MEMORIAL SCHOOL.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17302, 14 November 1921, Page 2

MEMORIAL SCHOOL.

OPENED BY ARCHBISHOP CATTANEO, The Most Rev. Archbishop Cattaneo, Apostolic delegate, yesterday afternoon opened the new Soldiers Memorial School at St. Mary's, Manchester street. On arrival at the Presbytery, his Excellency, who was accompanied by his Lordship Bishop Brodie, and other members of the clergy, was met by the Rev. Father Kerlev, acting parish priest, the mombors of the H.A.C.B. Society forming a guard of honour. A procession was men ionneu. ttis Exeeuexicy proceeded tnrougn uie cuurcn grounuci to tne new scuooi, wnero lie peiiorined tne ceremony ot blessing it. subsequently tne Duiiciing was ueclared open and a number of speecnes maue ttom a platform erected at the rear of the ciiurch. ine Rev. Father Kerley, in extending a welcome to nis Jiixceuency on behalf of tne ciergy and laity, stated that the honour or nis visit was deeply appreciated. He regretted that tiie Very ilev. Dean itegnauit, parish priest, was unavoidably aosent from such an important function. He was at present on the water. It would givo him the greatest pleasure when he learned that his Excellency tiad opened the school. The memorial had been erected to the soldiers of the parish who had fallen in the war. It would be quite large enough to hold all the children at present in the parish, and if ne'eessary the school could be added to later. His Excellency was the direct representative of his Holiness the Pope, who was thus showing his interest in the educational movement. The great attendance was a compliment to ins Excellency, because, although the function of opening the school was one of importance, the speaker had little doubt that hfcd his Excellency not been with, them, the attendance would hay© been much less. In conclusion, lie again extended a welcome to his Excellency. (Applause.) "The Rev. Father H; Seymour said that it was just two years sinco the first meeting was called to consider tenders for the now school. The tenders ranged from £6665 5s to £8193, and were subject to reservations regarding rises m material and wages. Acceptance of a tender meant the obligation to pay what was asked; hence it was decided to do tho work by dnv labour. When the work was commenced, the building was so precarious ail undertaking that it was* only the urgent nfied of accommodation that prevented a delay until , more favourable times. Esch year the inspector gave an unfavourable criti- ; cism, and ea-ch year the necessity of ; better condition for the teachers and I children was urged. From the beginning j difficulties were met with and contingencie3 which the tenderers were careful to insure tliomselves against had to be faced. Th e price of wages and materials increased, and in this respect there had been practically nothing in the way of a pleasant surprise at any tim e during tho progress 6f the wOrk. After paying a tribute to the builders for the splendid workmanship they had been responsible for, the Rev. Father said that- was the first public building to be iitted with Mr Bradley's patent device for ventilation and a satisfactory heating system had been installed. During the past four and a half years, by means of various entertainments, the sum of £B6BI 6s od had been collected, but with the expenditure that had taker, place there was a debit balance to-day of about £3OOO. Tho honours board to bo set up would contain some 300 names. He hoped that the parishioners would give tne panels for the names, also a piano for the use of tho hall. He wished to thank His Excellency Archbishop Cattaneo for his attendance, also His Lordship Bishop Brodie, Catholic and non-Catholic visitors, tho committee (especially Mr lYendergast). He drew attention to the success of scholars attending the school at recent examinations. The loy- | altv of the Catholics of St. Mary's Parish was proved by the number of names on the honours board. The men whose names would adorn the boerd fought for freedom and that would always be insisted on by the Church, especially when the powers that be threatened to infringe on the right of the Church to give education to its children. "The building," concluded Father Seymour, "is a monument to our men who fought. It is a monument to our parishioners and if I ani proud of it to-day it is because it is a fitting! monument to the faith, the zeal, and the devotion of the loyal parishioners of St. Mary's." ' lii.i Excellency Archbishop Cattaneo,. wlu was received with cheers, said that it. was not his intention to driver f.nythng but a brief spech. He a'wavs glad to take part in a demonstration of faith and loyalty, and ho w.is especially full of joy to partic psio in the opening of any Catholic '.iiilituuon be it a convent or a school. He wasplastd to be present because the OfiCii.ng of the new school wr.s a demonstration of deep religious sentiment. It showed progress, andi was a new step m the great and noble work of developing the work of religion. The erection of such a splendid building «poke well for the generosity of the parishioners. Fatftcr Sevmour'had referred to tho genercsitv of the- women, but the speaker could see before him a Fplendid body of men eager, he believed, to help to wipe out the debt overhanging the school. He rather deprecated Father Seymours remarks when that priest said that the largo attendance was due to the presence of the speaker. Ee could not help feeling that the parishioners audi their friends would have been present in any case. He could not help noticing that the, Church of St. Mary, although a good building, was constructed of wood. Canterbury, he could see, was a rich province, and a more substantial building was desirable. The parishioners, he concluded, must prepare themselves for greater generosity. (Applause.) Bishop Brodie, in his opening remarks, referred to the absence of the Very Rev. Dean Regnault, who was very deeply interested: in the work. The members of the local Education Department, especially Inspector Brock, had been most helpful in their suggestions for the arrangement of the building, and had been, in a large measure, responsible- for the thoroughly modern design. The Bishop said he was very interested to learn that only £3OOO was owing. They had to take into consideration that they had no financial aid from the Government. It was customary for the Government to help all schools in some measure, and even a small measure was appreciated, but in 18S7 there was passed an Education Act which withdrew all help from, denominational schools. Were it not for their Cathulic faith they could close

I their schools, and parents could send | their children to the State school?, j where they had to pay nothing tor I them. But there -was a principle at i stake. They believed and based their i belief on centuries of experience, that if they divorced religion from education they were weakening faith and destroying religion. To develop the mind on right, lines it- was ef-.sou'.i.w that religion be taught in the schools, therefore it is their aim to have a ; ; Catholic school in each parish. What ! had been done during the past sis l ! years in the cause of Catholic education ' alone speaks for the and I strong faith of the people. Tho sum of over £60,000 had been spout in tho work. The following list would show what was being done: Woolston new school (building ana equipment), £930; Villa M aria, Convent and novitiate for Sisters of Mercy (cost- of land and building), £7000; St. Bede's College, purchase of land and erection of building, £22,C00; St. Mnrv's Convent and High f-obool, cost of building rnd equipment, £13.M0 ; Cathedral" parish Miiools, land and building, £7oOO; St. Mary's parish school, £7l CO; Addington

! new school (building and equipQMi £1100; Addington, purchase oTQ • j-.nd building for Convent, ijIJJS Papanui now school (work in hukft £BOO. Total, £&2,lo0. At the conclusion of the speeelm . short service was held in the Chun* after which his Excellency the Pontifical Benediction. About £l2O was collected on tt» ground.