Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 26, 27 June 1901, Page 19

Diocesan News

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.)

June 20. The local press congratulate Sir J. G. Ward upon his well deserved honor.

The massive -looking white arch, an imitation of the famous Marble Arch, erected by the Govern meat in connection with the Royal visit, was f*old for the munificent sum of £1. The whole of the Venetian masts brought only £4 10s.

Rev. Father McGarrick is, 1 regret to say, far from well, and is at present under the care of the Sisters of Mercy at their convalescent home at Mount Eden. St. Benedict's parish miss him very much, and it is earnestly to be hoped that their good priest may soon be enabled to carry on hi." sacred duties amongßt them.

A very bitter and erroneous sub-leader upon Irish affairs appeared a few days ago in our morning piper. It is inexplicable that upon almost every other topic under the nun except Ireland, a broad and enlightened view is invariably given by our publio writers. They either do not, or will not, understand the Irish question.

Rev. Father Brodie, and his parishioners at Waihi have a large undertaking in hand. The contract for a new church, which runs into four figures', has been accepted. When this is completed a new convent and hall are to be tackled. Approximately ttie whole coet is estimated at £2 000, but where priest and people pull together harmoniously all mundane considerations prove to be no barrier. Just now the mining dispute at Waihi has dislocated business seriously.

By one who was present, I have been informed that at the reception given at Government Hotiße in honor of the Royal visit hia Lordship Right Rev. Dr. L j nihan, in his beaut' ful purple robes, and the Very Key. Father Benedict, 0.P., in his snow-white habit, were, amid>-t the sombre black of thi* entire a* c nblaure. the two most striking figures present. At the recepti m given hy the Mayor the same remark was applied to Right Rev. .Mgr. 0 Reilly, who appeared in his robes.

On the occasion of the presentation by the ladies of Sydney, Dr. O'Haran, in the course of a feeling and stirring reply, naid : 'A message from distant New Zealand speaks the common sentiment which has reached me from all parts of the Australian Commonwealth. As it is outside the pale of union I will allow it, to speak for all: "The cablegram published in our New Zealand pap rs this morning brought jny to the hearts of thousands here whom you have never seen. Your glorious victory over bigotry and perjury is the first triumph achieved by the Catholic Church in the infancy of trip Commonwealth. The priests and Catholics of New Zealand, as well as their fellow-cit>7en<<, had, in the early biag.s uf youi trial, Hetentarl the cloven foot and the foul conspiracy working against you Thank God you have come torth bearing the laurel* ol victory. Thit wretched man falling forward on the table ami then to the floor denotes the downfall of bigotry, and the tumultuous cheering the triumph of the Church. To you and to the grand old Pontiff who stood by to the last, the hearts of thousands here go out in gladness to-day." ' This message was sent to Dr. O'Haran by one of the priests of this diocese