PRESENTATION TO THE BISHOP OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 27, 28 October 1887, Page 19

PRESENTATION TO THE BISHOP OF DUNEDIN.

( Continued from page 15.)

you heartily for this recognition of my sentiments ia this respect, and am proud to be rightly underst >od in refereac-i to these subjects. You also speak about the New Zua.la.nd Tablet. Tola is a point on which I have some delicacy ia speaking. But as this paper has not been entirely mv work — as others have really b.9d more to do in making it a success than I— it may be permitted to me to say a few words in reply to this part of your touching and beautiful addresses. The New Zea.la.nd Tablet is all you say ; it is Catholic above and before everything else— the unflinching advocate of Cathjlic education, and true as steel to the cause of Irish rationality. As to the ability with which it has been conducted, it is unnecessary for me to say anything. You are yourselves witnesses of this, a dso is all Australasia. But, I may add, that what the New ZEALAND Tablst has been in the past, it will be at least in the future, an < that it depends entirely on the Catholic lai*y of New Zealand whether it will not be baiter. Give it greater support than ever, and it will be better thin ever, And now, in conclusion, first apologising for having detained you so long, I have to thank you most s.ncerely aud tieartily for your eloquent a idresses and splendid testimonial, and to say that every shilling of this shall be spent in promoting the interests of religion and education. Hie Lordship (as reported by the Daily Times) went oa to say : That is my reply to the addresses that h*ve now been presented to me, and although you have been kept a considerable time this evening it Btrikes me jou may not perhaps be disinclined to hear a f w words with reference to my receut visit to Australia particuUrly as regards the position of religion there and the state of Ct ristian education. I avail myself, in the first place, of this opportunity to express my great tnanks for all the kindness and hospitality I experienced during my absence, and I desire to say that nothing could exceed this, and 1 trust it will not be forgotten by you on every suitable occasion. Af'erbaviDgviiiied three of the colouies, and travelled extensively through them, I am enabled to say that rehgioa is fljurianing there. You meet with fine chuiches in every direc ion, aad numerous and efficient Catholic schools ; and I assure you though you have fought the battle of Christian education bravely, you have not excelled your brethren in Aus.ralia. They have had a similar fight, and fought as bravely as you if not more so. It was also my privilege to ex inline the children on many occasions at the request of one of the chief dignitaiies. I have visited many schools in company with his Grace" of Melbourne, and have come to the conclusion tbat the children are admiribly taught there, and that nothing can exceed the manrer in which they have been instructed in thi ir holy religion. Instiuction has been given in such a mauner aa to develop their minds and liierary tastes. With regard to secular subjects, I have come to the conclusion that our schools, to say the least of it, are not inferior to any in the country. lam also happy to bear te timmy that I found all engaged in teaching our holy religion and inthe performance of the ordinaucesjthey \vero not only snch as they should be, but were ex ceedinly hard-working and devo ed to their duties. Altogether, therefore, I am pleased to tell you that my visit has not only served me in health considerably, but has become a source of the greatest pleasure bringing me consolation and instruction, and strengthening me iv many ways for the fight still before us. I was desirous of saying these words from eratitude for all the kindness I have received, and because I felt called on at the first public opportunity to give expression to my feelings as to the state of religion and education in Ausiralia. I thank you all for coming here this evening, for this magnificent demonstration, and for the large and munificeDt testimonial presented to me. I cannot thank you sufficiently in words, but will try by greater zeal than heretofore, and more energy ia labour to prove to you that I am a little grateful for all your kindness. The congregation which was densely crowded then dispersed. The Bishop, accompanied by Archdeacon Ooleman, left Dunedin on Thursday morniog tor Oamaru.