Presentation to Bishop Lenihan

New Zealand Tablet, 22 November 1906, Page 23

Presentation to Bishop Lenihan

(From our Auckland correspondent.) Thursday November 15, was Lhc tenth anniversary of the Kag>nt Jlev. Dr. Lenihan"* consecration to the see of Auckland. It was very iittingly commemorated in Auckland. During the day the Bishop received many messages of congratulation thiough the post and telegraph ami from personal cailcr.s. At the palace nearly the whole of the priests of the diocese dined with the Bishop. In the evening a biilliaiit function took Place in the Royal Albeit Hall, which, despite the continuous downpour of rain and high wind, wao Tilled V\ iil i a ,, lal ' gc and «xcuediugly enthusiastic audience. Ihe hall itself was handsomely decorated with flags ferns, and choice flowers, and pieseutcd an animated appearance. Grouped on the stage were the girls and boys from the UalhoKc schools, and the girls from the Star of the Sea Orphanage, upon whom loud praises were bestowed for their neat attire, and their splendid singing of one of Moore's old favorite songs The Bishop, accompanied by the Right Rev. Mgr. O'Reilly was accorded a most enthusiastic welcome on entering the haK. A like compliment was paid to the Mayor and Mayoress on their appearance. The Mayor naosiJJ' having the Bishop on his right, with Monsignor OReilly on his left. Around were grouped the clergy of the diocese and the Hon. T. Thompson, ML C and ■Messrs. Alfred Ktdd and X. W. Allison, M's.H.r! and Mr. A. Kohn, to whom the whole success of the function was due. Rev. Father llolbrook was untirme: in directing the details. B His Worship the Mayor, Mr. A. M. Myers \vho had curtailed his visit to the Exhibition to hurry bao'c t o attend the celebration, presented, on behalf of the numerous friends of Dr. Lenihan, a purse containing two hundred and ninety sovereigns, and •* also a small gold cross studded w.ith a beautiful and valuable emerald stone, the gift of Mr. Adolph Kohn. In making the presentations, the Mayor said that in Bishoo Lenihan they had a good and exemplary ecclesiastic and a good and worthy citizen who loved his 'people' and was devoted to their interests, and to their fine city he was one of its best friends and admirers Last year he attended the ninth anniversary, and the emogiums he then pronounced concerning their good ' Bishop held good to-night. The more they knew of him and his good' deeds, the more they, learned to love, and appreciate him. This appreciation was not confined to has own people, but went beyond them, and' wherever" he journeyed, throughput the Colony he learned of the nigh esteem in which Bishop Lenihan was deservedly held. If there was one thing above all others "which commended the 'Bishop to them, it was the-constanUare bestowed unceasingly upon these little children the or phans now present. The man or woman who 'did" not love little children was not deserving 0 £ love' In hand " angtlue purse to the Bishop, the " May or aLtfred Tim that its intrinsic value measured in only a very 'sm«l subscribers 0 rCga * d in Which IIC "ho

; , Monsignor O'Reilly,, on, behalf,, of the priests, expressed has great , pleasure at being present at ''this tenth yeais which had passed-, the 'relations' between the Bishop and ..his- .r.prfcsts had- been- the- most harmonious. He (Monsignor O Reilly) had: known Auckland now "for -very many years. l-l e had arrived in 1852, and from that <: period to .'the. present if had grown! to »its • pre- £; P ,° «d> Position ;,' ami l\e -was pleased that one M ?/m- ■ w^ d + ; knoW^:?J nc 9 1J . ( i^ ldh °O'd should how be its &i--h", V hC g^ lh of 'J%; city and province their diocese had, too, ■ advanced. "lVs "wide sphere and scattered labors entailed -upon- its ruler- a corresponding amount of energy, thought, and care. Their Bishop , wrought hard t, D fulfil his manifold duties, and with what success this gathering testified. As senior priest of the diccese, if not of .New Zealand, he- warmly cong atulated him, and assured him of the constant fidelity 01 ins priests, and earnestly noueiL. that he would lone be .spared to rule over- them " „m Mr ;, Alfr( ; d K , ldt l' M - H - K -> aaid 1"-' was proud to be vU-h them to do honor to one who was most worthy ,L, a i, i?Y] OOnr n *?}\ ni&ii V ycals he had been associated v, , v n C , BiSll0 ' P ln -* u »"y -Sood works, particular-, ly with the orphans, and he, by that means, got a clear insight into the manner of man the Bishop was.-'Gene-ious, kindly, affectionate, manly, and ever thoughtful for the well-being o f others-these were the Bishop's characteristics, lo know, and bhake Hie hand of, suoh a nia VWV Wa £ iv J tt eir in Sr e^ a great honor and Privilege. Mi. X M Alison, M.H.K., re-echoed all that had in in s,aau. He, too, was associated- closely vAth . the Bishop in connection with , Takapuna Orphanage. Like many others, the Bishop suffered from impecuniosity, and the almost insurmountable -difficuflies with which he wns surrounded at thai institution were enough to daunt the ardor of many a stout heart. But these were about to be overcome. During last session an empowering Bui had been passed allowing Hie Bishop to dispose of the orphanage site in Pousonby to the Gas Company and permitting him to erect a splendid building on the fine Takapuna estate. This would relieve 1 ! 1'"1 '" fl . 00 1 IU mu , ch anxiety and care for the orphans. H e (M|i A hson) knew wilh what vigor and determination the Bishop carried on. ln.s labors, "and for Mm he had entertained during many years o f close and happy relationship the very highest, How widely that cstft-m prevailed, tar beyond the laiiks of the Catholic people, h? Knew wtll. The Hi: -hop, on using t v lespoml, was greeted with lons and continual applause, lie said he hardly knew , n° />/ >x l Jlebs llls , Iconufti.of giatitude for all the too flaltenng invon'.ums bq lavishly bestowed upon him ?&? n , f "! Ulsds <o-»'^»t- 'I he Mayor, Monsignor O Heilly, and Messrs. Kidd Al son were good enough to reier to him in leims a\ Inch he luiew came from their hearts, if he weie deserving o f them, his people should be the judges. Ten years had passed since he was consecrated iheir 13i,h,,p, and ai.y Vuccess achieved was pi'ananly due to the loyal and hearty support accorded to him by his faithful priests and people, and many Kind friends of other denominations. He desired to thank the Mayor and Ins good lady for their kindness to him at all times. ' To the members of Parliament present, including the Hon. Mr. Thompson, ■ and those other members, who had assisted in passing the Lmpowering Bill referred, to, he returned hit most sincere thanks. Much good -would assuredly accrue from that measure. Monsignor O Keilh , who spoke so well and kindly on behalf of the priests, he thanked most sincerely. He ihankrd the Mile children for their sinjtms, and the orphans in particular for their rendering of Moore's sweet mclod.i . Of Mr. Kohn,,how should he speak » He could not adequately express bis feelings of gratitude towards him. Mr. Kolm was his constant mend and benefactor, and he took this opportunity of again publicly expressing to him his gratitude for the many kindnesses so lavfchly bestowed upon him by good Mr. Ivohn. ' J ° The Bishop then resumed his "seat amidst loud applause A pleasing leatnrf was the presentation of beautiful bouquets -to the Bishop, Mayor, and Mayoress by three little orphan g;Us, The J Mayoress, in return pinned a ,iAce v gol,d Mi brood h upon ~' each l 6f them, the gifts of Mr. A. Kolm ' !" was^y^ndeS^^ an excdlc^ programme