MARTON

New Zealand Tablet, 10 August 1916, Page 15

MARTON

(From, an occasional correspondent.) On Sunday, July 23, the parish was honored by a visit from his Grace Archbishop O'Shea, who administered Confirmation to 52 children from Marton and outlying districts, who had been prepared by the Sisters of Mercy. His Grace said the 9 o'clock Mass, at which all the children received Holy Communion. After the 11 o'clock Mass Confirmation was administered by his Grace, who explained the nature of the sacrament, and pointed out the many graces given to those who received it, and exhorted them to lead the lives of earnest, practical Catholics. At the close of the ceremony, the Rev. Father Doolaghty welcomed the Archbishop to the parish on behalf of himself and the laity, and hoped thai his

v. race would be pleased with the evidences of progress he would see about the church. The Rev Father further announced that the people of the parish wished to present an illuminated address to the Archbishop, and he then called on the chairman of the church committee (Mr. .Haughey) to read the address, which was as follows :—■ i'i.< 'May it please your Grace,—On the occasion of this your first episcopal visit to this parish of Marton we embrace this opportunity of tendering to your Grace a most hearty welcome amongst us, and we -sincerely trust that this visit will be but the forerunner of many such that your Grace may be spared to pay us. Though we are m the parish numerically few, we look forward with hope to having a flourishing parish here in future years. We are as yet at the initial stage of parochial activity, and, though relatively a good deal has already been done by the good priests here in the past, we are still desirous of further extending the scope of Church influence, and we feel assured that under the wise direction of your Grace our ideals will be fully realised. We feel proud to-day in possessing an up-to-date convent school, and we are specially indebted to the good Sisters who have spared neither time now energy in giving the children the benefit of a sound, Catholic education. We feel sure your Grace will be edified at the large number of children confirmed to-day, who will in the future be the support of the Church here. We thank your Grace for honoring us with your presence to-day, and we hope that God will snare your Grace many years of health to further the work of the Church. ' We are your Grace's obedient servants— B. Doolaghty, Adm. ; T. E. Haughey, chairman; James Sweeney, secretary; Eugene Charles Haddock, E. C. Reefe, Patrick Hopkins, and T. O'Leary, committee.' In replying to the address, his Grace expressed his delight with what he had seen that morning, and complimented the Sisters upon the large number of children who had been prepared for Confirmation, and who, later on, would uphold the faith wherever they might go. He congratulated the people of the parish on their fine convent school, which possessed all the facilities for teaching under the best conditions. He was particularly impressed with the neatness of the surroundings of the church, and schoolthe trim grass plots, flower beds, and asphalted playing area,—and said the parish had a school they might feel proud of, and which was superior to schools in much larger places than Marton, In conclusion, his Grace said he had the fullest confidence in the future of the Church in the district, • and felt sure that all its requirements would be provided for. At Vespers on Sunday evening, his Grace preached an eloquent discourse on devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Marton Borough Council (Mr. Collins) proceeded • recently against the Catholic Church trustees to recover the sum of .£4 6s lid, alleged to be due for rates on the property occupied by the school, the school playground, and the convent. For the defence it was contended that the school was not carried on for gain or profit, and was therefore exempt under section 2 of the Rating Act, 1908, and that the convent being the residence of twe teachers of the school, was used for the purposes of the school within the meaning of the Act, and was exempt also. After hearing the evidence of Mr. Knigge and" Father Doolaghty, the Magistrate said that he must find that the.school was not carried on exclusively for gain or profit, and that the residence built on the land was used mainly and principally for a residence for the teachers. The fact that persons, other than school pupils, were taught music and singing and were charged for such tuition, did not alter the main purpose for which the land and buildings were used. Judgment was given for the defendant with costs ,£1 Is. i