RECTOR RETIRES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 32, 7 February 1941, Page 5

RECTOR RETIRES

FATHER A. LYSAGHT, S.M.

WORK AT ST. PATRICK'S

OLD BOYS' THANKS

Upon completing a six-year term as rector of St. Patrick's College, Wellington, the Very Rev. A. Lysaght, S.M., was the guest of a large assembly in Brougham Street Hall last evening, when tributes were paid to his service at the oldest Catholic college in New.Zealand. Father Lysaght, who is retiring for a time to enter his second novitiate, was described by his Grace Archbishop O'Shea as a great and thorough educationist, and he received several gifts in recognition of his work.

The function was organised by the St. Patrick's College Old Boys' Association, the college Parents' Association, the Catholic Nurses' Guild, and the Catholic University Students' Guild. Mr. D. Madden, president of the St. Patrick's Old Boys' Association, presided and on the platform with him were his Grace Archbishop O'Shea, Father Lysaght end Father Blake, the Rt. Rev. Monsignor Connolly, the Very Rev. J. Kennedy, S.M., the Very Rev. Dr. V. Geany, S.M., Provincial of the Society of Mary, Mr. P. Doyle, chairman ;of the St. Patrick's College Parents' Committee.

Mr. Doyle, on behalf of the groups associated with thfe function, read an address which recorded the work of Father Lysaght in upholding the fine traditions of the college, and then presented Father Lysaght with a rug and a dressing gown. Mr. Doyle also extended a hearty welcome to the Very Rev. B. F. Blake, who,' after association with St. Bede's College, Christchurch, and a course at Oxford, was replacing Father Lysaght as rector. The chairman, speaking for the old boys of the college, said the old boys had always been proud of their rectors, four of whom had graduated from the ranks of the pupils themselves. Father Lysaght had followed in the steps of seven great men, and had measured up to the high standard they had set. FATHER LYSAGHT'S REPLY. .father Lysaght, who was enthusiastically received, thanked all those' who had shown him kindness and generosity through the six years of his rectorship, mentioning in particular his Grace Archbishop O'Shea. He accepted these gestures not for himself alone but for "the old grey walls"*of the college. He mentioned the Prime Minister ahd Minister of Education, and the Education authorities, as well as the heads of the Wellington schools, and said he would carry away from St. Patrick's some glorious memories. THE NEW RECTOR. • Father Blake, who, the chairman said, was assured of the full co-opera-tion of all, received an ovation. He spoke of the friendly reception accorded him by parents, old boys, and others on his arrival in Wellington, some of them his former classmates

at Christchurch. This had been a warm encouragement to him at the commencement of his work at St. Patrick's.

ARCHBISHOP'S REMARKS

His Grace Archbishop O'Shea confessed to a special interest in St. Patrick's College, which was his old school. The college had carried on the great work of Catholic education for more than half a century. It was the oldest Catholic college in New Zealand. Father Lysaght had proved himself a great and thorough educationist, -while the new rector had come fully and efficiently equipped to carry on the noble work.

During the evening enjoyable items were .contributed by Mrs. L. J. Cronin, Messrs. B. Pound and Paul Taylor (songs), Mrs. Gasquoine (pianoforte), Miss Doolon (elocution), Miss Loretta Cunningham (violin), and Mr. Max Brobisauer' ('cello).