DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 27, Issue 21, 27 May 1909, Page 814

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph from our own correspondent.) May 24. Dean Hackett lectures on ' Rome ' next month, at the invitation of the authorities of the Leys Institute. St. Benedict's choir, assisted by friends, will reproduce ' Prince Ju-Ju on June 16, the proceeds to he devoted to the choir fund. Rev. Father Lane, pastor of Gisborne, is on a holiday, and is touring the city and provinces. In his absence the parish is in charge of Father Ormond, his assistant. Seven hundred thousand pounds were spent upon, new buildings in Auckland city and the surrounding boroughs last year, over £200,000 being in the city proper. As a result of the completion of the Main Trunk Railway to Wellington, the Union Company has withdrawn from the Onehunga-New Plymouth service both passenger boats, the last trip being made to-day by the Rotoiti. At the last meeting of the local branch of the Hibernian Society, it was decided to hold on next Tuesday night week a social, to which Bishop, clergy, and officers and members of the Onehunga branch are to be invited. This is a step in the right direction, and was set by the Onehunga branch. Rev. Father Meagher, at the 4 Masses at St. Patrick's Cathedral yesterday, dealt in strong^ terms with Sir Robert Stout's slanderous statements concerning denominational schools in New Zealand. Father Meagher considered Sir Robert Stout unfitted to hold the high judicial position lie now occupies, owing to I ' his prejudices. On last Friday evening the new billiard table at St. Benedict's Young Men's Club was formally opened before a large muster of the members and their friends. The greatest enthusiasm was shown, and this valuable adjunct of the club was voted by all present to be a • want long felt, from which immense good was certain to accrue. After Vespers last night a meeting of St.' Benedict's Church committee was held in the presbytery. The Right Rev. Monsignor Gillan presided. The question of providing more adequate school accommodation was considered, and after much discussion it was resolved to meet the following -morning, when his Lordship the Bishop would attend. The Bishop attended this morning, and Monsignor Gillan and his committee were present. The question as to whether it was advisable to build on part of the present parish property, or to acquire another building site, was carefully thought out.