DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 34, 22 August 1901, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) August 15. The Very Rev. Father Benedict, 0.P., commences to-morrow a three days' course of instruction to the children of the Star of the Sea Orphanage, Ponsonby.

The drop-scene in the new Hibernian Hall shows historic Blarney Castle, running beside which are ' the pleasant waters of the River Lee,' dear to the heart of every Corkman. Mass is once more being celebrated in that rising portion of St. Benedict's parish, Surry Hills. It was discontinued owing to the parish being short of priests. This is now rectified. An entertainment will be given to-morrow evening in Ponsonby Sacred Heart School in aid of the work of renovating the Very Rev. Dr. Egan's residence. To-day, the Feast of the Assumption, was celebrated with due solemnity in the four city parishes. The confraternities of the Children of Mary in the Sacred Heart, St. Benedict's, and St. Patrick'" nttpniioH =ppo\al services. At St. Patrick's, at the halfpast seven o'clock Mass, the Children of Mary sang the appropriate j music Mi°« Julia Ri«t presiding at the harmonium. The number I of communicants was exceedingly large. At the Supreme Court this week a prisoner was found guilty of pocket picking, when the judge discovered in the jury box a baker's dozen instead of the usual 12. It was a very peculiar oversight. Here before a full court, many learned men of law, and two men in blue to solely attend to the jury, the case went right on, the jury retired, returned, gave their verdict, when probably the oldest man in court discovered the odd man. The judge ordered the trial to begin de nova. The ' ghost ' is the topic now in city and suburbs. Arranged in orthodox white sheet, lamp upon each shoulder, and covered in phosphorus to the waist, some idiot sports himself, frightening women and children. The other night he bounded out upon a gentleman driving a trap and only a miracle saved the life of the driver, as the horse reared and bolted, and before he was pulled up the trap was several times within an ace of overturning. The examinations of the schools of the Marist Brothers and the Sisters of Mercy, Hobs- on street, by Mr Mulgan. Government Board Inspector, terminated la«t Tuesday afternoon. It would be premature to publicly announce the results, but I can safely pay that in both schools the very best were attained, and the good Sisters and Brothers are to be heartily congratulated. With regard to one school Mr Mulgan said . • The composition and dictation, for merit, exceed any in my experience.' And of the other school he said : • What has struck me most is the evident laboriousnesa manifested in the work of the year.' The Catholic community has long felt the want of a college in Auckland where the higher branches of education would be imparted. His Lordship Bishop Lenihan recently offered the Marist Order 13 acres of the church property near Cox's Creek, Ponsonby, provided the Order erected thereon a suitable college. This offer was sent to the head house of the Order, St. Genis, Laval (Rhone), France, and the Council, after consideration, accepted the Bishop's proposal, and ordered the erection of a seminary to cost some thousands of pounds. The plans are now in the hands of Messrs E. Mahoney and Son, and on completion they will be forwarded to the Council in France for ratification. No delay is likely to occur, as the authorities are desirous of having the building completed as oon as possible.