DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 22 September 1921, Page 21

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) September 16. Early in August, Mr. Hall Skelton gave a Splendid lecture on the “Irish Question” in the Central Hall, Auckland. After the meeting a branch of the Self-Determina-tion for Ireland League of New Zealand was formed, and the following office-bearers were elected:President, Mr. McGreal; vice-presidents, Messrs. M. J. Sheahan and P. Duffin; secretary, Miss A. McKie; treasurer, Miss E. Kavanagh. The president announced that he had some time previously arranged to give a course of lessons on the history of Ireland, and that he now proposed taking these . classes under the auspices of the Auckland City Central branch of the League and the National Irish Club. The first of these lectures, which are being held fortnightly, was delivered on Friday, August 26, and judging by the enthusiasm shown then and at the subsequent meeting, the competitions, which are to be held on or about the first week of December, should be a decided success. A number of prominent Irish men and Irish women having offered substantial donations and trophies for these competitions, the members of the class, some of whom come from as far out as Onehunga, will have a good chance of being suitably rewarded. Their loyalty and fidelity to dear old Ireland will be even greater when they have studied her history. . A pleasant incident in connection with the departure of Right Rev. Dr. Cleary, Bishop of Auckland, took place on Saturday, September 10, when the natives resident on the Catholic Native Educational Reservation at Awataka, Northcote, presented him with a neat address, wishing him hon voyage and a safe return. The address was signed by the. young chieftains Keremata and Wikitarina, on behalf of their “hapu,” the Ngati-Hukanui. The incident is a happy conclusion of a long misunderstanding between these natives and the church authorities, which has been amicably settled by the natives being granted right of occupation of a sufficient portion of the reserve for all their needs, the use of a house owned by the church on the property, arid a number of other concessions arranged between the parties with the assistance of Mr. George Graham.

The solemnity of the Forty Hours’ Adoration was observed in St. Joseph’s Church, Grey Lynn, on Sunday, September 11, and the following Monday and Tuesday mornings. Rev. Fathers O’Malley and Murphy preached the occasional sermons. Rev. Fathers Buckley and Wright are making steady progress towards recovery .after their serious operations in the Mater Hospital. : ' The Coadjutor-Bishop, Dr. • Liston, accompanied Dr. Cleary to Wellington. On Sunday his Lordship will bless the new church at Waipawa, and returns to Auckland on Tuesday. . A very successful concert, organised by St. Patrick’s

Conference of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, was given to the inmates of the Costley Home on Thursday, September 1. Misses Draffin, Johnston, De Silva. Smith/>and McKean, Master Draffin, and Messrs. McGreal> Dixon, McKean, Smith, Withy, and : pupils.-were the contributing artists. Especially enjoyed by the old folks' were the Irish dances by,Mr. Witty and his pupils, who gave such a splendid; exhibition that "more and more" were insisted upon.. Mr. Burton, one of the inmates, in a very happy speech, thanked the promoters on behalf of the others in the Home. At the close of the entertainment the Matron entertained the party to supper and expressed the hearty appreciation of the Society's effort, and hoped that at no distant date a return evening would be given. Thus ended a thoroughly enjoyable function.