AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 24, 13 October 1893, Page 27

AUCKLAND.

(From our own Correspondent.)

October 5, 1893. Last Sunday was a great day at St Patrick's Cathedra), special devotions being held in honour of our Blessed Lady (.and in view of the ioaalts heaped upon our Holy Mother recently in this city, they weie most opportune). His Lordship the Bishop celebrated first Mass, and gave Holy Communion to a large number. Rev Father Hackett, Adm., celebrated 11 o'clock Mass. His Lordship again attended, and read his October pastoral, in which he appealed to tbe diocese on behalf of the Seminary Fund, formed for the purpose of assisting in the education of priests. He pointed out the need there was in the Auckland diocese for more priests, and the a u ties of heads of families and wage-earners to give liberally for an object which, above all others, immediately concerned themselves. The choir under Mr P. F. Hiscocks rendered most effectively Hadyn's No 1 Mass. The renewal of baptismal vows took place at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Tbe boys in charge of the Marist Brothers assembled at the Cathedral. The young lady boarders from St MaryV, also the orphans from the same institution, snd tbe girls attending the convent schools, mustered at the Sisters of Mercy's schools, Hobson street, marching thence to the cathedral, accompanied by the confraternities of the Children of Mary aad the Guard of Honour, robed in their customary habits and veils; the children wearing wreaths and white veil?, carrying flags and images of the saints. Father Hackett received them as they entered the cathedral and conducted them to their seats. His Lordship then addressed the children, explaining tbe Dature of the ceremony, and called upon them to renouuee the world, the devil, and the flesh. Miss Kate Knox read distinctly tbe form of prayer for the

children. Father Doyle gave Benediction, the Guard of Honour choir, under Miss Kate Sheehan, renderiog the musical portion of the service. At Vespers the church was thronged, hundreds were unable to gain admission. Father Hackptt n*ve out tbe Rosary, the choir next giving Rossi's " Magnificat "in fine style. His Lordship again read his pastoral letter. Miss Coleta Lorrigan then sang Garciu's

" Salve Maria," a really splendid composition. Ie did not suffer in Miss Lorrigan's hands, her fiae soprano voice being heard at its best, and rendered more effective by the soft Italian word?. The accompaniment to this piece is a feature, the maeslro'a efforts in this direction dividing your attention from the principle. Mr G. M. Reid afterwards e&ng Robertson's " O Salutaris." This gentleman possesses a splendid high-ranged baritone, which he uses with effect. The procession now began to pass through the aisles, and when fully extended reached almost round the spacious ca hedral. It was the largest 1 have seen at St Patrick's. At Benedic iun the children

gathered around the altar rails, each bearing a lighted candle ; the _, effect was beautiful. The choir is deserving of special mention, the f new voices lately acquired made themselves felt. Mr Hiscocks, conductor, and Mr Hartwell, organist, deserve the highest commendation.

At St Benedict's at 11 o'clock a large congregation gathered. High Mass wat sang. The music was mostly Mozart's first, bnt the Credo from the twelfth was selected in order to give scope to Mr Fuller's fine tenor roice. "Et locarna'us " was delightfully given by Mr Faller, assisted by the Misses A. Lorrigan and Brannigan and Mr Thompson. Verdi's trio, " Jesu Dei Vivi," was performed by Miss Thompson and Messrs Faller and Thompson. At the offertory Mr Fuller gave spiritedly Zingaielh's " Lauddte," with choral and orchestral accompaniment, comprising Mies A. Mcllhone, organist ; Herrs Zimmerman and Tutschka, and Messrs Hooper (2), O'Beirne, M'Kane, Green, and others. Dr Kgan conducted with bis usual and well-known ability. Dr Egan also read the Bishop's pastoral. Father Downie celebrated Masi. At Vespers a procession of the Blessed Sacrament was formed and excellent music was again rendered. Dr Egan is once more pushing St Benedict 'a ahead. At St Mary'i Content, Ponsonby, on Bunday, the Feast of Oar Lady of Mercy, his Lordship the Bishop, assisted by Father Gilltn, received to the holy habit two yoang ladies— Miss A. Doherty of Grey mouth, in religion Sister Mary Gertrude ; and Mist Murphy, in religion Sister Martha. The Bishop, at the conclusion of the ceremony, addressed a few words to the novices on the high privilege and happiness of the religions state. The yoang lady boarders attending the convent rendered in a beautiful manner the necessary music in connection with this all-important ceremony.

Father O'jSeill, of the Passionist Order, arrives here by the Monowai from Sydney on Friday next, and will give a mission at the Cathedral, and will also establish the Society of tbe Holy Family in our midst.

The Rev Father Fouhy, Adm of tbe Cathedral in Brisbane, arrived here from Sydney on Tuesday last, and shortly proceeds to the Rotorui hot springs for the benefit of bis health, whence he proceeds through the South Island. The following is further proof of the high esteem in which tbe Right Rev Dr Moran is held by the Irishmen of Auckland : — Very Rev Father Lynch, Adm, St Joseph's, Dunedin— " It affords me very great pleaeare to convey a resolution passed by the local branch of the Irish National Federation, expressing profound sorrow at the Right Rev Dr Moran 's recent critical illness, and our great joy at the glad news of his improved condition. We pray that God may spare to us so noble a prelate and patriot." — Jos. A. Tole, president. Hen J. A. Tole — His Lordship Dr Moran is now, I may say, oat of danger, and rapidly improving in health, and is deeply grateful for tbe warm message of sympathy and kind good wishes of the Auckland branch of the Irish National F. deration. — P. Ltkch, Adm, Dunedin,

From the various Anglican and Noi-conformist pulpits these last two Sundays references were made to the enfranchisement of the women. The Anglican Bishop went out of his way — considerably out of his way— to Bneer at what he impudently styled, " the almott divine honours paid to the Virgin Mary by the Church of Rome.' 1 In consequence of this he went on to say, " a great many Christian people, especially in English countries, withheld the honour due to her memory." " Divine honours," or " almost divine honours," have never, nor never could, be extended to our Messed Lady by the Church. This Dr Cowie knows well, and if he does not he ought to. Because of this " almost divine honour, a great mauy witheld the honour due to her memory." Here is an admission delivered ex-cathedra. Because the Catholic Church does so, we, "especially in English countries, withhold the honour." That this, in Dr Oowie's opinion, is wrone, is proved by what ha subsaquently said, " They rightly honoured the mothers of such great men and benefactors of the race as Wellington, Nelson, and John Wesley ; how much more then should they honour the Mother of the Saviour of mankind." The inference then to be drawn is that " especially in English countries," honour has been withheld because the Catholic Church haa extended that honour. Of such is Protestantism. It knowingly perpetrates a wrong, and persists in it, for no other reason than that the Church of their forefathers has always consistently adhered to the right of hon mring our CoMolatrix Afflictorun, This withholding applies to every tenet of theirs.

Says the Evening Star in its leading article, dealing with the conference held in Cbristcbnrch on September 27th, relating to religious instruction in the State schools :—": — " With regard to the attitude of the religious bodies towards our national system of education, the Roman Catholics are logical and consistent. They are in favour of denominational grants, and failing that they have, at considerable sacrifice, erected and maintained schools of their own." This is good and generous, bat the sting is in the tail. In the very next sentence the writer eases his mind thus, " The feeling of antagonism to the publicjschools, however, is chiefly confined to tbe clergy." Evidently contradictory statements here. If it is " chiefly confined to the clergy," how, on earth, could " they (the Catholics) have, at considerable sacrifice, erected and maintained schools of their own?" The sapient scribe, through his over -zealous advocacy, has worked himself into a quandary.

"Early days of Home Rule" is the title of a lecture to be delivered by Mr J. P. McAlister, barrister, etc. (of the firm of Tole and McAlister). The greater part of it will embrace personal reminiscence*. Mr McAlister, during the early days of Home Bale, was private secretary to the late Isaac Butt. Aucklanders, certainly rae Irish portion, are favoured by having such a person in their midst to relate the story of Home Rule by one who took an active part io its inception. It will be under the auspices of the Irish National Federation, the proceeds to be devoted to (he Irish Parliamentary Fund. Tbe president, the Hon J. A. Tole, will preside, and a large audience is expected. The date of the lecture is to be fixed at to-night's meeting of the Federation.

We have to go from home to hear news. The Sydney Bulletin of September 9th, says :— " In Maoriland native lands are exempt from taxation, therefore immense areas of white capitalists' land are now registered as belonging to Natives, who hold them in trust." This it a serious allegation againet those who at all times express pious horror at the deviong means of the proletariat. How to cope with it is the question.

The Choral Society on last Tuesday week rendered most successfully Cowen's beautiful cantata " St. John's Eve." The principal toprana part was taken by one of our young Catholic ladies, Miss O'Sullivan, who possesses a voice of rare excellence. Rich, mellow, and powerful, combined with great expression and taste, and a clear •nunciation, quit* devoid of affectation, it is no wonder tbat the young lady in question has at one bound stepped into the foremost place amongsfc our looal vocalists. Commenting upon her recent effort, the Evening Star laid : " Miss O'Sullivan afforded some evidenoe of tbe great power of her voice in the higher note?, where she rerels moat gracefully to tbe charm of her auditors." A local professor of music has gone so far as to say that Miss O'Sullivan has a fortune in her hands, which I quite believe. She is also a splendid pianist. The Bisters of Mercy (Ponsonby) are to be complimented upon the great success achieved by their brilliant pupil, and I will be sadly disappointed if, in the musical world, she does not become a gem of ths first water. " Whether is the pulpit or the stage most conducive to tbe moral welfare of the people ?" was debated one evening last week ; where, above all places, would you imagine? In a coterie similar to that over which the ultra-Radical with the handle to his name, and his protege, the Hou Bolt, presided in Duuedin some time back, you •ay. Not at all, but under the eaves of an Anglican Church io the suburbs, and in a society under the agis of that church, and above all, the good pastor attended and championed the pulpit. All to no purpose, for the devotees of Thespis gave the pulpit second place. This is in accord with the times. Mundane versus spiritual aff nra are as six to one. " Our splendid edncaiional Bystem " takes possession of our youth for six days, instilling into them the world— the world only relaxing for one day in favour of the spiritual with the result as above. We are pacing it fast, very fast, indeed, Messieurs. We have in one of tbe State schools in our midst a pedagogue loyal to the core. Two or three times a week he assembles the children under his care in order to have them sing " God Save the Queen." So enthusiastic did this loyalist become the other day at the conclusion of the anthem that he doff .>d his caubeen and called for three cheers for tbe Princess May and theDake of York. When George Augustus Sala returned home he said the colonisr B were not loyal. What would he have said to this ? The Empire is still safe I

The lowtst tender for the Devonport waterworks was L 3864, the tender above it was also under L4OOO. The engineers' estimate was L 4600, upon beaiiog which the lowest tenders asked tbe Council leave to withdraw, which, after demur, they did. The lowest tender then was Messrs Cole and Moody, L 4136 5* 6d, and tr^ey have intimated their willingness to proceed wiih <he work. Devonport will ere long prosper by this great boon. The Female Franchise is the question of quis'ions with us. It absorbs all others. What will be its effects? Will it benefit most the •• ins "or the " outs " 1 Will they vo.e for Prohibition or Moderation f You hear tbat the moral ataodard of our public men will be raised. Bach political organisation vies with the other inrfltVriag facilities for enrolling tbe " new power." It is amusing and instructive to watch the tactics of quondam enemies and lukewarm friends of the woman suffrage. Those who had been most assMnou in carrying around petitions against the granting of the " boon ' are now as busy wooing the fair ones. The enemies of yesterday are the friends of to-day. It has always been, and is ever l.kely to be, in the game of politics. Meanwhile, hundreds of women aie registering. With time alone rests an answer to the queries above. Discarding them all, let us atk ourselves bow will the " new power " affect us who form the ooe-seventh ? It goes without saying that I iefer to the education question. In this respect we claim but our own. We |do not dtsire to wroog or hurt tbe present system. We wish to perfect it. Knowing and feeling this, let us march onward, conscious of ultimate and complete victory. Register a.id organise ; these are the means to that end. Depend upon it, we will be sought

after , the enemiei of yesterday will be the friends of to-day, and will espouse our cause as a means to their ends. Put in motion our latent power, nothing daunted by defeat, for victory is awaiting us.

I watched one afternoon last week a break load of women <•» route to Onebuoga, there to address a public meeting. There are those, and plently, who agree with this, bat the majority would, I think, Bay " Better for them to stay at home." At the meeting in question one woman said, " Women should educate themselves politically, as men did not care for dolls of women." The chairwoman capped this by saying that " one effect of the women in politics would be to have less talk in Parliament and more work." This reminded me of tbe story of a celebrated doctor who, with a number of lady friends, visited a cave wheriu lay a lot of human skulls. " That, and that, and that is a female skull," said the doctor. " How can yon tell," enquired one of the ladies. The doctor replied 11 by the marked difference iv the amount of jaw which denotes the female skull." Among the many virtues likely to accrue to us under the new regime talk, of whatever kind, is sure to find a congenial home in tbe political wqman.

Here is a remarkable case. A bankrupt named J. B. Banks had placed in the Union Bank for him by bis mother and brother a sum of £400. The Official Assignee, Mr Lawsoo, took proceedings to secure for the creditors in tbe estate the said sum. Judge Connolly decided in favour of the defendants, with costs against tbe plaintiff, who found hinself in an awkward position, as the judtre ruled that h* must pay tbe costs out of his private purse. The law as interpreted is no doubt sound, bnt not equitable. The Official Assignee will in future say to creditors, " You bad better try yourselves."