ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL, AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 7, 2 December 1892, Page 27

ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL, AUCKLAND.

(From the New Zealand Graphic) The history of St Patrick's Cathedral is intimately bound up with that of this city, but more particularly that period which embraces the early forties, and revealing to modern Auckland, surrounded by those luxuries pertaining to our advanced state of invention and perfection, the trials and vicissitudes of its pioneers in the pristine days of its inception. Up to 1842, missionaries from the Bay called occasionally at Auckland, and in the latter end of the year a long wooden church was built, io which the first meeting of the congregation was held, and comprised the following gentleman Messrs Andrews, O'Brien, Fairs, Ryan, Fagan, Grace, Coyle, Conroy, Dignan (now the Hon P. Dignan, M.L.C.), Dr Lee, Harkins, Donovan, McGarvey, Henry, Lorrigan, Sheehan, Hennessy, Walsh, and McCarthy. Father Petitjean presided, A motion to appoint a treasurer was proposed, but was opposed for what appears an

excellent reason, " that there was nothing to treasure." Thii meeting attracted the attention of Bishop Pompallier at the Bay, and led to more frequent visits from the priests. Father Petitjean used to seek his psacefnl slumbers behind the altar on a "shake down." The Biitiop arriving from the Bay a rengalar meeting was held, and the first act was to consecrate the burial gronnd. Contemplating an early visit to Europe, the Bishop was asked if he would remove the See to Auckland provided that daring his absence a oathedral was bnilt, Auckland being then the seat of Government. He would make no answer farther than that he would do all in bis power to assist them to carry out their object. Shortly after a meeting was held, when it was determined the building should be of stone, and tenders were called some time in 1845. la 1846 the foundation-stone was laid by Dr Pompallier, and the future cathedral placed under the invocation of Ireland's patron saint. The Bishop soon after departed for Europe, and during his absence Dr Viard, his coadjutor, carried on the work of the construe* tion of the cathedral, assisted by Fathers Petitjean and Forest. Owing to the primitive state of the approaches to the work and the somewhat crude appliances, it was rendered one of considerable magnitude. It was often found impossible to convey the stones by dray, etc., up the steep hill, and there was nothing for it but to carry them up upon one's back. In doing this Father Forest received permanent injuries to his back. The sacred edifice is built of blocks of scoria stone quarried from Mount Eden, the roof being slate. The structure is oblong, 80 feet by 30 ieet ; five large windows at each side, and a corresponding three-light window at its northern end, and at the opposite end is the altar composed of polished cedar. The ceiling is of ornamental beams. This is a crude description of an undertaking (at the time one of great magnitude) clearly portraying the sterling characteristics of the founders of the city by the Waitemata in the far-off forties, and en passant be it recorded that but for the liberality of the Protestants and the 68th Regiment then stationed here the construction would have been considerably retarded. The building was completed in 1848, and opened by Father Viard, VicarGeneral (afterwards Bishop). Bishop Pompallier returned in 1850 and with him came a number of Irish and French priests and the' first body of the Sisters of Mercy. Old age and a longing to end hit days in La Belle France necessitated a second jonrney to Europe by the Bishop, thus creating a vacancy in the Bishopric of Auckland , which was filled by Dr Croke, the present Archbishop of Oashel, who arrived here in 1870. The new Bishop tben inaugurated a movement to build a cathedral commensurate to our advancement, but in 1874 be left for Europe. His successor, Archbishop Steins, arrived in December, 1879, and during 1880 he took immediate steps to build % new cathedral. A most successful bazaar was held at the close of the year, thereby augmenting the fund already well advanced. Boon after Archbishop Steins died in Sydney, which sad event farther delayed the project. To the present Bishop, Bight Bey Dr Lack, is due the honour of successfully starting and completing the new church. Oa the 4th May, 1884, the foundation was laid, and on the 2nd March, 1885, it was solemnly opened in the presence of Archbishop Redwood and Bishops Morao and Luck, and a large number of the clergy and laity, Through the untiring zeal of the ever-popular • Father Walter,' a large proportion of the money for the erection of the new cathedral was collected. The design is Gothic, constructed of brick, and cemented ouside, and roofed with slate. An opening was effected, the width of the new nave, in the western wall of the old structure forming for the time being, and pending further and more permanent improvements, the transept. Over the main entrance is a tower 140 feet in height, surmounted by a gilt cross 6 feet high. There are two bells banging in the tower which formerly did service in summoning to worship the inhabitants of the city by the Tiber, and were subsequently brought hither by

BUbtfp Luok. fflt« dimensions of the nave are 85 feefi by %6l ' Ttfere aw three aisles all pared with Mosaic tiles ; the floor of the seating portion is boarded. The organ gallery is over the main entrance, and contains tbe finest and moat powerful organ in the city, if not in the Colony, which is driven by water-power. The old altar situated at tbe eastern end, will shortly be replaced by a beautiful marble one seenred in Europe by Bishop Lack, and now awaits hit return, when it will be erected. The mission crost, presented by Miss Clara Tole of Ponsonby, during the first mission of the RedemptorUt Fathers, stinds 8 feet high, is composed of wood, suspended upon which is a figure of the Messiah. The present youthful and energetic Administrator of St Patrick's is Father Hackett. He is a native of Moate, County Westmeath, Ireland, from whence he journeyed to Rome, and where, at tbe College of the Propaganda, after eight years of bard study, he was ordained for the priesthood ; the late Cardinal Simmeoni, Prefect of Propaganda, subsequently sending him to Auckland. Amongst his own flock Father Hackett's name isa household word, while bis fame as a preacher is well-established. Father Doyle was ordained at the famous College of Maynooth, Ireland, and for a long time laboured in hij native diocese, but some few years ago, owing to ill-bealtb, he came out to Australia, ani was subsequently obliged to seek the more congenial climate of New Zealand, where he arrived about three years back, beiDg stationed for tbe greater part of that time at St Patrick's. Dr Bgan, 0.5.8., was ordained at Borne in 1875, being educated at San Ambrogio College. He studied music in the renowned St Cecilia College, now called the Boyal Academy, under Professors Capoccia and Bjraion, at which institution he took the musical degree of Maestro Compositore. He left Borne in 1876, being subsequently stationed at the Benedictine College of St Augustine, Bamsgate, England. He arrived in Auckland in 1885, and has since acted as Bißhop's secretary, at the same time displaying his musical capacity by conducting, upon each alternate Sunday, the choirs of St Patrick's and St Benedict*.} Such, in epitome, is the history of St Patrick's Cathedral. We cannot point to its architectural beauty, or to its bearing witness of tbe rise and fall of dynasties in the far-off generations with that pardonable pride of the Bomans when extolling St Peter's or tbe Par* ißiaua Ndtre Dame, but there are many Auck landers who will ever fondly cherish in their memories and affections the history and the hallowed associations and reminiscences of St Patrick s Cathedral. A proud man must be Bishop Luck, of Auckland, if he takes any pride in being an extremely popular and well-beloved man. The welcome accorded his Lordship was of the most enthusiastic nature. On the wharf were representatives of various parishes, etc., including •—Very Bey Father Paul, Vicar-General ; Tery Bey Father Hackett, Administrator, 8t Patrick's ; Bey Dr Egan, the Bishop's secretary ; Bey Fathers Lenihan (Parneli), Gillan (Ponsonby), Doyle (St Patrick's ; McMillan (Pakekohe), Messrs D. G. MacDonnell, 0. Canning, M. J. Sheahan, J.P., St Patrick's ; P. Darby, J. A. Tole, and John Macguire, Ponsonby ; P. Brophy, J. T. BoylaD,F. Green, St Ben - diet's ; Kilfoyle, M. Fallon, Judge O'Brien, Parnell ; Messrs J. Leahy, Hutchison, and Kelly, Onehunga. The Bey Brother Augustine and three other members of tbe Manst Order were also on the wharf. The Bishop was heartily greeted when he landed, and was escorted to a carriage drawn by four greys. On Sunday the Bi9hop wjs formally welcomed in the cathedral which forms tbe subject of this article. Father Paul performed the important ceremony of reading the address of welcome, whioh was after tbe usual style of such things, but included the important statement that the people had resolved to testimonialise their Bishop by the building of a new episcopal residence. The Bishop's reply is worthy of quotation. He said he could hardly express tbe extreme satisfaction and thankfulness he felt at finding himself once again io St Patrick's Cathedral, surrounded by his people, who during the year and eight months of his absence, had daily been in bis thoughts and prayers. Of course Borne had been the central point of bis visit to Europe, and be need hardly say that he bad obtained from the Holy Father bis blessing for the whole diocese. Amongst the clergy here there were two who were veterans — whose voices were well-known to them all, and whose good example had been edifying to tbe people. Of thoee two the venerable Father Paul was his Visar-General ani trusted counsellor. When present with the Pope, he had spoken to him of the merits of Father Paul, and of bis years of devoteJ work in this diocese, and asked that be should be enumerated amongst his household, and numbered as one of his honorary chamberlains, with the title of Monsiguor. That request had been granted, but it was with heartfelt pleasure that he announced that the Very Rev James Paul was now the Very Bey Monsignor Paul, private chamberlain of tbe Pope. The Bishop went on to Bpe&k of other circumstances of his journey, and said that as a result o! bis mission be had collected £4,450, and, after deducting expenses he was able to return to Auckland with a net sum of £3,000 for the work of the diocese. As to the allotment of this money, he would tale the advice of tbe venerable priests who were his- counsellors ; but be would devote a portion of

it 'to the* proposed episcopal residence, which was a dioceisn »nd nooeaiary work, and which might almost be regarded now at a certain fact. When he wai in Ireland, one of his first Tisits wm paid to that illustrious man, Archbishop Walsh, a prelate worthy of the Church of God, and a patriot worthy of Ireland. Though new a politician, be waa interested in politics ; and therefore he had asked the Archbishop his opinion as to the present position of affairs in Ireland. Bis reply was that he was perfectly content with the present political outlook in Ireland. He had also met that other illustrious prelate, bia Grace the Archbishop of Casbel, who gave him a subscription of £60, showing that he had not forgotten Auckland. It was highly probable that they would have an opportunity shortly of giving a hearty welcome in Auckland «o Archbishop Oroke, who wu likely to visit the colonies. Bishop' Luck expressed his warm thanks for the kindly sentiments contained in the address jost presented to him, He would say, in regard, to the Oatholic Literary Society and the Auckland branch of the League of the Cross, that the credit for their eucoess was due to the Key Father Hackett, who had been the heart and soul of -^both these institutions from their fonndation. Bishop Lack, in concladiag^his, address, spoke of Catholic unity as typical in what they witnessed 'that day, a spiritual father surrounded by his people, Catholic parents giving a grand example to their children, and the children a consolation to their parents, as one of the most important reauUg of a true Christian education.