DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 31, 31 July 1902, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.) July 28. The Rev. Father Abern, formerly a member of the diocesan clergy, assisted on Sunday at the Pro-Cathedral. It is understood that Father Ahem tray again be attached to the diocese. Rev. Father John OCounell has been transferred from Waimate to the Pro-Cathedral and assisted at the services on Sunday. THp vacancy at Waiina'e is being- temporarily filled by Rev. Fathtr Aubry, from Tiruaru. Thu animal chanty sermon and appeal on behalf of the Society of Pt. Vincent de Paul will be preached on Sunday next in the Pr< -Cathedral. Collections will be wa.te nt all the Masses and at Venpn'a iv aid of the funds of the local conference The officers of the society itl-o hope to be in a ptsiuon to distribute their annual report and Irnlai c<: sheet on the occasion. A- a great gathering in the Canterbury Hall on Tuesday even* ing Kht in connection with the presentation ot war nudalu to numbern of various contingents by his Excellency the Governor, tbe Right Hey. Bishop Grim * and V. ry Rev. Father Price Oicupitd Bents 011 the platform. For the establishment of a Home for Army

»nd Navy Veterans, another object for which the meeting was held, the Governor addressed those assembled, giving ample reasons for the very great interest he is taking in such an institution. A large and representative committee was appointed to further the work, ptho Catholic body being represented on the committee by his liordship Dr. Grimes, Sir George Clifford, and Councillor H. H. Longhnan. The North Canterbury Board of Education, are, from varioui causes, experiencing great difficulty in keeping up the supply of teachers, especially for country schools. It was stated at the last meeting of the Board that applications were sdvertised for teachers In Otsgo, Southland and Marlborough but without a single response. Specifications are being prepared by the architect*. Messrs England Bros., whose competitive design was adopted, for the new presbytery in briok at St. Mary's, Manchester street. When these are ready tenders are to be immediately invited for the work. Meanwhile the resident clergy are removing to other quarters and the antiquated structure which has done varied duty will be demolished. From advices received by the Hon. C. C. Bowen from Sir Olement Markham, we learn that the Antartio relieving ship, Morning, may be expected to reach Lyttelton early in November. The vessel will try the ice pack in December or January. Both the relieving vessel Morning and the exploring one Discovery, it is oonjeotured, will endeavor to return to Lyttelton in March or April of next year. , On Tuesday ilast at Mount Magdala Asylum the Feast of St Mary Magdalen was observed with befitting solemnity. Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by his Lordship the Bishop. The Very Rev. Father Le Mcnant des Chesnais, V.G., was assistant priest, Very Rev. Dean O Donnell deacon, and Rev. Father Marnane subdeacon. The following clergy were also present : The Very Rev. Dean Ginaty, Rev. Fathers O'Donnell (Queenstown), Richardt and McDonnell. The music of the Mass was beautifully rendered by the choir of Sisters and ' children,' and the occasional discourse preaohed by the Bishop. The officiating and visiting clergy were afterwards suitably entertained. On Wednesday morning Lord Raufurly, the Hon. Mr Butler, A.D.C., and the Mayor of Christchuroh inspected the new cathedral in course of erection. The visitors were received by his Lordship Bishop Grimes and Mr Jamieson, one of the contractors, and conducted over the building so far as it is finished. His Excellency expressed much interest in the building and also in the new machinery imported by the contractors for aiding in its construction. The work has gone on unceasingly through the winter, the weather experienced being favorable for open air operations, with comparatively little variation, consequently the immense pile is mounting upwards with amazing rapidity. There iB a great awakening of interest in the matter of having better means of communication between the city and the shipping. At a public meeting held some time ago, a committee of enthusiasts was appointed to go thoroughly into details. These gentlemen, representing as they do quite a variety of opinions, have just now furnished their report. Two recommendations are made which read as follows :— l. That the Lyttelton Harbor Board be respectfully requested to cause a survey to be made of the entrance to the Sumner Estuary, with a view to determining the practicability of constructing a canal in the direction of Christchurch, as far as may be upon the lines proposed by the late Mr R. Gardner. 2. That (a) borings to determine the difficulties likely to be met with at Sumner Estuary ; and (b) a rough survey to test the apparent feasibility of the Gollan's Bay and Sumner railway route, should precede any oostly attempt to improve the accommodation at Lyttelton Harbor.