DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 30, 27 July 1899, Page 5

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent). July 20. The Very Rev. Dean O'Reilly will probably visit Gisborne at an early date to open the new convent there. Rev. Father O'Gallngher, lately of St Benedict s, has been appointed to the charge of Opotiki pariah in tho 15 iy of Plenty, and left for there on la^t Tuesday. The Rev. Father Golden, who has been on a short visit to Rotorua for the benefit of his health, is now in Auckland, where lie has been warmly welcomed by Ins numerous friends Rev. Father Gillan will for the present, in conjunction with his other manifold duties, attend to the spiritual wants of St. Mary's Convent and the Little Sisters ol the Poor, both ot which arc situated in Ponsonby parish. Rev. Father Hickson. S.M.. of Napier, has been on a short \isit to Auckland for the purpose ot s-ceniir his lather, who, unfortunately, is not in good health. Father Hiuksmi sang a Miwa Cantata at bt. Patrick's lust Sunday morning, and on Tuesday returned to Napier. At the last meeting of the Hibernian Soci< ty. Vuukland branch, Bro. Alex. Wright was elected president, Bro. Stead vice-piesidcnt, Bro. W. Kane secretary, Bro. P. Flynn treasurer, Bro. P. O. Kane assistant secretary, Bra D. Flynn warden, Bro^. John P,iter>on and P. J. Nerheny sick visitors. The officers were nu-t tiled by PP. Bro James Smith. The Arbitration Court, presided over by Jud^e Edwards, has Fettled two disputes in the timber and buot-uiuking industries Both were questions of local magnitude, involving much interest and capital. The awards were, in accordance with the weight of evidence, just and fair. Treating of the decisions, however, the morning and evening paper-, in their opinions ot then, are as diametrically opposed as truth to error. Politics fi rui their line of demarcation. There is at present in Auckland a Presbyterian gentleman who labours in Genoa. He exhorts his hard-headed co-religionisis to launch out in support of the Waldensian mission. The gentleman from Genoa asked 'if a parallel to the Waldens-es in this world could be shown in heroism and suflering for principle .' ' Compared with the seven centuries endured in Ireland, that of the Waldenses pales insignificantly. It ha«; been, however, a long-practiced British custom to deeply sympathise with the wrongs of the people of the outside world, ignoring what takes place at home. A handsome bequest has been made in the will of the late Mr. Clark, of St. Benedict's parish, Newton. The amount, which is reported to be £1300, has been divided between St. Benedict's Church Fund, St. Mary's and the Takapuna Orphanages, the Little Sisters of the Foor, Sisters of St. Joseph (Surrey Hills), three small private bequests, and the residue to St. Benedict s parish school. It is very gratifying to chronicle such a practical profession of the Faith as herein manifested. To those who knew iiie deceased gentleman the disposition of his wealth occasions no surprise. The Rev. Father Bowers, the genial parish priest of Geraldine. Canterbury, who had been in Australia upon a holiday tour, has been during the past week a suest of the Very Rev. Dean 0 lieilly at St. Patrick's presbytery. Father Bowers was much pleased with the evident advance of Catholicity in those centres of the island continent which he visited. He had the pleasure of hearing in Melbourne and Sydney the promising young convent-taught vocalist, Miss Amy Castles, and prophesies for her an eminent career. Father Bowers was loud in his praises of the hospitality everywhere shown to him. A loan was, and is now, needed for Auckland City for the purposes of necessary improvements, and for conversion and consolidating present liabilities. Our late Catholic Mayor said, before his

term had expired, that to accomplish the«e reforms the ratepayers would have to pay an increase of rates. Upon this statement Mr. Dignan was rejected at the; poll last November. The present Mayor said all could be done without further taxation, in proof of which he showed that the city valuation could be raised by £2,000, added to which the city endowments would more than realise the amount required for the new loan. The valuations totted up to only £700 extra, while the endowments, at pn sent, are drawn upon to their maximum value. Result : the lat" M iyor was light and the pi i .sent Mayor all wrong. Wo now rocri\'> warning lhat 'a special rate' is to be struck. A majority relegated Mr. Dignan to private lifo for auggcotiiig what his then opponent is now forced to do.