AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22338, 28 February 1938, Page 12

AN ENTHUSIASTIC WELCOME

AEROPLANES AND FISHING VESSELS TAKE PART I I CROWDS THRONG STREETS TO, GREET VISITORS <ra.Xß9 ASSOCIATION TBLIOBAJl.) AUCKLAND, February 26. Four aeroplanes from the Auckland Aero Club, flying in perfect cross formation, swept down over the Wanganella as she lay-to in the Waitemata harbour this morning. About her circled a dozen gaily-befiagged fishing craft. It was Auckland's initial welcome to the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Panico, and the delegation of overseas prelates, priests, and laymen, numbering several hundred, who were arriving for the celebration of the centenary of the Roman Catholic Church in New Zealand. The delegation had enjoyed a' perfect crossing of the Tasman, and Auckland, too, was providing its best weather. Because of the precautions taken by the Health Department, the Wanganella did not immediately make her way to Prince's Wharf, but hoveto in th« stream, where she was boarded by the port health officer and. Customs and Tourist Department offiTt was then that the Jugoslav Catholic community made its impressive gesture. Out from the wharves came a dozen big fishing boats, their rigffing bedeckpd with red, white, and blue flags. They made a graceful sight *R they sailed in formation and circled the vessel while the crews cheered the visitors. Then, out of the southeast skv appeared four specks—the trj. bute' of the Auckland Aem Char. The aeroplanes, piloted by Mr G. P. white senior nilot of Union Airwave. FTigM Lieutenant D. M. Allen and Mr K. P Pob'nson. instructors to the club, ant* Mr H. .T. Lambert, thev m?>dr> a cross 'n the sVv as they swooned low over the vefsel in salute. Thev enme bnc 1 ' a<?ain in arrowhead formation "tossed and nbnv« % ' 4T T» vessel. Tt w«s a most imnressive sifht. Tf the first welcome wis ninturesnue thp rPff?t)tion accorded the visitors when the vessel h"rth°d was overwhelming in it<* enthusiasm. A dens'crowl racked the wharf snace beyond Hie barriers and from phov «n th° "rane trac lr nm" the m"s!c o f Bracken's "Gnd Now Zealand." Cheers for Visitors Cheers came in bursts from the crowd as Archbishop O'Shea, Metrooolitan of New Zealand, and Bishop Liston, of Auckland, mounted the gangway, but they were as nothing to the cheers that came again as the Apostolic Delegate and his retinue of archbishops, bishops', and priests, descended to the waiting cars. Again came the sound of the band, that of the Waverley Orphanage, Otago. playing "Faith of Our Fathers." The crowd joined in till the wharf resounded with it. There were cheers as the procession moved off. but thev were as nothing io the reception when the party entered Albert street. Never since the visit of Royalty has Auckland seen such an assemblage of ceonle or heard such vociferous enthusiasr?.. Albert street was lined as far as Wyndham street, with a tiphtlv-pncked throng of people. All that was to bo seen from the end of the road was a sea of heads, and waving handkerchiefs, throueh which moved slowly th» cars of the delegation. Similar enthusiasm was seen at St. Patrick's Cathedral, around which fathered a huge crowd throughout the morning. _ ,_ When ppproaching the coast of New Zealand Archbishop Panico had sent a wireless message to the GovernorGeneral of New Zealand (Lord Galwav): — "I send your Excellency my kindest wish with the hope that our celebrations will bring many blessings upon the Dominion in which your Excellency is the personal representative of His Majesty the King." Lord Galway's Reply

To this an answer was received:— "As the representative of His Majesty the King in New Zealand. I thank you for your kind message of to-day and take the opportunity of extending to you a warm welcome to this Dominion. I sincerely hope that your m'ss-'on in this country will be successfully accomplished and that you will find every reason for congratulation in the wonderful progress which has been made by the Catholic Church in New Zealand during the first hundred years of its existence" Homage was paid in St. Patrick's Cathedral to the undaunted faith and devotion of the men and women with whom had begun the first hundred years of the Church in New Zealand, when Archbisop O'Shea addressed a formal welcome to the Apostolic Delegate. The full significance of the celebrations was summed up in the concluding words of Archbishop Panico as he gave thanks for the moving reception he had been accorded. Remembrance and Thanksgiving: "The occasion is truly a solemn one," he said. "It is a festival of remembrance; a feast of joy and exultation in the Lord. It is one of thanksgiving, too, for a century of blessings, and occasion for profound meditation as we stand on the threshold pf our second century to gather fresh inspiration from our valiant forefathers and to stimulate any flagging energy of faith or devotion and to make us in our day a generation that shall be deemed ■worthy oi ttvem." The Apostolic Delegate said that Pope Pius had had many proofs of the New Zealand Catholics' attachment, love, and loyalty, and on this day of their triumph he was with them.

Archbishop O'Shea reviewed briefly the hundred-year story of the Church, and said he felt that Bishop Pompallier arid his faithful followers were with them in spirit. He asked the Apostolic Delegate to convey to the Pope New Zealand's assurance of loyalty, love, and devotion, and sympathy in his trials and difficulties.

INTEREST OP MOTHER CHURCH

GREETINGS FROM ARCHBISHOP OF ARMAGH AUCKLAND, February 27. Felicitation and affectionate greetings from the Cardinal Archbishop of Armagh, the Primate of Ireland, and other Romah Catholic dignataries were read by Bishop Liston during his address at St. Patrick's Cathedral to-day. "As a mother participating in the triumphs of her children, we unite with you whole-heartedly in your rejoicings," said the Cardinal in a letter to the Bishop. "Truly it can.be said that the Church in New Zealand was begotten and nurtured by the Irish faith and Irish missionary zeal. Our ancestors carried the faith first given them by St. Patrick to many parts of Europe, to England, Scotland, North j America, Australia, and New Zealand. "There are many epic tales of their self-sacrifice, their labours, their sufferings, and their achievements in the cause of Christ, but we do not know any story that is more appealing, or which better illustrates the marvellous fidelity and virtue of the Irish Catholic laity, than that of Thomas Poynton and his heroic wife." His Eminence concluded with the wish that the centenary celebrations in Auckland should be similarly successful as those of the recently celebrated fifteenth centenary of the Catholic Church in Ireland.-