AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 32, 8 December 1893, Page 27

AUCKLAND.

(From our own Correspondent .)

November 30 th, 1893. Thk Rev Father Vincent returned from the Thames on Monday, November I3tb, and tbe same eveniog commenced a week's mission in the Church of the Assumption, Onebunga, over which district the Venerable Mon=ignor Paul, V.G., is the demoted paßtor Father Vincent's sixth week of labour in the diocese was as successful as the preceding five. The faith and devotion of tbe good people of Onehunga were stirred to a high pitch of enthusiasm by the beautiful and soul-stir-ring yet simple sermons of t 1 c eloquent missionary. It mast be a grateful s jurce of consolation to the Very Rev Monsignor Paul to see the hearty manner in which his faithful flock corresponded to the many graces offered to them during that eventful week. It is to be hoped that the many good resolutions formed during tbe progress, and at tbe close of the mission will enduie and bear abundant fruit in the future. The Society of the Holy Family was established in the parish, and Father Vincent's fruitful mission to Onehunga will always be piously associated with this good and holy work.

Leaving our western harbour town, Father Vincent hurried off to the Very Rev Monsignor McDonald's parish of Pan mure and Howick where he began his seventh and last week's labour in the diocese] Tbe good miasioner's labours were divided between each of the places mentioned. Highly satisfactory results were achieved , productive here after of much good. In tbe name of hiß people Monsignor McDonald thanked the Rev Father Vincent for bis arduous toil on behalf of their spiritual welfare, and prayed that God would continue to endow him with health and strength in order to carry on the gcod fight. Father Vinctn f , having concluded his mission, left lust Saturday for Sydney. It is his intention to return to New Zealand accompanied by one of their greatest preacberß. They will visit Dunedin I believe ; if so, the Catholics of Duned n will bemfi. much.

At the conclusion of Catechism 00 last Sunday week at St Benedict's tbe members of tbe Christian Doctrine Society presented the Vety Rev Dr Egan, 0.5.8., with a silver snuff-box to mark their esteem on tbe occurrence of his silver jubilee as a member of the great Order of St Benedict. Mr John Corbett, the newly-elected president, spoke on behalf of tbe Society, and made reference to the progress and efficiency acquired withio the past twelve months, and since the appointment as parish priest of Di Egan. The box was an excellent specimen of tbe workmanship of the Messrs Read Brothers, of Newton.

An excellent entertainment was given by the pupils of the cenvent schools, Parnell, in St Bonaventura's Hall 00 Tburoday evening, November 16. A lengthy programme of twenty-three items was rendered with special success, and afforded to the large assemblage present a most enjoyable evening. I was pleased to notice several Irish items on the programme. Ibis is as it shouid be. A concert Jtas given a few weeks ago in one of our schools in the city, and not an Irish item was given. Not high-toned (enough, eh ? Mr McCormack, late of Dunedin, at present an inmate of the Blind Institute,

contributed an Irish song and also a recitation. Mr P. F. HiKOoka, conductor of 8t Patrick's choir, assisted with his violin. Re» Father O'Reillr, of the Thames, was present, also Father Lenihan, tbe parish priest. Mr McPherson, Diocesan Inspector of Catholic schools, is now making his annual inspection. From information gleaned, I think the results will be eminently satisfactory. Writing to Father Lenihan, Parnell, Mr McPherson said : " I was much struck with the morale of your schools, which is equally a credit to the Sisters and to yourself, and I feel sure that the results, educationally, are higher in quality than those obtained in tbe State schools." Father Luck, of the Waikato, was in town during the week. He is to do all the fancy woodwork for the interior of the Bißhop's house, and if we take the famous altar of St Benedict's as a Bpsoimen of Father Lack's art and skill, our Bishop will truly be able to point with pride and admiration to the artistic surroundings in his new dwelling. No one visiting Auckland should fail to see .St Benedict's altar. The annual Christmas tree in connection with St Patrick's Presbytery building fnnd opened last night at the Catholic Institute, Wellington street, and promises to be a great success. It is to be continued this evening and to-morrow evening. The ladies of St Patrick's are really devoted to their work, and a more zealous band it wonld be hard to find. They will certainly reap their reward hereafter. His Lordship the Bishop applied by letter to the Da von port Borough Council for permission to erect a mortuary chapel in tbe Catholic portion of the local cemetery. The Council's legal adviser had previously instructed them (the Council) that they could not in any shape or form binder Dr Luck from erecting tbe chapel. Bigotry and intolerance cared not one jot for the opinion of their legal adviser, and for two solid hours the Council Chamber was turned into a bear garden. The lie direct was hurled at one another with as much force and freedom as snowballs on the common, The leader of this opposition was a Mr Mays, who got off such nice and pious ejaculations as " Good God," " Great Heavens," " God help us," " I'll take this to the Supreme Oourt," and " We want no truck with the Bishop and his land." Poor fellow, in what a bad state he is. Tbe permit to build was refused, only the Mayor and one councillor voting for it. Here the Council has placed itself on the horns of a dilemma, from which it will most surely have to, graciously or ungraciously, back down. Meantime the Bishop, acting according to his legal ngbis, will go on with the erection of tbe chnrch. Bide-a-wee for the ultimate coarse of events. Wherever the Irishman may be " bis heart is in Erin still." The truth of this has just bjen brought under my notice by a touching and sympathetic incident. A fiae old Celt, of one or two generations back, was lying on his death-bed in this city not long ago. His end was approaching, ond he knew it. Motioning to one of bis sorrowing children, he whispered—" Bring to me my old blackthorn stick I brought with me from Ireland " Taking the stick in his hand he kept on pMßßing it to his bosom, and never relaxed his bold till he had passed away. What patriotism and love of country are manitested here. Would that Ireland occupied a small share in the affections of those who descended from such heroes— and they are heroes — as the one under notice. Rev Fathers Ligbtheart, Oad, Broomfield and Kreyuborg from St Joeepb'a missionary college, Mill Hill, London, and of whom I spoke in a previous letter, all arrived here last week to take up the Maori Mission in this diocese. We have now in the diocese eight priests of this Order. Father Lightheart spent a considerable time labouring amongst the negroes in the United States. Fathers Kreymborg and Oud established ths negro missions in the Oarolinas. Father Ligbtheart left for Matata (Tauranga) last Friday, His Lordship is now arranging for placing these good sons of St Joseph at the Maori districts of Hokiaoga, Botorua, and even in the King country. What a fiae spirit we have here displayed. We have got through the hurly-burly of the elections, and a good job too. lam certain that work of this kind, to those who take an aciive part in it, shortens the span of life. All calculations made regarding the first, second and third victoriuus candidates iv the city were astray, feir George Grey was thought to be hopelessly oat of it, and be beaded the poll with ease. Crowtber independant, Bolton, a strong oppositionist, filled the other places. How was this brought about in one of tbe most Liberal constituencies in N. Z ? By means of two 'bings, a plethora of Liberal candidates, and the Catholic vote. The latt-r was marshalled with tbe main object this time of showing its strength, and making itself felt. That it has succeeded beyond measure one need only listen to the reasons put forth by th^se " in the know "as to the cause of Brown and Jones' defeat. Bat for tbe Catholic plumping these two Liberals would have come second and third, and there is no doubt of it, for the nonce tbe Catholics banished all party politics. The "ins "and the "outs" concerned them not. Why this was and is so is well known. Remove the cause, and the Catholics will then split, taking their places on either side of the two great parties in the State. The Catholic vote was