AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 25, 8 April 1892, Page 15

AUCKLAND.

(From our own Correspondent.)

Auckland, March 28, 1892. The distribution of prizes to the children of Bt. Patrick's Sunday School took place yesterday, conducted by the Rev Father Hackett, and the ladies and gentlemen of the Christian Doctrine Society. Many handsome and valuable books were given, aod a large collection of crucifixes, rosaries, pictures, and so on. The catechism classes directed by the Society at the Cathedral every Sunday are well attended, but more men are wanted to take up the work of teaching. In the distribution of prizes 158 books were awarded, and 200 pictures, crosses, aad medals. Whitaker Bros., Wellington, supplied many of the books.

The Bey Father Amandolini, who arrived here recently from London, and has since been in St. Benedict's parish, has gone to take the place of the Bey Father O'Gara.

Friday night was a great one for the Auckland Orchestral Union, when they gave the opening concert of their season at the Opera House, and played for the first time under the baton of Mr Arthur Towsey, their new conductor. Mr Towaey was warmly received by the audience, who crowded the threatre to excess. He is a firm conductor, with plenty of decision, as well as confidence. F^r a great part of the time he directed from memory, peldom referring to (he scores before him. Three movements from Mendelssohn's "Italian Symphony," including the salterello ; four movements from Moskowski's Buite, " From Foreign Parts ; " a selectman from one of Wagner's operas, " L >h?ngrin " ; n o/erture di ballo by Sir Arthur Sullivan ; an overture by Flotow ; and a tnfb for flute, 'cello, and strings by Lange, formed the orchestral programme. Madame

Goldenstedt sang Donizetti's •' II segretto," and the (romance from ' Faust," " Whan all was young." Bonga were also given by Messrs T. M. Jacksoa and Raid. During tha concert, Mr Towsey was presented with a handsome bouquet.

One of the through passengers by the steamer Maripoaa, which arrived from San Francisco on Friday, was Brother Alexander, a Fran?i>cin, who is on his w»y to Sydney to esablnh schools of that order there. Ha is eloquent in praiso of the Oatholic Schools of America. In Brooklyn alooe, there are 17 schools of Franciscans, as well as one college chartered by the State ; and last month, in Jersey city, six students from 'heir esablishmentj won six scholarships against all comers, including boys from the Government schools.

During last week cricketers from Canterbury have been playing in Auckland, but their success bag been iodilierent, and in the interprovincial match, Auckland v. Canterbury, Auckland won by four wickets. They were passangers on Monday by the Takapana, on their return home, and were cheered, and cheered in reply, as they left the Auckland railway station.

There was a good attendance of members at the usual quarterly meeting of the Auckland branch of the Hibernian Society, at the Catholic Institute on Wednesday. The branch president, Brother W. Doran, wasthJ chairman. Amongst those present was a visitor, the Bey Father Gregory, of St. Benedict's. The feature of the meeting was the presentatkn of the many valuable prizes won at the recent sports of the Society in the Domain. Beautiful silver tankards, cruets, books, a large lamp, inlaid workboxes, and other uaeful awards were given. The president distributed the prizes.