OAMARU.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 16, 16 April 1903, Page 19

OAMARU.

(From our own correspondent )

April 14

Tn a paragiaph, a week or two ago. 1 mentioned that the completion of the portico of the basilica was then in pi ogress Now the conti ad o. s have almost finished the work. At the Masses last Sunday Right Rev will take place At the Masses last Sunday Right Key Mgr Mackav announced that at the opening ceiemonv his Grace the Archbishop of Wellington and their Loidsliips the Bishops of Christchim h and Dunedin will confer the high honor of their piesence upon the people of Oamaru No doubt this honor is intended as a tribute in the first place to the zeal and energy of Right Rev Mgr Mackav, and secondly to the devotedness and selfsacrifice of his parishioneis who have so nobly and generously ro operated in this great work The basilica has liom time to time I w n desciibed m the 'Tablet,' but as the v\ orl of curving out the lull details of the plan goes on snmei hmg additional is ;\l\\a\s licronurm noticeable A line or two m relerenreto the portion now nearly finished will theteloie be not mil of place OI (outse the rendeis ol the 'Tablet ' are aware that the basilica is of the Grecian ordei , showing wealth of column and chiselled oi nament.ition, cai\ed capitals, and carved pioiections 'I he -Oamaiu white stone lends itself to this style, and, as tho work is in

the hands of such a skilled carver as Mr. Given, the finest ideals of the architect are fully expressed. The total elevation from the street to the top of the cross surmounting the domes is 83ft 6in. The approach consists of a ihght of thirteen steps the full width of the portico, and leads to the main entrance. The portico itself rests on light carved and lluted pillars and is surmounted by a marble cross 7ft in height. The corner towers are 42ft 6in high and on those rest eight pillars with carved capitals bearing an octagonal dome, giving a height of 82ft from the top of the toweis. These domes are also surmounted by marble crosses. A Dur> edm fiim has contracted for the double gate, with two smaller side gates, and these, with the piers and walls, aie to be in thcii places by the time of opening. When the contract now on hand is finished, the nave of the basilica, except the carvings inside, will be completed. The sanctuary and transepts are the work of the future. When we consider the means of our people, with the monthly drain upon their poor resources to carry on our schools, only an optimist would venture to say that the dream and the hope of the people of Oamaru will be realised in the near future. But if one looks back a few years— not quite few — and remembers the task that then lay before our revered pastor, and now looks at the magnificent piles— basilica, convent, presbyteiy—he must say the most exaggerated dream is capable of realisation, under such guidance, and by such people.