AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 4, 18 May 1883, Page 16

AUCKLAND.

(From our own Correspondent.) His Lordship Bishop Luck arrived in Auckland, per Wairarapa, yesterday, after his recent tour through the Colony. He seems to have benefited in health by the change of air, and looks much stronger. It is rumoured that his Lordship is about to make great changes in educational matters in connection with the Church, and that the feelings of the people in the matter of the present educational system, as administered by the Government are to be tested, and in all probability a petition will be forwarded to Wellington during the sitting of Parliament. The usual vesper devotions, which are held during the month of May, are now being carried on every evening at the Cathedral at 7 p.m. Devotions are likewise given at St. Benedict's Church, Newton, at a similar hour. At the latter, short lectures of a very instructive nature, are delivered by one of the Fathers of the Benedictine Order two or three evenings weekly. There was a very large attendance at St. Benedicts on Sunday, 29th ultimo. Very Rev. Father Cuthbert Downey, 0.5.8., officiated, and Rev. Father Vaggioli preached.— Father Vaggioli has made quite a name for himself by his didactic sermons and lectures, and is becoming a very favourite preacher, so much so that many persons of the other denominations flock to hear him/ 'His language is plain, easily understood', and suited to modern ideas.. iQn'ithe same day, at 11 o'clock, at the Cathedral, Rev. Father Walter Macdonald , celebrated Maps ; there was a very fair attendance, amongst others being a number of Maoris. Father Walter, as usual, had a few word

of piety and instruction for them, and in bis own able manner discoursed in their native tongue. -The Bey. Father Leniban, 0.5.8., celebrated the earlier Masses. The Bey. Father O'Garra, 0.8.8., has set out for Opotiki, in order to hold a mission there. Upon Ascension Day High Mass was celebrated as usual, at the Cathedral, by the Bey. Father Lenihan, 0.5.8. Earlier Masses were also heard; as well as vespers. Sunday, 29th ultimo, was the occasion of a ceremony -of an unusual but gratifying nature to the members of the choir of St. Patrick's Cathedral. Miss Shanaghan, the able and talented pianiste and vocalist, whose name has been inseparable with musical matters in connection with our Holy Church in Auckland for a great number of years past, was the recipient of a handsome gold lever watch and albert, and also a chastely wrought silver bracelet. The former gift bore the following inscription : " To Miss Shanaghan, from the members of St. Patrick's Cathedral choir. Auckland, 1883." Also on the outside of the case of same the initials "M. J.:S." The choir and friends met in the presbytery, there being many, present. The Bey. Father Walter Macdonald in a neat speech eulogised the services so long and faithfully rendered to the choir by Miss Shanaghan, and upon presenting the above-mentioned gifts, together with a handsome black silver-mounted ladies' reticule and muff combined, wished the fair recipient many days of enjoyment of the same. Miss Shanaghan replied in a few touching words, and with emotion expressed her hearty and sincere thanks to those who bad so kindly remembered her, and added that the presents so thoughtfully bestowed would lie cherished as mementos of her association with St. Patrick's choir. A concert was held last evening in aid of St. Benedict's Church bazaar to be opened at Christmastide. The proceeds amounted to about £20. It is proposed to place in the hands of each intended stallkeeper a small sum from this amount as a fund to purchase material for working up articles intended to be exposed for sale at the bazaar. Upwards of £13 were received during the past week in aid of St. Benedicts' Building Fund. At Ponsonby, the western suburb of Auckland, a fatal boat accident occurred on Tuesday, Ist inst. Professors Walker and Tucker, as also a lad named Bydder, went out to fish off Home Bay. The two former gentlemen had recently arrived here, being Professors for the Auckland University College. Having attempted to "go about " a squall caught the sail and the boat gave a lurch and capsized. All three were precipitated into the water. Young Bydder managed to swim ashore, whilst Professor Tucker clung to the boat ; but Professor Walker, who, it is believed, must have been struck when the boat upset, could nowhere be seen. Professor Tucker was eventually taken ashore in a semi-exhausted condition, and restoratives having been applied was at length revived. Search was made for Professor Walker by many residents of the district as well as by the police, but in vain. This sad accident cast quite a gloom over the people in town when it became known. Sir Maurice O'Rorke officially offered a reward for the recovery of the body, and some days passed ere it was discovered. He was especially celebrated for his scholarly attainments, and for the positions which he had taken at college ; being second wrangler at Cambridge at 26 years of age. At a meeting of the University Council Sir M. O'Bourke alluded to the death of the deceased in a very feeling manner, and as to his abilities in very high terms. The deceased was unmarried. Mr. Nackelvie has again forwarded to our museum a celebrated specimen in the shape of a bronze statue unearthed at Pompeii. *jdo Bicycle races are to be held in the Domain Cricket Ground on Saturday next, at 3 p.m. A great number of spectators is expected , as this meet is to be about the first of a special nature which we have had here. A new advertising: medium is being started here, and is to be called " The Auckland Advertiser." Old Aucklanders will rejoice to hear of the removal of that unsightly block of wooden buildings between Shortland and Fort streets, and facing Queen street. lib is determined to erect a new block of a superior kind. The old Metropolitan Hotel, just opposite, has already been razed, and the foundations of a stately edifice are just at present being put down. Messrs. Sargood, Son and Co. are also erecting an immense warehouse on the site of Quick's livery and bait siablee, the first storey alone being within a few feet of the roof of the Victoria Hotel which adjoins. The stone and iron used in the construction of this building are imported from the Home Country. The Auckland Savings Bank is nearly completed, as far as the masons are concerned, and the scaffolding was taken down from the face of the building on Tuesday. The appearance of the building is grand, unique and imposing, and is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, piece of workmanship in this Colony. The work seems almost extravagant. The new Bank of New South Wales progresses favourably under the hands of the contractors, but has not quite reached the topmost block. It will add greatly to the appearance of the city. Thomas Russell, Esq., C.M.G., is having an immense block of buildings erected at the head of Queen street wharf, on t lie n claimed land, where the Coffee Palace had thought to have fixed their " hotel." Miss Jennie Lee, of whose acting too much cannot be said in the way of commerdation, has been playing 'Jo " to large audiences for t\several days past. His Excellency the Governor, Lady and family attended a performance of the same play on Friday evening last. Miss Lee is now performirg the " Grasbopper," and still draws large houses. "Jo " caused quite a furore, but " Grashopper " is not so much talked about. Men, women and children were observed to freely use their pocket-handkerchiefs during part of the performance of " Jo," and it has been universally admitted that the effect produced by the play is a powerful and beneficial one. Word has been received that the members of the Wynyard family are the beneficiaiies under the will of a distant relation to the tune of upwards of a million of money. It is said that Mr. Bobert Wynyard is alone to receive a million, and others proportionately.

It is said that Hon. John Bryce, Native Minister, intends introducing a Bill next session in order to put a stop to the purchasing of Native lands by Europeans. This is to bring about a better state of circumstances for the Maoris, who are to lease their lands instead of parting with their freehold. Mr. Bryce thinks (.and I have it on good authority) that the Natives are badly done by. Has this Bill an echo, or has the Native Minister discovered a flaw in his policy ? The City Council are changing the names of streets in order to prevent confusion hereafter. v Some dissatisfaction has already been evinced re same, yet, on the whole, the policy iB looked upon as a wise and proper one. The Auckland Rowing Association Regatta was a manifest success. ' . . . His Excellency has been visiting the different points of interest around about Auckland He is to stay here for some weeks yet. We are to have a review.. of Volunteers on the 21th instant, and though Volunteering of late has been somewhat obscure as regards public demonstrations, it is believed that a good muster will take place on that day. Money is still scarce, and as much as ten per centum iB asked and given on mortgage, of what «otne months back was considered first-class freehold security. - ■ Dally,