ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, NORTH SHORE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume V, Issue 1314, 1 February 1868, Page 5

ST. MARY'S COLLEGE, NORTH SHORE.

The anniversary festival of this school was held in the Institution at the North Shore. The Right Kev. Bishop Pompallier (who waa accompanied by tho Very IfoV. Dr. McDonald, A r icar General, and the Very Her. Father Walter Mncdonald, Private Secretary,) occupied tho chair. There was a large number of settlers of various denominations present. Amongst those who were present we noticed Mr. George Webster, M.P.C., Mr. Henry Dacre, J.P., v>. P. 0., Mr. Maurice Kelly, Mr. Allan O'Neill and family, Mr. Samuel Cochrane, Mr. Oliver Mays, Mr. McKay, Mr. Povnton and family, Mr. M. Shea and family, Mr. \Vestoii (solicitor). There was also a considerable number of natives present, under Pattione, and other chiefs. The festival being necording to tho Uoman Catholic Church Calendar that of St. Francis of Sales, Bishop Pompallier celebrated pontifical High Mass in the new church, Symonds-street, the celebrant being Very Jtev. fir. McDonald, Vicar General; Deacon, Very J\ev. Walter McDonald, Private Secretary; Sub-Deacon, Hev. Patrick O'JKeilly. The Bishop preached a very eloquent sermon on the occasion, lrom whence he proceeded to the North Shore. The proceedings opened with an address which was meant, not for the children of the orphanage, but to a very large auditory which had assembled, to the number of 150 to 200 persons, from the surrounding neighbourhood. There was one passage in his address which had a particular bearing on the question of education now so widely agitated. His Lordship said at the conclusion of his speech,—l object to everything in the shape of bigotry. The church is one thing, society is another. Faitn is one thing, charity is another. Instruction is addressed to the mind, education applied to the conduct, and both together must influence the judgment. I see about me friends whom I have known for many years, and wl" o belong to different denominations. Who is to judge whether error is perverse or invincible? My business is the cure of souls, and I have nothing to do with questions of politics ; but to those who disregard the influence of religion it might be told that a country whore there were no churches there would be abundant use for prisons. This is my exhortation to you all that you live in charity with each other, for where there is real charitj-, truth cannot bo far olf (cheers). The children of the Institution sat down to a plentiful dinner of meat and potatoes. They looked in excellent condition and very clean, and Mr. and Mrs. Mcllhone were very generally complimented upon their appearance. At a later hour the company sat down to a good dinner, Bishop Pompallier in the chair. The cloth beinu: removed, ho invited the company to drink the health of Her Most Gracious .Majesty Queen A r ietoria, the sovereign of Great Britain and this Colony—who is so honored and beloved by her subjects. The toaat was received with the usual honors. Mr. Allan O'Neill next proposed the health of His Majesty the Emperor of the French, which was drunk with enthusiasm. A number of complimentary toasts followed, and were responded to, as ior instance " Prosperity to the City and Provinco of Auckland." " The Agricultural and Commercial interests." " The Ladies." " The Press." " Prosperity to the IS ative race," all which were responded to in appropriate speeches. After the proceedings of the day a ball took pbjce. The proceedings for harmony and innocent recreation were most succesful, and those who participated in them expressed themselves to be thoroughly gratified at hearing from the mouth of the highest Catholic authority, sentiments of such liberality, which were practically illustrated in the demeanour of all who were present.