AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 6, 7 February 1907, Page 13

AUCKLAND.

(By telegraph from our, own correspondent.) Auckland maintained its reputation last Wednesday evening, when the Royal Albert Hall was crowded to greet Mr. Joseph Devlin. As the envoy, preceded by his Worship the Mayor and his Lordship Bishop Lenihan, .entered the hall, the greatest enthusiasm was displayed, the people rose and cheered enthusiastically^ On the platform with Mr. Devlin were the Mayor of Auckland, Bishop Lenihan, Messrs. Alfred Kidd, M.H;R., T. Thompson, M.L.C., Leys (editor of ' Star ')> Mackay.W. J- Napier, Dr. Stopford (cffair'man. of the. committee), and P. J.. Nerheny. In the body of the hall were the Right Rev. Dr. O'Connor, Bishop of Armidale," and the. Right Rev. Dr. Dunne, Bishop " of Bathurstv The hall was beautifully decorated, a picture of Mr. Gladstone occupying a place in the front of the platform. The Mayor briefly introduced Mr. Devlin, who, on rising, received a great ovation, it being several minutes before he could speak. He dealt with the criticisms of the Auckland ' Herald, 1 which called him a ' peregrinating- mendicant.' His fault, in the writer's eyes t was that he was a successful mendicant, returning with over £22,000. The same journal argued that Irish affairs were of no interest to colonials, yet 'every day it .afforded* two columns of -. its space to anonymous . writers to slander the people of Ireland. The antiHome Rule meeting, about to be held, would afterwards be compared with this magnificent gathering where people paid for admission, and showed they backed their convictions ' in. the best possible manner. Would the so-called loyalists do this ? The remainder of his speech was- on the lines of those delivered in- . the south. At its conclusion the large audience rose* and" cheered enthusiastically.

Dr. Stopford moved and Mr. Nerhony seconded a motion affirming the principle of Home Rule for Ireland,

and thanking Mr. Devlin for his eloquent address, which was carried unanimously. While a collection was being taken up, Mr. Lonergan contributed a vocal item. Mr. Devlin moved a vote of thanKS to the Mayor for presiding. The financial result of the meeting- at present • is £550. On leaving the hall and outside men and women crowded around Mr. Devlin lo shake hands with him. Cheer after cheer went up as he entered the carriage with Bishop Lenihan. Mr. Devlin declared that the Auckland meeting in enthusiasm was second only to Sydney and Melbourne. On Thursday the envoy journeyed to Hamilton, and addressed a large meeting there. Rev. Father Darby and the local committee worked hard to ensure success. People came forty miles to attend the meeting. The deputy-Mayor occupied the chair. Mr. Devlin delivered a vigorous speech^ which', after the great meeting of the night before, must have been a great strain. The financial result was over £ r S. He returned to Auckland on Friday, and in the evening attended a dinner, given in - his honor by Dr. Stopford and. the committee in the Waverley Hotel. In his speech he bade farewell to the Australasian colonies, and said his mission -had - exceeded all expectations. He attributed its success to Cardinal Moran, the bishops, clergy, and the committees in every centre. He heartily thanked_ all for their invaluable assistance. He found in the colonies that 'hearts beat as warmly for Ireland" as they did in Cork or Tipperary. He would carry away pleasing recollections of the colonies, and in the Imperial " Parliament they may rely always on the services of the Irish party, if necessary. A present of a greenstone ornament and an ivorymounted walking-stick was made 'to the envoy. Mr. Devlin, on behalf of the committee, presented a . goldfountain per, inscribed, to Mr M. J. Sheahan, secretary,- for his indefatigable work in connection with the meeting. He spoke eulogistically of the services of Mr. Sheahan on former occasions as well as on this one. A silver-mounted peri was presented to Mr. F. Moore, treasurer; Both returned thanks. Mr. Devlin attended a religious reception at the Convent of Mercy on Saturday morning. At the conclusion of .-the breakfast he" said he was delighted to find the daughters of Erin iv this distant land planting 'and propagating the faith of St. Patrick. One of the most pleasant recollections of his tour would be of visits to_ convent schools, and, seeing the great work of Catholic education in progress there, he would convey back to Ireland a glowing account of such work. He wished the Sisters every happiness and prosperity in the noble work which they had so successfully carried on. Mr., Donovan here entered, having arrived from the south. He also spoke in high praise of the work of the Sisters at home and abroad. On Sunday the envoys . visited the Home . of the • Little Sisters of the Poor. Mr. Devlin briefly addressed the aged inmates. It was touching to see the ■ ' enthusiasm of the old people. Mr. Donovan also spoke. The party also visited the Mater Misericordiae Hospital.

On Monday morning the envoys, accompanied by the Bishop, visited the Takapuna Orphanage, and spoke there, and in the evening were present at a meeting of the Marist Brothers' Old Boys' Association. The Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan and the Right Rev. Dr. Reville were . present, and there was a large and enthusiastic gathering of members. Speeches were delivered by the en-i voys. Mr. Donovan dwelt on the great fight going onat Home; the splendid support given by the Irish race abroad, and the phenomenal success of the mission of Mr. Devlin and himself in the colonies. They were delighted, he said, with/ the final send off at Auckland, ' whose warm-hearted Bishop, priests, and people they would never forget. Mr. Devlin followed, and paid ■a - ' high tribute to ' the progress of the Church In this Colony, with its splendid scholastic -institutions, and expressed his delight at seeing so many young men pre-, sent. He congratulated the Marist Brothers on the result of their teaching, and urged the young; men to be ~true to 'the traditions of their fathers. He told how Ireland stood for faith and fatherland ; how the Irish Party stood by the principles of taking the part of' the weak against the strong. At the close of the . envoys' . speeches the assemblage rose and cheered for 1 several minutes. . His Lordship Bishop Lerrhan bade the envoys farewelli and told them that if in a few years Home Rule were not granted, to come out again, and more support' would be given. The meeting concluded with" cheers for Messrs; Devlin and Donovan.