ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 488, 22 April 1909, Page 6

ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE.

RESIGNATION OF THE REV. FATHER :,;. , ... KEOGH. ' THE REV. DR. KENNEDY. HIS ''\ SUCCESSOR. , The Very Rev. Father A. Keogh, S.M., who has been rector of St. Patrick's College since the retirement of the Very Rev.. Dr. Watters,' about eight years ago, has tendered his resignation, which has been accepted, though it' will not take effect until the end of .June. His successor will be the Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, S.M., F.R.M.S., of Meanee (Hawke's Bay), who, in turn, will bo replaced by the Very Rev. Dean Smith, of Hastings, to which post the. Rery Rev. Father Keogh will succeed.

Tho Very Reverend Augustine Keogh, who was born in Dublin on August 25, 1858, received his secular education firstly; at tho University Perparatory School, Lower Leeston Street, Dublin, and later at St. ■ Mary's College, Dnndalk, a notable institution conducted by' the Fathers of the Marist Order, ■father Keogh's ecclesiastical training commenced in Franco in 1876, and he was ordained a Priest of the Marist Order in-1883. He received, soon afterwards, the appointment of Professor of English in the Marist College at Rhion, but returning to 1 Ireland in 1885; he won, in that year, his B.A. DeSree at the Royal University, Dublin, father Keogh was then appointed rector of St. Mary's, Dundalk, and continued in that charge until 1900, when he was sent as delegate to the General Chapter of the Marist Order, held at Lyons, France. In the following year he accepted the rectorship or St. Patrick's College, Wellington, New Zealand, and arrived here to assume control of

that institution, in June;; 1901, since which time' he has capably guided' the; destinies of St; Patrick's. His resignation, which has just been accepted, was forwarded some little time ago in conformity with tho rules of his religious order, which allows but seven years' presidency of its educational institutions.'

Tho Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, who succeeds tho Very Rev.' Father Keogh in the rectorship of St. Patrick's College, is a Now Zealander, having been born at Lyttelton on April .28, 1864. His early education was received in Chmstchurch, whence he went to St. Mary's, Dundalk, Ireland. Whilst studying for the Church.'at -that institution, he attended lectures at the Royal University/ Dublin, and was a favourite pupil of Casey, tho well-known authority on 'mathematics and the- author of ".Casey's Euclid with Cuts." Shortly'after gaining his B.A. degree, tho: rev. gentleman brought-out:his "Treatise on Natural Philosophy," which work immediately drew attention to his, high scholarly,.attainments. This book still a text book for intermediato juniors. Tho Rev. Mr. Kennedy's ecclesiastical studies. wore continued in France, and ho' proceeded afterwards to Spain, finally completing his theological 'course in Rome, where bo gained the degree of Doctor of Divinity at the St. George University, and also the degree of B.C.L. (Bachelor of Canon Law). Dr. Kennedy was some years ago appointed from Rome to be Superior of tho' Marist Ecclesiastical Seminary at Meanee, Hawke's Bay, and lias worthily filled that- important position ever, sdnco. : During his residence at Meanee Dr. 'Kennedy bias continued has hobbies of astronomy .and scientific 'research and studies :in insect life. v Ho-has delivered many lectures in various; parts a? New Zealand, and has never failed to imbue his audience, with an interest in these abstruse subjects. ' In these departments of. science Dr. .Kennedy is recognised as a leading authority, and his reputation is not confined to Australasia. Indeed, it was on account of bis observations in astronomical work that he, some little time ago, was elected a Follow of the Royal Meteorological Society', London.