DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 51, 21 December 1899, Page 4

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.)

December 14.

The Rev. Father Gillan conducted a Triduum for the Confraternity of the Children of Mary at St. Benedict's, terminating on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. An entertainment was given last evening in aid of the Bchool fund by the pupils of the Sacred Heart School, Ponsonby, in their own schoolroom. It was a mopt pronounced success. St Benedict's Christinas Fair promises to be a great success. Bir G. M. O'Rourke, MHE, has consented to open it, and most of the newly elected Parliamentary representatives for the city and suburbs are to be invited to attend. The Auckland provincial district remains in relation to parties in the same position a«* it did in the last Parliament. Mr. W. J. Napier, v\ho headed the poll in Auckland city with 6097 votes, polling 502 over ihe second candidate, ia a Catholic, and at one time ■was Auckland correspondent for the TABLET. The Rev. Father Gillan preached a retreat last week to the Little Sisters of the Poor, at their Home in Ponsouby. It; was conclude.! by tlie Rev Father Patterson. It goes without saying that the pood Sinters aud their charges greatly appreciated the untiring zeal r.ud exhortations of the reverend Fathers. Mr. Hogben. of the Education Department, Well : ngton. visited officially the btar of the Sea Orphanage (under the charge of Sister Mary Borgia) last Friday and expressed himself as well pleased with the arnu-e neuts. Ho also visited the boy»' orphanage at Lake Tukapuna, accompanied by Fathur Gillan and Mr. Parish, and was much struck with the excellent Home, and the well-kept estate

surrounding it. It is small wonder that high enconiums should be lavished upon this excellent place, and to those in charge, Sister Mary Alphonsus and Mr. Colgan, too much praise cannot be given. A treat was afforded the inmates of the Star of the Sea Orphan* age, Ponsonby, last* Friday evening by the Auckland Liedertafel, under their conductor, Mr. A. Towsey. fhe Sisters and boarders from the adjacent convent attended in large numbers. Besides the items by the visitors songs were given by Messrs. Allen, A. Trenwithj J. Parish, and Arthur Towsey Most acceptable items were contributed by the Very Rev. Dr. Egan and Rev. Father Patterson. The children gave their quota to thr programme in a choruß ' Where ib Happiness V A hearty vote of thanks was given to the Liedertafel for their great kindness in affording amusement to the orphans. The Very Rev. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., was presented with a beautifully framed shield containing the photos of the members of the Young Men's Club, in which that of their spiritual director occupied the central position. An address was also presented. The presentation was made by the esteemed president of the Club, Mr. J. J. O'Brien, who prefaced the reading of the address with a neat little speech, in which he eulogised the many good qualities of Dr. Egan. Dr. Egan replied and thanked the members most heartily, and hoped they would be many years associated in carrying out their mission of religious, secular, and social improvement. A generous spread, supplied by the president and Mrs. O'Brien, was then partaken of. The following ladies waited at the table : — Mrs. O'Brien, Misses Lynch, Flynn (2), McGuire, Nyson, and Simpson. A thoroughly enjoyable evening was ppent.

His Lordship the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan has written from his old college at Valladolid, Spain, under date October 30. His Lord* ship says : ' Such pleasant days lam having here thanks to the exceeding kindness of the rector and professors. The rector, Monsignor Allen, was in charge when I was a student here, and the professors and a priest assisting me in giving a retreat to the students, were class mates of mine, so that we pass many an hour recounting old times. The rector is quite spoiling me with all the kindness he bestows upon me lam thoroughly enjoying this rest after so much wandering about. I can only spare a fortnight, much to the regret of the rector, who wanted me to stay with him three months. I feel after a week's sojourn here much rested and refreshed. While things do not seem to have progressed in Spain, at the college, under the rector's excellent administration, many improvements have been effected, and the students here have reason to be grateful for the care that is taken of them. On my way to Spain I branched off to Lourdes, and under the shadow of the statue of our Lady had tbe privilege of saying Mass, making' a memento of all my friends in Auckland, especially my priests and religiouß, and of the laity who so willingly help us. In this way I did not forget those who join with you, Sunday after Sunday, in collecting at the church door. Convey my good wishes to each and all of the collectors '