PREPARATIONS IN AUCKLAND

Southland Times, Issue 23444, 26 February 1938, Page 5

PREPARATIONS IN AUCKLAND

NOTABLE VISITORS ARRIVE TODAY IMPRESSIVE OPENING TO CELEBRATIONS (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, February 25. The arrival in Auckland tomorrow of thousands of visitors from other parts of the Dominion and abroad will see the beginning of the celebrations associated with the centenary of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. Many months of preparation have gone into the organization work, and the opening functions will be of a strikingly picturesque character. The major item on the first day’s programme is the arrival of the Wanganella, expected about 8.30 a.m., with the Apostolic Delegate for Australia and New Zealand, the Most Rev. Archbishop Panico, and a delegation of overseas prelates, priests and laymen. These will number several hundred in all, with among the most notable figures Archbishop Gilroy (Sydney), Archbishop Mannix (Melbourne), the Very Rev. Father Nerney, S.J. (Melbourne), Director of the Children of Mary Sodality in Australia and New Zealand, and the Rev. Father McEvoy, O.P. (Melbourne), Director of the Holy Name Society in Australia and New Zealand. The Wanganella will also bring Bishop Brodie, of Christchurch, and Bishop Whyte, of Dunedin, who are returning from a congress meeting at Newcastle.

Special arrangements have been made for the welcome of these distinguished travellers. Aeroplanes will fly in salute over the Wanganella and fishing vessels of the Catholic Yugoslav community of Auckland will assemble to accompany the vessel in. When the Apostolic Delegate and other members of the party disembark about 10 o’clock there will be a procession to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, The route will be lined by children of Catholic schools. At St. Patrick’s an official welcome will be given by Archbishop O’Shea, S.M., Metropolitan of New Zealand, following the singing of a Te Deum by the centenary choir. In the afternoon a garden party will be held at the Convent of the Sacred Heart. Remuera, and in the evening the Catholic schools centenary concert will be held in the Town Hall. Throughout the day special trains will he delivering visitors from all over the Dominion to the city.