DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND. (From our own correspondent.)

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 3, 15 January 1903, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND. (From our own correspondent.)

January 8. xi. , n v annual R etreat for the diocesan clergy will oommence on the 19th inst. At St. Patrick's last Sunday evening selections from the Creation (Haydn) were given by the choir, assisted by Miss Lilian Iree. His Lordßhip the Biehop delivered a short discourse He took occasion to thank the choir and Miss Tree for their valuable a»Bi*.tar>co in presenting in so fine a manner the classical production of Haydn. The church was crowded. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed. At J-t. Benedict's last Sunday large congregations attended throughout the day and evening. The choir rendered Mozart's lwelfth Mass in an efficient manner. Miss ADnie Lorrigan sang an ' Aye Maria ' (Gounod) with violin obligate by Mr Michael (ileeson, of Wellington. Rev. Father Tormey, after Vespers preached on devotion to the Sacred Heart. The altars were beautifully decorated, and a special feature was the orib, before whioh numbers of the faithful prayed devoutly. After High Maas last Sunday morning the choir of the Sacred Heart Church, Ponsonby, gathered in the parochial school, where the Very Key. Dr. Egan, O.S 8., on behalf of himself and the choir, presented to Mr Thomas Adams, honorar7 conductor, a very handsome piece rf plate, suitably inscribed Dr. Egan said it afforded him genuine pleasure to mark their high esteem of Mr Adams labors, the result of which had provided the parish with its excellent choir. Mr Adams thanked Dr. Egan and the generous donors, and assured them, with their assistance, the choir would continue to progress. The Eetreat of the Sisters of St. Joßeph at Surrey Hilla Convent, conducted by the Very Rev. Father Fitzgerald, O.F.M , concluded last Saturday. Rev. Father Fitzgerald, who preached at St Patrick's last Sunday morning, was obliged to return to Sydney on Monday evening, but expects to return in time to conduct the Retreat of the clergy on the 19th inst. Mr T. A. Coghlan, the well known Government statistician of N.S.W., who has been holiday-making at Rotorua, attended St. Patrick's last Sunday morning and evening He dined with his Lordßhip the Bishop at the Bishop's House last Monday, and ltft for Sydney by the Sierra yesterday. The Marist Broi hers stationed here left yesterday afternoon in tbe Takapuna for Wellington to attend the annual retreat of the Order held there. The Brothers' new college is being rapidly pushed ahead, the third etorty beirg nearly completed. ' You cannot pass down the streets of this city without hearing language of the vilest kind,' said Mr Haselden, S.M., one day this w eek from the Bench when sentencing a man who was charged with having u?ed in the public street obscene language. The S.M is absolutely correct, and the worst part of it is that the presence of ladies has no deterrent effect upon the unbridled tongueß of these people. Mr and Mrs J. J. O'Brien, who have been on an extensive tour through Australia, Europe, end the United States, returned by the Sierra last Tuesday t vening. The local branch of the H.A.C.B. Society met last evening in the Hibernian Hall. The following effiaers were elected for the ensuing term :— President, Bro. F. Gordon ; vice-president, Bro. O. Little ; secretary, Bro. W. Kane (re-elected) ; treasurer, Bro. D. Flynn (re-elect* d) ; warden, Bro. MoNamara ; sick visitor, Bro M, Carmo'Jy ; guardian, Bro. G. Rice ; auditor, Bro. Jas. Smith. A remarkable fact in o nneclion with the election of officers is that it is 20 years since Bro. Little lset held the oSce of branch president. Bro. Doolan, of the Christchurch branch, has been spending his holidays here, and last night attended the meeting of the local branch, and was heartily welcomed by the president, Bro, Gordon, and the members. Bro. Doolan referred to the great kindness shown him Bince his arrival, and felt it was of great advantage to have brothers of their order in every town with w horn a stranger can at once be made at home.