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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

The Settlement Of Otago

The Settlement Of Otago was projected in 1842 and carried into effect in 1848, but the district was visited some years previously by Bishop Pompallier, the first Roman Catholic Bishop of Auckland. Before the close of 1840 he sailed in a schooner named the “Sancta Maria” from Auckland, and coasted along the Southern Island. During the ten days spent by the Bishop about Otago Bay his instructions were cordially received by the natives, who asked him to allow the two priests who accompanied him to remain behind to instruct them in the truths of Christianity. On the Sunday during his stay in the Bay, the Bishop celebrated mass in a large shed, placed at his disposal by its owner, an English Protestant merchant. The natives assisted at the ceremony, as well as the white population consisting of English, American, and French whalers. The district was again visited in connection with the Catholic mission in 1859, when Father Petitjean, an aged priest, travelled around visiting the ninety odd Roman Catholics then living in the settlement, including a dozen in the city of Dunedin. At first Father Petitjean celebrated mass in an old bottle-store belonging to Mr. Burke, then a brewer in Dunedin. About sixteen persons attended the service, and the confessional was a small loft, reached by a ladder. On the next occasion of a visit by a priest permission was given by the Government to hold service in the courthouse. This state of things continued until the arrival of Father Moreau from the North Island. The inrush of people, consequent on the discovery of gold in Otago, led to such an increase in the population that Father Moreau was formally appointed to continue his labours in the South Island. His duties extended over the whole province of Otago. Travelling in those days was a work of difficulty, tempered with danger. The country had few roads, and as the rivers were unbridged travelling was no child's play. Still whenever in the back country Father Moreau's services were required, the good priest faced all in order to render them. On one occasion, while returning from a mission of charity, along the wild waste of country between Lawrence and Dunedin, a gang of bushrangers tied him to a tree for the purpose of robbery, but on discovering his priestly calling they released him. During his residence in Otago Father Moreau built a wooden presbytery and a small brick church. By a Papal brief dated the 29th of November, 1889, the united provinces of Otago and Southland, together with Stewart's Island and the adjacent islands, were separated from the see of Wellington, and erected into the Bishopric of Dunedin, with the city of Dunedin as the seat of the diocese. By another brief dated in December of the same year, the Right Rev. Dr. Moran was transferred to the new see as its first Bishop. The Catholic population in Dunedin in 1869 numbered about 6000 souls, and had increased to 18,140 in 1886. On the 19th of February, 1871, Bishop Moran accompanied by the Rev. William Coleman, and ten nuns of the Dominican Order from the Sion Hill Convent of Blackrock, landed at Dunedin. At first the Bishop was filled with discouragement. The few small, fragile wooden churches throughout the diocese had fallen into decay, or were otherwise unfit for the celebration of the mass; and the small brick church in Dunedin could not contain a sixth part of the congregation. However, undeterred by difficulties, the Bishop lost no time in visiting the various districts of his large diocese and appealed to all Catholics to raise such a capital fund as would enable him to establish a Nun's School in Dunedin, to pay travelling expenses from Europe of a sufficient number of missionaries, and to provide schools and proper residences for the clergy throughout the country, and decent and suitable requisites for the due celebration of the mass. The appeal was warmly and loyally responded to, and the people cordially expressed their willingness to provide the necessary funds. Since then the history of the Catholic Church in the diocese has been one of continued prosperity. The churches, schools and convents and other buildings, many of them magnificent stone structures, have cost over £120,000. There are fifty-four churches, thirty priests, seven religious brothers, 133 nuns, five boarding schools for girls, six high class day schools, where all the higher branches of education are taught, twenty primary schools, and one charitable institution; and there are 2500 children attending the schools. The Cathedral of St.
St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin.Armstrong, photo.

St. Joseph's Cathedral, Dunedin.
Armstrong, photo.

page 185

Joseph, Dunedin, is unquestionably one of the handsomest religious structures in New Zealand. Even in its present incomplete state, it presents an imposing appearance, and the completed building will be an architectural ornament to the city; one that would do credit to the Old World. It is, indeed, a monument to the faith and generosity of the Catholics of Otago. St. Joseph's was solemnly dedicated and opened for divine worship on the 14th of February, 1886. His Eminence the Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney, the Bishops of Maitland, Adelaide, Wellington and Auckland, took part in the religious services with the Bishop of Dunedin. Up to the present (January 1904) the building has cost £20,000, and an additional sum of £15,000 is necessary to complete it according to the original plan. A handsome place built of bluestone with white facings in Oamaru stone adjoins the Cathedral. Other outlays on buildings in the diocese include: St. Joseph's Hall, £2,500, additions to St. Dominic's Priory, £3,000; South Dunedin Orphanage, Presbytery, Basilica, at Oamaru and new convent £7,000; and a Provinicial Ecclesiastical Seminary at Mosgiel. Bishop Moran, after labouring for many years in the service of the Master, went to his rest, and was succeeded by the Right Rev. Dr. Verdon, who was consecrated in 1896.