DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 24, 11 June 1903, Page 5

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) June 4. The parish of Gisborno is to be divided, and the Rev. Father Lane, now stationed at Onehunga, is to take charge of one half, and the present priest in charge, Rev. Father Mulvihill, the other half. This has been found necessary, owing to the growth of population. Rev. Father McGuiness, now curato at Gisborne, is to take Father Lane's place at Onehunga. The body of the late Mr. Toohey, M.L.C , of New South Wales, was on board the inward 'Frisco mail steamer, Sonoma, which passed through here en route to Sydney yesterday. Mrs. Toohey and her sister, Miss Egan, were passengers by the steamer. At this port their brother, the Very Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., joined the vessel and accompanied the party to Sydney. At a meeting of the Mothers' Union one evening this week in the city Lady Ranfurly, to her own accompaniment, sang the delightful Irish ballad, ' Sweet Valo of Avoca.' It is a matter for deep regret that our fine old Irish songs seem to have been relegated to obscurity. Tho spurious articles from the music halls are mostly chosen, even at our own Catholic concerts. The Mapourika, with oar picnicking legislators, returned from the Island cruise to this port last Monday In the ' Star ' appears an account of the trip by ' outspecial correspondent.' who appeared to have held a brief from tho London Missionary Society which body, one would imagine, after reading ' our special,' caused the isles of the Pacific to live. move, and have their being The ' special ' saw the good chief Mataafa and his people, of whom he writes in high praise, saying : ' We saw no signs of demoralisation amongst the natives like that so painfully apparent in Tahiti.' This scribe quite foigot to tell the ' Star ' readers that Joseph Mataafa and his people are Catholics On Monday afternoon last the Countess of Ranfurly and suite paid an official visit to the Sisters and inmates of tho Sisters of the Poor, Shelly Beach road On the arrival of her Ladyship ' God save the King ' was played, and his Lordship Bishop Lenihan received the guests at tho door of the home. There were also present : Rev. Father Patterson (Administrator of the Cathedral). Rev. Fathers Benedict, OP, Furlong, Purton, and ITolbrook, Mrs Peacock, Mrs. and Miss Outhwaite, Mrs Lonergan, Mr Patrick Darby, and Dr. Bayntun. A thorough inspection was made of the convent, and Miss Casey, on behalf of the old people, presented a bouquet of flowers to the Countess One of the inmates made an excellent speech of wolcomo to Lady Ranfurly, and Bishop Lenihan expressed himself highly pleased and delighted to see such a deep interest in tho aged poor displayed by their honored guest, who. through the length and breadth of the Colony, had marie herself endeared to the hearts of tho poor Lady Ranfurly tnado a most sympathetic speech, expressing her pleasure at being with them and her entire satisfaction at tho comfort and cleanliness of tho home and selfsacrifice displayed by the rood Sisters Her Ladyship served out tea and refreshments to the old men and women, and then all the guests adiourned to a room, whero they were supplied with a light repast. At the departure of the Countess three hearty cheers were given by the old people. A largely attended mooting- of tho Catholic body was held in tho' Marist Brothers' school on last Sunday afternoon, when his Lordship tho Bishop presided The object of tho meeting was to see what steps should bo taken to fittingly open the new Sacred Heart College at Ponsonby on Sunday, June 21st. The Bishop addressed tEo meeting, and explained the efforts put forth by the

Marist Order in the erection of the magnificent College, and stated that already £6000 had been spent on it Alter discussion, Mr W. Tole moved that collectors from the four city churches be Appointed to collect at the n^f.fn CeJ " e nT n y , and . con duct the proceedings on the occasion. The following were appointed : Messrs. Nerft. Ca^y-, »»ffin- Sheahan (St. Patrick's), Trestoi, Brophy Taylor, Gormlev (St. Benedict's), D. Flynn P S^SMS" n", J - °?o 1 ; ien< P - Br y ant Sacred H^art) ?«rSn y Mr G1 M SO1 J ( £L' J - O'Sullivan (St. John's, £ a L )- Mr> M - J> Sh eahan was appointed secretary. 1 he ajbove committee met in the Marist Brothers' school100m last Tuesday evening. Mr. J. J. O'Brien JP t V v!^ ono P n °ntr led chaiiuiaa - Th e details in connection with the opening ceremony were discussed very fully The £ .\°i c ™ Vf c commiU S? dccidcd to visit the College next Sunday afternoon and there consider on the spot the £ii m m.ear?. eai r?- 1° be * d °Pted. In addition to his Lordship the Bishop Rev. Fathers Brodie and Darby, expupils of the Marist College at Hunter's Hill, Sydney, will speak at the opening ceremony Thp lav snpflkpr«j SV 6 !^ l^ J " A V ToIe ' M?> Mahoneyfso^cTtor)! r£iiJ£. «. meE \ G1 e?son (an ex-pupil of Hfenter's Hill ,h S ?£' Sydney) Sir Maurice O'Rourke, and his Worship the Mayor, the Hon. E. Mitchelson are also to be invited to address the assemblage. The opening is, therefore likely to be a great success, and so it deserves to be, as the results of the Brothers' enterprise have A,T^i-, U rfH a K St f rUC f tU i^ in u which > not only the Catholics -of Auckland, but of the whole Colons should feel a pride a d V ° ne m ° re great advance in the maroh of Catholic