DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 23, 4 June 1903, Page 5

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From out* own correspondent.)

May 28.

A bazaar is being promoted, the proceeds of which will be given to the Sisters of Mercy Convent, Ponsonby. it is to be hoped a handsome sum will be realised for this most worthy of objects. A, sum of over £300 was handed to the Sisters of St. Joseph, of St. Benedict's parish, being the net result of the bazaar held during Easter week at tho Foresters' Hall. It is intended for the erection of a convent near St. Benedict's Church. It is a handsome result, and tho committee of ladies and gentlemen deserve every commendation for their good work. Rev. Father Gillan recognised their efforts by entertaining them at a water excursion.

A public reception was tendered the new Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Dr. Neligan, at which the following letter from our Bishop was read by the Mayor the Hon E. Mitchelson. It was addressed' to the Rev. Archdeacon Calder, of All Saints' Church, Ponsonby : ' I write to thank you for your kind invitation to assist at the ceremony of welcome in the Choral Hall to your new Bishop. 1 regret that absence fiom the city will prevent me from attending. Would you kindly convey to him my sincerest wishes for his health, prosperity and happiness. I trust that in the many good works we can mutually engage in for the benefit of mankind we may work hand in hand, and may all say of him, by reason ot his untiring labors, that " Bishop Neligan is a great good man." With every kind wish for your health I remain, yours sincerely, Geo. M. Lenihan, Bishop of Auckland ' This letter was received with loud applause Dr. Neligan later on referred to it, and said, ' Dr. Lenihan, I am told, like myself, hails from the Emerald Isle You could not do without Irishmen. He trusted that they would always work side by side in harmony, and that they would never excite the staid and sober people of Auckland by anything like a Donnybrook fair.'

His Lordship the Bishop has been on a visitation to the Waikato parishes during the last fortnight. His first visit was to Cambridge, where, on Sunday week, ho ad r ministered Confirmation and closed the mission conducted by the Rev. Father Benedict. O.P. On the following Monday evening there was a social gathering in the Oddfellows' Hall in honor of his Lordship. The hall presented a pleasant and animated appearance. At Hamilton on the following Wednesday evening a social was held in the Volunteer Hall for the purpose, of welcoming his Lordship. There was a large attendance in spite of the heavy ram which prevailed during the afternoon and evening The proceedings opened with the presentation of an address by a little girl, Hilda Floyd, who expressed the feelings of joy and pride with which they welcomed the Bishop to the parish. In replying, the Bishop said it was a ereat consolation to him to feel that his work is appreciated. This was very largely due to the earnest assistance afforded him by his priests and people. His memory carried him back some 18 years, when ho had enjoyed a happy time in Hamilton. He was glad to see how much the town had improved, and congratulated the present and past Mayors on the fact. The rest of the evening was de\oted to music. The Hamilton band played at intervals. One of the features was the dancing- of the cachuca by the pupils of St. Mary's school, a performance which was repeated at the- special request of the Bishop Before leaving tho hall throe hearty cheers were given for the Bishop. This brought a most enjoyable social ovening to a conclusion. On last Sunday the Bishop was fit Rotorua, where he also administered the Sacrament of Confirmation to a largo number. He visited the newly-opened school, under tho charge of the Sisters of St. Joseph, and was highly pleased with the bright prospects in store for it. With tho new presbytery m course of construction he was also pleased. His Lordship returned to town last evening.