DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 13, 29 March 1906, Page 19

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our owb. correspondent.)

March 23. His Lordship the Bishop left this morning for Rotorua. The new fence around St. Patrick's Cathedral has been begun on the southern side where a fine substantial concrete foundation is being laid. Very Rev. Father Lluno last week conducted a mission at Kllershe, and this week is engaged at the ►Sacred Heart College. The mission at Onehunga, conducted by the Rev. Father McDermott, C.SS.R., will conclude next Sunday. At the early Mass the members of the Onehunga 'branch of the H.A.U.B. Society, with the district othcers and members of the Auckland branch, 'will approach the Holy r l able in a body, after -which they wul breakfast together. Bro. Kane, district secretary, on Sunday last at llawera opened a new branch oE the H.A.C.B. Society, with every good prospect. To the \ cry liev. Father Chine, C.SS.R., and to the Very Rev. Father Power the credit is due of starting the branch. From Hawera Bro. Kane went further south to Taihapc, where he opened another branch. The Rev. Mr. Beatty, Anglican, has seized upon the Princess Ena incident to attack iru a coarse manner the Church. He has been promptly and severely handled, by correspondents in the ' Herald ' and, in particular, by our ex-Stipcndary Magistrate, Dr. Giles. One of Dr. Giles' sentences says : ' A blatant Protestantism compels our So\ereign upon his or her Coronation to outrageously insult a \ cry considerable number of the citizens of the Kinpne.' The celebrations in Auckland on St. Patrick's Day were, for the first time since 1873, spoiled by bad weather. On Thursday evening a national concert was held at Devonport. On St Patrick's Eve a national concert was held in the city at the Federal Hall by the Cathedral parish, at which his Worship the Mayor (Mr. A. N. Myers), and his Lordship the Bishop attended. Preparations for the following day were completed by the Cathedral, Ponsonby, Parnell, and De\onport parishes combined, while St. Benedict's had arranged for a water excursion. All this was upset by the weather, and in the several parishes the children, after hearing Mass, were entertained in the schools. Towards mid-day the ram cleared oft when the children of St. Patrick's were marshalled at the Marist Brothers' school, Pitt St., under the direction of his Lordship the Bishop, Rev. Fathers Holbrook, Cahill, and Molloy, and headed by the members of the local branch of the II A.C.R. Society, who were preceded by their banner borne upon a lorry drawn by three grey horses decked in green, marched in procession to the Victoria Park. The uivenile contingent with its banner also attended. At the Park the races arranged for the children were run oft under the supervision of Rev. Bro. George. The girls races were looked after by Miss Julia Rist. After arout four hours in the Park the children were reformed in procession, ami marched back to the Marist Brothers' school, where tea was served. All the committee strove hard for the enjoyment of the children, and to r^comnerso them for their disappointment of the morning. The boys from Takapuna Orphanage, under Mr. Colgan, about 40 in number, were a feature of the procession. Pis Lordship the Bishop entertained at luncheon at the palace on St. Patrick's Day District President Bro. P. J. Nerheny, Past District President, Bro. John Patterson, District Treasurer Bro. M. J. Sheahan, Bro. Jro. O'Brien (President Auckland branch), and Bro. D. Flynn (Treasurer, Auckland, bran-ch). Rev. Father Holbrook was also present, and Mr. a. Kohn.. Before leaving the palace the District Preside.it on behalf of the Hibernians in New Zealand, thanked his Lorsdshin the Bishop for his kind and generous hospitality extended to the distric*- and branch officers present, and hoped that, he would be long spared to celebrate many national festivals. Thp Bishop in reply said it was always a great pleasure to him to be with the Hibernians, and doubly pleased was he to have them with him under his own roof, and trusted it would be the fore-runner of many such gatherings. On Sunday evening St>. Patrick's vas crowded on the occasion of a panegyric on St. Patrick by the Very P^v. Father Cluno. (\RP.R. The r>->pmbprs of the H.A.C.B. Society (Auckland branch) with the district officers were prpspnf. 'n recrfMa. His I,nrdsTi'n the Biphon vi" prepp^t in "the sar>f > "tuf"'y. Thp Very Rev. Father Chine delivered a most eloquent panegyric on

St. Patrick. The recital of the labors of Ireland's national apostle, together with her steadfastness to the teachings of the saint ; the troublous periods of Ireland's history ; the dispersal of her sons and daughters over the earth, carrying with them and implanting deeply the faith inculcated by St. Patrick aroused all the pent up feelings of love tor Faith and Fatherland, it w-as a great sermon, worthy of the occasion. At the close of the sermon the choir, sang "All prai.se to St. Patrick,' Pontifical Benediction by his Lordship the Bishop followed. As tlie people left the church the hymn to St. Patrick was again sung. The Hibernians gaihered in St. Patrick's Hall, where the Bishop and Very Rev. Father Clune attended. Bro. Nerheny district president, conveyed, on behalf of the Hibernians of New Zealand, their sincere condolence to Father Olune on the sad death of his aged father. He thanked him for the very eloquent and impressive, and he would add patriotic discourse, to which they had all just listened. Father Clune thanked Mr. Nerheny and the Hibernians for their condolence to him on the death of his father, which took place in America. He appreciated very much their kindly motives, and assured them that the society would always find him and his co-workers ready to advance its best interests. The Bishop also spoke, and teelingly referred to Father Clune's ement. He was gratified at the good muster of the Hibernians, and hoped that before long they would all assist towards the enlargement of St. Patrick's. St. Benedict's celebration committee on St. Patrick's Day decided to postpone its turn-cut until Monday, when fine weather rewarded its effort. Prior to starting, all attended Mass at St. Benedict's. After Mass, headed by the Garrison Band, they marched down Queen street. The ' Kestrel,' with several hundred people on board, left the Ferry lee a Tittle after ten o'clock, and was- followed by the ' Osprey ' with another, largo crowd a,bjr»ard. The 'Kestrel' also made another trip a little after one o'clock. Altogether there must have been upwards ef 2000 pleasure-seekers at Motutapu. On the island a most pleasant day was spent by the children and their parents. Everything waa done to make the outing enjoyable for the children. Sports were bold and refreshments were provided. There were also races for men and women. The picnic was in e\ery respect thoroughly enjoyable, and from start to finish was a great success. The children were in charge the Rev. Fathers McMillan and Dignan and the Marist Brothess. In the evening at St. Benedict's Hall a fine national concert was held at which there was a good attendance. The <follov. ing was the programme- Irish national overture, orchestra; song, 'Off to Philadelphia, 1 Mr. Whelan ; song, ' Come back to Erin,' Miss O'Gara , song, 'Believe me,' Mr. Clegg ; chorus, children of St Benedict's School ; sona;, ' Dublin' Bay,' Madame Casier ; duet (clarionet and oboe), Messrs. S and J. Jackson ; recitation, ' Shamus O'Brien ' Mr J Donovan ; chorus, thilchcn of St. Benedict's School ; song, ' Kathleen Mavournecn,' Miss Cooper ; song, ' Avourncen,' Dr. Keith ; piano solo, ' Irish diamond* ' Miss Beehan ; Irish sketch, Dr. De Clive Lowe ; song ' Kiilarnev, 1 Madame Casier'; xecitation, Mr. Donovan • song, " The minstrel boy,' Mr. Clegp. Mr. S. Jackson wps accompanist, and Mr S. Jackson leader of orchestra. There was a very large attendance at the national concert in the Federal Hall on St. Patrick's e\e A special programme was arranged. The choruses of the children were a splendid feature. His Lordship the Bishop thanked the Mayor for his attendance ; it was the best concert he had attended in connection with St. Patrick's celebrations in Auckland. He heartily thanked all who took part and those who prepared the fine programme. He specially Khamkrd the children, and made mention of Ihc girls from St. Mary's Orphanage, who sang 'Oh ! Erin my country. 1 Almost every item of the programme was encored : Overkire, orchestra ; chorus, school children ; song, • Off to Philadelphia, 1 Mr James Loncrgan ; song, ' Come back to Erin,' Miss Cdeta Lorrigan ; song, ' The dear little shamrock,' Mr. W. Griffiths ; song, ' My blue-eyed Irish boy,' Miss Madeline Knight; song, ' TCillarney,' Madame Casierchorus, pupils of St. Patrick's Convent schcols ; selection, orchestra ; chorus, pupils of the Catholic schools; sonec, ' Irish emigrant, " Miss Coleta Lorrigan ; song' ' Eileen Alannah, 1 Mr W. Griffiths : chorus, St. Mary's orphan children : pong, ' Sweet "Dublin Bay,' Madame Casier; song, 'Father O'Flynn,' Mr. -James Lonergan; solo and chorus, ' God Save Ireland,' school children! Accompanists, Mrs. W. Ral^h, Misses Nellie F. Qrmond and F. Hunter s"-* TTarry Hiscocks ; leader of orchestra, Mr. P. F. Hiscocks.

Paeroa There was X very large gathering of children at St. Mary's on St. Patrick's Day (says the l Paeroa Gazette'). Ihe number of children attending this year was considerably increased by the large contingents that came in special reserved carriages by the early trams from Waikno, Owharoa, and karangahake. Punc. tually at 10 a.m. the procession left the church and proceeded to Mr. W. G. Nocholls 1 ground, where the of sports" )was arranged, including races lor bpys and picnic and sports weic held. An excellent programme girls, jumping, etc. Before leaving the grounds Dean llackett summoned all the children together and congratulated them on having come)in such large numbers to the picnic. The' Dean called ior three hearty cheers for Mr. W. N.icholls, who kindly gave tha use of his grounds, also for all who subscribed or ga\c prizes for the sports. Special mention was made of Mr. Harris' medal and trophies given by Messrs. GibsonOand Monarty. Uheers were also given for Mr. A. Casey (Hamilton), Mr. T. Gavin (Te Aroha), Mr. Martin (Martinville, Mercer), Mr. It. Brown and Mr. J. Barrett (Rotokohu), Mrs. Lochwood (Puriri) and others, who kindly forwarded cases of fruit, etc , for the picnic Dean Hackett also expressed his thanks to the Railway Department fcr having provided reserved carriages for the visiting children on a public holiday, and hop'cd the same concession would be made next year, when the Catholic children from Waihi and Thames would assemble here with those of Waikino, Karanjrahake, and Paeroa to take part in the annual demonstration on St. Patrick's Day. In the carrying! out of the sports programme the following; p^nUemen rendered valuable assistance: Messrs. Gor nan and Davidson (Paeroa) and Messrs. J and T. Wall (Karangahake).