DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 21, 12 June 1902, Page 5

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.)

June 9fch. Mr. John Barrett of Kirwee. is announced as a candidate for the Rclwyn Electorate at the forthcoming gene-al election The Choral Hall has been engaged for Thurnday, July 3rd, when an original drawing-room entertainment is to be given in aid of the school funds of the Pro-Cathe ii\il pirish. Feeling reference was made in the chunhes on Sunday to the pad accident which caus-d the death of Mrs Ain^-worth at Greymouth. Kincero«t sympathy is extended to the Rev. Father Ainaworth and the bereaved relative The qu irterly conference of the clergy of North Canterbury was held on Tuesday last at the Lyttelton Presbytery, His L irdship the Bishop presided, and there were 13 priests present. Kihhop Grimeß directtd the clergy to have a 1c Jh'inn sung on the Sunday following as an act of thanksgiving for the declaration of peace. The second monthly meeting of the Pro-Cathedral collectors in connection with the lately organised sixpence a week subscription in aid of the new Cathedral building fund was held on Thursday evening last, his Lordship the Bishop presiding. Upwards of £33 was handed in as representing the past four weeks' operations, a result deemed highly satisfactory, as these sums are entirely new donations and quite apart from the promises made at any previous time, which promises are expected to be redeemed when opportunity offers. The Coronation Carnival recently held realised a net profit of £500, a result deemed highly satiwfatory in view of the number of counter attractions. The Rector of tit. Mary's, Rev. Father Marnane, expresses warm approval of the way his people labored, and desires to sincerely thank all who in any way assisted to make the event such a conspicuous success. This amount is exclusive of the art union, which is still open, and will be drawn at a favorable opportunity. Speaking at one of the earlier Masses on Sunday on the happy termination of the war in Houth Africa and the declaration of peace, the Very Rev. Vicar-General said the recent prolonged strife had been gloriouß to New Zealand, whose soldiers had accomplished many acts of valor on the battle-field, glorious to the vanquished Boers, who had fought bravely for their independence, and glorious for Great Britain, which had exhibited remarkable forbearance during hostilities, and was now displaying honorable magnanimity and most just treatment in the hour of victory. At Vespers at the Pro-Cathedral, St. Mary's (Manchester street) and at the Catholic Church (Lyttelton) a Te Di üm was sung in thanksgiving for peace.

On receipt of telegraphic advice from the Acting-Premier Sir Joseph Ward, announcing the declaration of peace, hia Lordship the Bishop visited the sohoole, and after disclosing the welcome intelligence granted a holiday for the rest of the day. Subsequently whilst in the neighbourhood of the new cathedral building and notioing the workman engaged in erecting the base of the stone pulpit the Bishop at once mounted the scaffolding and taking possession of the pulpit read the telegram just received remarking that it was a most happy coincidence that the first message it was his privilege to d. Lvcr from that ppot was a mescage of peace. The workmen, who were summoned by the contractor, listened with uncovered heads to the Acting-Premier's mespage declaring the proclamation of peace. The Bishop said he felt sure that their first thought was one of gratitude to the Almighty that the hostilities were at length at an end, then of thankfulness to those through whose instrumentality peace was brought about Doubtlesi», too, their thoughts went back like his to the first message Which ushered in the dawn of the Redemption, when angelio hosts proclaimed : ' Glory to God in the highebt, peace and goodwill towards men.