THE THAMES CATHOLICS AND THE AUCKLAND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 27, 1 November 1873, Page 10

THE THAMES CATHOLICS AND THE AUCKLAND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

We read the following in a Thames exchange : — " We understand that the Catholics of the Thames yo3terday showed theit- disapproval of the new Education Act and its working in a most practical mnnuer. A meeting of the Church, convened by the JJi-hop, wns held in tho afternoon to discuss the matter, and the result was a subscription amounting to £331 in aid of establishing an independent school for the children of Catholic parents, to be under the sole control of their own Church. We believo it is intended that some of the Si,tcrs from St. Mary's Convent, Auckland, shall assist in the school. A preliminary meeting on the subject of establishing such a school was h-ld on Tuesday evening last, which was largely attended. The Eight Rev. Dr Croke presided, and the question was freely ventilated by those present. It is pretty well known that the present provincial secular system of education is not taken advantage of by the members of the Koman Catholic failh, except as a matter of necessity, and in places whe-e Catholic schools cannot be established. We are further given to understand that the building will be commenced forthwith, that it is expected to be finisned about the end of the ]■ resent year. What effect this will have on tile working of the Common Schools Act in this district of course remains to be seen ; this much, however, we are free to admit, that it seems to be a hardship to tax the Romao. Catholic people for the maintenance of a system ot education of which they cannot conscientiously avail themselves.

The members of the Catholic unions of the United States on the 4th July vrent to communion in large numbers. The Papal Bull authorising the consecration of the Very Rev Father Reynolds as Bishop of Adelaide, has arrived at' Sydney.