Kaikoura

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 21, 28 May 1908, Page 13

Kaikoura

(From an occasional correspondent.) On Monday evening, May 11, his Grace Archbishop Redwood arrived by coach irom Blenheim, and was met at the Cross Roads by Rev. Father Golden and Mr. W. Smith, who escorted him to the presbytery. His Grace was blessed with charming weather during the remainder of the week. The temperature on Saturday reached 70 degrees of heat, which was very unseasonable. A change of wind during Saturday night brought up a heavy storm of rain from the south-west, and this continued the whole forenoon of Sunday. Yet in spite of wind and driving rain there was a good attendance at the 7.30 Mass celebrated by the Archbishop, and also at the 10 o'clock Mass, whereof the local pastor was celebrant. The candidates for Confirmation and many others received Holy Communion at the early Mass, except the Maoris, who received at the last Mass. The Archbishop delivered an impressive discourse at the close of this Mass, and it was a matter of general regiet that the tempestuous weather had kept a large number of the congregation from church. The elements could hardly be more unfavorable, yet many brave and sturdy spirits proved superior to them, and gave edifying proof of the religious fervor that was in I hem, among the rest a goodly number of Natives. At the 3 p.m. service, the weather having become much more propitious, there was a large congregation. After the Rosary the- Archbishop gave another sermon, dwelling chiefly on the nature and effects of the Sacrament of Confirmation about to be administered, and winding up with an earnest appeal to the whole congregation to be faithful soldiers of Christ Jesus. The holy Sacrament of Baptism had made them members of His household ; Penance had forgiven them their actual sins ; the Holy Eucharist had nourished their immortal souls ; and Confirmation had made them soldiers of the cause of Jesus Christ, impressing on each soul an ineffaceable seal. Altogether there were 31 candidates for Confirmation— l 9 school children, four converts to the faith, and eight Natives from Mangamanu and South Bay. A month ago Father Melu spent a few weeks in preparing the latter for the Sacrament, and as they, know the English language well, the local priest was able to hear their confessions and render them all other necessary assistance. It is worthy of remark that their demeanor at Holy Communion and at Confirmation was very edifying, being the subject of most favorable comment by the whole congregation. His Grace was greatly pleased with them. He also expressed his pleasure at the bright and intelligent examination made by the children in their catechism on Saturday. As for the Natives, all adults, so much could not be expected, and it sufficed that Father Melu had offered them for Confirmation. - Their disposition seemed excellent. It was a most busy and active day for the Sisters of the Mission. They were engaged in attending to the wants of the children and the Natives most of

San ff y ,i V 1 the IT school > where breakfast and dinner were S? L . were, figuratively speak! w groaning under the weight of the many and excellent things with which they were laden. And the rousing fire was both a comfort and a real necessity, a& the garments of many were in a drenched condition. A rumor circulated round that a neighboring lady" in her charity and deep commiseration lent her dresses, while the brave Sisters washed and dried and ironed the clothes of the poor Maori women. The whole Dominion may be challenged to equal this touching incident, so replete with charity and compassion of the highest excellence. The Maoris will not soon forget tins and other practical proofs of the goodwill shown them on the trying occasion. His Grace visited the dining hall and. spoke some kind and fatherly words to the guests, who were highly pleased and honored by the visit. J The Archbishop left by the ' Whakatu ' for Christchurch on Monday, May 18, in excellent health and spirits, the weather having completely changed once more into bright and cheering sunshine. The Premier and party paid Kaikoura an official visit on May 15, and drove round the settlement with an escort of the leading citizens. The worthy member for the district, Mr. A. W. Rutherford, accompanied by the Misses Rutherford (2) and Mr. Laurenson, M.P., were among the party. All visited the Church of the Sacred Heart, while the Archbishop described the leading features of the edifice, dwelling especially on the striking beauties of the High Altar, the gift of a generous Catholic, and pronounced by his Grace to be the most beautiful and effective altar in New Zealand. After a brief address to the children in the school by Sir Joseph Ward, Father Golden called for three cheers for the Premier and Lady Ward, three cheers also for the other lady visitors, and three cheers for Mr. Rutherford, who for two terms has served the Amuri electorate with great fidelity and disinterestedness, effecting as much good as his singular zeal, tact, and talent were enabled to compass. At a banquet given to the distinguished visitors in Mr. James Mullarie's Club Hotel the Archbishop was assigned a leading place and the privilege of saying grace. Later on in the evening his Grace and Father Golden occupied seats on the platform during the interesting address by the Premier. The occasion was a red-letter day for Kaikoura, and the visitors were delighted with the reception accorded them, the striking beauties of the scenery and the cheering weather to boot. Ah, that weather ! how easy it would be here to philosophise on its pranks and caprices, its proverbial uncertainty. At all events, the wild weather of Sunday served to exhibit in fine relief some of the noble trails of human nature. Untoward events, disagreeable in themselves, are often blessings in disguise.