WESTPORT

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 26, 25 June 1903, Page 20

WESTPORT

(From our own correspondent.)

The handsome new Convent of the Sisters of Mercy is now almost completed It is expected that the building will be a\uilable for occupation by the middle of next month The well-known Maori missionary. Dean Lightheart, who has been visiting the West Coast towns m the interests of the noble work which he has .so much at heart, is expected to return to Westport shoitly The rev. gentleman intends visiting Denniston, Charleston, and A'ddison's on his i-eturn to this district The singing oi the boys and girls of St. Canice's school at the nine o'clock Mass on Ascension Thursday was greatly admired The children were assisted by the Rev. Father Malloy, and their vocal work reflected credit on the good Sisters of the Convent of Mercy. A special meeting of those ladies interested in the work of assisting to bring the fancy fair and carnival to a successful issue was held at the convent on Ascension Thursday afternoon. The Rev. Mother presided, and the Yen. Archpriest Walshe and Father Malloy were also present. There was a large attendance, and considerable interest and enthusiasm were manifested in the proceedings. The completion of the sacred edifices at Granitv, Seddonville, and Millerton, will make a total of ten churches in this widely-scattered parish of Westport. Few parishes in the Colony entail so much laborious work and long journeyings. Some idea of the extent of the parish may be gained when it is stated that it includes isolated Karamea. a farming settlement situated at a distance of over sixty miles f i om Westport \ little steamer visits Karamea, but owing to boisterous weather, the state of tho tide, and other circumstances, these visits are irregular and uncertain The onl> moans of communication the people of Karamea ha\e is the perilous journey along the rock-bound beach, a horse-back iourney that is otten fraught with considerable l isk The lU^ Father Mallov pays tho periodical \isit to this remote part of Ihe Christchurch diocese next week.