Diocese of Auckland.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 15, 13 August 1897, Page 15

Diocese of Auckland.

(From our own correspondent.) Thursday, August, 5, 1897. Rev. Father Gillan has completed his course of sermons on the labours in England of St. Augustine. For three successive Sunday evenings the energetic parish priest from Ponsonby occupied the pulpit at St. Patrick's Cathedral, and proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the pious Benedictine preached none other in Britain than the faith of Peter, and that from Peter's successor he received his commission. Reiteration of truth is rendered absolutely necessary, by reason of tho free interpretation rampant amongst the Bible expounders (.') during the last three centuries. Father Gillan paid eloquent tribute to the great work in Britain of the Irish monks.

Rev. Father Croke preached in St. Patrick's last Sunday evening and referred to the labours of St. Augustine, and contended that the ■ultimate success of his mission wan due to the great assistance rendered by the Irish missionaries from lona. The Rev. Father traced rapidly the history of the Church in Britain, and showed that the recent re-establishment of the hierarchy in England was due to the presence thereof the faithful sons and daughters of Erin. The part taken by that great Irishman, Daniel O'Connell, in liberating" Catholics throughout the British Empire, and the magnificent oration on the Liberator recently delivered in Rome by Archbishop Keane together with the encomiums lavished upon it in the name of the Catholics of England by Cardinal Vaughan, and finally the appeal made by the deeply lamented Cardinal Manning 1 for the retention at Westminster of the Irish members, when it was suggested that they should be transferred to Dublin, because their absence would endanger Catholic interests in England, were all nicely interwoven into a discourse that made a decided impression upon the crowded congregation.

The Tabli;t containing the panegyric on O'Connell by Archbishop Keane was in great demand in Auckland. Upon all sides the highest praises were bestowed upon his Grace's oratorical effort.

The Bishop i- to return from the Soath next Saturday, and on the following evening preaches at the cathedral a charity sermon on behalt of that excellent society, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. The following Sunday. Fea»t of the Assumption, ho pajs his first episcopal visitation to tho church ot the Assumption at Onehunga The poems of '• Pro F.itna ' lately appeared in. the Taiji,et were highly appreciated in the northern city by numerous readers. It is to be hoped that this taking writer may give us further treats.

The Auckland branch of the Irish National Federation has sent a resolution unanimously carrifd. sympathising with and congratulating Mr. T. Harrington, M.P.. in his efforts to promote unity amongst all sections of Irishmen at Home Another resolution i.s to be sent congratulating the Hon. Edward Blake. Q C, M.P., upon his great effort in the House of Commons last March, on the overtaxation of Ireland. By the out-going mail on Saturday next the sum of -4120 is to be, sent to Mr. John Dillon, M.P.. for the Irish Parliamentary lund. In the early part of next month an entertainment under the auspices ot the Federation will be given.

The following ofh'cers have been elected for the ensuing term in the Hibernian Society (Auckland branch, No. M), President. Bro. Michael OSullnan; vice-president, Bro. Daniel O Sullivan secretary, Brother .'P. O'Kane (re-tlected) ; treasurer. Bro. I). Flynn (re-elected); assistant secretary, Bro. W. Kane (re-elected) warder. Bro. L. bwann , yiiiudian. Bro. M. Tw ohy ; sick visitor. P.P., Bro 11. Dulh'n. The enormous -,üm of close upon C'.IO was paid in sick money during Hie last quarter. This is an abnormal payment. It is a matter fui surprise and regret that our Catholic young men should eschew Liv- caw! lent society, and join others Evidently " thur own people ' pu->uss no charm fur them, and more's the pity of it.

The battle ot the "Statue or Children's Hospital "' still draijs on Aveanly. amidst the flinging tiom one side to the other, and nnrei sk of innuendoes. The '-gentlemanly party ' dubs the proletariat the party of - 800-lloos. Loyally thou hast much to answer and atone for.

Keen sorrow and regret :ire shown in Auckland for the deplorable loss of life at the Mahu Peninsula. The fine steamer Tasmania was a great favourite at this port. The ofticial enquiry takes place next week in Auckland. Shipping casualties are becoming too frequent upon our rock-bound coasts. Is it that they are nisuiriciently lighted' A senous question surely for our recently c- tab lisheJ Marine Depirtn-ent.

A member of the local medical profession nearly lost his life last week through being thrown from a trap, owing to the quadruped attached thereto taking fright at the vigorous noises produced by the Salvation drummer. At one time it used to be said, " three taps of the big- drum and you are saved" now it may be Baid, "three taps of the big drum and you are dead? The civic authorities should stamp out this intolerable nuisance perpetrated in the holy name of religion. A most successful anniversary social took place on July 23rd in the Catholic Institute, under the management of the male and female branches of the Hibernian Society. It was an immense success, the gathering exceeding all anticipations. To the Sisters of the Sancta Maria branch much, if not all, the credit is due, and in this direction the following names are deserving of special mention :—: — Mesdames Kane, Danzie, Robin, and Misses Burke (senr.), Hawke, Canavan, and Smith. The hall was nicely decorated, and everyone enjoyed themselves to the full.

It evidence were required to demonstrate the number and diversity of religious bodies in our city one has but to glance at the two long columns of advertisements in the local papers every Saturday, entreating all and sundry to come to '-our place of worship." These advertisements are unique and entertaining literary efforts, and forcibly remind you of the Tower of BaDel, in other words— Reformation running rampant.