THE "Wellington Independent." Saturday, June 1, 1850.

Wellington Independent, Volume VI, Issue 484, 1 June 1850, Page 2

THE "Wellington Independent." Saturday, June 1, 1850.

The Government brig returned on Thursday from Nelson, having made" a passage of seven days and been twice blown through the Straits. Her adventures are so fully described in a letter from one of her passengers in our columns of to-day, as to render it unnecessary to say any thing further about them, except to express our satisfaction at the shameful mismanagement of this public vessel being so fully exposed. We have.before alluded to the improper delay which occurred in the arrival of of the brig from Auckland, to carry Mr. Justice Chapman to Nelson for the purpose of holding the autumn Sittings of the Supreme Court. In consequence of her "having been kept dangling after Sir George Grey and the Lieutenant-Gover-nor, on their trips of private business and pleasure, the Judge cid not arrive at Nelson till six weeks after his time. There were three prisoners for trial, all of whom had been in gaol for a long time, and two of whom were discharged without trial, the prosecutors (in one-case a native) considering their long imprisonment punishment enough. This is little likely to elevate the character of the administration of justice in the colony, but very materially to lighten the labours of its administrators. We are glad to see that the Nelson Grand Jury made a presentment on the subject, in the propriety of which the Judge, who is himself in no way to blame for the delay, fully concurred.

•■(Communicated.)

The following address was presented to his Lordship, the Right Rev. Dr. Viurd, Catholic Bishop of Wellington, by the Catholic congregation of this town— At a meeting held by the Catholics of Wellington, in the Catholic School Room, on Sunday, May 12, 1850, Mr. M'Manaway in the chair—lt was propased by Dr. Fitzgerald, and seconded by Mr. Richard Barry, and carried unanimously, that the following Address be presented to his Lordship, the Right Rev. Dr. Viard, Catholic Bishop of Wellington, on his appointment to this Diocese : My Lord, —We, the nndersinged, representing the Catholic Laity of Wellington—that portion of the flock entrusted to your pastoral cure—beg leave most respectfully to approach your Lordship, and to assure you of our.afl'ectionate attachment to your person, as well as our entire submission to your authority, as one of the lawful successors of the Apostles appointed by our most holy Father Pope IX. for the spiritual government and welfare of this Diocese. Although, my Lord, our spiritual wants have been faithfully ministered to by our revered and esteemed Pastor .the .Rev. Father O'Reilly, to the utmost of his power up to this time, neverthe less, we hail with gratitude and delight the act of our most holy Father in sending us a Prelate, in the person of your Lordship, to govern and direct the spiritual and temporal alfiiirs of this portion of Christ's Church. We are desirous also of recording here our firm and everlasting attachment to the Holy See, and to the person of our most holy Father the successor of St. Peter, the Prince of the Apostlee; and to express ihe horror and indignation with which we have rend of the impious designs against his sacretl person and authority. We welcome yon, and our dear Clergy -who have accompanied you, with all the ardent, affections of our hearts, and wo pray that the Almighty God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, may give you strength and grace to enable you to propogate our holy failh to his honor and glory, and the'salvation of all those soulsicommitted to your pastorcl care.

Praying your apostolical benediction on ourselves and families, we reinain,-)our affectionate children in Christ, [Here follow the signatures.] To which his Lordship returned the following reply— Dearly bei-oveu, —The affectionate welcome with which you greet my arrival among you, fills .my soul with delight; the expression of your respect mid lave towards me, of your unbounded submission to the Holy See, of your unalterable faith and real desire to propagate it, teiitl to lessen the burden thitt has been put upon me—to fliimnish the anxieties of my charge—to allay my fears, and to reanimate my hopes. I am truly happy to see before me the worthy sons of those admirable Christians who, in the most ■tempestuous ages, preserved their faith fixed aud firm upon the rock. Dearly beloved, at so great a distance from our respective homes, we enjoy the pleasure of being united together by the Catholic Religion, a bond more solid and more pure than any iv human life ; it is tlißt holy religion which prompts you to revere me as a successor of the Apostles, and as one appointed by Pius IX, the lawful successor of St. Peter. It is also the same religion which tells me that you are my most beloved people. How sweet would it be to our Holy Father the Pope to hear from these antipodes, of your profound respect towards'his Holiness—of-your most heartfelt sympa thies with all his past sorrows! but at this lute hour we,.hope that a benign Providenoe hRs wipe"d away his tears ; and, in spite of a Se'lirious Taction, has re-established him upon his throne of honour so much becoming his supreme dignity. Dearly beloved, I cannot omit to mention the name of your revered and much esteemed Pastor, Father O'Reilly; whose solicitude has been so great to preserve and increase the flock committed to his care, and who is dearer to me than ever for his piety and learning. Finally, dearly beloved, I thank you from the bottom of ray heart for your respect and attachment to me and my clergymen. My love and devotedness to you all I hope to prove uuto death, with the help of Jesus and the protec ,tioa of his most blessed Mother, that I most gladly will spend my life for your souls. Tt is with these sentiments that I pray the Lord of mercy to pour upon you, your families, ami the whole of my flock his most abundant benedictions. Philippe Vi.uid, Ap. Adm. Bishop of Wellington. To the Gentlemen representing Hie Catholic Laity of Wellington, New Zealand.