THE CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND MEMOIRS OF THE EARLY DAYS

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 17, 30 April 1908, Page 11

THE CHURCH IN NEW ZEALAND

MEMOIRS OF THE EARLY DAYS

(Contributed.) AUCKLAND. ( Continued.) Among the small band of Irish priests who came to labor in the diocese of Auckland during the episcopate of Bishop Pompallier, was Father James Paul. Born' in County Cailow; Ireland, on November 10, 1822, he was, after a successful course of studies at St. Patrick's College, Carlow, ordained to the priesthood" on Juiy 15, 1855. He soon after set out for New Zealand, and arrived in Auckland in April, 1856. Rangiawhia, in the Waikato (so states a record which appeared in the ' Tablet ' on the occasion of his^ death.) was the first scene of his activity. In 1858 he was transferred to Otahuhu, and for forty-eight years afterwards, and until his demise at. the age of 83, he had been in charge of Onehunga. The beautiful church of the Assumption, the graceful proportions of which add such a charm to the western port "-town, was built by him and opened free of debt, and also the fine schools in the vicinity. He was a great advocate of Catholic education, consistently taking an, active and personal interest in the day and Sunday schools. He filled the positions of Vicar-General and Administrator of the diocese, and was raised by the late Pope Leo XIII. to the dignity of Monsignor. In his death was removed the last of the priests 1 who came to the diocese in Bishop Pompallier's . time, having, in 1899 and 1900, seen buried the last of his colleagues, the'Yery Rev. M. D. O'Hara, of Otahuhu, and the Very Rev. Monsignor Waiter McDonald, of Panmure. Forty-nine years of his life were spent in the service of titoe Church in Auckland, and hjad he liv«d but .another three months, would have celebrated the golden jubilee of his priesthood. There were few prelates (writes . one who kaiiew him "intimately) who have commanded more respect and veneration of people of all shades of religious belief than the late Monsignor Paul. He was of quiet, unassuming manner, and avoided taking part in public functions as 1 much as possible, but nevertheless he was enabled -to reach the hearts of his people, and more especially the people of Onehunga, in whose mddst he liyed for so many years. He may be considered the ' Father of Onehunga,' as there were probably no older residents. Here he had watched the growth of three generations. lie had baptised and married the children oil the early settlers, their children, and their children's children. During the same lengthened period he had "followed the remains of four generations to their last resting place. The- Monsignor had thus ties with his people which could 'never be broken in life, and in death the sorrow of the whole community went out to him. Addressing the assemblage at the funeral obsequies of the late Very Rev. Mgr. Paul, his Lordship Bishop Lenihan, said :— « It is impossible to calculate the time he has spent devoting himself to benevolence and the saving of souls. With the exception of less than eighteen months spent elsewhere, his whole time has 'been passed in Onehunga, where he worked and prayed for the benefit of the people. Monsignor Paul might be termed the last of those early priests who preached Christianity in tttis Colony.' The First FarislfPriest of Onehunga was Father Clery, who came to Auckland in 1850, and and, remained until 1859. He built the first church at Onehunga and, after leaving New Zealand, labored in the diocese of Southwark, England. Father Clery was a brother of Lieutenant-General Clery, who served with distinction in the late South African War. " The Very Rev. Father M. D. O'Hara, who at the time of hte deatih (1899) was parish priiast of Otahuhu, Was another of the band of early missionary -Fathers in the Auckland diocese. Born at Collowney, Sligo, Ireland, in ,1814, he was ord.ained in 1863,, and two years later arrived in Auckland^ He was sent to the-Wai-kato>, then' in a most troublous 'state owing -to the

Native war still raging. During this time he acted as chaplain to the forces. Later on he did duty at St. Patrick's Cathedral in the city. Whilst in Aucteland he built St. John's Church, Parnell, and 1 was subsequently appointed parish priest of Otahuhu in succession to Father* Garavel. During an interregnum in the episcopate of the diocese,., when the Most- Rev. Dr. Goold, Archbishop of Melbourne, acted as Administrator of Auckland, his Grace selected Father' O'Hara- a® Administrator of the Cathedral, and also for other important appointments. Shortly after the "Right Rev.Dr. CroJce assumed charge of the' diocese, Father O'Hara resumed charge of Otahuhu, where (in 1886) he was appointed irremovable rector. He made periodical visits to Kaipara, and erected a church at Manga whare and another at Papakura in his own parish. He never left the -diocese from the time of his arrival there. In his last! momentis be was- comforted by his sister (in religion Sister Mary Teresa), of the Conivent of Mercy, Ponsontby, and by a nephew, Father O'Hara, who had freen faiis assistant for some months

The Very Rev. -Mgr. McDonald, or as" he was familiarly known, * Father Walter,' passed to his eternal reward on the last day of . 189'J, in his ?Cfbh year,' after a- strenuous and well-spent life in the diocese oi Auckland of about 46 years. Born in the County, Kilkenny, Ireland, and educated at the great missionary college of All Hallows, Dublin; Father Walter received 1 ordination at St. Patrick's Cathedral 'in- March, 1856, shortly after his arrival in Auckland. His brother, the Very Rev. Dr. James McDonald, who Had arrived some years earl'iar, was thien Vicar-General of tire diocese. By a somewhat remarkable coincidence . Dr. McDonald died at- Hokianga, the first scene of Catholic missionary enterprise 'in the dominion, whilst Father Walters- first parochial charge was Kororareka (Bay of Islands), the first real centre of Church progress. Later on Father Walter McDonald was transferred to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland, and -became private; secretary to Bishop Pompallier. . He remained in Auckland for many years, and twice visited Rome. During' his connection with" St. Patrick's Cathedral the sacred edifice was "considerably enlarged, and the spire was built through his exertions. On Ms Lordship Bishop Luck returning from his first ad limina visit to the Eternal City, he conveyed the welcome intelligence of Father Walter's elevation to the -dignity of Monsagmor, conferred by his ' Holiness Pope Leo XIII. in recognition' of his services, to the Church. Father Walter was subsequently transferred to the parochial charge of Panmure, greatly to the regret of St. -Patrick's parishioners. During his many years' residence at Panmure and ministrations at Ho-w'ick, he became as beloved and popular with all classes and denominations as bty" the people of the city. He was a chaplain of the volunteer "forces comprising the Auckland garrison, and was accorded' an imposing military funeral. Although' held in the highest esteem by all- classes of the oomw munity, he was especially regarded with much affection by the Maoris. They were continually about his place, seeking, his good- counsel and advice in all matters affecting their interests. (To be Continued.) 1