EX-PUPILS' REUNION.

Auckland Star, Issue 154, 2 July 1934, Page 14

EX-PUPILS' REUNION.

FIRST CATHOLIC SCHOOL

FUNCTION" AT ST. PATRICK'S.

A reunion of ex-pupils of St. Patrick's Cathedral Convent school was held in the schoolroom, Wellington Street, on Saturday. There were a large number of old pupils and former parishioners present, and the Rev. Dr. L. T. Buxton, himself an ex-pupil, presided. Dr. Buxton, after welcoming those present, traced the history of the school, which was the first Catholic school in Auckland. The first school was erected on the site of the present cathedral, and was opened by the Rev. Mother Cecilia Maher and the community of Sisters of Mercy who came out from Carlaw, Ireland, at the invitation of Bishop Pompallier. That was in 1848. Later the school was removed across the road to Hobsou Street. Owing to the encroachment of the commercial area it was found necessary to demolish the building in 1927. Some time later the modern two-storeyed school in Wellington Street was built, and it now housed over 300 pupily, in both primary and secondary departments. Dr. Buxton drew attention to one interesting relic of the old school which had been "preserved—the original wooden cross which was now erected in a place of honour in the exterior of the present building.