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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIII, Issue 29, 20 July 1905, Page 15

In the issue of ' L'lndepcndance Beige ' of May 4 there appears another of the scries of interesting letters regarding New Zealand, which Mr. George Robertson, of the Government Life Insurance Department, has contributed to that journal. Jn\the present instance Mr. Robertson treats of the attempt made; by the French/ authorities 10 establish a French Colony in the South Island, and how they were an Ifcipated by the British by a few hours. But if the French did not succeed in establishing a Colony here they' had the honor of being the firbt Catholic missionaries. Alteady, in the Bay of Islands district Bishop Pompallier was preaching the Gospel to both Europeans and Natives, by whom he was loved and respected. With remarkable energy he worked unceasingly for the welfare of all, but his principal object was the propagation of the faith among the Maoris. In 1840 Bishop Pompallier visited tho French settlers at Akaroa, but it was not until 1860 that the first Catholic church was erected it* Christchurch. Mr. Robertson then goes on to inform his Belgian readers that there are at the present time 25,000 Catholics in the diocese of Christchurch, and that, thanks to the unceasing eflorts of Bishop Grimes, they have recently erected a magnificent Cathedral, which has cost close on 1,500,000 francs, and has a beautiful peal of bolls which -was imported from Belgium. At the dedication ceremony, which was a most imposing one, there was a great gathering ot clergy and laity, among the former being many prelates from Australia. Among the representati\es of the State were his Excellency the Governor, the Premier, and the Minister of Railways. In conclusion, the writel states that the style of the Cathedral which by the harmony of its proportions and the Beauty of its outlines, recalls to mind the church of St. Vincent de Paul, Paris, is worthy of all praise The Cathedral, which is an admirable specimen of ecclesiastical architecture and one of the most beautiful edifices in the Colony, demonstrates the material progress which has been made by the t atholic community of the district, and bears testimony to the courage and foresight of their Bishop.