DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 16, 17 April 1902, Page 6

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

fFrom our own correspondent.)

April 14

The many friends of Dr. Morkane in Christchurch have heard with pleasure of his appointment as Resident Me iical Superintendent of the Ross Hospital, Wet-tland.

At the et.o r mous puLLo meeting htH in Canterbury H)I1 'a fc week to make a prtsenta'ion to the Prerr.ier, the < 'athol'c bo iy was represented by his Lordship the Right Rev Dr. Grimes His Lordship had been a member of the committte since its inception.

A movement is being vigorously promoted to arrange a testimonial to E^-Inspe^tor Pender on his retirement from service. Press and publ'c are unanimous in extolling the splendid work done by him whilst in charge of the Canterbury dis'ri' t, and his deep concern in tho intere>ts of charity and humanity. At a public meeting held la^t week an tX' cutivec mimittee wasappo'nted, which is both representative and influential, to carry out proposals which were then submitted and agreed to.

A numerously attended muting was held in the boy.-*' '-cl.oolroom on last Thursday evening to endeavor to put into effect the scheme outlined by his Lordbhip tie Bishop in a recent pastoral with reference to the building fund of the new Cathedral. His Lords-hip the Right Rev. I t Grirnep pres ded, and there were also present the Very Rev. Falhpr Le Mennnt des Cbesnais, V.G , Very Rev. Doan F.'ley, and Rev. Father Galerne. Mr. E. O'Connor acted as secretary. In his opening remarks the Bifchop expresped his pleasure at the gnod attendance. und especially at seeing so many ladies present, thus showing tht-ir deep interest in the great wok row going on in their midst, the nature of which they, f>s well as himself arid all concerned, h.id every reason to be delighted with, every possible satisfaction being given'by the contractors. The scheme suggested, if promptly and vigorously acted upon, and the effort sustained throughout the duration of the contract time, would ensure a constant stream being directed to the fund, remove much cauee for anxiety, and prevent at any stage a cessation of operations. His Lordship here read the following paragraph from his Lenten Pastoral in which the proposal was outlined : — 'The Cathol.c population of our diocese is two and twenty thousand all told. Now, if half that number, or say ten thousand only, including men, women, and young pf ople earning wages put by sixpence per week, or two shillings per month for the Cathedral fund, we should h^ve within the required time — viz., two years — all that is necessary to complete the noble pile which could be presentel to the M>st Uieh unfettered and untrammelled without the least debt the very day of its dedication. With their usual good-will on the pirtof our zealous p iests, religfous and faithful laity, this scheme might be most workable without too greatly interfering with any of the most pressing local wants in the diocese. The parish priest or his devoted assistant, when he has the advantage of such an assistant, might form a committee in each district, and choose some of the more active parishioners who, for the Bake of the noble cause, would collect or receive the several amounts every *week, month, or quarter, and hand them over at epeoified times to be sent to us, to Dean Foley, or the Vicar-General by whom the amounts would be duly acknowledged, and the names and donations might be affixed to the church door in every parish, quarterly or so.'

To put the proposed scheme into effect a resolution was unanimously adopted, and the Very Rev. Dean Foley, who had mapped out the city and suburbs into convenient areas, defined the various boundaries, after which all present, having previously been formed into a general committee, determined to aid by every means in their power the carrying out of the scheme. A number of collecting books were distributed, each area having a head collector and several assistants. It was resolved that the committee meet monthly, when subscriptions would be handed in.