The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-11
CATHOLICISM IN NEW ZEALAND.

man succeeded In gaining access to him. AS ne
was rather fatigued ater long series OF visits and
interviews with the principal dignitares Of tho
Church in this city and Brooklyn, the Bishop was
somewhat reluctant to enter into prolonged
conversation at the late hour in The evening At
which the reporter saw him. Being unac-
customed to the ways OF this country he
had the repugnance, common to most men OF
European education aud habits to the American
interviewer as could be seen from the number
OF questions he asked concerning the religion,
character and antecedents OF the HERALD re-
porter. Having exhausted these inquiries and
learned the object OF the interview the Bishop said
he wo aid be most willing TO furnish all the norma-
ton in his power, but that his doing SO IN that
particular way would place him In very false
light He was merely passing through New York
on his way to Rome, and 1t would be extremely
bad taste In him to rush into print Immediately on
his arrival here with what would be looked upon
by many AZ gloriGcaton OF himself In hne the
good Bishop declined to be interviewed, but he
supplied mass or interesting information to
number OF priests, who have given it to the HERALD
man, and he had also several friendly informal
talks" with the HERALD reporter himself
THE RIGHT REV. DIR. CRvKE
Is hale, hearty man, not much over fifty years Of
age. but at FIRST sight he does not appear to be
would envy MIN the ruddy hue OF health that
CLOVIS through his lace, and the clear, quiet hight
ness OF intellect and frmness OF character.
His exterior Is exceedingly plain and nnpre-
tending, and his address quiet and unassum-
Ing HIS whole appearance bespeaks life Of great
mental and physical activity ana ms vigorous:
being very much in the open air in the mild salu-
br0us climate OF New Zealand. He speaks with
n ee rcm proausS DR. has SSe
OF being one OF the most learned and erudite ecce-
siastlcs in the Catholic Church His mind is Of q
1oct Stadlv lOutOo irnrr md hia nrn
OF that character and Is very effective. Ae was
educated principally at the Irish College, Parts.
the degree Of d. d. and won . gold medal. He wss
for some time professor at the Catholic College
Paris; returned to Ireland, and after some tlmo
spent on the mission. became President Of 81. Col
mans College, Fermoy county Cork. A
his CHARGE IN THE ANTIPoDEs.
Having attended the Ecumentcal Council In
tine , Pope chose MIN 70 Gp ION
out for New Zealand IN 1870. passing through New
paler was the first to wear the mitre in Auckland,
one Of the French missionaries who settled In the
island before the English occupation, with the view
re SV with the true missionary zeal una worss
mission However, the advent O the Enslisa ana
the subsequent colonization created an entirely
airy was unable % grappie' The new caiosists
! were stranacrs, speaking. lananage vhieh
sna The priests Sss nss s ven
got into bad state and was heavily N
debt when Dr. Croke arrived TO take cnargs
ness-like manner Tor which he Is remarkable, to
enect thorough reform. and before long . COM
pete change was visible. The French priests were
replaced BY men who spoke the language OF tho
colonsts religious societies. were organized.
residence erected suited to the position and re-
quirements Of the diocese. In snort, everything
was done which good administrator could de-
vise under the circumstances to place the diocese
on a solid and respectable i00ting. Still there IL y
which are incidental TO newly settled country
like New Zealand. 10 endeavor to provide Tor
some Of these deficiencies is the object OF DR..
CrokeS visit to Rome On his return nc exDecta
to be accompanied by q number OF priests and
some Christian brothers ana teachers tor the
schools OF the native Catholics.
NH THE LIFE OF A BISHOP N9saa<s
IN New Zealand is more that OF a nerd working
missionary priest than anording scope Tor the ex-
ercise OF great episcopal capacity the population
Is scattered along the coast and for short dis
rivers rivers the Catholics among them are seldom
cOngregated In large numbers In any one place.
excepting IN the principal cities, and the priest
has to visit the various groups Wherever they are
located. His life Is one OF lncessant travelling and
endless work. With ms sacred yestments and
saddle before or behind MIN, ne rides from station
to station, celebrating mass, preaching. instruct
/ other functions Of priest At other times he gets
/ into one OF the numerous coasting steamers calls
to be be found, or is rowed up the tidal
rivers to the settlements in the interior. The
scarcity q priests renders the WORK much harder
/ on the few who are Ia the colony, and there 70
! little time left for rest or relaxation. THIS
Bishops duty differs only rom that Of the priests
lnasmuch as he has to direct and counsel them
! while working as hard as themselves.
| MA0RIEs.
The progress OF the falth among the Maores Ia
! slow out still hopeful. The religious element 10
! not strongly developed in their character though
/ they have many fine qualities and It Is hoped that,
ia the course or time they will all become Chris
! tians. They are q splendid race physically, and
even mentally, and possess characteristics that
I ust "A
high standard Of civilization. AT present they
are sss acquiring sSs,
a comparatively short period viii suiice
TO raise them The level Of the average European.
own sailing vessels ana houses, and 1--we IN organ
tied and toleraDly well regulated communities.
perhaps more tnan'a match in hand to hand en-
counter with any equal number OF Europeans, as
ssn seen Inc rhes
the soil in rude Kind OF way, RAISE corn potatoes
and pigs, and these they barter for articles OF IN
rOpean or Colonial manufacture Their TWO great
honor or expressing their admiration Tor individ1-
blankets, the quantity being regulated always by
the extent Of their good opinion. When they
hear Of celebrated man they come to look
at him and remain silently staring HIM Tor long
time, watching his every motion and trying to sat
isiy themselves Of the truth Of all they have heard
about him. II they are satisfied that he has an
swered their expectations they forthwith proceed
TO express their satisfaction by large presents.
Tue marriage Tie Is respected by the Maorless
though, outside marriage, they recognize little
moral restraint. When an orence ID committed
against conJugal hdenty the CRIME Is visited on
the whole family or tribe OF the offending party,
and large fines are exacted. Their great curse 10
rum, and to procure II they will make any Bacrl-
Ace. But for the fire waterv civilization and
Christianity would make much more rapid progress
among them.
The population Of New Zealand Is about 900, 600
souls. Or these nearly hall are English, the other
half being made up OF Scotch, Irish and foreign.
ers. Nearly third OF the population are Catho-
hes and the rest Pr0testants Of different de-
nominations. The climate Is milo and healthy, the
soil fertile and the resources oil the country MIN
/ eral and agricultural, are very great. The great
| drawback Is its great distance from the world Of
| commerce and civilization. But tor tnat II would
ultimately assume prominent place among the
4 nations, but its distance from the great
markets OF the world, 1t Is feared, will
always be great oar TO its progress. Internal