CHEERING CROWDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 77, 28 February 1938, Page 2

CHEERING CROWDS

AUCKLAND’S WELCOME. ARCHBISHOP PANICO. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Feb. 26. Four ’planes from The Auckland Aero Club, flying in perfect cross formation, swooped down ovfer the \\anganella as she lay-to in the Waitemata Harbour this morning. About her circled a dozen gaily beflagged 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 Catholic Church in New Zealand. If the first welcome, was picturesque, the reception accorded the visitors when the vessel berthed was overwhelming in its enthusiasm. A dense crowd packed the wharf space beyond the barriers, and from above on the crane track came the music of Thomas Bradken’s ‘.‘God Defend New Zealand.” Cheers came in bursts from t.ie crowd as Archbishop O’Shea. (Metropolitan 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 crime the sound of the hand, that of the Wa.verley Orphanage, Otago, playing “Faith of Our Fathers.” As it rose the crowd joined in till the wharf , resounded with it. Again there were cheers as the procession moved off. bnt they were as nothing to. the cheers that rose when the party entered Albert Street. GREAT CROWDS.

Never since the visit of Royal personages has Auckland seen such an assemblage of people or Kea.rd such vociferous enthusiasm. Albert Street was lined as far as Wvndham Street with a tightly-packed throng of people. All that could be seen from the end of the road was a sea of heads, waving handkerchiefs, and hands, through which moved slowly the cars of the delegation. Similar enthusiasm ?as present at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, around which gathered a huge crowd throughout the morning! When approaching the coast of New Zealand Archbishop Panico sent a wireless message to the Governor-Gen-eral of New Zealand (Lord Galway): “I send Your Excellency my kindest wishes with the hope that oujr celebrations will bring many blessings upon the 'Dominion in which Your Excellency is the personal representative of His Majesty the King.” 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 this opportunity of extending to yon a warm welcome to this Dominion. I sincerely hope, that your mission in this country will be successfidlv accomplished, and that yon will find every reason for congratulation in the ' wonderful progress which has been made by the Catholic Church in New Zealand during the first 100 years of its existence. Galway, Governor-Gen-eral.”