GREETINGS FROM SPAIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20522, 25 September 1928, Page 13

GREETINGS FROM SPAIN.

KING ALFONSO’S GOOD WISHES. CONVEYED BY CONGRESS DELEGATE. (Special xo Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, September 24. Salutations to the people of New Zealand from the King of Spain are brought to this country by Don Xavier Irastorza. Bishop of Orihucla, Madrid, who is a passenger on the Aorangi, which arrived at Auckland to-day. Bishop Irastorza is a cousin of King Alfonso, and is returning to Spain after attending the Eucharistic Congress in Sydney. In an audience with the King before leaving Madrid ho was commissioned to convey to Australia the felicitations o' the Spanish Royal Family. “ I told his Majesty I would be passing through Auckland,” said Bishop Irastorza. “ and he expressed a wish that New Zealand should be remembered by me.’ I had no idea there were so many Roman Catholics in Australia,” said the bishop, speaking of his impressions of the congress. The Catholic faith is thriving marvellously well in the Commonwealth. and I have to admit that the congress was the largest and most successful of the six international Eucharistic congresses I have attended. Bishop Irastorza is chaplain of honour to the King's family, and he possesses many cherished honours. He is a Chevalier of the Order of Montesa. and also of St. George, the most exclusive Order in Spain. He is also a Commander of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Spain.