AN AUSTRALIAN PRIEST ON MAORILAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 47, 20 March 1896, Page 19

AN AUSTRALIAN PRIEST ON MAORILAND.

FATHER LB BENNETEL, B.M;

Thb Very Sev P. Le Bennetel, S.M., head priest of St Patrick's Sydney, who has been spending two months in New Zeahnd, returned to Sydney (says the Sydney Freeman, March 7) by tbe s.s. Anglian on Saturday. The Very Bey Father Maher, Superior of the Vincentiana, the Very Bey Father Kirk, 8.M., of WaDganni, the Bey Father M. O'Sullivan, S.M., of 8t Patrick's College, Wellington, and the Bey Father Hurlin, S.M , of Timaru. were passengers by the earns steamer. Father Maher is now at the Vinsentians' Betreat, Aahfield. The three visiting Marist Fathers are staying with the members of the Order at St Patrick's and Villa Maria. Father La Bennetel, seen by a Fieeman reporter on Tuesday, said be had little to tell in tbe way of experiences, In answer to questions he, however, supplied the following information : — " The only thing of which I can boast with credit is that I did not spend all noy time eight-seeing or buttei fly -hunting. I gave four Betreatß, and you may say so if you wish. Two I gave at Wellington for the Brothers and Sisters, one at Ntlsoo for the Sisters of the Mission, and one at Meanee for onr scholastics. As for experiences they were almost entirely confined to tte Maori Catholic missions, and I mast say these visits were very interesting. First, I went to the mission in Jerusalem. There I found neither Maronites nor Melchites, bnt 800 Catholic Maoris, under the care of Fatber Sonlas —one of our Fathers. His special solicitude is for the young. Ha sees to their education and tbtir general training. Tois is in the Wellington Diocese. Then, I had some dehghiful days on the Wanganui Biver. There is nothing like it in the Southern Seas, an i in my opinion it takes the s'une out of the Rhine. On my visit to the Maori mission at Oteki 1 found SOO Catholics. The Marists are in chaige. Then I visited the mission at TarHnaki, where there are 500 Maoris under Father Cogmet. He is alse one of our Fathers. On tbPße visits I was accompanied by Dr Pestie, our Provincial in New Zealand. With the next turn of the travelling kaleidoscope I was in Auckland. Father Lenihan made me bis guest. On all sides I heard nothing but kind words of Father Leniban.and I am sure bis appointment as Bishop will be most popular among all classes. Of course, you know Fatber Lenihan is first on the list of nominations sent to the Holy Pee. No better successor to Bishop Luck could be selected. He knows the people well, and the people love him. Leaving Auckland, I went to Rotorua, and I Deed not say how glaj I was to meet there our own Dean b.attery, of Newtown, and the always genial Fatber Hayes, of Windsor. We three "did " the hot springs and the geysers '.ogetter. And for fear I should forget it ltt me say that one of the most charming drives I have ever had in my lite was from Nelson to B'.enheim, a distance of 86 miles. At Nelson 1 visited the Stokes Orphanage, kept by the Mn-ist Biothers. It is an excel'ent building, with 400 acres of well. suit ivated land. There are 200 boys, and tbe management is uext to perfect. They ha«e a braßß band of 40 pi iyers — cue of the best in New Zealand. Th>':e is no belter managed and more prosperous institution in tbe Colojj .

Brother Leitus, formerly of Bt Patrick's district, is in charge. At Wellington I met Archbishop Redwood and Bishop Grimes, of Obristchnrch, and just before starting I assisted at the Month's Mind of the late Bishop Luck in Auckland. While in Auckland I stayed at the Bishop's Palace. It is a splendid building, erected by the late Bishop who has left it to bis successor free of debt. Daring my joarneyings throngh New Zealand I beard a good deal about Monaignor Verdon'a appointment as the new Bißhop of Dunedin. I was delighted to hear all the expressions of approval from clergy and laity. lam iare Dr Verdon will be a most successful, as well aa a moat popular, Bishop. Archbishop Redwood and Bishop Grimes were most enthusiastic in the expression of their feelings of gratification."