ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 122, 21 February 1928, Page 3

ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE

FAREWELL TO RETIRING RECTOR REV. FATHER GILBERT’S SERVICES RECOGNISED There was a large attendance at the farewell dinner tendered by the Kector of St. Patrick’s College (Rev. B. J. Ryan, S.M., M.A.) and the staff'of the college last night to the Very Rev. Father T. A. Gilbert, S.M., M.A., who is severing his connection with the college after having occupied the position of a master from 1906 until 1917, and the position of Rector from 1917 until 1927.

Father Rvan presided, being supported on his right by Archbishop Redwood, and on his left by Archbishop O’Shea. Amongst others at the official table were Rev. Fathers C. O’Reilly, S.M. (Provincial of the Marist Order for New Zealand), Robinson (Superior for New Zealand of the Redemptorist Order), T. Walsh, Mahoney, Connolly, Kimbell (Wanganui), McCrae, Daley, Casev, Smyth, Devoy, Kingan, Kennedv, ’ Callaghan, • McHardy, Lvsaght, Murray, _ affid Seymour, Messrs A. Niotte (Consul for Belgium), P. Verschaflelt (Public Service Commissioner), G. Craig (Comptroller of Customs), E. W. Kane (Clerk of the House of Representatives), T. Campbell, J. J. McGrath, R. A. Loughnan, W. G. Riddell, P. J. O’Regan, M. Kennedy, Colonel G. J. Hughes, J. Prendeville, C. B. O’Donnell", T. I’. Cleary, M. J. Crombie, B. Guise, Mr. Armour (principal of Wellington College), T. Brodie, H. Amos (principal of Wellesley College), Professors Rankine Brown and G. W. Von Zedlitz, Dr. Elliott (president Wellington Old Bovs’ Association), and Dr. P. F. McEvedy. In proposing rlie toast of the evening, Archbishop Redwood said he was pleased to see such distinguished gathering to farewell I'ather Gilbert, who all' his life had been identified with the college, first as a student, then as a teacher, and during the last ten years as rector. Bather Ryan had done well to gather such a company to farewell Father Gilbert," and to show the esteem and appreciation felt for his work. His heart and soul was centred in St. Patrick’s lotiay, owing in large measure to 1-atlier Gilbert’s efforts, the best of relations existed with other colleges, and the authorities of the University. Throughout New Zealand there were c;ld boys holding distinguished positions, whose hearts were full of gratitude to Father Gilbert for his teaching *nnd example during tbcm college years. He wished Father Gilbert eve’rv happiness and prosperity in whatever sphere his great talents might be used in future by his order. Professor Rankine Brown, of Victoria University College, said that his first acquaintance with Father Gilbert was when he came under him as a Latin student at the university. He referred to his distinguished career as a Latin scholar, his honours including a Senior National Scholarship. Since then he had frequently come into contact with Father Gilbert and had come to esteem him as a scholar and a gen.leman. The speaker referred to the iac■ that Father Gilbert had enjoyed privileges denied to headmasters ot other schools in that he was enabled to attend to the spiritual as well as to the Icmvoral needs of those under his care. Iho spiritual side was a great necessi y lor education, and a necessity winch was not provided for by the State schools, lie concluded by wishin<x I 1 ullier vilbcit cverv success in the future. , , , , Father YValsh referred to the boyhood of Father Gilbert on the West Coast, and said that even iu those days a great career had been prophesied for hint, a prophesy which had not been falsi.ictl. He had'taken the best course, and had entered the service of God. He had been ble«ed with the best parents one could possibly wish for. Much had been said that night regarding Father Gilberts gifts of the mind, but his gifts of the heart were far greater and tor these liis memory would live long bejonu tins generation. „ , . . Mr; T. P. Cleary, L.L.8., speaking ort behalf of the Old Boys of the College, declared that every old boy was proud that Father Gilbert was also an old boy of the College, and that his successor (Father Rvan) should also be an old bov. Father Gilbert as a teacher had two enthusiasms—literature and the classics. Few who had studied under him could fail to grasp some of his own love for the best modern and ancient literature. Father Gilbert, as a disciplinarian. had been mild and tolerant. He understood boys, and his personality had a strong influence upon those in his charge. He had enlarged the membership. increased the interests of the boys, and provided for the future, but nothing would last longer than the work he did in moulding character. His reward for this would be found in the gratitude of those who worked under him. , , Father Gilbert, who was accorded an ovation, said that for twenty year’s he had lived in the bustle and noise of i the city. Recently he had been living in a quieter part where at evening he could sec only the beauties and uone of (lie disfigurements of the city he had come to love. Just as ho saw nothing but, the beauty, so the speakers had seen nolhing but the beauty of his work. They had passed over his mistakes, and ‘ spoken only of what was good. He first thanked Archbishop Redwood, one of the founders of the college, and his superior in religion; Father Walsh, the priest of his boyhood's days; Professor Brown, his old teacher; and Mr. Cleary, his old pupil, for all the kindly things they bad said about Min. lie then dealt with the problem of the modern boy. There was no use, he said, in trying to impose upon boys old-fashioned restrictions. The modern method of placing .t certain amount of responsibility upon the boys themselves had proved eminently successful. lie spoke, with, pride of the extension of Catholic secondary education. Through the .munificence of ' several, and the generosity of many, it had become possible to provide a secondary education for every Catholic boy in the city. He hoped that in the near future a new college would rise nt 811verstream on the college property of 800 acres. Father Gilbert went on to speak of the good relations existing between St. Patrick’s College and their old rivals and friends of YY'ellington also tho friendlv relations with Scots ami Wellesley Colleges. He congratulated bis successor, who he said had done great work for the college, which had been fittingly recognised by his appointment to the rectorship. . He concluded by slating that St. Patrick’s College had been his whole life; his best efforts had been for the college. 11 herever he might go. St. Patrick’s would always be the host school of all. Mr. J. J. McGrath, on behalf of a number of friends of Father Gilbert, presented him with a checiue for a substantial amount, which he hoped the recipient might be permitted to use on a well-earned holiday. As representing the parents, ho thanked Father Gilbert for the high ideals of morality he hnrl instilled into the minds of his pupils.