AUCKLAND NOTES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 44, 19 August 1892, Page 7

AUCKLAND NOTES.

(From our own Correspondent.; August 6 Further news has, Blnce my last communication been received from our absent bishop. In July last he was at Nantes in France, where, owing to the dangerous illness of the bishop of that place, Bishop Luck officiated for him, administering Confirmation throughout the diocese. He intends spending part of the present month in England and Ireland, leaving afterwards for Auckland via the United Stateß. It is possible he will reach heie in October. I am sorry to say his Lordship's health is not improving. The 25th of last month being Father Hackett's patron Baint's day, the pupils of the Sisters of Mercy's schools presented him with an address, and a whole host of valuable household presents, An admiring friend also sent a nice silver lever watch in commemoration of the day to our Soggartli Aroon. I regret to say that Mr J. D. Connolly, United States Consul has had another attack from his old enemy of last year ; the rheumatic gout. Every one of our people commiserates this sterling Irieh- ! American Catholic. Far away from his home and family in Sonomo County, California, (but not from friends, for he has these in numbers around him) his genial and kind disposition to all, and his advocacy in season and out of season with voice aud pen, in defence of the land of his birth, old Ireland, have endeared" him to the Irish men and women of Auckland who hope for his speedy recovery. The Herald, which lately wrote that kindly (?) obituary notice of Home Rule, has renewed the onslaught, but in another direction. This time it is " that cable " which the Hon Mr Ballancs sent to Mr Gladstone congratulating him upon big victory in the election. If the Herald, like the London Daily Chronicle, would only change sides, and coma over to Liberalism then, possibly, Home Kule, aud theHon Mr Ballance's Ministry would survive, for really the Herald is an impediment to the progress of both. It is with pleasure I record that the Government has conferred upon the honourable J. A. Tole the office of Crown Prosecutor. That it will be filled with ability and credit to all concerned goes without saying. Mrs J. A. Tole is now on a visit to her parents in Melbourne, mostly for the benefit of her health. It is the intention of the pupils of the Marist Brothers' high school to perform on the 19th inst a beautiful drama by the late eminent Cardinal Wiseman entitled " The Golden Gem. 1 ' It was composed by this illustrious Prince of the Church on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Ushaw collpge in 1858, where it was first performed in the presence of the Cardinal and a number of bishops and priests. The good Brothers, together with their charges, have been labouring most assiduously ia the preparation of this somewhat heavy undertaking for some time past, and as the proceeds are to be devoted to the much needed improvements in the school laboratory, it is to be hoped that these laudable efforts will be appreciated by a bumper house. In the maintenance of our scholastic institutions we mnst depend upon ourselves, — as the physician makes answer to Macbeth — " Therein the patient Must minister to herself." The following telegrams ought to prove of interest to your readers. Hon J. Ballance, Wellington "On behalf of Irish National Federation here heartily commend your action re-Gladstone's victory.' 1 J. A. Tole President.— Hon J. A. Tole, Poneoaby, kindly express my thanks to Irish National Federation for their opinion of my action reGladstone's victory . — John Ballance, Wellington. The annual social tendered by the good lad.es of St Patrick's Cathedral in aid of the Presbytery building fund eventuated in St George's Hal), Newton, on the evening cf August 5, and was a most pronounced success. The getting up, and the carrying of these socialg to a successful issue entail great labour and worry upon all concerned especially upon the ladies, whom I have stood and watched toiling throughout the entire night, catering for the amusement of the large assembly. The ladies upon whom the duties devolved this year were Mesdames Linnardo acd Nolan, and the Misses B. Martin, Hawkins, Began, Callehan (2), Gough (2), and Donovan. Messrs E. Martin and Noonan acted as M.C's. During the early part of the evening the Rev Fathers Hackett adm.,lßt Patrick's, and Lenihan P.P. Parnell occupied seats on the stage. The annual election of officers for the Auckland Catholic Literary Society took place in St Patrick's Hall, on Tuesday August 2. Spiritual director, Rev Father Hjckett (re-elected) ; president, Mr E. Mahoney, (re-elected) unopposed ; vice-presidents, Messrs W. E.

Hackett (re-elected) ; and John Quinn ; secretary, Mr McCoy ; treasurer, Mr Long (re-elected) ; committee, Messrs D. Flynn, Steatt Tulberty ; librarian, Mr F. Amodes. Great interest was manifested in the elections ; and lam happy to stale that an irreligious and carping minority, who have too long held sway in the councils of this society, aye and almost at one time threatened its total disruption Lave been routed, let me hope finally. Brother Yoes of the Society of the Christian Doctrine arrived here from Tahiti by the Richmond on August 4. He is en route to France by way of Australia. Although having laboured in the West Indies for years ; two years were sufficient in Tahiti to injure bis health, hence his going home. His Order was founded some 50 or 60 years ago by l'Abbe Lamennais at Ploermel in Brittany, and consists of 20,000 members. Until recently almost half of the number were engaged teaching in all the French colonies, except New Caledonia. The laws of the French Republic some seven or eight years ago deprived them of the means of making a living, and so they had to return to that boasted land of liberty, fraternity and equality. Brother Yoes while here is a guest of the Marist Brothers, and leaves for Sydney on August 16.