Diocese of Auckland.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 11, 16 July 1897, Page 18

Diocese of Auckland.

(From our own correspondent.)

July Bth, 1807. His Grace Archbishop Redwood has presented Dr. Lenihan with a beautiful episcopal ring procured in the Eternal City. It is of massive gold, into which is set an amethyst. Our Bishop is pardonably proud of this token of esteem evinced towards him by the Archbishop.

The Bishop attended St. Patrick's Cathedral at eleven o'clock Mass and at Vespers last Sunday, and preached on both occasions. In the morning his Lordship dwelt upon the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, and in the eveniagonthe important subject of confession. In a clear and incisive manner the Bishop brought to the minds of the Catholics present the absolute necessity of constant resort to this holy tribunal, while there was offered to those of the congregation outside the pale of the Church abundant food for reflect ion. The subject was well chosen and well handled and I am sure effected a lasting good.

This week there was a division between the four city churches of the net proceeds of last St. Patrick's Day celebration in Auckland. St. Patrick's, St. Benedict's, Sacred Heart (Ponsonby). and St. John's (Parnell), each received the handsome sum of ,£BO, while £75 was retained to carry on next year's celebration. The gross takings this year amounted to a little over £1500, and the expenses were £277 10s lOd. The result is highly gratifying considering the turn-out encountered great opposition this time from counter attractions, and, above all, on account of being held in the middle of the week instead of Saturday, which latter day, in Auckland certainly, is the day to command success for out-door displays. It is to be hoped that Saturday will be chosen for I Sits, while the national concert could be held on St. Patrick's night. Faith and fatherland go hand in hand in these annual rejoicings, with the result herein shown. May they never be torn asunder.

Dr. Lenihan proceeds on Tuesday. 20th inst., by the East Coast to Christchurch, in order to perform there two important religious functions at the urgent request of the V.G., the Very Rev. Father Cummings. Father Purton, the Bishop's secretary, accompanies his Lordship as far as Gisborne. where he (Father Purton) takes temporary charge, for about five weeks, of that parish.

The Rev. Father Gillan is to preach next Sunday evening at St. Patrick's. The subject chosen should at this time prove to be interesting. The Rev. Father is to treat of the Lambeth Conference now in session in England. The pre-historic Church, succession to St. Augustine and repudiation of their origin. •• Old Harry " and Cranmer are sure to be trotted out at Lambeth. There arc £ reat things happening just now in England, and Lambeth must keep pace.

St. Benedict's next Sunday commemorate^ the Feast of their great patron. The Bishop is to attend and sing Pontifical High Mass. and on the following Sunday, l'Jth inst.. he is to pay St. Benedict's his first episcopal visitation, for which the priests and people there are making great preparations. Confirmation is to be given on this occasion by the Bishop. Two weeks ago nearly fifty children made their first Communion in this fine church, and on all sides the highest encomiums were bestowed upon the good priests for their assiduous labours in preparing the communicant-, who most certainly reflected the highest credit upon their spiritual mentors, and also upon thenis -lyes.

A remarkable c incidence has occurred in that List February the Right Rev. T. M. Lenihan was consecrated Bishop of Cheyenne. U.S.A., by Archbishop Hennessy, just throe months after the consecration of Dr. Lenihan in vuckland. The American bishop has written congratulating his namesake in Auckland, and forwarding particulars of his consecration ceremonies. The preacher on the occasion was the Rev. Father B. C. Lenihan Boone. lowa, a brother of the new bishop. Father M. ('. Lenihan. Madame Lenihan, Misses B. and K. Lenihan. Judge Lenihan. of Dubuque. Revs. E. and T. Lenihan, Jesuit College. Kansas and Rev. Charles Lenihan. Christian Brother, Kansas, also attended. A special invitation to visit Dubuque has been sent to Bishop Lenihan, of Auckland, by the Bishop of Cheyenne, who forwarded his photograph. The two bishops are in no way related.

Mr. J. D. Connolly. U.S. Consul, is, I regret to -ay. laid up with a bad attack of bronchitis. Mr. Connolly is a universal favourite. not only amongst the Catholic and Irish population with whom he always identifies himself, but with all ck^c-. We have here an instance of respect shown to a sterling man who openly and steadfastly maintains his principles.

Great illuminations, and great crowds from tow n and country celebrated the '\Record Reign '' in Auckland city. Seldom have such scenes been witnessed, and maybe, so far as Auckland is concerned, the like will ne'er be seen again. That is a nice picture ; now look at this. Huge collection boxes were placed all over the city with striking placards soliciting subscriptions to erect a statue ot her Majesty to commemorate the reign. The cost of the boxes, including men to guard them, amounted to C 2 I>>s. Though the city was packed and loyalty found vent everywhere, stimulated to tever heat by the pageant in full swing and cabled irom the capital ot the Empire, yet this huge and ultra-loyal populace dropped into the boxes for the statue the munificent sum of C 2 lss :id, which lett a credit balance of thr< rpt nee. How many jubilees at this rate of contribution would it take to erect a statue '

The Harbour Board is at the task of amending the anomalies existing in their tariff charges. Anomalies certainly do exist, but that is also another way tor stating that £.l.oo<» extra are needed to make both ends meet. These eccentric tariff charges arc attributable to the absurd method by which members are placed on this important Board, whereby large customers of the Board have Ikcii placed in power to regulate their own payments to the revenue. Is it any wonder that anomalies have occurred? A publican and

anyone connected with the liquor trade is debarred from a seat on the Licensing Bench ; why not apply the principle all around. Strong protests have been marie in the columns of the local Press concerning the appointments throughout the Colony of some unfit and unworthy persons to the position of Justices of the Peace. Whether there be justification for these is certainly a most serious question. Democracy, like its antithes's oligarchy, is prone to errors and excesses, and if democrats desire to reign they should hold up and cherish their noble principles, and avoid prostituting them, in order to gain favour with King Demos. Bourbonic policy of this kind is but spurious Democracy, unlike it in either model or imitation.

The parish priesU in the city are requested to call a meeting in October next to take the initiative step to celebrate next St. Patrick's Day — this in order to have the tickets in circulation in the Christmas holidays.