AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 3, 4 November 1892, Page 6

AUCKLAND.

(From our own Correspondent.) I will draw aside the screen that you may have a peep at commercial integrity as it is known in Auckland. Scene : the Bankruptcy Court— Merchant Jowitt going through the cleansing process. Mr Matthews, a creditor : ♦• We all pretty well knew Mr Jowitt's position when he started, and willingly gave him credit." Mr Cotter, solicitor for one firm (who w«re creditors) said : " My clients deny that they understood that Mr Jowitt was starting on no capital. We wish to put a stop to this kind of trading." Mr Devore, solicitor for bankrupt : •' Ton wish, then, to close up the whole town." Through the courtesy of the Rev Father Hackett 1 have been enabled to peruse an American magazine entitled "The World's Columbian Exposition Illustrated," and from which I quote the following, and which should prove to be of vital interest at the present time :— " The National Catholic Educational Exhibit is a fact. Scarcely had Chicago been selected as the place of the World's Fair than the Archbishops of the United States determined to Bhow the world, and the American people in particular, how ten millions of people could pay the Government tax for the Government schools and still support and patronise six universities, 64 seminaries, 188 colleges, 633 academies, 3,600 parochial schools— rather 6DOO, remembering the boys and girls are taught separately— with a total roll of 800,000. Preliminary meetings were commenced for this purpose in October, 1890. The old-time cry that nothing was learned in Catholic schools but religion could now be for ever killed ; this was the opportunity to chow that although the parochial schools had not the financial backing of the Government establishments, the children could learn as well, if not better, the subjects taught in the Government schools, and, over and above this, learn their moral duties as taught by the Catholic Church. Snch were the motives that stimulated the representatives at these various meetings to undertake what the world has never seen before : a religion exemplifying its thorough organisation within the most cosmopolitan country the world has ever knowo, by presenting to tbe world a national education exhibit of the work done within the schoolhouses owned and supported by a people who, moreover, pay their portion of taxation to educate the children of the remaining 64,000,000.000 iv the country We may look for a marvellous revelation." 1 make no excuse for the length of this extract as it speaks eloquently for itself. It ought to rouse us in New Zealand from that apathy and to bestir ourselves and follow tbe lead of our co-religionists in the land of Columbus. I might also state that in this magazine I noticed that His Holiness

Pope Leo XIII. has promised to exhibit at the World's Fair the treasures of the Vsticsn Palace. What is your opinion, my readers, of this precious paragraph taken from the Auckland Star last week?—" Wellington,— A picture of great historical interest, especially to Irish Protestants, is about to be presented to the citizens of Auckand by Mr William Mitchell, the well-known Parliamentary reporter. This painting, which is of large size and well executed, is a reproduction of Folingsby's great historical picture of " The relief of Derry," which will be familiar to the North ] of Ireland people. The frame is made of oak that formed part of the roof of the Derry Cathedral in 1689, when the stirring event depicted took place. Mr Mitchell proceeds to Auckland on Friday, taking the picture with him, and on arrival will present it to the City Council." Let the "well-known Parliamentary reporter " get rid of his encumbrance elsewhere in another and more congenial atmosphere, say the Belfast Corporation, who would upon " pious, glorious, and immortal " occasions, trot it out in Sandy Row, thereby arousing the martial ardour of the 'prentice boys ere their taking to the •' last ditch." Away with it, kind benefactor, for here its potency would lie dormant. The bazaar of the Sisters of Mercy at the Agricultural Hall was formally opened last evening by the Very Rev Father Paul, V.G., in the presence of a large gathering of those interested in the work of the Sisters. The ball, under the gaslight, with its numerous and artistic decorations, certainly was a brilliant and animated spectacle, and the various stalls and exhibits could not have been displayed to better advantage or with greater effect. Besides the rev president there were also present the Rev Fathers Hackett, Egao, and Lenihan. In opening the bazaar Father Paul spoke of the great and good work which the Sisters of Mercy were accomplishing, not only in the city but outside it also, and it was only right that they should be assisted and strengthened in the benevolent work they had voluntarily undertaken. This affair was one way by which all might assist, and he then declared the bazaar open and business was started immediately after. Shortly after the opening ceremony the Very Rev Monsignor McDonald arrived from Howick accompanied with his fife and drum band under bandmaster Smith. They supplied the evening's quota of music in an admirable manner, giving as their first item a selection of Irish airs. The many additional attractions connected with the bazaar were all a source of interest and amusement, while a pretty fairy dance by the children in the Sisters of Mercy Institution was greatly appreciated. The bazaar will be opened daily during the remainder of the wpek from three to ten p.m.