DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 21, 29 September 1898, Page 27

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) The Rev. Father O'Hara, who u-as recently ordained at Water tord. a nephew o the venerable Father O'Hara. parish priest of Otahuhu.M) long an d favourably known m this diocese is on his \v,iy out t<> labour in the Auckland diocese. A hi»h class concert, under the direction of Rev. Father Kehoe takes place to-night in St. John's Church in aid of the buildino- fund' This church, as already advised you by wire, will be consecrated and opened, after enlarging and altering, on the first Suudav in October. J The children of the Cathedral parish, as usual, will renew their Baptismal vows in the aiternoon of the first Sunday in October This mo*t elifying spectacle is ever looked forward to with <>-reat devotion. * The obituary notice of his Grace Archbishop Walsh of Dublin appeared in last Saturday's /[nulil. it was kindly and flattering and has b^en forwarded to the eminent and patriotic prelate for perusal. Strange, indeed, that one should live to read his own obituary notice twice over within two years, as in the case of his Grace of Dublin. As his opponents know, he is still upon the watch-tower a wary sentinel.

The new .sot the death of Sir (Jeurjje Grey caused widespread regret throughout the city yest( rday. Auckland in a very special manner is indebted to the deceased statesman. He «tnpped himselt of much of his unique personal belongings to enrich tor all time the city by the Waitemata. His name will be honoured in many

climes in time to come, but nowhere else will it be entwined with so many personal reminiscences and kindly feelings as in the city he loved and laboured for so well. May God grant him eternal light and happiness.

His Lordship, Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan, paid a visit of inspection last Sunday to the magnificent diocesan estate at Lake Takapuna. Gladly responding to his Lordship's kind invitation, your Auckland correspondent joined the party, which also embraced Messrs. J Carrigan and Ponsonby. Crossing the expansive and handsome Waitemata in the Eagle at 11.30 a.m., we soon reached Devonport, thence driving in a waggonette to the College, which was reached in 40 minutes. Mr. J. Colgan, the steward of the grounds, received us, and we were at once inspecting a portion of the four hundred acres. Everywhere around betokened industrious labour and activity; the tracks of the plough and the harrow were there. Along the eastern boundary 24 acres have just l>een added, a purchase from his Grace of Wellington who was trusd c. Thi.- strip is a valuable acquisition. After going over this portion it was time for lunch, so we hied ourselves to the orphanage, where the children had already noticed the presence of their great benefactor. What a sight it was to see these little fellows running down the big field and clustering affectionately around the Bishop ! There could be no possible mistake of the warmth and intensity of their welcome. The fleet of foot secured the privilege of walking hand in hand, the others contented themselves with gently holding the tails of the Bishop's overcoat. At the orphanage Sister Mary Alphonsus and the other Sisters welcomed the Bishop. Soon after this we were seated in a bright, cosy room, at a nicely prepared luncheon, after the completion of which the party went off to the opposite end of the vast estate, every portion of which was carefully inspected by the Bishop. Numerous plots, averaging 20 acres, have been leased to various settlers, and upon these happy homesteads are to be seen. That under the immediate control of the Bishop is unmistakably progressing. In a very short space of time immense results are sure to follow. Our people are unaware of what is going on at their very doors in the development of this valuable diocesan asset. Finishing our rounds, and tramping back over hill and valley, we returned to the orphanage and enjoyed once more the hospitality of the good Sisters. Thanking the Sisters and Mr. Colgan for their extreme kindness, we made our way to the trap, the boys once more gathering around the Bishop, and amidst adieus we drove off for Devonport. There the Bishop paid his respects by calling and praying over the remains of Mrs. Bruce, of the Thames, who died suddenly that morning, and caught the .1.30 boat, reaching Auckland at 6 o'clock, very pleased with our fine day's outing and what we saw. (Diocesan Ncius continued, on pay e 19.