OPENING OF PUKEKOHE CONVENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 129, 9 June 1885, Page 4

OPENING OF PUKEKOHE CONVENT.

Tiik now convent buildings at Pukokoho, which liavo just been completed by Mr lloodwin a3 contractor, under tho superin tondencoof FatliorCostollo as projector and architect as well, wero noleninly opened and bleHsod by Bishop Luck in tho presence of a lar^o concourso of pooplo, numbering upwunlHot'loo. A detachment of Auckland visitors arrived by ppccinl train at half past twolvo, and wuro hosj itably received and ontortaincd by Father Costello and the Sistors of tho mission. Sottlcn? with their wiveß, hods, mid daughters wero also present from tlio surrounding district?. At half-past two tho opening coremony was commenced by tho Bishop. In tho course of Ilia sermon lit . oforrod in oulo^iKtic torms to tho underu.king which hud ju^t boon sucoo=sfully consummated, and enlarged upon tho rosultant good which might reasonably be anticipated. Ho considered the building iteolf to bo in every way united for tho purpeso for which it waa intondod, and regarded it as another movement in tho developmontv of higher education. Ho felt HatUfiod tkat tho diatingiiiahcd abilities po?----wh?od by thoSistore would be oxortcd to impart an education for young ladies which would not only prove a great convenience to many, but would, iudocd, bo of iinmen?o good, not merely in the growing district of I'ukekoho, bnt tho whole provincial district. During the day over iT>O was received towards tho reduction of tho debt on tho building. Tho Auckland visitors left at live o'clock, cheering leather Costello before thoy loft, and being choered in lclurn by tho settlor?. The tedium of tho two hours' trip to town was icliovcd by tho einging ol selections of .■acred music.

Tho total cost of tho convent buildings, inclusive of extras, will bo about £1,000 Thoronro cix Siators of tho mission stationed lit I'tikokoho, anil they have accommodation for about twenty young ladies. Already sevoral parents havo intimated their inton tion of gonding children as boarder?, and it is estimated that tho daily attendance at tho Sistera'school alono will not bo far short of 100.