Diocesan News

New Zealand Tablet, 9 December 1920, Page 19

Diocesan News

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND (From our own correspondent.) December 3. The queen of the recent carnival. Miss Eriua O'Connor, was duly crowned in the Town .Mall on Monday, November 29. “The Coronation Ceremony,” directed by Mr. Owen C'ardston, was admirably presented. For picturesqueness of ceremonial, dignity, beauty of costumes, and careful attention to details, it could not have been improved upon. The queen, beautifully robed in gold tissues and gorgeous train of red velvet and ermine, and attended by full retinue, and all her former rivals, marched through the hall in procession with train-bearers, maids of honor, and pages. When the whole tableau was arranged upon the platform the spectacle was of striking beauty, for it was formed of beautiful maidens, chill, strikingly attractive, handsome gowns, and flowers of gorgeous hues. As, heralded by trumpet blare and the crash-

ing chords of the great organ, the queen ascended the throne, she was greeted with a spontaneous and enthnsias* tic outburst of applause from, the crowded audience. The other queens, who preceded her, were each given a great reception on reaching the platform and proceeding to allotted positions near the throne. The ceremony of owning was then performed by his -Lordship Bishop Cleary. In paying a tribute to all those who had worked for the carnival, he said it was the crowning achievement of its kind effected by the Church in the Dominion. Over £15,000 had been raised by its means. He then placed the crown upon tho head of the queen amid renewed and prolonged applause. Following came the final presentation of the attendant queens, after which honors and titles were bestowed upon some of the principal carnival workers, with truly royal lavishness. Included in the ceremony was a musical programme by the “royal soloists, Misses Madigan and Monk, and Messrs Dixon, Venables and Dobbs. Mr. Leo Whittaker, A.T.C.L., LAB, acted as accompanist, while Mr. G. Inglebv Allen, AROO presided at tho organ. “ " ' Mr. and Mrs. D. 0 Connor, the parents of the sucess ul queen, entertained the clergy, the queens representing the six parishes, and the committee at a sumptuous banquet in the “Tiffin” at the conclusion of the coronation function. Appropriate toasts were honored, and the happy gathering dispersed after the singino- of ■God Save Ireland,” and “Aold Lang Syne.” On Thursday, December 2, in the parish hall, O’Neill Street, Ponsonhy, Miss Mavis Grevatt was crowned queen of 1 onsonhy. The ceremonial was almost similar to that in lie row Hall on Monday evening; the crowning ceremony being performed by Very Rev. Chancellor Holbrook. I lie reception committee met at the Cathedral presbytery mi I uosday, November 30, to make final arrangeinents for the welcome to lie extended to tho CoadjutorBishop, Right Rev. Dr. Liston. It is expected that his Lordship will arrive in Auckland just before Christmas Day. He will he met on arrival at the railway station by Hie committee and as many of the clergy and laity as can attend. On Christmas Day the Coadjutor will pontificate in tho Cathedral, at Solemn High Mass, (Jo ram Pontifi.ee, Ills Lordship Bishop Cleary will preside and formally welcome his Coadjutor. Dr. Liston and the clergy will lie guests of the Bishop at the Bishop’s Palace on Christmas Day to dinner. The addresses from the clergy and laity will he read in the Cathedral on even mg, December 20, to which* the Coadjutorls,si"T will reply, and then officiate at Pontifical Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. On the following 1 Inn sda\, December 30, a reception and garden party will he held in the grounds of the Sacred Heart College, Richmond Road, Ponsonby. Ihe Re\ . V. .1. Fordo, Adm., left on Wednesday, December 1, for Dunedin, to take part in the consecration ceremonies. Many of the clergy are. to leave by Sunday night s express for the same purpose. Mr. Dan Ryan, manager of the Auckland branch of Ifuddart-Parker, Ltd., died suddenly at midnight on Tues* day, November 30, at his residence. Silver Road, Epsom. He was educated at St. Patrick’s College, Wellington, and entered the service of the company 27 years ago at the age of 20. He rose to the position 'of chief clerk, and about eight years ago was appointed manager of the

Auckland branch. About two years ago Mr. Ryan had a serious illness, caused by blood poisoning, and latterly spent a holiday touring Australia. Three weeks, ago he returned, apparently in perfect health, and had been in the best of spirits. Mr. Ryan leaves a widow and five young children.—R. I. P.