DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 8, 20 February 1902, Page 6

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

From our own correspondent.) February 13 The holy season of Lent began yePterday, Ash Wednesday. Tne faithful attended in large numbers in the city churches. The ar\nual St. Patrick's Day Concert will be held this year in St. Benedict's Hall. Another of the series of social gatherings was held in St. Benedict's Hall last Tuesday evening, and like its predecessors was a most pronounced success. Vocal and instrumental items were given by Miss Pas de Leon and Mr. Bosworth. During the evening refreshments were handed round. The Rev. Father Croke returned to Auckland from Australia by the Mararoa last Monday evening and proceeded at once to the Mater M isericordiae Hospital at Mount Elen UDder the charge of the Sisters of Mercy. The Rev. Father is improved in health, a faot which ■■vill delight his numerous friends in the diocese. The Rev. Father O'Brien, of Melbourne, sang High Mass, last Sunday morning, at St. Patrick's, and also preached a very fine sermon on Lent. In the evening at Vespers the Rev. Father Robinson, of Melbourne, delivered an eloquent discourse on Our Blessed Lady. As it was the Feast of the Purification the subject was appropriate. The concert last Friday evening, held in the Otahuhu Public Hall in aid of the local church funds, was a great success, and must have gladdenei the hearts of the Rev. Father Mclntosh and his energetio committee. A number of lady and gentlemen vocalists went out from town and materially assisted. To Mr. J. E. Gillies is due much of the credit attaching to the succeeds achieved, as he worked unceasingly for it. On hearing that the Rev. Father Robinson, who took such a prominent part in the success of Mise Caatles's first Australian tour, was in Auckland, I waited upon him in the hope that I might glean some information of the 'youDg girl from the convent ' who just now has the attention of musical ears in two hemispheres. The Rev. Father received me most kindly, and gave vie the necessary information which may interest Tablet readers. Father Robinson Baid the Castles family were old friends, and, Amy he knew from childhood. Her first Australian tour netted £4027. Her phenomenal voice placed her in the front rank of singers almost at a bound. Her subsequent sucoessea in study and upon the concert stage are well known. Hi« Majesty the King wrote to Sir Andrew Clarke, Victorian Agent-Q-oneral, expressing great interest in the success of her debut concert. Lords Jersey, Carrington, and Beauchamp, Lord and Lady Brassey, Sir Charles Dilke, and Mr T. P. O'Connor also showed active interest in her success. Mr Williamson, the Australian impreesano, cabled to hie London representative to attend Mica distles'B concert in St. James's Hall, the result of which was that Mr Williamson offered Miss Castles terms for an Australian

concert season in excess of that receive 1 by any previous singe' ' or a similar tour. Father Robinson could not disclose the actual BUm Miss Oastles will reoeive, but it was stated in the precs that it waa £5000 for twenty concerts. Mr Williamson assured Fither Robinson that notwithstanding the high fee he iB paying he anticipates good financial results, because Australians generally will welcome Miss Castles. Befoie leaving Sydney Father Robinson received a cable from Miss Cascles stating that she would leave Marseilles by the F.M.S. Polynesien on the 23rd insb.. and will be due in Melbourne on March 25. Her first concert will take place in Melbourne early in April next. Father Robinson, through a private souroe, has learned that the King's musical direotor has communicated with Miss Castles in regard to a royal command to aing before his Majesty, and that Miss Castles has been engaged for the whole of next season to sing in London. On hei way baok to England, after the conclusion of her Australian tour, Father Robinson' has good reason to think that the people of this city will be afforded an opportunity of hearing Miss Amy Castles sing in Auckland.