DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 49, 7 December 1899, Page 6

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

\ (From our own correspondent.) December 4. The Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, of the Meanee Seminary, and Rev Father Moloney. of St. Patrick's Coll-ge, <ame South la?-t wick tor the Christina* vacation. A number of the btudenU whose homes are here returned ahn. His Lords Lip the Bishop made an episcopal visitation to Rangiora on Tutsd;y la.st, and. during the week, assisted by the Very Rev. Dean X.ley, conducted minion servicts. With the exception of the Hawarden di.-tnot, which is at present being supplied by Rangiora, and the ChatLaine, this is the last paribh to be visited.

The painfully sudden death of Mr. J. Joyce, the late M.H.R. for Lyttelton and a candidate at the present election, created quite a sensation in the district. In alluding to the sad event in St. Joseph's Church on Sunday, the Rev. Father Salvador said that the death of Mr. Joyce was nothing less than a public calamity. It was not, he said, until after death that the good done by suoh men was really appreciated.

A visit to Mr. E. O'Connor's Catholic book depot, Barbadoes street, forcibly reminds one of the near approach of the festive season, and the annually recurring school prize distribution. The visitor sees on all sides a truly amazing- array of objects of art and devotion, and certainly one of the finest collections of Catholic literature to be found in New Zealand, all the big- publishing houses, including Burns and Oates, James Duffy and Sons, Gill and Co., etc., being placed under tribute. Apart from the fact that Mr. O'Connor has placed within easy reach of all a complete and varied collection of necessary artioles. he is deserving of support for the very good reason that he is foremost in every work in connection with the Church.

The Very Rev. Vicar-General, in addressing the Pro-Cathedral congregation on Sunday, stated that the Minister of Education had officially appointed Mr. Baldwin, head master of the Sydenham Public School, and at one time an Inspector under the Education Board, Inspector of Catholic schools for the diocese of Christchurch, and had also empowered him to issue pass certificates on behalf of the Department. The schools of the Sisters of the Mission, Barbadoes street, and Sisters of Mercy, Colombo street, have already been examined, but the Inspector's report (copies of which I have been promised) are not yet available. In regard to this new departure the Very Rev. Father Le Menant des Chesnais said one of their greatest difficulties had been so far removed, and urged parents to observe the utmost regularity in the attendance of their children at the Catholic schools, which now eajoyeJ. privileges on equal terms with the Board schools.