DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1916, Page 24

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

('From our own correspondent. .'Very Rev. Father 0 Connell, S.M., of Wellington, arrived in this city on Thursday. He said Mass at the Cathedral on the Feast' of the Immaculate Conception. During his stay he was a guest at St. Patrick’s Presbytery. Three hundred women approached Holy Communion at the Cathedral at the early Mass ‘on last. Sunday morning, in which were included the members of the Children of Mary, Guard of Honor, and Holy Family Confraternities. At the various city and suburban churches on the Feast oi the Immaculate Conception large congregations assembled, this being particularly so at the Church oi the Sacred .Heart, Ponsonby. The large number of communicants in the several parishes was certainly evidence of a virile faith and devotion. In the ‘knock-out’ cricket competition for boys: under twelve, below 4th standard, the Marist Brothers” team is doing very well. Playing Napier street, they won by 3 runs. A. McMahon and Tucker were the destroying element with the ball. Against Belmont in the 2nd round, they made 75 for 4 wickets—Pell 25,. Ruddy 16. Belmont were all out for 24, A. McMahon, clean bowling four batsmen with his first four balls. In the 3rd round they made 43 against Newmarket — Lack 17. Newmarket were unable to cope with the bawling of McMahon and Pell, and were all out for 13. The youngsters from Vermont street are now in the final. The senior team is to play the final in the A grade next Saturday against Mt. Eden. At the Sacred Heart College on last Saturday evening a most interesting and instructive competition look place amongst the third and fourth form students for possession of the Hackett Medal. The Rev. Brother Benignus (Director) presided, and on his right sat Mr. P. J. O Regan, of Wellington, who kindly adjudicated on the occasion. There were ten contestants, viz.. Masters P. McQuillan, C. McManaway, M. Graham, G. Johnson, O. Jackson, V. Mulgan, J. Rankin, B. Goldwater, B. Howe, and A. Cheater. The subjects for competition were (1) prepared subject, (2) recitation or poem, and (3) impromptu speech, each contestant engaging in all three. The subjects were wideband varied, and were delivered in the order of the students’ names given above. The impromptu subject was ‘ Sport.’ At the conclusion Mr. O’Regan said that where all had acquitted themselves so well his task of singling out' the winner was no easy one. The talent displayed was a credit to the students engaged and to their tutors, the good Brothers. He prophesied that many of them were destined to play important parts in the various walks of life to which they may be assigned. He wa?

pleased to see so injury students of the native race present. This was but further evidence of the great and unifying force of the Catholic Church, lie awarded B. Goldwater Ist prize, P. McQuilkin 2nd, and V. Miilgan 3rd. Mr.' Reddington moved a vote of thanks to Mr. O’Regan, which was carried unanimously.