DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 29, 16 July 1903, Page 5

DIOCESE OF AUCKLAND.

(From our own correspondent.) July 9. Our schools, after the midwinter holidays, reopened, last Monday morning with good average attendances. The new Anglican Bishop of Auckland, Dr. Neligan, continues to condemn the present system of State education, which excludes from its curriculum all knowledge of God. The inclement weather last Sunday evening greatly interfered with the attendance at the churches. It literally rained in torrents. The usual procession at the Cathedral was postponed until nex+ Sunday evening. The greatest concern and sorrow have been evinced in the city by the sad news of the serious illness of our illustrious and venerable Pontiff, Leo Xl|l., not only by our own people, but by those outside the Fold. The Sisters of Mercy are promoting a monster bazaar which they intend to hold about Christmas next, and concerning which it is proposed very soon to call a meeting. Every success should attend this most laudable work. The Rev. Brother Basil (Superior) and several of the Brothers took up their residence during tiie week at the new Sacred Heart College, which, on last Monday, was opened up for the first time for scholastic studies. The teaching staff is expected to, be augumented in the course ox a few weeks. The individual whom the S.M. recently bound over to keep the peace on account of inserting most insulting and disgusting libels upon the Church has begun his antics again, and if he is not careful his bondsmen will be left poorer, if not wiser, men. Next Monday is the feast day of the Rev. Father Patterson, Adm., and it is intended to celebrate the occasion with an entertainment in the High Scgool of the Sisters of Mercy, Hobson street, to which the Bishop and a number of friends have been invited by the Sisters. The Hon. William Beehan, M.L.C , is to be presented with a handsome gold watch, suitably inscribed, and an illuminated address by the members of the Auckland branch of the Liberal and Labor Federation at a great meeting of this organisation which is to be held next week at Wellington, and over which the Right Hon the Premier will preside. The presents are to be given by his co-workers in the Liberal cause to mark their high esteem of the Hon. Mr. Beehan, and the pleasure they feel at his merited call to the Upper House. Another tram accident has occurred, whereby Mr. John Kavanagh, for nine years employed as cook to the Marist Brothers here, lost his life. He vacated his seat in the car to allow a lady to occupy it, and went on to the platform of the car. Somehow he lost his balance, as the car turned a sharp corner, and fell out on his head upon the hard road. He was at once removed to the hospital, where he died three hours after the accident without recovering consciousness. He had just bade his mother good-bye, and left on the car to take up his position as cook at the new college, and had only gone a few hundred yards when the accident took place. Much regret is evinced for the poor mother and his brothers and sisters, all of whom are staunch supporters in all matters connected with the Church. The local branch of the H.A.C.B. Society intends to celebrate its anniversary towards the end of the month by a ball, for which active preparations are in hand, and a great success is anticipated.