Visit of Australian Prelates

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 10, 6 March 1924, Page 37

Visit of Australian Prelates

ARCHBISHOP MANNIX AND PARTY AT BLENHEIM. An event that attracted much general interest, and one that gave a rare degree of pleasure to the Catholics of the district, was the visit made to Blenheim yesterday by Dr. Mannix. Archbishop of Melbourne, and Bishop McCarthy, of, Sandhurst (says the- Marlborovoh Express for February 23). The distinguished visitors from Australia arrived in the afternoon from Nelson, accompanied by the Rev. Dr. James Kennedy, of Hokitika, the Rev. Father Long, of Greymouth, and the Rev. Father Guinane, of Ohakune. The travellers were met on their arrival by Dean Holley, and became his guests at the presbytery. During the afternoon the party visited the Convent Schools; and in the evening they took part in a largely attended service hold in St. Mary's Church, Archbishop Mannix officiating at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Gounod's "Ave Maria" was sung by Miss O'Dwyer. A reception followed in St. Patrick's Hall, and the gathering was a large one, fully taxing the capacity of 'he building. The hall had been beautifully decorated with native foliage and illuminated banners by the Sisters of Mercy, whose artistic work was much admired. As the guests proceeded to the stage! they were accorded a hearty ovation, and the proceedings, which lasted about an hour were of a most cordial character throughout. A musical programme was rendered, consisting of Irish airs, in compliment to the nationality of the guests. It was opened with the chorus "Erin My Country," by the school girls. Mr. A. Vickers rendered "The Minstrel Boy"; Miss Eileen Connolly sang "Come 'Back to Erin," and, on a recall, "Jock o' Hazeldean"; and "God Save Ireland" was sung by the school boys. Dean Holley extended to the visitors a hearty welcome in behalf of the people of the parish, and thanked the Archbishop, his confrere and their companions for accepting the invitation to come, to Blenheim on the way from the West Coast to Wellington. % This gathering, so largely attended, though an impromptu one arranged at short not —he received Dr. Mannix's telegram of reply only on Monday—was evidence of the great pleasure that was given by the privilege of meeting the distinguished prelates. Archbishop Mannix, who was received with marked enthusiasm, thanked the Dean for his courtesy. He had not thought that anyone was anxious that he should come to Blenheim, and it never occurred to him that he would be called on to attend such a function, but he Mas very glad to accept the invitation, not merely in the spirit in which it was offered, but also because, it appealed to him as appropriate that he should approach the Jubilee celebrations in honor of their Metropolitan through the districts from which that illustrious Archbishop started off so many years ago. (Applause.) He was very grateful to them for organising this welcome, and he knew that those who had come with him appreciated it. They could-speak for themselves; he always had as much as he could do to speak for themselves; he always had as much as he could do to speak for himself. (Laughter.) However, he was not unwilling to show himself to anyone who wanted to see him; and he told them this not because he thought that he was very much to look at, but he felt that they would be able to see for themselves that he was not so ferocious as he had been represented to be by descriptions that had gone before him. (Laughter.) He had during his visit to the Coast and these parts experienced a most sympathetic and friendly atmosphere, and it was a great pleasure to know" that he could rely on so many friends in" New Zealand as well as Australia. He had come to New Zealand for the one purpose—to assist at the Jubilee celebrations; and very gladly indeed would he do this, for Archbishop Redwood 'was one of his closest friends. Dr. Mannix went on to say that

he had now seen a good deal of New Zealand, and he would like to say that he had been delighted by its beauty. He had often heard and read that New Zealand was God's Own Country, and he now believed that it was so in a very special sense. He had wandered over many parts of the world and had never seen a more beautiful land. He had gathered the happiest of impressions, made up of the hospitality of the clergy, the kindness of the people, and the beauty of the country; and he would be glad indeed to revisit New Zealand. Bishop McCarthy also expressed appreciation of the kindly character of the reception, and spoke of his pleasure in renewing his associations with Dean Holley, whom he knew some 25 years ago in Wellington. The welcome was also acknowledged by the Rev. Dr. Kennedy, the Rev. Father Long, and the Rev. Father Guinane. Mr. John O'Dwyer presented to. Archbishop Mannix a New Zealand rug as a token of esteem from the Irish people of the district; and his Grace acknowledged the gift in a few words that were listened to with much interest and enthusiasm. Subsequently Archbishop Mannix gave bis blessing to hundreds of people who filed past him as he stood in & the body of the hall.

NORTH AUCKLAND NOTES (From our own correspondent.) • : February 16. The tennis court at Dargaville is now almost completed The Children of Mary held a very successful social last week, and the funds of the tennis club will benefit considerably thereby. This sodality, under the able leadership of Father Spiering, has worked strenuously in providing the necessary funds, and the parish is duly grateful. ° We are to lose from our midst the Very Rev Dean Van Dyk and Father Janson, who leave shortly on an extended tour of the continent. The Dean is known and loved by all, and although we are only beginning to know and appreciate Father Janson, he will carry with him our best wishes for a pleasant trip and a speedy recovery to his normal state of health. All the recent improvements that have been carried out m the parish have increased our debt, and a meeting of parishioners was held on Sunday, after Mass, to devise means of reducing it. It was ultimately decided that a sale of work be held outside the parish at the railhead nkebuia, before Easter. Although the people have not aet- recovered from their financial effort only four months ago, the same energetic committee lias been re-elected and things are booming. Congratulations to A. Martin and Miss Alice Geard on 'their success in Public Service Entrance examination Mi's Veronica. Carrington has recently been appointed pupil teacher at the Dargaville District High School ? ■■: The people in the North are often accused of being mtolerant and o thinking only of their own little province our correspondent cannot help contrasting the attitude of certain sections in Dunedin with that in connection ith the recent Dargaville Catholic School picnic, and remark upon the more Christian spirit which prevails up here On the occasion referred to the convent and State schools combined forces, the business people closed their .rem IW Of tUrn6d +I « Ut to tf" the children their annual treat. Of course the weather was ideal and nothing marred the happiness of the children. There was no distinc ion-the children mingled freely, competing on equal term and sharing their lollies, fruit, etc. Would it be too m d to hope that the big town of Dunedin will take a lesson from he little village of Dargaville in this ma tespecially during the coming football season. ~ <X~>- ~ They who shall enjoy the eternal light can never bo Wind; they who serve the Lord need never be afraid.

My dear Little People, You know of course, that our dear and venerable Archbishop is celebrating his Golden Jubilee just now, which means that it is fifty years since he was consecrated a bishop. Everyone is rejoicing in Wellington where the celebrations are taking place, and, indeed, I quite believe some of our Little People will be telling us something about it later. Well, children, I knew so many of you would not be able to tell his Grace Archbishop Redwood your own good wishes and kneel at his feet for his blessing, so, a wire was sent to him in your name, all of you, just to show him that all his Little People, far and wide, remembered him, on his great and happy day. We haven't many letters this week, but one is from a little person, whose birthday falls on the 29th of the month, and she wants to join our L.P.L.C. Now, who is going to wish this new friend ~n happy birthday? Nearly everybody I hope, because she will not hurt' (hitother our for four years. Think of it Little People, three blank years without a birthday. See now, what you can . do. Two holiday essays' have come in—one from Chatham Islands and one from West Taieri. Remember you've only got till the end of the mouth to get these essays done, so hurry up. We'll read our two letters and then get on with the story. Do you like it? Dear Anne,The holidays are now over and school has begun again. We have a new teacher her name is Miss Nicolson and she is very nice I wish she would stay all the year but she is just releiving for a month. On the third of March we a having Mr. Wallace. We are having the Missioner here next Thursday night; he is staying till .Sunday. I am in Standard six now so 1 hope J will get my Prifieceny at the end of the ,year. On Christmas Day it rained and we have not seen any since then. It is very hot and dry up here and the roads are very dusty by the time we get to school in the morning our boots are white. From your little friend, Irene Hanrahan, St. Bathans. (Glad to hear from you Irene. Try hard for your Proficiency, now is the time to do the best work.—Anne.) Dear Anne, —May I join your letter circle. I have three brothers and one sister, Ella. Two brothers Michael and Steve and Ella go to St. Joseph's School. I am going when I am five. I am only four now my birthday is on Feb 29th. Mum is holding my hand as I cannot swell any words yet. I will close now with best love to you from your little friend Mary Kennedy, Temuka. (Welcome little Mary who only gets a birthday once in four year's. Many many happy returns. Don't we all wish we cojild come to your party. I hope you'll get a lot of letters.—Anne.) DIPPY THE DONKEY (continued). You remember we left off last week just where Dippy's father Mokey, was saying that it made him very tired to go round and round in a circle so long and so often. I think now, instead of telling Dippy's story for him, I'll let him speak for himself. He won't be nervous now because he knows he is among friends. Dippy says: "This was the first and last time I saw my dear father. Our masters and mistresses seem to love their families and keep them with them, but they part us from ours almost as soon as we arrive in the world, and that is what happened to me. In the village we met a circus. Unfortunately, the owner saw me and came up to my mistress with a smiling face. He was a big good-natured looking man and drove a car like a Roman chariot that was drawn by a zebra. At least, I thought it was a zebra, but I discovered later that

the stripes were put on weekly and that under the paint there dwelt a darling Exmoor pony. The man wished to buy me and my poor mistress said if he were really kind to animals he could have me and of course as he wanted me, he assured her that he was. Oh ! how easily human beings are taken in ! I knew the moment 1 saw him that he was a cruel, hard man, in spite of his smiling face, and J shall never forget how 1 trembled when my mistress said that he could send for me in a fortnight. The time flew as swiftly as a swallow, and 1 was taken from my dear mother, my kind mistress and dear old Nigger, and put in a tent with a camel, an elephant and the painted Exnioor pony. That night we had hardly closed our eyes when my new master came in with a long whip. He flourished and cracked it savagely, growling something as he did so, struck the resting camel and unoffending elephant, and then slashed out at me. Fortunately, I missed the full force of the blow by cringing, but as it was, I received a slash that made me quiver with pain from head to foot. Before I opened my eyes, which I had closed on seeing the whip swinging at me, I felt a pair of warm, soft arms round my neck, and when I opened them, I saw the sweetest and daintiest little fairy imaginable. She was about 14 years old, with beautiful golden curls. She was dressed in a dress bespattered with spangles, and if I had known anything at all about angels I would have been certain that an angel had flown to my assistance. "Oh! how can you, father," she exclaimed, with tears in her eyes. "You promised you wouldn't be cruel again, and now you strike poor darling Dippy for no reason at all." "Don't talk to me Maggie, or you'll get a taste of the whip yourself, the only May to make an animal useful is to make him fear you. You practice with your snakes." He was in a terrible rage, and I feared he would strike my new friend, but without another word, she went to a basket, opened it, drew a whistle from her dress and played a beautiful strange melody. From the basket rose three flat heads, and to my surprise I saw them sway backwards and forwards in time to the music and gradually writhe out of the basket to my little fairy. To ray horror, because I instinctively hate and fear snakes, although I had never seen one before, I saw them creep up her dress towards her neck. But as I watched, the whip once more descended upon me, and as I whinnied with pain, a curious man rushed into the tent, snatched the whip from my master and dashed it to the ground. "I won't stand for it Jack," he said, "I've told you so before. If I catch you using your whip on these dumb creatures I'll walk out of your show, and then we'll see how the circus fares without Joey the clown. It's my fun that keeps things going, and I'll tell you what. Jack, you put that Donkey in my hands to train and care for, and we'll be the hit of any town we strike. He's as intelligent as a dog, and a little affection will work wonders with him." Joey took me in hand and taught me many tricks, and I soon grew to love the ring and the laughter and applause and the lights. The trick T loved best of all was the one where Jumbo, our biggest elephant, would pick me up in bis trunk, and place me on his back where I balanced. Then he would pick up my fairy, and she would climb on to my back waving a wand. One evening a terrible thin" happened. ',..: \ (To be continued next week.) '