Tauranga

New Zealand Tablet, 30 November 1911, Page 2435

Tauranga

(From an occasional correspondent.) On . Friday, November 17, Bishop Cleary paid a flying visit to Tauranga, where in the evening his Lordship gave Benediction, after which an address was read on behalf of the laity and a substantial cheque presented to him. The following morning his Lordship celebrated Mass, administered Confirmation, and shortly after proceeded by motor-car to Waihi, visiting on the way the Maoris at Te Puna. The address was as follows: — ( May it please your Lordship,— On behalf of the Catholic laity of the parish of Tauranga we respectfully avail ourselves of this opportunity of meeting your Lordship with a most cordial and affectionate welcome. With great joy and with gladsome hearts we learnt that the Father of Christendom had in his wisdom called you to the episcopal office and chosen you to preside over the spiritual

destinies of this diocese, a choice as felicitous as it was mell merited. For that the Almighty Dispenser of all blessings has endowed your Lordship with rare gifts we know from your many able writings in the defence of our Holy Faith and in the interests of the great struggle for religious education. lienee it is that the arrival of such a prelate as your Lordship amongst us was hailed with great joy, and that we now with special congratulations greet your Lordship, and in the expressive dialect of your native country bid to you ‘ cead mile failte.’ We are sure that you will allow us this opportunity of proclaiming out devoted attachment to the illustrious Head of the Church, Pius X., who, though surrounded by bitter enemies and oppressed by severe trials and persecutions, has been mindful of his children in this distant land'. We fervently pray that your Lordship may be blessed for many long years in the exercise of your episcopal duties. It will be our study to faithfully observe your precepts, and it is our earnest desire to loyally co-operate in furthering the objects your Lordship may haye in view. We ask your Lordship to accept .these expressions of our feelings as those of devoted hearts, and with sentiments of reverential regard and esteem' we beg to subscribe ourselves, Edward Daines. James Walsh.

Wanganui (From oar own correspondent.) November 23. Rev. Father Ainsworth, S.M., of Eltham, is to conduct a retreat for the Children of Mary of this parish. The retreat, which is for past as well as present members, will commence on Monday, December 4, and terminate on Friday, December 8. A social entertainment was held at Castleclilf on Thursday, November 23., in aid of the purchase fund of the church section recently acquired in that rapidly growing suburb. The number of Catholics at Castlecliff at present is not large, but it is expected that with the completion of the Gouville-Castlecliff tramway system and of the deep berthage harbor works now contemplated, a large increase will take . place. The acquisition of the section, which is very centrally and

conveniently situated, of ample size, and at a moderate price, is a source of gratification to the parish authorises and to the Catholics of Castlecliff. His Grace ■ Archbishop . Redwood passed through Wanganui on the 22nd : inst., and left for Inglewood on the 23rd. ; ■ .