AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XV, Issue 52, 20 April 1888, Page 15

AUCKLAND.

(From our own Correspondent.)

April 7. Mb. C. B. Molloy, M.P., at present at the Thames, is to deliver a lecture next Monday evening (,9th), in the school of mines, the subject being " The Hydrogeus Amalgam Process of Extracting Gold from Refractory Ores," of which he is the inventor. So reads a local in Saturday's JSell, one of the fairest and b^st conducted papers ever started in Auckland. Mr. Molloy intends to combine business with pleasure, and in visiting our shores, like an energetic, Bhrewd man, endeavours to advance his fortune. But this able M.P. does more. For the moment he puts self aside, and takes up the cause of poor, suffering, and much-maligned Ireland. On next Monday night, he is to lecture on " Self -Government for Ireland." And the fact of his being not only an ardent Home Ruler, but also a distinguished English barrister, who cannot be accused of Irish prejudices, ought; to be quite enough to secure him a large audience. Sooner or later justice triumphs, and lreland's|cause is no exception to the rule. When the Redmond Brothers Tisited our city some four years ago why there was hardly anyone to receive them, or hold out the hand of welcome. True there was a Committee of Reception, but when I tell you that the Reception Committee had to content themselves with the services of an illiterate blacksmith for a Chairman, you can easily fathom the depths of our then existing patriotism. If poor George Leahy could but see the scowl with which J. E. Redmond regarded his Chairman and hearers, with all his vanity he would be scarcely flattered. Thauk God, this is a thing of the past, and persons of all shades of religion are beginning to be enlightened and to recognise the justice of the Irish cause. With such noble men as G. M. Reed, Dr. Leger Erson, and amongst the polloi, P. Gleeson, Maurice Foley, William Byre, David Barry, etc., etc., there can be no lack of Chairmen at Mr. Molloy 's lecture. There is so much, yet so little news to chronicle, that it is hard to know what to write.

The Hon. G. Mitcbelson (Minister of Public Works) is amongst us just now ; and I should imagine kept pretty busy. Judging from ihe Press, be seems to have all his time laken up with deputations some seeking for this, some for that, but the majority trying to find something to do. Depression ia certainly in the ascendant, yet strange to relate, there seems no scarcity of money for amusements. I see you had great doings in th« South during "Holy Week." In this diocese our Bishop substituted for the " Tenebrae " other services. The change as far as I know, met with general approval. At the Cathedral the great feature was the singing of Fathers Egan, Lenihan and Kehoe, which was the theme of universal admiration ; and the sermons of Fathers McManus, O'Gara, 0.5.8., and Kehoe.— On the Wednesday night Father McManus preached an earned and forcible sermon on " Confession," and strongiy advises his hearers, as good and practical Catholics, to put aside mock-mode- ty, to prepare properly, and worthily approach the Blessed Eucharist.— Thursday night Father O'Gara 0.5.8 , preached ; of course his sermon was an eloquent one. Although his subject " Unworthy Communion " was a difficult one, still he treated it in an able and masterly manner. Father O'Gara is one of the shining lights of the Benedictine Order. He lives at the monastery Newton, and whenever he is announced to preach, the church is crowded to suffocation. At St. Patrick's he surpassed himself and won golden opinions from the congregation. — On Friday night Father Kehoe preached on the " Passion." And by all accounts his discourse was the grandest ever heard within the walls of the Cathedral. For years I have heard sermons and heard them criticised, but never in my life have I heard such compliments paid to the preacher. The Benedictine Fathers held, as of old, the " Tenebm " services. The good Fathers were very busy during Holy Week, and. must have, felt relieved when all was over.

At St. John's, Parnell, Father Costello had the usual services preaching on the Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. The Altar of Repose was beautiful, and the ladies of the Altar Society deserve the greatest praUe. The Sacred Heart. Ponsonby, was partly deserted during the week as the genial pastor, Father Lenihan, had to assist at town. On Easter Sunday there was High Mass at the city churches. At night the altars looked magnificent with their enormous collection of flowers and candles.

During the week there has been quite a crowd of Catholic concerts. The Royal Irish held one at the Lome street Hall.— At the Catholic Institute a farewell concert was given, to Miss Kirby, who for years caa been instrumental in promoting the Catholic cause in various ways, and who is leaving for Sydney.— The Parnell Christian Doctrine Society had their concert in the Newmarket Hall on Tuesday last, and certainly they ought to be satisfied with the result. The attendance was good, and the various items splendidly rendered. In the first part the Misses Buckley, Lynch, Hogan, Knight, George and Coupland, and Dr. Leger Erson, Herr Tutschke, and Mr. Christopher assisted. The second part consisted of the laughable farce entitled " Whitebait in Greenwich," in which the principal characters were sustained by Mi3s Kilfoyle, Miss Mary George, and Messrs. Jackson, Palmer, Way mouth, and Montague. The entertainment was highly successful, and it is to be hoped will be repeated. As this letter is already too long, I shall reserve any further news for your next issue.