DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 25 August 1921, Page 21

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) August 19. Bishop Cleary presided at Vespers and gave Solemn Benediction on August 17 Sunday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. His health has not been, nor is it at all good. It is sincerely hoped by all his people the sea trip and change will restore him. Father Bradley attended on Sunday evening, assisting during Vespers and Benediction, and although looking thin and worn, he seemed on the high road to restoration to health. He leaves early next month on a trip to Ireland.

The School Inspector Mr. G. Plummer —made the annual visitation to St. Patrick's Schools this week. He seemed pleased with the success attending the efforts of the Sisters, who carry out peculiarly difficult work with noticeably good results. The church committee have set themselves to the task of necessary improvements in the schoolrooms and playground, and good progress has been made, mainly by the working-bee organised by the committee.

The cafe chantant, which was so successful when held in Devonport, is to be repeated in the Town Hall early in September, when it is to be hoped it will be well patronised by all on this side of the Harbor. The proceeds are to be devoted to the forthcoming bazaar to be held to reduce the debt on "All Souls' Church, Devonport.

Mr. Hall Skelton, during the last fortnight has addressed crowded meetings of mixed audiences at tho following places, at various Town Halls where very large numbers of people could not get in. He spoke at the theatre, Onehunga, and after a three-hour address a Maori walked up on to the platform, and holding out his hand to Mr. Skelton, said: "Put it there. I am a sunburnt Irishman, and by corry my Irish blood is up tonight. The poor Irish have got the Maoris' sympathy." Mr. Skelton also spoke at Ellorslie, Panmure, and Howick, where he had crowded houses and enthusiastic audiences. Later he addressed meetings of a similar kind at Cook Street Hall, Devonport, Anglican Hall, .at which Rev.. Greenwood, Anglican vicar, presided, and he stated at the close of the address that it was the most eloquent and remarkable address dealing with the Irish question that he had ever heard in this or any other country. It made him feel ashamed to think that British administration in Ireland had been so shocking, and when men like the • Archbishop of Canterbury and the leading Anglican .bishops of England had given such strong public denunciation it was obvious that the British public, which were so slow to move, were at last awake, and their great force on public opinion would compel English party leaders to prevent the further "crucifixion of Ireland." At the theatre, Te Kuiti, Mr. Skelton had a splendid audience. An attempted diversion- by opposition was made by ringing the firebell as a false alarm to cause the people to withdraw from the theatre, but not a soul left the building. At the Hamilton Town Hall on Wednesday night hundreds of people were turned away. It was estimated that over 60 per cent, of the audience were members of all. denominations. Mr. Skelton held his audience spellbound for over three hours, and the continuous cheering at the close showed that the audience had deeply appreciated the eloquent lecture. The Deputy Mayor of Hamilton occupied the chair, and his eulogy as a Methodist at the close is reported in the Waikato Times, a copy of which will be forwarded next week. Mr. Skelton speaks at ' Morrinsville, Te Aroha,' Waihi, Thames, Huntly, Taupiri, Whangarei, and Dargaville, and after these addresses he is proceeding to the south of the North Island, and hopes to finish in the Wellington Town Hall, afterwards crossing to the South Island, where we are sure a cordial reception will be given him. In all his meetings there have been no interruptions, and no questions have been asked, so convincing are his arguments.