THE BISHOP OF AUCKLAND AT NORTH WAIROA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 7, 17 June 1898, Page 18

THE BISHOP OF AUCKLAND AT NORTH WAIROA.

His Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Lcnihnn, accompanied by the \ cry Rev. 1 athers Dawson and O'Reilly, left Helensville on Thursday morning, 12th May, m route for Wairoa. When they arrived at Tikinui, the first wayside town at which the s.s. Wairoa calls, the Bishops party was met by Mr. Anthony Martin, who welcomed them on behalf of the Catholics of Aratapu and adjacent districts. The steamer, continuing its journey, arrived at Aratapu a little after six. Aratapu (which is the headquarters of the Kauri Timber Co. on the V\ airoa River) is one of the largest towns on the river, and the greater portion of the timber shipped from the district leaves this place. The Catholics, however, are not a very large proportion of the population, and at present the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered up in the Public Hall when opportunity offers. This will soon, however, be a thing of the past, as the Rev. Father Smiers, since his arrival in the parish, has left no stone unturned in order that the Catholics might have a church of their own, and has so far succeeded that close on £100 has been gathered or promised towards the erection of a chapel midway between Aratapu and Te Kopuru, a neighbouring village. After a short rest and refreshment, the party, which now included Father Smiers. the parish priest of the whole country from the East to the West Coast, and which extends as far north as the North Cape, were welcomed in the Aratapu Hall by a crowded assemblage. The majority of the inhabitants, of all denominations, were present, as a mark of respect to his Lordship. After an overture, played by Miss Campbell on the piano, and a few vocal items by several lady and gentlemen amateurs, his Lordship was presented with an address read by Mr. Martin, on behalf of the Catholics of Aratapu, in which a hearty welcome was extended to their Bishop. Heart-felt pleasure was expressed at his presence among them that evening, and his blessing and prayers were asked for on behalf of themselves and families. His Lordship replied in his usual happy and pleasant manner, the audience showing thair appreciation by loud and longcontinued applause. After spending the greater part of Friday in Aratapu, and visiting many of his flock, his Lordship and party proceeded to Dargaville in the gasoline launch Sunbeam. On arriving, they proceeded to the Northern Wairoa Hotel, which fine building is now under the control of Mr. P. Lynch, who made Dr. Lenihan and the accompanying priests heartily welcome, and entertained them right hospitably during their stay. At half-past seven the Bishop visited Mangawhare (a suburb of Dargaville), where St. Mary's Church is situated. There Mr. W. H. Fitzpatrick read an address and presented him with a purse of sovereigns on behalf of the Catholics of Dargaville and surrounding districts. The address, after recording the pleasure felt at Dr. Lenihan's presence that evening and hoping they would often be cheered by his presence among them on future occasions, then gave an account of the various improvements which had been effected by Father Smiers, within the short space of twelve months, in what had before been rather a careless, easy-going, Catholic community. His Lordship replied in a suitable manner, and after receiving his blessing the congregation dispersed.

Next day. Saturday, a visit was made to Opunake. Starting by the eight a.m. train Dr. Lenihan and party arrived about half-past nine o'clock. On arriving at Opunake station they were met by three native chiefs, and proceeded to the little missionary church, where the natives were drawn up in two lines, men on one side and women on the other. Here various speeches of welcome were delivered by the chiefs, and replied to by his Lordship. The Very Rev. Father O'Reilly and Father Smiers performed the duties of interpreters. After this an adjournment was made to the church, where the natives sang a hymn, after which Father Smiers said a decade of the Rosary : the Magnificat was then rendered by the Maoris, after which the Bishop gave them his blessing. To see the manner in which the Maoris of Opunake attend to their duties, and the great respect and reverence they have for their priests (the good missionaries of the Mill Hill Mission) is a real pleasure, and would be a regular object lesson to some of our " Liberal Catholics " After a short stroll to various places of interest his Lordship and party were entertained at the local hotel, being the guests of the Maoris, who were proud to be hosts to such distinguished rutujutinis. After dinner the party started on the return home. On Saturday night confessions were heard in the chapel at Mangawhare ; and next morning First Mass was celebrated by his Lordship at 7.30 a.m., second Mass at H a m. by Rev. Father O'Reilly. Third Mass at !) a.m. by Rev. Father Dawson. At 1 1 o'clock a Jli.i.ia Cantata was celebrated by Rev. Father Smiers, when the ceremonies in connection with the visitation were performed, the Bishop, fully vested, being met in the porch and conducted to the altar. After the Gospel his Lordship delhered his \isitation sermon. After the sermon the usual prayers for the deceased prelates, priests, and laity of the diocese having been offered Mass was continued by Father Smiers. The little church was crowded during Mass, while a large number were compelled to remu'n outside. The majority of the congregation were composed of persons of other denominations. At half-past six in the evening all the Austrians of tho district waited on his Lordship at the hotel and made him a presentation, when the usual complimentary speeches wore made. His Lordship, in the course of his reply, which was made through the medium of an interpreter, referred to Emperor Francis Joseph's great fidelity to the Holy See and in particular to his donation in aid of the Bishop's palace in Ponsonby. After the presentation from the Austrians, devotions and prayers at the chapel at Mangawhare followed! where a crowded congregation was addressed by Very Rev. Father Dawson, who took as his text the following verse from the Gospel of the day : John, xvi, 23-30. "Amen, amen I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, He will give it you." After the sermon, which was listened to with marked attention, the Very Rev. Father O'Reilly gave Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

Next morning the whole party, with the addition of Messrs. P. Lynch and R. Langton, proceeded up the river to Mr. P. Langton's Vale of Avoca, where they received a hearty read mile fa'dte from Mr. Langton and family, and his son-in-law, Mr. E. Mulhern After dinner the various places of interest were visited and a very pleasant day was spent. In the evening devotions were held in the pretty little family chapel, and Confessions were heard by Father O'Reilly. Next morning first Mass was celebrated by his Lordship, when the whole family received Holy Communion, and afterwards Father O'Reilly celebrated another Mass, when some of the adjoining' settlers who had been late for the Bishop's Mass were present. After breakfast the whole party proceeded in the Sunbeam up the river to the old mission station, some thirty miles further up, which the late Yen. Archpriest Garin established in the early days ot the Colony. Ou arrival at the spot wherp was once a chapel and dwelling, no traces whatever of the former could be seen with the exception uf «iv old lock, while a fine poal of seven bells imported from France had disappeared no one knows where. Not even a Maori was to be found in the vicinity where once hundreds dwelt. On the return home an adjournment was made to the Langiteroria Hotel, where the party were made the guests of Mr. Mulhern and a tempting dinner was served in Host Rasmussen's best style. On the return to I) irgaville Mr. Langton's was reached ir time for tea and after the usual handshakts and farewells, his Lordship gave his blessing to the kneeling family, who as the vessel left the wharf gave three cheers for the Bishop and his priests, who expressed their great indebtedness to Mr. and Mrs. Langton and family for their warm hospitality and the pleasant time that each and all enjoyed.

Dargaville was reached at half past eight, and next morning Dr. Lenihan with the Rev. Fathers Dawson and 0 Reilly embarked on board the S.S. Wairoa i a route for Helensville where they would take train to Auckland. As ~> am. was the time of departure Misses Lynch, Mulhern and Langton were all who were present to see them off.

Bishop Lenihan and his attendant priests were greatly pleased with the scenery at the head of the river, and much gratified at the very successful trip they had. There was not a wet day (an unusual thing for this time of the year) during their stay on the river.