DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 38, 21 September 1899, Page 28

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent).

September 14. The Rev. Father Golden id assisting the Very Rev. Mgr. Paul, V.G., in Onehunga parish. The net result of £25 was made from the annual social tendered by the ladies of St. Patrick's, held last month. The annual entertainment usually given in December by the Sisters of Mercy's Schools, Hobson street, will this year be given on October 26.

I regret to state that the Rev. Father Kehoe has been indisposed of late. The Rev. Father Purton, from the Cathedral, very kindly officiated for him at Parnell on Sunday. Ex-Inspector Uickson, father of Rev. Father Hickson, S.M , of Napier, is, I regret to say, in a very low state. His state of health causes the greatest anxiety to his family and numerous friends. At one of the theatres every evening the French flag is dramatically displayed and torn in ribbons, evoking rounds of applause.

This is due to the Dreyfus case. A moment's reflection would show these cheerers that France is not wholly represented by the general staff. > The consecration of maukind to the Sacred Heart of Jesus took place in the city and suburban churches last Sunday evening. Unfortunately before, and at the hours of Vespers, heavy rain set in, yet the congregations were large. At St. Patrick's and St. Benedict's highly instructive sermons on devotions to the Sacred Heart were given by the Very Rev. Father Lightheart and Rev Father Gillan. One of the municipal candidates seeking election just now tells us that last September oar city overdraft was £24,195 10s Bd, and now it is £33,458 19s. If these figures be correct, what becomes of the heaven-sent financial genius who told us (and for telling us so he was elected) that he would put Auckland city on the road to fortune. An important meeting of the Cathedral parishoners is to be held in St. Patrick's Hall next Sunday afternoon. It is for a twofold object (1), to consider what steps should be taken to reduce the existing presbytery debt, and (2) to elect, in pursuance of the desire of the synod held early this year in Wellington, a school committee of laymen. The school committees of each deanery throughout the diocese shall then nominate a representative to sit upon the Educational Board of the diocese. Three of the pupils, Misses Rita Sullivan, Katie Mahoney, and Monica Gibbons, of St. Mary's Convent High School, Ponsonby, and Miss Evelyn Quinlan, from St. Patrick's Convent High School, were awarded prizes for their excellent letter-writing by Mr. Bainbridge, a gentleman on tour of the world in the interest of matters educational. In presenting the prizes he remarked that wherever he went be always found the letters of the convent-trained children bright, clever and affectionate. A most vile and scurrilous attack by an anonymous writer, who styles himself 'An Irish Catholic ' ('/), has appeared in a local prohibition organ upon our good priests. Few that know ' the ways that are dark and the tricks that are vain ' of anonymous newspaperwriting will believe that the low scribe is a Catholic. If he ever was one, he is probably a renegade to his faith. If he is an Irishman he is probably a follower of the ' yellow pup.' He is certainly no credit to the country to which he claims he belongs. The Auckland Catholic Cemetery Board meets to-morrow evening at St. Benedict's presbytery. The members comprise two from each of the four parishes, and are as follow : Cathedral parish, Messrs. P. J. Nerheny and M. J. Sheahan (hon. sec. and treas.) ; St. Benedict's, Messrs. P. Brophy and John O'Connell ; Sacred Heart, Ponsonby, Messrs. D. Flynn and John Patterson ; St. John's, Parnell, Messrs. Kilfoyle and Hogan. Rev. Father Gillan is aIBO a member. The work before the Board, though necessary and urgent, is not very great. A small Bum is in hand, but totally inadequate for present purposes. The Board deserves hearty monetary support, particularly from those who have relatives buried in Symond street cemetery. The Rev. Father Kehoe, of St. John the Baptist's Churoh. Parnell, ia having executed a paiuting for the end wall of the church. It is 22ft. high by 30ft. wide. The subject is ' The transfiguration of our Lord,' and introduces the figures of Moses and Elias, and of the Apostles Peter, James, and John. The artist is Herr Dittmer, of Dueseldorf, Germany. The scene is painted on canvas in the style of the old Italian fresco work. At some future date it is in contemplation to have two flanking paintings, 10ft. by 7 ft. by the same artist. The spaces between the altars will be painted in imitation of the old Gobelins tapestry. The first-named painting will be placed in po3ition in the church within a fortnight, and there will be special services in connection therewith. These will add greatly to the already tasteful interior of the parish church of Parnell.