AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 44, 2 March 1894, Page 19

AUCKLAND.

(From our own Correspondent,)

February, 22, 1894. His Lordship the Bishop, I have learned, has (or is about to), forwarded three students for the priesthood to the Keanee College* Hawke's Bay, from this diocese. This is a step in the right direction from which the best results to religion are likely to accrue.

Bro. Cuthbert of the Marist Order here ia in negotiation at the present time for the purchase of Bet of instruments for a reed band which is about to be establsbed among the pupils of the Marista at Stoke, near Nelson. Music elevates and enervates one's spirits and, as in Germany, it should be taught in cur schools as a necessary acquirement.

St Patrick's Day of 1894 will not suffer in comparison with its predecessors in Auckland. G«d forbid that it ever should. No festival in the calendar should be more guarded and cherished aod venerated. The apathy and indifference towards our national festival alluded to by tbe Christchnrch correspondent of the Tablet in the last number to band are regretable. Throughout the habitable globe wherever Irishmen in sufficient numbers can congregate, from tbe freezing zone of the north to tbe south, and from tbe orient to the Occident, St Patrick's Day is the medium chosen for proclaiming and renewing our love for faith and fatherland. Are the rom patriots in New Zealand of that grand old race, who after seven hundred years of the most vile persecution, to b« found on the world's historical page, and which arrises phoenix-like with its faith and nationality more puissant than ever, are we in this colony, I repeat, going to turn aside from these hallowed traditions of our forefathers to be borne along in the stream of this mercenary age. Emphatically no. Use every opportunity and occasion to keep alive this spirit, and transmit it from sire to son. Gather in your thousands, and celebrate in honour of St Patrick, and dear old Ireland the great Irish Juitinian— St Patrick's Day.

At St Benedict's last Sunday the Bey Father Gregory clebrated mism cam at* at 11 o'clock, and the Rev. Dr, Egan preached. The choir performed Gounod's " Messe Solenneile." Mr Jonn Fuller sang Mercadante's " Salv« Maria " at tbe offertory. Dr Egan weilded tbe baton with his customary ability. Father Gregory preached in the evening, fc'athei Downey officiated.

Dr. Kgan is organising a concert to be held ia St George's Hall, Newton, on the 12th inst., the proceeds of which are to be devoted to the parochial celebration of St Patrick's Day.

After Vespers last Sunday evening the parishioners of tbe Bacred Heart Church, Ponsonby, met for the purpose of devising wayß and means for the carrying out of St Patrick's Day. In announcing the meeting from the pulpit at the 10 o'clock Mass the Rev Father Gillan said, "If you fail in the due celebration of St Patrick's day in Ponsonby yon are unworthy of tbe name of Irishman." Well done, and true for you, Father.

Father Lexuban with his double contingentß of Parnell and Newmarket are also in tbe van with their preparations for the great 17th of March. This Committee, with their good priest, make little hubbub, but they are always there.

Last but not least tbe local branch of the Hibernians are working steadily, collecting money and obtaining from the merchants and sbopktepei s suitable prizes fjr competition. All these prepara'ions are as they should be.

St Patrick's Cathedral parish with Father Hackett at its bead, I was nigh leaving out altogether, anl to omit the administrator of St Patrick's in connection with the national festival would be like the House of Commons without Gladstone. As üßual Father Hackett has in band the Annual Irish National Concert for the evening which bids fair to excel its predecessors judging by tha strong array of talent advertised.

Bey Father Moore's lecture on " Socialism " was from all points, except the attendance, a success. The lecturer proved by his utterances, that he was a man of the people, by commiserating with them in their trials and sellings— their yearnings for betterment, and the sacrifices and tenacity dieplayeJ in the pursuit of their ideal mtndane paradise. Bitterly and vehemently he denounced the military despotiem of Euroje. Tbm he stood by the masse?, bat at the same time he bit out plainly against the fallacy of " equality, 1 ' making a very good case. Tbe spirit of democracy was apparent throughout the whole discourse, Tbe chairman who presided at Father Moore'u lecture was in marked coatrast to the rev lecturer. "The Catholic Church! is opposed to Socialism," said he, almost immediately he assumed an upright positi jn, at which Father Moore ejaculated " Not at all, not at all." As tbe chairman ornaments that profession tbe members of which are credited with sleeping with oae eye open, we cannot charge him with so deep a sleep as old Bip. On the contrary, it must be the Tory-stained goggles through which he guages the social upheavals. Remove them and fall into line, Mr Chairman.

Speaking of Toryism reminds me of the lament of our morning paper upon the " undoubtedly grave political significance " in the

mntiny of Judas and his following, by name Liberal Unionists. The lament it, of course, at the danger of the Lords. Shoddy always loves a iord. All the same democracy, like Cieaar's soothsayer, warningly exclaims tinto the seemingly callous ears of the legislators by accident of birth, " beware of the idee of March,"

We are now experiencing most sultry and stifling weather, quite phenomenal in its continuance. The oldest residents bear no recollection of a similar visitation. As aconseqience of this, sickness, especially typhoid, is very prevalent, there being at present in tbe hospital 16 males and cix females stricken with the fever mention «d. These are the known cases, and goodness knows bow many private homes are afflicted with this dread malady.

The continued low prices ruling for kauri gum is a bad thing for Auckland, and is attributed to the depression in the United States, so that even in that elysium of protective tariffs an unsettling of trade affects our commercial revenue.

The Auckland Catholic Literary Society meets to-morrow evening in order to arrange their programme for the coming session.

The annual address of the chairman of the Harbour Board was entirely devoted in explanation of the wrongdoing and blunders of the numerous Chairmen who preceded him in the position. Ingersoll wrote a book on the " mistakes of Moses," whereat an American wit said he would far sooner have read " Moses on the mistakes of Ingersoll." So Aucklanders would profit more if former chairmen of the Harbour Board would orate on the "mistakes of Crowther.' The Board has taken the most unusual c ursa of preventing the official publication of this silly oration of Mr Crowther. When Mr Crowther holds forth in Parliament he will probably expose the mistakes down from Weld to Seddon. What an inviting prospect for the new House, and what a brilliant fignre Auckland City will produce there in this new choice of hers. We need not civil and grumble at tbe predominance of Southern brains in the Cabinet.

The most strenuous opposition is manifested in tbe Auckland provincial dis'rict at the threatened removal to Wellington of our quarantine station, Every argument offered by the Government for shifting it has been pulverised. I thought that we had quite enough, and more than enough, of centralism ; but this Government, which continually prates about tbe responsibilities of local bodies, is eve j on the watch to curtail and abrogate their duties. It reminds one of the famous march np the hill and dowo of the Djke of York and his gallant bind, then back again-

Tbe Waitemaia election has been voidel, and Mr Moak losei hit seat. Bribing and corrupting of vo ers were cirried on in the most shameful manner. Mr Monk's ageacy in tbe persons of bis son and one Stewart was clearly established. To thesj two worthies the judges refused indemnity from prosecution on the ground that they did not, in the manner of giving their eridence, assist in arriving at the truth. Bnt theie is no forthcoming prosecutor, and here let me add that the Crown, aud not a private individual, should prosecute in a c ise of this kind. In giving their decision the judges exonerated Mr Monk from all knowledge, at the time, of these transactions, but the agency having been established on bis behalf, it ig only fair to suppose that Mr Monk had to pay the piper ; and if that be so Mr Monk, who is a busiueai man, would naturally know or enquire for what he was paying, viz, : beer for the gumdiggers at Kumera. If he knew this (I do not say that he did) why did he retain his seat ? From beginning to end these transactions at Taupaki and Eumera were astounding and disgraceful, more especially when they were carried on in tbe interests of one who in season and out of senson preaches temperance from the home-tops.

" What is golf ?" asked one of our councilors at the last meeting of the City Council. Such a query signifies that the querist is behind the times in the matter of sport. In the midst of flying coercion in Ireland, Mr Balfour, by way of a chasge from tumbling down hovels, used to steal away to Scotland to play golf, and wrote extensive artie'es en the game in various magazines, which were admirably quoted by our Herald. As the stiilea of Borne, our councillors should keep recreations for the people in view, and not after auch distinguished ' puffing " ask " Woat is golf?"

At long last the imbroglio over tbe appointment of three professors for the Auckland University College has been thus far brought to a close. Two hemispheres were agitated over it, and all because the council allowed its employees, at least one of them, to ran tbe show, and when tnis " boas " was given his walking ticket, he, by the aid of friends iv Great Britain and Australasia, heaped vituperation and contumely upon a body of men who too long tolerated this martinet. He intends, if possible, to create more fuas.

Canon McMurray, famous in this city for clothing with reality the Church by-law established long ere Harry and Cranmer drew breath, in an interview with a local prestman, lays bis Church is the most maligned of tbe Churches, and charges Cardinals lioran and Vaughao and Dr Luck, while in America, with traducing it. There can be no doubt that Cardinal Moran, in bis encounter with Dr Camidge, knocked sky high tbe " early British Church " theory to fondly cherished by (he Canon. Mr McMurray 's Cburch hai about as much right to tbe title of " Catholic and Apostolical " M th« Mikado of Japan has to the throne of tbe Guelpha.

The school situated on Catholic reserve at Lake Takapuna is ; now gazetted as an auxiliary to St Mary's, Ponsonby, and is to be j exclusively for boys. Father Lenihan, who manages St Mary's so { successfully, ia to have the management, and three Sisters of Mercy \ are now stationed there.