UNKNOWN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 188, 22 August 1903, Page 3

UNKNOWN.

His Lordship the B!sh< p oF Auckland arrived in N«w Plymouth by the Ro{oiti on Friday morniog, and was at once driven to the residence of Archdeacon Cole. During the forenoon he met the clergy of the district, and in the afternoon visited the vicarage where he received a large.'ruimbar 'of the parishioners of St. Mary's. He J quite confirmed the good impression he made on the occasion of the short visit he paid to New Plymcmh on his way through to Auckland on bis arrival in tbe colony. His few months, experience of colonial life and episcopal duty appears to have had a raaiked influence upon bim. He has en indescribable charm of manner, and has completely mastered the nece.-siies of the Church in tbe dioces; of which be hss the epiritusl oversight. Immediately after the afternoon reception he paid a visit to the venerable Archdeacon Govef", with whom tie spent & c :uple of hours. THE CHOB3L SERVICE. St. Mary's Church was well filled in the evening, when the annual Choral Festival was held. The choir was a! reprt s ntativa one of the churches in j tbe Archiiiac:>r.ate of Taranaki, and the leivxs commenced with a fprnces- J Bional hymo, the clergy and choir marching from the western to the, eas'ern end of tbe ohurch. There was! a large assemblage of clergy, all but j two of whom wore their hoods. The j Bev. H. R eve carried the Bishop's Crcz'er, the dignifi3d procession having a very s'riking effect. The Prayers were intoned by tbe Rev. H. Reeve,, the first lesson being raad by the Rev. S. W. Young and th second by Arch- . deacon Cole. The singing And re- j dp wee by tbe combined choirs w<.rei rendered very creditably, Bishop Neligan rook for the text of his sermm verse 16, chapter iii., of the Epistle to the Colossians, and at once : arrested 'he attention of the congrega-j tion by bis earnest, elrquent, and forcible enunciation of tbe us> and function j of music in the church and the benefits• to be derived from an anrual union of i choirs. For over half an hour (although it it eeemed but a tithe of tint time) tbe congregation listened with wrapt interest to the pt etcher's impressive address, which should long be imprinted in their memory and baar good fruit. In view of the visit of Bishop Neligan some few improvements have been made in the church. New hangings have been put round the orgin, the choir «3ats have been re-cushioned and a very handsome cirveJ form has been added to the alter table. Tbe funds for tbe wo k were mostly collected by Mrs Freetb, the carving on the table being done by Mr 0. Deacon, Sjuth Road. The body of tbe work is in oi led rimu with kauri panels, the design being three arches, tbe pillars being in tawa with very handsomely carved capitals. On the centre panel is a cross with 1.H.5., and on tha supporting panels the first and last latere of tbe Gre°k alphibet Alpha and Om c gi. Toe edge of the table is a wreath of oak leaves. Tbe while mkes a very complete an ! handsome addition to tbe church furniture.