AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 8, 9 December 1892, Page 18

AUCKLAND.

(Prom our own Correspondent.) December Ist, 1892. The local branch of the H.A.C.B. Society approached Holy Communion at St Patrick's last Sunday week. Between 70 and 80 members in regalia turned out. The chaplain of the branch, Father Hackett, addressed them briefly. It gladened bis heart to see such a muster, as there was a tendency now-a-days to say that it wa9 the women who kept alive the spirit of the Church ; bit edifying spectacles like that of this morning entirely disproved such statements. Love of our holy religion, and of each other, and last, but not leaßt, to ever cherish a longing and a desire for dear old Ireland. Upon th ! s basis yoor Society stands, and believe me, co long as you remain steadfast to these principles,^ evidenced by you this morning, success, spiritual and material, will crown your efforts. Fathers Hackett and Downey left for Sydney last week in the Warrimoo. You would have thought that every parishoner from St Patrick's, and St Benedict's was in attendance to " farewell " the popular " soggarths." So apparent was this that the officers of the ship forbade other than passengers from boarding her. As the Fathers are doing the round trip you will have them in Dunedin ere long. Father Bgan (not Dr Bgan) of the Northern Wairoa is stationed at St Patrick's nntil the return of the administrator. The annual concert of the Sisters of Mercy's schools took place on last Friday evening in the presence of his Lordship the Bishop, and Fathers Lenihan, Bgan, and Doyle. An illnminated address from the pupils was presented to the Bishop, who returned his thanks for the kindly sentiments towards him, and added how pleased he was to find himself once more amongst his dear children. The concert, consisting of vocal and instrumental numbers, followed by an amnsing dialogue, was successfully earned through. Now the object of these annual concerts is to show the proficiency attained in the interim by the pnpils. Very well. In the long programme under notice one looks in \ain for one single item of Irish music, vocal or instrumental. Was proficiency not desired in this direction, although three parts of the performers bore Irish names ? Is it that the beautiful melodies, plaintive and joyous and abounding in the legendary and historical lore of Brio, are not "higb-falutin" enough for our children children of Irish parents? "Ireland's faith and nationality are inseparable. Cherish and venerate one, and you will cberisb and venerate the other." These words were uttered in St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland by the present Archbishop of Cashel, and should act as a standing warning to parents and those in charge of our schools. Verbum sat sapienti. Dr Egan has been appointed to the charge of the Newton parish, and as it is permanent, St Patrick's choir has lost a choir-master than whom there is no better in this Colony. Mr J. D. Connolly, American Consul, has returned after doing the round trip in the Warrimoo. Although not quite restored to health, yet be has benefited immensely by his sojourn on the briny. His introduction to what George Augustus Sala called " Marvellous Melbourne" was not of the pleasantest kind. "What causes that dreadful effluvia?" he asked his friend immediately they trod on terra finna. '• Oh ;it is only that big steamer leaving the pier and stirring up the Yarra." Thiee times he visited Parliament House, and on each occasion personal recriminations were as rife and plentiful as autumn leaves at Valambrosa. At Hobart, on bis return, he learned of the victory of bis political chief, Grover Cleveland. Free railway passes were extended to him wherever he went, but his health prevented his utilising them. " Who was Auckland's first mayor ? " is now a subject of acrimonious controversy in the local Press. Comparatively speaking, our city is but of yesterday, and here we are at sixes and sevens over an occurrance of contemporary moment. History— what a complex thing you are ; and what facilities you hold out to diverse narration. Monsignor Paul stood at the bedside and witnessed the death of the late famous Dr Doyle, widely known in literary circles as the author of the famous articles written over the norn de plume of J.K.L. This renowned Irish bishop gave evidence before a Boyal Commission in London, having for its object the usual " enquiry into the condition of Ireland." A friend, meeting one of the Commissioners one evening, said, " You were examining DoyJe to-day 1 " 11 Quite the contrary ; Doyle was examing us." J.K.L. was a man of the people and a terror to the landlord and shoneen class. The Wesleyan parsons have this week treated us to a " divarshun.'' A meeting was called to form an N.Z. Wesleyan Sunday School Union. For a time all went smoothly till one of the " white tie 1 ' reverends said, "If the Wesleyans, like the Anglicans, tanght such rubbish as !my godfathers and godmothers promised for me ' and

1 made members of Christ, children of God,' why let them hare a union by all means." This evoked vehement protests. " Ton can protest, bat it's rubbish all the same." Confusion now reigned supreme, quiet being restored through the harried exit of the assailer of the Church "as by law established." On the following morning, at the Wesleyaa district meeting, the Rev J . Berry arose and said, " I wish to explain that, in the warmth of debate last evening, I was betrayed into using a word which, in my calmer moments, I did not approve. I spoke of a part of the Church of England catechism as rubbißb, and I wish voluntarily to withdraw it." Converse, interpretation, and its consequent results. His Lordship the Bishop has secured the services of Professor Galbraith, M.A., to inspect the Catholic schools of the diocese. The Professor begins his duties at once. Journeying through our streets upon Wednesday afternoon jou would imagine yourself in old Madrid during the sietta. The majority closa on the Saturday afternoon, a >d Herein lies the danger of losing one or both. At the last meeting of the local branch of the Irish National Federation, Mr J. J. Daly, well known in Westport, read an original and most interesting paper entitled " Mr ParneU's influence on the Land League movement. Mr and Mrs J. Campbell of Point Erin returned last week after a two months sojourn in Bydn«y. Mrs Campbell for whose health the trip was undertaken has greatly b nefited by it. While in Sydney, Mr Campbell met another enthusiastic Irishman, and together they proceeded to the burial ground at Bedfern for the express purpose of viewing the grave of one of the men of ' 98, Michael Dwyer. Its neglected state, Mr Campbell says is a disgrace to the Irishmen of New South Wales. The annual Christmas tree, in aid of St Patrick's presbytery building fund takes place this evening in the Catholic Institute under the supervision of Miss Eate Sheehan. The Auckland Catholic Literary Bociety brought to a close this years' session by an enjoyable concert and social in the Catholic Institute last evening. Amongst those present were the Hon William Jennings M.L.C., and Mrs Jennings. Our criminal proceedings at the Supreme Court are in full swing as I write. The local Press comment, and rightly so, at the presence during the hearing of some filthy cases. We legislate now upon almost everything, and I " think that prohibitory legislation in this direction would not be amiss, though it has often been said "you cannot make a nation virtuous by Act of Parliament,"