PAST HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 101, 29 April 1912, Page 8

PAST HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE.

The ann©imcemen>t that a site for a new college ha* been selected at Palmerston North settles a question which has foee-n agitating the Roman Catholic community for some time past. Ifc has been felt that the present situation of the college is not satisfactory, as it is cramped for playgrounds. Such places ae. the Wilton's Bush (beyond Wadestown) and the Upper Hutfc had been previously suggested as suitable sites for • new institution. THE .PEESENT INSTITUTION. The present institution between Torystreet and Cambridge-terrace dates back to the early 'eighties, when Dr. Redwood, the present Archbishop of Wellington, first broached the subject of a Catholic College in Wellington. The Bishop's proposal was heartily welcomed, with unstinted co-operation both ty clergy and laity. A suitable site then for the college was chosen on the lower slopes of Mount Cook, and what land was then available secured. The lute Yen. Archdeacon Le Menant dcs Chesnais negotiated the purchase of the* land from Johnson Bros, at a price of £2000, the owners discounting £500 of the purchase money as a personal donation. The foundation stone of the college was laid on St. Patrick's Day, 1884, by Dr. Redwood', in the presence ox several thousand representatives of the Catholic faith, who gave. practical proof of their loyalty to the Church by placing £1200 on the foundation stone. THE BUILDING. The building, now a familiar landmark in the city, was designed by Sir. Thomas Turnbull, architect, erected by Messrs. Mirrdoch. and Reid, and op%ned in June, 1886, by his Eminence Cardinal Moran. The cost was over £20.000. Towards this the Catholic community contoibuterf £10,000 and the Marist Fathers added £6300, besides taking over the remaining mortgage of £5000. Students scon came from all over tho colony, as it then was, and within a year the roll totalled 145, of whom 100 were boarder.s. Curiously enough, the numter of day scholars has never been ,in excess of residential 'scholars. It was primarily to cater for the day scholara that the college was ibuilt in the heart of the city. The lack of playing fields has always been felt at the college, and this ths new site will supply in full. RECTORS OF THE COLLEGE. The first rector of the college was the "Very Rev. F. J. Waiters, S.M., D.D., who had charge of the institution from 1885 to 1898. Ho was succeeded by the Very Rev. Thomas Bowers, S.M., 8.A., who acted as rector between 1899 and 1901, when the Very Rev. Father Keogh, S.M., 8.A., was sppointed. Father Keogh presided until 1909, when, on account of failing health, he retired. The present rector 13 the Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, S.M., 8.A., who is a New Zealander born. He is well known as a, scientist and astronomer of no mean order. At Meanee he founded an astronomical observatory which easily lranks as one of the best equipped in Mew Zealand.