish. Tie was proud lo have America as his adopted eounl ry. The dug of New Zealand, / which stands for Iho great Brilislt faupire, upoii which the sun never sols, and winch at the call of Kill" 1 ,Albert threw itself incontinently into the arena lo espouse the cause of deal' little Belgium. lie was proud to live under this (lag, He agiiin thanked the children for their gifl. In Ihe evenmg there was a lavish fireworks display, and the many people who had been working during the day gathered at a banquet which was given by Bather Corley. The traditional turkey made up the principal fare. Catholics and nonfat holies were gathered there, and Catholic and non-Catholie ladies had volunteered to prepare the dinner, and to serve same. It was a brotherly feast, ami so genuine and democratic. Working bees will he on the grounds every week, (here being no dearth of volunteers, as they are entering into it as a “labour of love."