DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 36, 7 September 1899, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent). August 31. The H.A.C.B. Society's District Executive and Trustees have now advanced upon first-class freehold security in Auckland the large sum of £23,j0. This at ."» per cent, is a wise and necessary investment. Judge Connolly at the sittings of the Supreme Court yesterday. remarked : ' I am afraid it will be a long time before I get a pair of white gloves.' The heavy quarterly criminal calendars amply j ustif y the obrervation. The Young Men's Club of St. Benedict's parish held last evening, in St. Benedict's Hall, a very puccetsful gathering. Everything in connection with it passed off well, to the satisfaction of the patrons, and to the credit of the club. At Hamilton, Waikato, last Friday evening, a most successful concert was given in the Volunteer Hall in nid of St. Mary's Monastery. Although the weather was very incle ncnt the hall was filled. The children's performances were the chief attractions and earned rounds of applause, which were richly merited. The Sancta Maria branch (female) of 11A.0.85. held on Tuesday evening lant a social in the Catholic [nsiitute The weather militated much against the affair, but for all that the hall was filled. The lady officers are to be congratulated upon their untiring efforts in cateiing so well for those v ho patronised them. The Right Rev. Dr. Lcnihan writes from London, under date July 28 : — ' Last week we had very hot weather, and I felt quite knocked up. In the early part of the month 1 had ten days at

Liverpool. The Bishop and priests there were most kind and attentive. I look forward to another visit there later on in the year. I met Bishop Verdon at his brother's in Liverpool. He was looking very well.' The stage Irishman, I regret to state, has been disporting himself, despite all the denunciations of the Tablet and other Catholic papers, at a recent Catholic entertainment; in Auckland. And his grotesque mode of speech and meaningless gyrations, both so foreign to Iri&hmen, were, sad to relate, loudly applauded by a considerable section of the large audience. A first-class concert was held at the Oddfellows' Hall, Howick, on Wednesday night (says the Auckland Star, August 28) in aid of a rebident of the village, Mr. P. Smith, a married man with a large young family, who had been laid up with a bad leg for some months past. Monsignor Macdonald presided, and addressed the large audience with one of tho-e cheerful and kindly speeches for which he is so noted and popular. A very full programme was submitted to an appreciative assembly, and well rendered by the Misses Myles, Roberts, Olphert, and Andrews, Messrs. Absolum, Bower, Harris, Rainger, Trice, Teague, and Brenan. The music was supplied by Mi-s A. Mulkire and Mr. William Brady. After the concert a duuee was greatly enjoyed. We understand the concert will result in £20 being handed to Mr. Smith. The half-yearly meeting of the New Zealand District Board of H.A.C.B. Society was held last evening in the Catholic Institute, District President Bro. John Patterson in the chair. All the other district officers were present. The officers report dealt with several matters of interest, notably that of the position of the Charleston branch, the defunct Paeroa branch, and the president made special reference to the next A. M. meeting, hoping it would be held in Dunedin. The balance sheet showed a credit of £3,900 odd pounds. The funeral expenses for the half year had been exceptionally heavy, viz. £110, but for all that the credit balance for the half year was £85. The incidental fund, though strict economy had been practised, was very low. The report was adopted. The president would like to witness more activity throughout the branches, and this could very easily be accomplished by the individual efforts of members. The Registrar, in reply to a letter from the executive, stated that the Friendly Societies Act did not prevent societies from obtaining possession of freehold property, but advised great care in the matter. It was carried that the E.D. of Melbourne be asked to set up a committee to inquire into and report upon the financial status of the society as a whole. It was decided to make a general levy upon every member in the New Zealand district to aid the Charleston branch. P D.P. Nerheny moved that the next A.M.M. be held in Dunedin. Bro. D. Flynn (Hastings), thought that in view of the lowness of the incidental fund it would be unwise to incur the expense. Upon a division the motion was lost. The executive were requested by the Auckland delegate, President Bro. A. Wright, to fix a general communion Sunday throughout New Zealand, on which day branches would approach the altar. To Bro. M. J. Sheahan a past district president's collar was presented by the district president, who referred in eulogistic terms to the recipient. P.D.P. Nerheny, D.S. Kane, and P.D.P. Flynn (Hastings), also added their high testimony. D.T. Bro. Sheahan suitably acknowledged the gitt, and said he would ever treasure it, and hoped in the future to so work in the interests of the society to deserve it. The Wellington branch gave notice of motion for next meeting that ' the headquaiters of the Society be removed to Wellington ' ; New Headford branch that, ' presidents of branches be empowered to remit fines, when imposed by said presidents.' Officers for next term were nominated : — President, Bro. D. O'Sullivan ; vice-president, Bro. M. OSullivan ; secretary, Bro. Kane ; treasurer, Bro. M. J. Sheahan ; auditors, Bro. Kane and Stead.