DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 28 April 1910, Page 664

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(By Telegraph from our own correspondent.) April 25. Mr. P. J. Nerheny is a candidate for the Auckland Mayoralty. The contest, which comes off next Wednesday, is creating great interest, each side working hard to secure the election of its candidate. The Rev. Father Wright, at the last meeting of the confraternity of the Holy Family, gave a highly" instructive and interesting lecture on the ‘ Moon.’ The hope was expressed that he would give further lectures on astronomy. Rev. Father Hunt, C.SS.R., arrived last Thursday morning from Wellington by express, and left the same evening by steamer for Tauranga, where he opened a mission yesterday. When he finishes there he will proceed to Hamilton, to conduct a fortnight’s mission. At the Masses at the Cathedral yesterday the Rev. Father Holbrook spoke earnestly and strongly on the Bible-in-schools question. He said circulars had heeif-sent surreptitiously to those likely to support this scheme by ministers of various denominations. Catholics, who paid their quota towards the maintaining of the present secular system, had a right to some consideration. Why should their money he used to inculcate doctrines in which they did not believe? He knew what was going on, and he exhorted every Catholic householder to attend school committee meetings to-morrow night and vote against this proselytising scheme. _ It was a deliberate attempt to turn the' State schools into Protestant Sunday schools. Catholic teachers in public school would, if this were carried, soon be ‘discharged, because they would not he able to teach to orders. The suggested conscience clause would entail upon Catholic children in State schools many insults. As soon as the Bible-in-schools proposal was carried then no longer could State support be withheld from Catholic schools, which now saved the State £60,000 annually. The new buildings for the Sisters of the Sacred Heart, which was referred to recently, will be a very handsome structure of Gothic design, consisting of three storeys and a basement, with a frontage of 115 ft and a depth of 100 ft. It will be built of pressed Melbourne bricks, faced with Oaraaru stone, and will consist of a central block and two side wings. The interior will contain a number of studies, recreation rooms, and class rooms, also a library and school refectory, while the chapel will occupy the whole of the second floor of the wing. The floors and partitions are to be built of reinforced concrete, thus rendering the convent fireproof. There is at present a wooden building on the site, and this will temporarily he used as a residence for the Sisters. It can lie taken down when need may arise and replaced by a wing in harmony with the new building’ which has been designed by Messrs. Edward Mahonv and Son, architects. The estimated cost is £20,000. Rotorua (By telegraph from our own correspondent.) April 25. Rev. Father Cahill (Dauncvirke), who has been "spending, a few weeks in Rotorua recuperating, left last week for Auckland en route for his parish.

. ■ The tourist season is nearly at an end, and the town is beginning to assume its winter aspects. On the whole, the season was not equal to past ones. r, , Dev. Dean Lightheart returned to Rotorua on Saturday after an absence of about a month in the north His parishioners were pleased to hear that he had almost recovered from the severe attack of influenza which detained him a fortnight in Auckland. , Rev. Father Dunne, of Wilcannia, celebrated the 10 o clock Mass at St. Michael’s Church on Sunday, and preached an instructive sermon. In the evening, in the presence of a large congregation, Rev. Father Kennedy, U.l .M., who had intended leaving Rotorua the previous day, but in response to an appeal from Father Wientjes remained over Sunday, preached a beautiful discourse. In the course of Ins sermon, Father Kennedy emphasised the necessity of approaching the Holy Table regularly—daily, it possible, tins being the wish of the Holy Father— the conversion of mankind from the dangers of infidelity. The preacher quoted statistics which showed that Christianity was being undermined by infidels, and that it was the opinion of learned writers that at the end of another century there would be but two great forces in the world Catholicism and infidelity. Westport (From our own correspondent.) April 18. . Die debating branch of St. Canice’s Club opened its winter session on Tuesday evening last, there being a good attendance of members. The subject for debate was Should bachelors be taxed?’ Mr. G. E. Simon led for the affirmative, and was supported by Messrs. J. A. Ryan, T. Reece, AV. Smith, E. Nosley, J. Radford, and F. O’Gorman, whilst the negative was upheld by Messrs. A. M Bourke (leader), P. Malloy, T. Parkin, €. Reece, F. Ryan! J. Hughes, and P. Hughes. At the conclusion of the debate the judge (Rev. Father McMenamin), after reviewing the speeches, gave his verdict in favor of the affirmative. On Thursday evening, April 14, a highly successful euchre tournament was held in St. Canice’s Club rooms. Mrs. De A ere won the lady’s prize, -and Mr. John Spillane the gentlemans. Waimate A handsomely illuminated address, the text of which is as follows, will be presented to the Rev. J. Tymons, iS.M., on his intended visit to the AA 7 aimatc district next month (says the Waimate Advertiser : ‘Dear Rev. Father, —Widespread and truly sincere was the regret at the rumor that you were going away from us to control the commercial course at St. Patrick’s College. During four years of curacy you proved yourself a zealous priest, an able administrator, and a true lover of the people. As minister of God, you celebrated Holy Mass Sunday after Sunday, enduring tedious drives, long fasts and trying weather. In the administration of the Sacraments no official hardness and indifference, never wearied always kind and courteous. Upon the sick, at home, and in the hospitals you bestowed special care and attention, late and early bearing them the consolations of religion, ever affable and serene with encouraging words, with a delicate and appropriate sympathy. The children in the country schools remember you as loving, patient, determined to brave all and dare all to teach them the catechism and prepare them for the Sacraments. Eager for the beauty of the temple of God, you devoted much energy in decorating, repairing, and improving the church property especially at Morven; providing the sanctuary with artistic altars, vestments, and furniture; and this without fuss or apparent expenditure or special collections, but in a manner all your own. Efficient in financial management you formed your plans carefully, quietly, described them ’to the people, and as quietly put them into execution, always achieving magnificent results, though few suspected your own personal labors undergone to reach the desired end. Look at the bazaars, the Hibernian Society, the clubs the school concerts, Dean Regnault’s presentations, parochial social gatherings children’s excursions, altar societies, and the orchestra, all finely organised, and conducted with vigor and crowned with brilliant and triumphal success. Gratitude, love, admiration, lead us to make this presentation though you fled to avoid it. Wishing you continued success in your new sphere, we are, the Catholics of AVaimate ’