DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

New Zealand Tablet, 25 April 1912, Page 27

DIOCESE OF CHRISTCHURCH

(From our own correspondent.)

April 22.

The usual fortnightly - meeting of St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held on last Monday evening, B.P. Bro. McKeon presiding. Six brothers were reported on the sick list, and sick pay to the amount of £5 was passed. Two candidates were admitted to membership.

As showing the considerable demand which still exists in Australia for New Zealand produce, the Ulimaroa was detained in Lyttelton much over the usual time of departure, working cargo. The vessel took about a thousand tons for Sydney, most of it being oats.

Very Rev. Father O'Connell, S.M. (Marist Missionary) left last Week for Auckland to join the Island steamer. After preaching a mission at Suva, which will be the first ever conducted in the Fiji diocese, he, with the Rev. Father Hyland (liangiora), who accompanies him, will continue the round trip to Tonga and other South Sea Islands, and thence to Sydney.

On last Wednesday \ evening a large number of Upper Riccarton residents met in the local Oddfellows' Hall to wish good-bye to Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Chase, on the eve of their departure to Sydney on an extended holiday. Mr. Witty, M.P., proposed the health of the guests of the evening, eulogising their many good qualities which had gained the respect of all in the district. During the, evening Mr. Newnham, the chairman, on behalf, of the residents, presented a case of pipes to Mr. Chase and a handsome handbag to Mrs. Chase. Musical items were contributed by Messrs Hanson, Cooper, Burns, Sherwin, Kermode, Townsend, and Wooton..

As one of the selected speakers at a meeting last week, wherein the subject of the formation of a veterans' section of the Territorial forces was discussed by officers and men of the late volunteer companies, his Lordship Bishop Grimes said that the scheme had been outlined—very ably by the Mayor and everybody present would approve of it. There was an erroneous impression abroad that the Government desired to, establish a nation of warriors. Defence he regarded as a safeguard against war. In the recent German war scare he believed that danger had been averted by the manner in which the outlying dependencies had rallied round the Empire. No country would attack New Zealand if every man were trained to bear arms, and he thought that the proposal should have the approval of every loyal citizen.

.'. Feeling reference to the appalling calamity of the loss of the Titanic was made at all the Masses and Vespers in the Cathedral on Sunday. At the 7 o'clock Mass the Very Rev. Father Price, Adm., in his allusion to the sad disaster, said that in the heroism displayed it could be safely assumed that should any prelate or priest of the Catholic Church chance to be among the passengers their first and last act would be in the exercise of their sacred ministry, and until engulphed in the ocean render all the spiritual aid and religious consolation in their power. His Lordship the Bishop at the half-past 9 o'clock Mass spoke at some length on the fearful event and the sacrifice of so much human life in the wreck of probably the largest and most elaborately constructed vessel ever launched. This masterpiece of man's skill and ingenuity,' with all its material wealth, was in the space of two short hours hurled to the uttermost depths of the wide Atlantic, and -the precious souls of sixteen hundred and more passengers and ship's, company ushered into eternity.

Here was a lesson on God's omnipotence, and mans comparative feebleness. He : (the Bishop) . stated that on more than i one occasion he had passed over the same locality as where the disaster had occurred, and where danger always lurked, so much so, that ■ all voyagers felt relief when,fairly past it. His Lordship concluded by recommending the prayers of the faithful for the departed and bereaved. Preaching on \' God's Providence ' at "Vespers, the Rev. Dr. Kennedy concluded his discourse by an impressive reference to the same sad happening. . Before Benediction/ of the Blessed Sacrament the organist (Mr. r A. W. Bunz) played Chopin's March Funebre,' the congregation meanwhile standing. After beuediction, the choir sang the whole of the touching hymn, ■-' O Paradise,' in which many of the congregation joined. ;- v ■,,<-.

Timaru

(From our own correspondent.)

April 22.

The magnificent marble high altar for the new church is now almost erected. It will be solemnly blessed on Sunday next, when a special sermon will -be preached. • -, , - ,• . .^

About a week ago a motor car accident 1 " happened in Brown street, which resulte 1 in the injury of ; the driver (Mr. Downey), his sister (Miss Downey), and Miss Kate , Ardagh. The, occupants of the car were thrown heavily on the road, and severely injured. They are now, however, well the way to recovery. _\

Rev. Brother Egbert gave a lecture at the Young Men's Club on Wednesday evening last, on the founding and propagation of the faith in Australasia. Very Rev. Dean Tubman presided, and there was a large attendance, the occasion being the first open evening given by the club. The rev. lecturer ably handled;his interesting subject, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on concluding. . '. ;/-c~- :

Mr. William Fitzgerald, of ' Derry ' farm, Levels, passed away on Saturday evening at his residence as the result of a trap accident. While driving home with his wife, he handed the reins to her while filling his pipe, and. the horse, stopping suddenly, frightened by a rabbit running 'across the road, ■■ the deceased' was thrown out violently, and did not recover consciousness. Mr. Fitzgerald was a successful farmer and one of the oldest residents in the district. He was born in County Cork in 1838, and came to New Zealand in 1862. He was a devoted and zealous Catholic, a staunch Irishman, and one of the most esteemed residents of South Canterbury.R.l.P. '. ... .■■...-.. ; t