AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 8, 13 June 1884, Page 17

AUCKLAND.

(From our Own Correspondent.) May 29, 1884. Again the Auckland diocese — although not, as on the last occasion, widowed — must console itself for a time in the absence of its bishop. His Lordship. Bishop Luck, 0.5.8., left here on Tuesday, 6th inst., for Sydney en route to Kome and Great Britain, the object being to secure, if possible, the services of a number of Catholic clergymen and religious teachers for this diocese. Consequent on the increasing growth of the Catholic population in country districts, many of which would now be able to support a clergyman, numerous applications have from time to time been made to His Lordship to supply the muchfelt want. If, in addition to some priests for country districts, Catholic schools could be established, it is thought they would be numerously attended, as the present rather muddled state of confusion and wrangling on the part of education boards and school committees — not to speak of other noxious tendencies— is not calculated to act as a wholesome precept in the minds of the parents of the rising generation. In the city itself the educational wants of Catholic children are well attended to, as, in addition to the excellent schools of the Sisters of Mercy at Ponsonby and Hobson street, and the boys' large school, Pitt street, a school, under the superintendence of the Benedictine Fathers, and conducted by two Sisters of the Order of St. Joseph, has just been established in Newton, and is largely attended. In consequence of the erection of the new Cathedral of St. Patrick's, the boys' school, conducted by Mr. Began, on the present site, has been transferred to the large school of the Sacred Heart, erected some years since by the proceeds of Father Hennebery's mission ; it is attended by about 150 boys. The contractors for the erection of a portion of the Cathedral have made a good start with the preliminary part of the work. Meanwhile subscriptions towards its completion are very liberally forthcoming weekly, which must be very gratifying to those interested in the work, especially to the Very Key. Father Walter McDonald (administrator), whose indefatigable exertions in every good work connected with the Church here, for the last quarter of a century, have borne such good fruit. During the present month the Premier and Sir Geotge Grey addressed crowded audiences at the Theatre Eoyal. The patience of the former must have been a long way after Job's to enable, him to stand all the banter and ridicule he was exposed to. He expressed himself pretty freely in favour of denominational education, but, as the majority of his constituents held different opinions, he could not with safety hurt their feelings by being its advocate. In politics, as in other matters, India-rubber consciences are often of much utility. Sir George, in order to still further ingratiate himself with the electors of City East, would not advocate any change in the present system of education, but, unfortunately, drifted "from Scylla to Chary bdis" in replying to two questions put to him, viz. : Was he in favour of free or assisted immigration ? He was not, for he did not believe it was fair that one section of the community should be taxed to carry on a project from which thay derived no benefit whatever. Query No. 2 : Do you think it right or just that the Roman Catholics of New Zealand should be taxed for the purpose of carrying on a system of education of which they cannot conscientiously avail themselves, and, consequently, from which they can derive no benefit? He could not really offer a decided answer ; it was such a broad party question, but he thought their conduct was much to be admired. His audience could not help thinking his replies to both questions (which were parallel) rather inconsistent. A farmers' Cooperative Association has been formed in the Waikato, having in view the establishment of stores in Auckland for the sale of their various farm produce, at a much lower rate than present quotations. On account of the wet weather for some time, various works in . connection with city improvements are at a standstill, and working men are somewhat distressed in consequence. The cutting down of Fort Britomart, in order to give an easy grade from Princes street to the railway station, is at present going on, and is a work of some magnitude. On Sunday last two very instructive sermons were delivered at St. Benedict's Church, Newton, one in the morning, by Father Vaggioli, on " The wide-spread evil caused by the reading of bad books," and another in the evening, by Father O'Gara, on " Intemperance," both of which were listened to with much appreciation by large congregations.