DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 18, 30 April 1903, Page 4

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH.

(From our own correspondent.)

April 27. Miss Katie Young has, it is understood, received the appointment of organist to the Pro-Cathedral, lately vacated by Miss Funston. At St. Mary's, Manchester street, on last Sunday week feeling reference was made to the death of the Very Rev. Dean Mahonev, S.M., of Nelson. In token of sympathy with the sad occurrence the organist, Miss Katie Young, played the Dead March from ' Saul.'

The prayers of the congregation at the Pro-Cathe-dral were solicited on Sunday for the Rev. Mother Provincial of the Sisters of the Mission of the adjoining convent, who has been seriously ill for a considerable time. There are now no hopes of her recovery.

Whilst staying in Christchurch the Very Rev. Father Koogh, S M., Hector of St. Pati ick's College, Wellington, visited and spent a considerable time with an old pupil of the college, Master P. O'Connor, at present lying ill in Strathraore Hospital. His JLordship the Bishop celebrated Mass, the first time publicly for several weeks, at half-past nine o'clock in the Pro-Cathedral on Sunday. There were many expressions of pleasure by the congregation at again seeing his Lordship so far recovered as to be capable of ncthe duty.

The bazaar at Amberley, mentioned in my letter of last week, in aid of the Hawarden presbytery building fund, was opened by Mr. A. W. Rutherford, M.H.R., and continued for four days. The business transacted was so satisfactory that the sum. of £220 was realised. A feature of the closing night was the disposal by art union of a solid silver epergne, valued at £75, which came into the fortunate possession of a local gentleman. On Thursday evening last the Christchurch Catholic Club commenced the session of weekly meetings by a social gathering of members and friends. There was a large attendance, including several of the clergy. The programme consisted of a lecturette by the Rev. Father Gallais, musical selections, and other items of an appropriate nature. Refreshments were handed round, and everything was done that the committee could devise to make the occasion enjoyable.

At the Parochial Library on last Friday evening the Pro-Cathedral choir tendered p., complimentary social to Miss Funston on her retirement from the position of organist. Among those present were his Lordship the Bishop, the Very Revs. Vicar-General and Dean Foley, Rev. Fnthors Cooney, McDonnell, and O'Connell, and representative parishioners. Songs were contributed by Misses Ponder, Bryant, and A. McGill, Mrs. A . Mead, Rev. Fathers Coonoy and O'Connell, and Mepsrs. R. Hay warn", E. McNamara, and McKay. Messrs. Beveridge and Schwartz sang a duet. Refreshments were handed round, and at an interval his Lordship the Bishop, on behalf of the choir and friends, presented Miss Funston

with a purse, suitably inscribed, and filled with sovereigns. Under ordinary circumstances, said the Bishop, the duty which devolved upon him would have been a pleasing one, but disavowing rhetorical phrasing, it was a duty he performed with mingled feelings 6f regret and pleasure. The present was the first occasion on which he had appeared in public for more than a month, but it was one he felt he could not absent himself from; he would have even arisen from ai sick bed rather than allow such an excellent opportunity pass of testifying the great reerard in which Miss Funston was held by both clergy and people. He (the Bishop) and the priests always had such absolute confidence in Miss Fun&ton that no misgivings were ever entertained, but that under her discreet and skilful guidance things would bo right. His Lordship reiterated much that has been on recent occasions expressed regarding Miss Funston, and asked her acceptance of the gift as an expression of the greatest possible esteem and gratitude, at the same time most heartily wishing her long years of health, strength, and happiness in her new career. Mr. H. H. Loughnan, after paying a tribute to Miss Funston's invaluable services and talents, explained that the presentation was but a small token of esteem on the part of the choir, and arranged at short notice. Mr. James Mercer, on behalf of Miss Funston, cordially thanked those present for their expressions of good-will and their valuable gift. He was directed to say that Miss Funston's efforts were truly a labor of love and duty, and that such a tangible proof of their appreciation was wholly unexpected. At the termination of the proceedings, Mr. E. O'Connor spoke eulogistically of Miss Funston on behalf of the parishioners.