Diocese of Auckland.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 17, 27 August 1897, Page 18

Diocese of Auckland.

(From our own correspondent.) Thursday. 1!>, 18!)7. Last Sunday the groat Foast of the Assumption was celebrated in a worthy manner in the city caurohes. At the cathedral, at early Mans, the Children of Mary most appropriately assembled in a large body in their neat robes and sang the music ot Border's Mass, subsequently approaching the altar rails and receiving- Holy Communion. At 1 1 o'clock High Mass was sung by the Rev. Father Mulvihill, Adm., Father Croke, deacon, and Father Buckley, subdeacon. The choir, under the baton of their efficient conductor, Mr. Hiscocks, rendered very ably Weber's Ma* in '-G." During the Offertory', (iounod'a '• Aye Maria" was admirably rendered by Miss Ooleta Lorrigan. Father Crokc preached on the Gospel ot the day, concluding witli an earnest exhortation to plac<j every confidence in the intercession of our Blessed Lady. In the evening Uev Father Kehoc delh ered a splendid di.,coui\se, the subject being the great Feast of the Assumption. It was a line specimen of pulpit oratory, and was listened to with marked attention. A procession of tile Blessed Sacrament, followed by Benediction, brought the fo->ti\al to a close.

The Right Rev. Dr. Lemhan paid Onehunga his. first episcopal visit on Sunday last, the Feast ot the A-sumption. His Lordship assisted in the sanctuary at Mass-, after which he confirmed a number of children and adult*. The laity presented an address, which was read by Mr. .lames Leahy and accompanied by a purso ot sovereigns, half of which the Bishop returned for parochial purposes. The Bishop paid a high and well-deserved compliment to the Very Rev. Monsignor Paul tor his untiring zoal in the work of the parish, a proof of which they had in the fine Church of the Assumption, which was entirely free from debt. The Bishop returned to Auckland in the afternoon.

The Rev. Father Gillan is about to cointnen.ce another series of lectures on Sunday evenings in St. Patricks' on " Early Christianity in Ireland."

A most successful social was held in the Catholic Institute last night in aid of St. Patrick's presbytery building fund. The management was all that could be desired and reflected the greatest credit upon the ladies of the parish.

Steps have already been inaugurated to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, 18'.)S. Procrastination cannot, be charged against the Irishmen of Auckland in connection with their national celebration.

The next parish to receive a visit from the Bishop will be Otahuhu on Sunday next.

It is being sought to circumscribe the Saturday afternoons upon which various public bodies utilue the domain cricket ground. Though it be admitted that th< i cricketers have done much towards improving this plot, yet it, does appear strange that a ground belonging to the people should at certain periods be denied to them.

Auckland is once more in the proud position of heading the list in the matter of customs duas. Though»considered to be isolated the northern capital leads the van in colonial progress. The local branch of the Irish National Federation intends on Wafojesday, September 8, to hold an entertainment when Mr. .T. M. OetKus, editor of the Observer, will deliver a lecture dealing with that great son of Erin, Edmund Burke. At intervals appropriate Irish music will be rendered. As this is Edmund Burke s centenary it is fitting that at the antipodes his memory should be kept enshrined in the memories and affections of his countrymen and women. The Hibernian Society is to approach Holy Communion in a body next Sunday at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Juvenile crime has extended to a branch hitherto thought to be practised only by the " old birds " — viz, that of house-breaking. No less than five youths were this week incarcerated for this heinous offence. The schoolmaster's instruction is not all that is necessary to make good citizens. Our colonial wise-acres, like the Bourbons, on this subject at least, never learn anything until it is too late. Records like this falsify the saying " every school opened closes a jail." Rev. Brother John, Provincial of the Marist Order, has been in Auckland during the last fortnight attending to the business of the Order, The result of the visit is that we are very soon to have a college high school worthy of the name. It is to be erected on one of the vacant allotments belonging to the d'ocese, and situated in the suburbs. The electric tramway system ha* once more been broached in the City Council. For some months the question has, like Mahomet's coffin, remained suspended between heaven and earth.