DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXII, Issue 45, 10 November 1904, Page 6

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.) November 5. Although not in possession of the actual lesults I am informed that the pupils, sent up lor the Trinity College musical examinations on Friday by the Sisleis of Our Lady of Missions, weie veiy successful. The Very Rev. Dean Foley is, I am pleased to learn, progressing favorably towards recovery. Although still weak antl unable to walk, he is capable of sitting up with comparative ease. Painters anil plumbers are busily engaged in renovating and repairing the Marist Brot hois' boys' school. Ther lecent entertainment in aid of the work realised £52, and another is contemplated at an early date to complete the undertaking. By the courtesy of the Very Rev. Vicar-General I am enabled to give a few extracts from a letter received by him from his Lortlship the Bishop. The Catholic Congress at Melbourne (writes his Loidship) was a great success, and was attended much betted than the former one at Sydney. The papers contributed from Christchtireh on being read occasioned deep interest. He (the Bishop) was doing his best to prevail (upon the prelates at the Congress to come over for the opening of the Cathedral Owing to their present absence from their respective dioceses, in some cases of at least a month, a difficulty in getting away was advanced m several instances, and a desire expressed that the opening should be deferred to a later date. This, howe\er, his Lordship could not consent to. He 'expresses a hope that we shall celebrate the Jubilee of the Immaculate Conception here with unusual sple.riclor, and on that account he is getting the Redemptorist Fathers to come to Chnstchureh As he is to conduct an Ordination at the Moanee J'Jcdesiastical Seminary about the 22nd and 23rd November, the Bishop does not expect to reach home earlier than the 27th inst. The great dome of the Cathedral is now completed within and without. From the whispering gallery, 10 feet wide, a magnificent panoramic view is 1 to \f obtained, taking in an aiea of at least 15 miles all round. Even vessels at sea are clearly discernible The intcirior of the Cainedral, with its embos*scd ceiling, etc , is a marvel of beauty. The concrete flooring is now being laid in the aisles, and in about three weeks the sanctuary is to be completed. The magnificent stone high altar, presented by the Children of Mary, is a rare work of art, and is shortly to be placed in position. In this the scuJptor, Mr. Hunt, displays some of his best work from the designs furnished by the cathedral architect,

Mr. Petre. The mosaic tiles for the altar are expected to arrive soon, as also the bells, four in number, cast in Europe, the principal one of wiuch weighs two tons thus surpassing in weight, the fine bell of the local Anglican Cathedral. On Sunday afternoon, from 2 to 5 o'clock, the building is to be thrown open to visitors when no doubt many from other parts of the Colony now m the city for Carnival Week, will avail themsehes of such an admirable opportunity of making a personal inspection.