DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 22 October 1908, Page 23

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

' . _*'-.. October 19. Miss-^ Irene Ainsley," the talented vocalist now on tour of the Dominion with a select concert company, fills engagements at the. Theatre Royal hew this week.

At latest advices from- his Lordship the Bishop, he was making" an .episcopal visitation of "the Ahaura- district. 'Among his Lordship's engagements in the- near- future is the opening of -'a* new presbytery at Hokitika.-, ■ " ' • ' ' ' ,The,-Very^ extensive additions and. improvements to the'episcopal residence are now completed. The* older portion" has been renovated throughout, and the whole certainly presents an' appearance most creditable to the"*- taste. and skill' of those responsible for the undertaking. -„ -• _ * - .- , ' The necessity of seeing ,that their names are placed upon the electoral rolls was urged- upon the congregations ofr, the Cathedral on • Sunday, so' that" each may be enabled , not .only to take an intelligent interest in the forthcoming parliamentary" election, but also perform their proper .jjart in secur.ing the return of those" candidates best calculated to the interests of the Dominion by -wise -and conscientious legislation.

(From an occasional correspondent.)

On Sunday last, after the 8 o'c'ock Mass at .Addingtpn, the Very Rev. Father Price- presided in the local schoolroom over an interesting gathering, who met to present Mr. Luke Hickey with a testimonial as ,a small token of their regard for him, and for the great interest he 'has for years taken in 1 all parochial matters. The lestimoiiial "o.isistcd of a beautiful gold, watch, suitably inscribed, and also of a gold chain. , The Very, Rev. Father Price explained the object of the gathering,'", and then spoke of Mr. Hickey's valuable services and excellent . personal qualities The presentation was made by Mr. D. Camp--> bell, who said : ' I have very great pleasure, on behalf of i. the. people of this parish, in endorsing the remarks, of the Very Rev. Father -Price ;« al.so In thanking him for his presence here amongst us to-day in order to honor one who has never sparedhimself in our interests. Ever since mvi- parish was formed and our church erected he had played his part actively, and in a most unas.-: iming manner, and has beci always anxious to assist and promote anything that would be an advantage to the parish. The advent of the good Sisters to minister to the wants of our children and Ihf necessity of buildings suitable for the purpose placed upon us considerable financial responsibility. Did Mr. Hickey shirk his share in this work? No; always to the front, he aSsisted to organise bazaars, collections, and entertainments. We have to thank Mr. Hickey in no small degree for the happy position we are in to-day in having our parish pro--perty practically free of debt. We sincerely hope that he may, live long to wear the watch that has been presented to him, and may it remind him of the happy hours that he has labored amongst us, and of the many more Jhat he is going to labor' on.. behalf of the Church in this district.' Mr. Hickey, in returning thanks for the gift which, he said, he valued far more as.' an expression of goodwill towards him on the -part of his friends in Addington than for its intrinsic worth, refeired to the school which, he said, was an honor to the locality, and not surpassed by any o'her suburban school in the Dominion. The cos£of the school, the church, and various other minor matters was about ;£i£oo, and he considered this a great sum for so small a community. He also spoke in very high terms of the late Mr. Rennell, who was the worthy inaugurator of the present happy state of affairs in Addinglon • Mr. Hickey concluded by again, thanking the Catholic people in the palish for their handsome gift, which, he said, would lemind him not only of the many../ happy hours employed in Church matters in Addington, but alsj.' of rime which he would always try to spend wisely. ~