RECEPTION OF BISHOP REDWOOD AT NAPIER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4352, 2 March 1875, Page 2

RECEPTION OF BISHOP REDWOOD AT NAPIER.

(From the Daily Telegraph, February 18.) The Bishop of Wellington, the Eight Rev. Francis Redwood, D.D., landed at Napier last night. The Rangatira had been sighted as early as five p.m., upon notice of which the -Spit was soon crowded. Public interest became centred in the Bella, which was gaily decorated with flags. The Rev. Fathers Reignier and Goutenoire put off in her to receive the Bishop from the Rangatira outside the bar. The Bella was full of passengers on her return, but the Bishop and suite were first to land, which was the signal for three vociferous cheers. Father Forest, who had been many months absent from Napier, and now came with the Bishop, received scarcely a less ovation.- - The procession then started. : The city band, under the leadership of Mi-. Curtice, headed the cavalcade, and a carriage and four greys, with the Bishop and clergy, brought up the rear. The procession was nearly a quarter of a mile long. The church grounds were decorated with flags and Chinese lanterns, which last, in the’ semi-darkness, had a pretty effect. Some little distance from the church a triumphal arch had been erected; and under this the Bishop received the addresses. . His Eordship having exchanged his travelling, costume, for the episcopal robes at the boys’ schoolroom, walked up the hill to the church, with mitre and crozier, the- congregation forming two lines, j On : entering the church, his -Lordship was conducted under a canopy to the altar. The. congregation entered the church as follows The Boys’j School; the Ladies’ School of the ConveuCibe .Parish School, the.Provi--dence School (Maori children chiefly), the-ladies of the-'Altar Sotiety;-'EosaryL Society,-&C. About 200 were uWable.to get inside the. church; Almost all the school-girls and a great number of the ladies of the ,-congregation-were ,in vyhite j muslin dresses, - and . the effect, looking from beside the arch, was ' exceedingly.pretty. The beauty "01 the scene, was greatly heightened by some blue lights which were burnt on each side of the arch as the procession came up the hill.- Hr. Redwood listened, attentively 'as the addresses were read. Mr. Powerman, on behalf of the j Church Committee, read the congregational address, which-was ;as follows :

.: ,My Lord,—The Catholics of Napier beg to give you a sincere and hearty welcome to this .portion of your diocese, and thank you for visiting' us so soon after your arrival in. New Zealand,,. Wo .rejoice greatly that this'diocese is again in,’the'charge of-its own chief pastor, and - still ■ more to welcome in that chief pastor jone to whom we are united by so many ties, not the leasL.of these , being your Lordship’s connection with that society to which’ the whole of 'New Zealand, and this district in particular, owes so much gratitude. Wq trust.your Lordship wiU. long be spared to guide and direct,us, and-assurb ybu that we shall always be found dutiful* and obedient members of your flock. the greatest love:andveneration for our‘Holy Father the-Pope, we earnestly pray Almighty God to grant;him a-speedy triumph over his enemies, and peace and liberty to the Church. We again assure your Lordship of pur profound re* spect, and beg the favor of your Lordship's blessing. '■

The address of the Hibernian Society which was somewhat to the same purpose, besides, of course, having special reference to the Hibernian Society, was read by Mr. J. A. Rearden, its President who, with the other officers, wore the full regalia of their office. i The Bishop: was,feceived'at the church door by Father Goutenoire, and the service commenced with singing and prayers. Hr. Redwood soon entered the pulpit, . and replied briefly and eloquently t© the addresses. He was especially pleased at the address of the Hibernian Society, which society was taldug deep root in. the Australian Colonies, and-he believed it was destined to do a'great deal of good. By complying with its roles, they would become good members of the Church, and, as a consequence, good members of society. This age, his Lordship said, was.the age of association ; if some men associated for evil purposes, , it was the duty of the Church to encourage the association of her children for good purposes,, and‘he wished them every success.’ Xn conclusion, his Lordship exhorted them to be instant in prayer, which was the grand means for bringing about the triumph of the Churchy which would come—it might be in a few years, and might not be for half a century, perhaps later, but prayer was all powerful, and might hasten it. His Lordship then gave the episcopal blessing, “Sit nomen Domine Benedictum," &c. The service was concluded with the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, the children singing “Pilgrims of the night,” as the congregation dispersed. .