Diocese of Auckland

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 6, 11 February 1925, Page 35

Diocese of Auckland

(From our own Correspondent.) February 5. It seems now that our schools are not going to open until the middle of February, and perhaps not until the beginning of March. It means a good deal of lost time, but the scare regarding infantile paralysis has been the means of absolutely banishing our little ones from their usual haunts of pleasure and play. In connection with the restrictions an amusing incident occurred the other day which is worth relating. Suddenly there was an alarm of fire in one of our principal suburbs, not far from the Sacred Heart Chinch. Clouds of smoke broke over a house ! Like magic a group of our youngsters appeared. It was like the charge of the Light Brigade when the fire engines screeched, it appeared as if the whole juvenile population of the neighborhood had been let loose to watch the burning building. Epidemic or not the lure to the scene broke all the regulations of the Health Department. Big, little, thin, tall, fat boys and girls foregathered, shouting, jumping, climbing trees and fences to gaze on the conflagration. Some even giving advice to the helmeted fire fighters. In a brief time hundreds of children were there, dodging the stray splashes of water as the flames encompassed the doomed building. Pictures and parties may be empty of the , little ones, and the streets deserted, but the clang of the fire-bell was like a call of the wild; every useful pulse was startled into activity and youthful pandemonium reigned in a quarter previously made dead by the dread of infantile ,paralysis. It was an engaging scene whilst it lasted. Mr. A. Haynes, an Auckland boy,‘who has been studying at home for the last two years, and successfully passed his B.Sc. in engineering, returned to Auckland recently from Loudon. Dolph is looking well after his sojourn in the Old Country, and received a warm welcome in his home town from many old friends who were glad to see and congratulate him on his success. Tie proceeds to Napier almost immediately to take up an appointment with the Board of Education. Air. Dan O’Connor, who died in Sydney the other day was an old and esteemed Auckland resident who was in business here for many years; and a brother of Air. T. B. O’Connor, who used to be one of Auckland’s champion athletes and notable footballers. The late Air. O’Connor was born in Co. Kerry, Ireland, and came out to New Zealand with his parents in the early ’seventies. He kept the Shakespeare and United Service Hotels, and later took up farming pursuits in southern Wairoa. Subsequently he left for Sydney and entered business there. Unfortunately he was overtaken with illness, an operation was performed and death ensued. The deceased was a very genial and kindly disposed citizen who made many warm .friends. His remains arrived in Auckland by the Alarama, and were taken to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, of which ! he was a parishioner for many years. IT 5 leaves a large family to mourn their loss

The funeral took place at Waikaraka Cemetery, the Rev. Father Bradley officiating at the graveside.—R.l.P. Arrangements for the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations are well in hand. The sports gathering has been fixed for March 14, and the National concert will be held in the Town Hall on the usual date (March 17). The Retreat for the Auckland clergy, held at the Sacred Heart College, concluded last week. Mr. E. Casey, A.M.1.C.E., who has been connected with the Railway Department for a number of years, has been promoted to the position of Inspecting Engineer in New Zealand, with headquarters at Wellington. Mr. Casey received warm congratulations from many friends on his well-deserved promotion. Bob owes his success to his own industry and ability. He is a very fine public speaker and impromptu debater. —