FIJI EDUCATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 December 1926, Page 3

FIJI EDUCATION

MARIST PIONEER’S VISIT.

(Special to “Star.”) AUCKLAND, December 1. A pioneer, in education, in Fiji is Brother Claundine, Principal of the Catholic Cosmopolitan College, Suva, who arrived in Auckland by the Tofua yesterday. At the age of 78, Brother Claundine is still an active teacher and an advocate of educational progress, and at Wellington on December 11 he will celebrate his Diamond Jubilee as a Marist Brother. Born at Chazelles-sur-Lyons (Central France), he entered the Brotherhood at the early age of 18 years. For 16 years he taught in the various commercial centres of France, and then went to Australia, where he engaged in the work of preparing students for the universities for a further 17 years. Twenty-seven years ago, Brother Claundine went to Fiji, and during that long period, has been a potent factor in educational progress in the group. His work is well known and has many times been recognised by the Administration. “We are preparing for the building of a new Cosmopolitan College at Suva,” he stated, “and one of my objects, while in New Zealand, will be to raise money for the building, which will cost between £BO,OOO and £lOO,OOO. We have 27 acres at present, and half of this will be devoted to agricultural training.” Continuing, he said he had over'3oo pupils of all nationalities, and found the natives, Indians and Japanese all very keen to learn. The Japanese especially, were very apt pupils. The Indians were tenacious and displayed a marked ability. One of his aims was to teach the- Indians, European ways, European manners and thought. Brother Claundine was invited to New Zealand by the many _ Marist Brother friends he has in this country. Later he will proceed to Australia to renew old acquaintances, and to create interest in the proposed re-building of the Cosmopolitan College.