THE BISHOP OF DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3, 18 January 1900, Page 24

THE BISHOP OF DUNEDIN.

PREPARATIONS TO WELCOME HIM HOME

A SUCCESSFUL MEETING.

A EEPBESENTATIVE meeting of the Catholic clergy and laity was held in St. Joseph's Hall, Dunedin, on Friday night, for the purpose of making arrangements for the reception of his Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. "Verdon on his return from Europe, and also with the object of collecting funds to make him a presentation. Among those present were the Very Rev. Dean Mackay, administrator of the diocese, Very Rev. Father O'Neill (Milton), Rev. Fathers Murphy, Coffey, Cleary, J. Ryan, Geary, M. M. Ryan, and O'Malley — the three last- mentioned having been recently secured by Bishop Verdon for work in the dioceue of Dunedin.

The Rev. Father Murphy, in introducing the business of the meeting said that it was called, as they were aware, for the purpose of organising a testimonial to his Lordship the Bishop on hia return from Europe. His Lordship was deserving of all the honour they could show him. If they looked around them they could see in the hall the first fruits of his labours whilst at home He (Father Murphy) had written to the priests of the diocese regarding the object of the meeting, and they had promised their hearty support and co-operation. He was pleased to see such a representative gathering present, and many others who were unavoidably absent had sent apologies and expressed their willingness to assist in every way towards making the presentation a success. He concluded by proposing that the Very Rev. Dean Mackay, administrator of the diocese in the Bishop's absence, take the chair.

Dean Mackay, who was received with applause, said it was intended that the presentation should be the unanimous expression of the respect and esteem felt by the whole diocese for his Lordship. He was pleased to see Dunedin so well represented by so many of the leading Catholics, as it was only natural that the city should make the first move in such a matter. At the same time the whole diocese would take the matter up and make it a great success, in recognition of the good work which his Lordship had done. One of the works for which not only Dunedin but the whole of the diocese was indebted to Bishop Verdon was the establishment of the Orphanage in South Dunedin — (applause) — and another was his success in obtaining a number of young priests to labour for the cause of religion in the diocese. (Applause). In order to procure priests funds were indispensable, and he did not think his Lordship was burdened with much of the world's wealth. They should direct their efforts to raise something substantial towards the expenses which the Bishop had incurred or was to incur on behalf of the diocese, as well as to provide the nucleus of a fund for other good works. (Applause.) Mr. J. B. Callan said that they knew that hi* Lordship had (rone Home for the purpose of procuring priests, and on his return it was only natural that the Catholics of the diocese should tender him a hearty welcome. The chief object of the meeting was to arrange to collect funds for the purpose of defraying the expenses which his Lordship had been put to in the interests of the diocese. They had with them that evening the ' first contingent,' and he had no doubt they would be successful clergymen in the work they had to do. He believed there was to be also a ' second contingent.' All this cost money, and when they reflected that it had been done in the interests of the laity, it naturally followed that the laity should contribute to defray those expenses. He had no doubt but that the Catholics of the diocese would, as they had always done, contribute liberally and act loyally in this direction. For his own part he would be glad to do all he could to give his Lordship a hearty welcome, and assist in collecting. He believed the object of the meeting would be a thorough success.— (Applause )

On the motion of the Rev. Father Murphy, Messrs. James O'Connor and John Halley were appointed secretaries. The Rev. Father Murphy, in replying to a suggestion made by Mr. Callan as to the mode of collecting, said he was in favour of a house-to-house canvass in Dunedin. With regard to other parishes the matter would be best left to parish priests to decide upon the best means, for they were quite as anxious as those in the city lhat the affair should be a success. They had expressed their intention to do all in their power to make it a success. The whole diocese would be represented in the testimonial. In order to carry out the work of collecting funds in Dunedin he had compiled a lißt of prominent Catholics to form a conamittee and do the collecting. On the motion of the Rev. Father Murphy a general committee was appointed to make a house-to-house canvass. Mr. J. Liston expressed his pleasure at the remarks of the previous speakers. During his Lordship's absence he had done good work, and they should do good work now and show the Bishop on his return how they respected him. He suggested that a subscription list be opened at the meeting. — (Applause.) This was done, and in a very short time Father Murphy announced that over £8 ) had been subscribed.

A conversational discussion then took place as to the desirability of having a Sunday set apart in Dunedin for a collection at the Church doors, in addition to the house-to-house canvass. The matter was referred to the committee

It was decided that the secretaries write to the priests of the diocese, acquainting them with what was done at the meeting, suggesting that local committees be formed, and requesting that all moneys collected be pent to the common fund.

Rev. Father Murphy and Mr. John Carroll were appointed joint treasurers.

On the motion of the Rev. Father Murphy a vote of thanks was passed to the Very Rev. Dean Mackay, who had come from Oamaru for the purpose of being present at the meeting. Father Murphy mentioned that the Very Rev. Father O'Neill had attended the meeting at considerable personal inconvenience.