THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATE

New Zealand Tablet, 30 March 1916, Page 37

THE APOSTOLIC DELEGATE

IMPRESSIONS OF NEW ZEALAND. . Fresh from his six weeks' visitation of New Zealand, , his Excellency the Apostolic Delegate retains favorable impressions of the Catholicity, patriotism, and generosity of the faithful of the Dominion (says the Sydney Freeman's Journal). These impressions and, some incidents of his trip were related to our representative by his. Excellency at the Apostolic Delegation on Tuesday morning, March 7. :■: The Apostolic Delegate had a special mission in connection with the Maoris, and it was to them he paid his first official visit on his entry into Auckland. -: ' I was greatly interested and impressed,' remarked his Excellency, with the splendid reception, given to me by the Maoris at Wai-hai on ; the shores of Lake Taupo. Never before were there so many priests nineteen—gathered together on . those picturesque shores. His Lordship Bishop Cleary . has done, and is doing, zealous work with the Mill Hill Fathers in spiritually catering for the natives. The reception ceremonies,' continued, the Apostolic Delegate, were magnificent. The matua or welcoming party, greatly impressed me with their enthusiasm. Then there was the dinner in the native dining-rooms, and plenty of speeches.' -His Excellency smiled: "In fact,' he added, nearly everybody wanted to speak.' In their native language?' was asked. Oh, yes, but the remarks were interpreted by the Very Rev. Dean Lightheart. From all sides came gifts of pigs to the dinner, and baskets of -i potatoes.' . » J; ' A. spirit of religious fervor,' continued his Excellency,;' seems to be growing among the Maoris, and I am led; to believe that* their numbers are increasing -now, though in years past the numerical strength of the native-born was not keeping up.' ", ; " •-." ' •' 'Did, your Excellency visit Rotorua?" -. ,- 'Yes. A magnificent reception was tendered to mo by ; Catholics. and non-Catholics, including the native chiefs, many of . .whom r were : r . Church , of England ad- , herents, but they were'very enthusiastic, and I retain pleasant recollections of their welcome/ Here again

the missionary priests are doing splendid work among the natives. in fact, throughout New Zealand the progress of the Church in its divine mission has.--been truly marvellous. In all the four dioceses splendid ecclesiastical buildings have been erected on .beautiful sites.' "■ - : \. - ~\< '-. ~ ~.,. The Christchurch Cathedral. ,:. : .->/ ..-• His Excellency. paid a tribute to the generous proportions and architectural splendor of the Christchurch Cathedral. It is,' he said, -a most beautiful place, and so, too, are the- other institutions.'. It was in the Cathedral on the Sunday before he left that his Excellency officiated at the 'consecration of the Right Rev. Dr. Brodie as Bishop of Christchurch. 'Those ceremonies,' said the Apostolic Delegate, 'were carried out as well as if they were in Rome. Everything was splendidly organised, and altogether the- proceed-ings-were most impressive.' " ' r Numerous public receptions were tendered to the personal representative of Pope Benedict XV. In every instance the Mayor of the place headed the list of representative citizens of -all denominations.?■ ■"■ In Dunedin, Christchurch ' and Auckland,' ; reimarked his Excellency, ' and in fact;-the other towns, the public receptions were very fine indeed. , or instance, in Auckland' the' procession numbered over 125 motor cars, the majority of which were beautifully decorated.' The Mayor of Auckland;: a leading Protestant,, was exceptionally kind, and did all that was possible for his distinguished visitor. Sir -Joseph Ward, Mr. Martin Kennedy, K.S.G., Sir George Clifford, earned the appreciation of his. Excellency for their hospitality and consideration, while he paid a high tribute to the zeal of the prelates and clergy of the Dominion, for the magnificent work they are doing/ ;> His Excellency is looking forward to his visit to. .the Bathurst diocese in May., V* T- -!' ; rv^? : r , 'Later, perhaps in August, I intend to. go to Perth; W.A.;' concluded his Excellency, and, ; pausing, pointed: to two large cases. , ' These,', he said,'" '.contain the Maori ; gifts, and the addresses —and .so good-bye. ,; - '