VISIT OF THE EIGHT REVEREND DR. CROKE TO TAPU.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 482, 27 July 1871, Page 2

VISIT OF THE EIGHT REVEREND DR. CROKE TO TAPU.

Amhough Bishop Croke had intimated his intention of visiting Tapu on Saturday, the 22nd inst., yet, owing to the inclemency of the weather, his Lordship was scarcely expected. Saturday morning, it is needless to say, although not all that could be desired, was comparatively fine; and so, true to his promise, the Bishop came on by the Lalla Rookh, which arrived here about half-past nine. A small boat, containing Messrs. Rockliff and Donovan, with two sturdy oarsmen, put out to meet the steamer, and brought his ' Lordship safely to shore. Some twenty or more of the leading Catholics of the district were on the beach to receive him ; and the number would have been very much more considerable had the people generally been sure that his Lordship would have been able to keep bis engagement. While in Tapu he was the guest of Mr. J. B. Rockliff. His Lordship officiated on Sunday at ten o'clock in tho neat little church of the district, which was crowded on tho occasion. He spoke for nearly an hour in'his usual homely but soul-stirring and energetic manner on the chief duties of a Christian, and some special obligations of tho members of his own flock. The address was listened to with attention throughout, and gave unqualified satisfaction to all who henrd it. Immediately after aervico the members of the Church Committee advanced to the front of the altar, and Mr. Rockliff, their chairman, read an appropriate address.

His Lordship thanked them heartily for the kindness they had done him, and expressed the pleasure it afforded him in being there face to face with the good people of Tapu. He said he was always at home in the midst of his flock ; nor could he understand how any ecclesiastic, either priest or bishop, could effect much good amongst his people unless ho visited them frequently, made himself personally acquainted with their spiritual and other needs, and in every Way gave evidence that he was their shepherd, not alone in name and appearance, but in fact and truth. He hoped to visit this part of his diocese very soon again, and thought he could not give better proof of the solicitude which he felt about them than by taking practical steps towards providing them with a resident priest—so much needed by them, and so earnestly desired. His Lordship then conferred the rite of baptism on JMr. William Jamicson, who had sought to be admitted into the communion of the Church of Rome.