AUCKLAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2118, 6 January 1880, Page 2

AUCKLAND.

[I'ROW OUR OAVX COBBESPOEDEXT.] cttkisthas tide. The Christmas holidays of 18/9, hare passed away quietly and drearily, in singular contrast with the good old custom of preceding years, traedsmen and shopkeepers made but slight outward preparation for the advent of the season, and therefore, there was but little in the way of floral ornimentation or leafy display to distinguish the city from its ordinary aspect. True, we had a plethora of reminders, in the shape of school examinations, and distributions of prizes, Christmas tree entertainments, and notices of projected steamboat excursions, but that was all. People missed, the foliage with which shops are wont to be adorned, they looked in vain for the pretty designs emblematic of the great Christ ian holiday and they listened, but did not hear the familiar carols of the waits. Christmas eve was showery and gloomy, and Christmas Day wag associated with a pertinacious drizzle and a sky of leaden hue uni’eiicved by a single ray of sunshine, . Citizens were perforce obliged to celebrate the universal festival in the bosoms of their families, solacing themselves with the hope that the clerk of the weather would prove more complaisant on the following day. They were not altogether deceived. Pain fell in the morning, and the sky remained overcast until the excursions had set out, but immediately afterwards the celestial watering pot was withdrawn and the sun was allowed frequent opportunities of exhibiting himself. This result, however, had been so long delayed that very many people who had made arrangements for excursions and picnic parties had relinquished them in despair, so that the tartly favors of the elements were not generally acceptable. The various retreats adjacent to the city, however, were well patronised, and the races were very largely attended, while, in the evening, the Theatre lloyal was filled to repletion, the occasion being the opening performance of “ Pinafore ” by the Lingards. As if to further tantalise the disappointed pleasure seekers of the 26th and 2t>th Dec., Saturday, the 27th, proved a blight and most agreeable day. The only form of public amusement associated Avith it Avas an athletic gathering at Ellerslie Gardens Avhieh passed of A'cry successfully. ELECTRIC PIIEXOMEXA. There haA r e been many evidences during the past Avcek or tivo of the presence of an unusually large quantity of the electric fluid, both in our social and physical atmospheres. The slight explosion which culminated in a pugilistic encounter betAvecn tAVOAveII-knoAvn gentlemen Avas regarded as promising a tine case for the hew courts, but aspiring Avigs and goAvns lurve been dcpriA'cd of that hope by the timely iuterposi-

tion of mutual’ friends -who ‘arranged the terms of reconciliation. This explosion- Mas followed by another of a very different character A heavy thunderstorm broke over, the city and threw the denizens of upper Queen street into a state of consternation by setting a house on lire, knocking a young man to the ground senseless, and frightening scores of people by vivid lightning flashes and deafening thunder peals. Fortunately no one sustained fatal injury and the damage done though ' material was not extensive. Then we have had four fires within a very brief period, and several cases of wife beating before our resident Magistrate. Judging from recent occurences in the towns of Canterbury the disturbing influences are travelling South. NEW SPIRITUALISTIC AGITATION. At the date of my last epistle the spiritualistic furore was at its highest. Mrs Britten was just taking her departure from our shores, a lively correspondence was proceeding through the Press ,and the clergyman had just opened their fusillade. Well, the excitement has gradually cooled down and now things arc once more as they were. Still there arc one or two incidents connected with this ebullition of feeling which arc worth relation, and there have been one nr two discoveries made which considerably astonished the “ unco guid'” The discoveries are that more than one of our spiritual leaders have been practically investigating the wonders of the occult art for themselves, and that they are very favorably inclined towards its professions. Singularly enough the two most prominent examples are shepherds in that most orthodox ol religions folds, the Presbyterian. One of them engaged in a short newspaper discussion, wherein be made a mysierious avowal that induced many people to talk significantly, and wherein also he bad the temerity to declare that he had sought, obtained, and enjoved a lengthened interview with the eloquent authoress. A horrified Calvinist pressed for a full disclosure of the rev. enquirer’s opinions on the matter, and the latter warily replied by inviting his anxious interrogator to a. private conference, as lie bad neither the time nor the inclination to engage in a public controversy. The other clerical mystery hunter is a' firm believer in spiritualism, and evinced bis sympathy with the movement by contributing bis quota to the cost of the handsome book of ferns which was presented to -Mrs Britten. In company with his wife, he communes regularly with the spirits, and it is said that he' has obtained some wonderful manifestations. In my last I think I mentioned something about the Rev. Mr Webb’s truculent onslaught upon the latest religion, in which he admitted the truth of its alleged communion with spirits but declared that these communicating spirits were devils. In that discourse he contended that the apparition raised by the Witch of Endor for the benefit of the ill-starred King of; Israel was only a diabolic representation of the deceased prophet, and not what it professed to be.- This deliverance of opinion brought a lay-preacher upon the scene, and he accused the Baptist Boanerges of a wilful perversion of holy writ. The clergyman replied, defending the legitimacy of bis rendering of the sacred narrative, and referring bis assailant for proof, to various commentators on the Bible. The layman retorted with warmth that that be wished for the evidence of no commentator ; the language of the Old Testament writer was explicit enough, and he would therefore inexorably bold the rev. gentleman to it. The clergyman thereupon retired ignonimously from the controversy, and people have been joking at bis expense ever since. As illustrating the degree to which religions feeling rose during the sojourn of Mrs Britain in Auckland, two authentic circumstances may be detailed. When it was decided to bold a social gathering of the lady’s friends and

admirers on the eve of her departure, etforts were at once put forth to secure a suitable building’ in which to assemble, but, unfortunately, only one was open for engagement. This was the ball of tbe Young - Men’s Christian Association’s building, and when application was made for it the authorised lessee, of course, enquired the object. Upon being informed on this point, he raised his eyes toward the ceiling of his wellstocked warehouse, and, with uplifted hand, energetically exclaimed, “No ! not for £boo.” The promoters of the gathering wore disappointed, and as a last resort they arranged to hold it in a public restaurant, where accordingly it did take place. The owner of the restaurant is a well-meaning Homan Catholic, and as soon as his spiritual guides heard of bis impious conduct, he was summoned to their presence. What passed thereat is not known, but report asserts that excommunicaton wa s mentioned and severe penances enjoined. THE UNEMPLOYED. The agitation of the unemployed after seeking various methods of securing public prominence, found full vent at an open air meeting held in the Albert Park, and since then nothing has been heard from the prime agitator’s, thus affording grounds for the supposition that work has been procured. The principal speakers at the meeting alluded to waxed wroth with the Mayor because he had declined to preside, and it was thcx’ofore resolved as a mark of severe displeasure that lie should not he accorded the honor of transmitting the resolutions by telegraph to Sir George Grey and the Ministry, but that the chairman, should perform the onerous duty. A kind-hearted draper offered to bear the cost of the telegram and he was lustily cheered for his practical expression of sympathy. Through a misapprehension on the part of the chairman the resolutions wore only

wired to Sir George Grey, and when the conveners of the meeting desbed on the following day to rectify the omission by forwarding them also to the Ministry, they discovered that they had not the means. The generous draper had departed for the country and as a last expedient their leader was deputed to wait upon the derided Mayor in order to induce him to telegraph them. I am not aware of the answer he returned to the request. TIIK ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOI’S. Since the departure of Bishop Crokc for Ireland, fully six years ago, the Homan Catholic diocese of Auckland has been bereft of its ecclessiastical head. Overtures were from time to time said to have been made to various prelates, but all evinced a decided inclination to accept the preferred benefice. At length the report came that the Pope had appointed Dr Steins, previously Archbishop of Calcutta, to Hie vacant episcopate, and from that time thenceforward his arrival has been impatiently expected. In the confident anticipation that he

would reach the city two months ago, by way of San Francisco, a meeting of the true believers was held and the necessary arrangements agreed upon for the reception. However, he did not come. The nows of his arrival in Australia by the Pcra lately, and his intention to travel by way of the south was the signal for a revival of the preparations. His Grace came by the Ringarooma. The steamer made the wharf at 1 a-.iu. on Tuesday, the 23rd, and the representatives of the Roman Catholic body were in waiting for their Bishop. He was cordially received, and driven off to the episcopal palace, which was beautifully illuminated for the occasion, and at the entrance to which a brass hand had been stationed in order to greet the venerated gentleman with the' friendly strains of “ Home sweet Home.” On the same evening the formal reception took place in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, when addresses were presented by the clergy, the laity, the Christian Doctrine Society, and the Hibernian Society. The Bishop replied in a speech which lias created a favorable impression on the public mind. He studiously avoided all doctrinal points, inculcated the spirit of love, and made passing reference to the education question without passing any opinion upon it further than that it was associated with much difficulty. His Grace is a Dutchman, and speaks English rather imperfectly. He is, howc./er, thought to bo tolerant in Ids vuW, and his bearing towards Protestants is therefore expected to be mild and conciliatory, PASTOR rIUXIQUV. Before this article can .appear in print Pastor Chiniqny will have commenced his New Zealand lecturing tour. Since it was definitely known that ho would visit Auckland an uneasy feeling has prevailed as to the effect of his mission, and the recent disturbances in your town have tended to increase this perturbation. The Catholics make no secret of their hostility towards the lecturer, and many express the fervent wish that ho may get knocked on the head.” Strangely enough, the pastor stipulated previously in Ids communications with the Auckland committee that he should receive assurances of protection from influential men, that he should be housed in a Protestant family where no Catholic servants were kept, and that his food should he so prepared that poison could not bo introduced into it by evilly-disposed persons.

Auckland, Dec. 29 1879