DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 39, 28 January 1898, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

January 20, 1898. The annual retreat of the diocesan clergy took place last week at the Bishop's palace, Ponsonby. It was conducted by the Very Rev. Father Vincent Grogan, Provincial of the Passionists in Australia. His Lordship Dr. Lenihan was present. The guest masters were the Very Rev. Monsignor McDonald and Father Mulvihill ; master of ceremonies, Father Gillan, P.P., Ponsonby. The retreat was commenced on Monday, 10th, and continued throughout the week.

The Very Rev. Father Grogan left for Sydney by the Mararoa on Monday evening last.

St. Benedict's Hall is in rapid course of erection, and will supply a want in the parish.

From the Sisters of Mercy's schools and those of the Marist Brothers several pupils have, during last week, gone up for the Civil Service examinations, and it is to be hoped that they may all prove successful.

The Rev. Father Ginaty, S.M., conducted a retreat at St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonby, for the fcisters of Mercy. Fa' her Ginaty, at the conclusion of his labours, journeyed off to Hamilton, Waikato, where he is now prosecuting his f^reat and good work.

ltcv. Father Mulvihill. who has for some months acted as prhate. secretary to the Bishop, left last Tuesday by the Waihora to take charge of the Gisborne parish. In the city this good and exemplary priest made hosts ot liieuds, who parted from him with deep regret. Gisborne is to be congratulated m securing such a sterling spiritual head as Father Mulvihill.

Trie Guard of Honour held their annual picnic yesterday at Xorthcote. As usual with tins Society, their annual outing was most enjoyable. The officers woi ked zealously to promote the enjoyment af all present.

St. Patrick's Day celebration committee is now engaged w ith the task of commemorating the national festival. '1 he usual procession and i- ports are t<> be held. In the evening a national entertainment will be given. It is thought that the drama '• iloboit Emmet" will be included in the proj>r..mme.

St. Patrick's presbytery debt has, by means of the late collection, been reduced from £1,400 to X 1,150., 150. The sum of £267 was paid off last December. The committee, and in particular Father Croke, are to be highly congratulated upon this great result.

In the Mangare district, about ten miles outside the city, a farm of 300 acres was sold for cash to a Queensland gentleman this week for the princely sum ot £12.250.

The Grand Orarge Lodge of New Zealand held a meeting last Friday evening in this city m a hall noc many d< grees above the size ol a packing < a si-, and into which a small number were fitted, the niaioiity of whom were designated '■ grand" fellows. They eased themselves ot a resolution emphatically protesting against the Hon. It. J. Seddoifti r< cent Technical Education Bill. In order to stiff, n the backs of our legislators- a copy of the resolution was or lered to be sent to each ot them. Another resolution was passed prote^tinn against any alteration of the present Education Act in the direct on ot justice to Catholics. Upon the very day in which this pioJuotioi) saw the liyht, the -\< ie /.> aland lit raid , treating of the l al.trnniiLr narea^e of juvenile irime, said : '"All o\er the colonies the " in c hildrui,' w ho very soon become the criminal children are inuvasin^ in spite ut our system of national education. And it in melancholy to tee that all thiAO who h..\e to do with the subject contest- thai the kyi-luti\e noituies whichhave been parsed h;i\e been lailurcs. ai.d jithsue no n muly to surest, but simply iurtht r leui-l,iti\e nua-uii"-.'' The Catholic Chinch suggests om remedy. Tiny will nut accept it. In Bismrrck's words-, "let^ them stew m tmir own iuke.''