CATHOLIC LIFE IN HOKITIKA

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1934, Page 17

CATHOLIC LIFE IN HOKITIKA

the tens of thousands who rushed from all parts, to Hokitika in 1864, were several thousands of stalwart Irishmen, strong in the Faith taught to their ancestors by the Great Saint Patrick.* These “Sons of the Green Isle.” whilst yet living in their canvas tents, before roads or streets were .formed, bethought themselves of seeking a Priest for their spiritual needs. As early as 1865 they had one in their midst. The same year an allotment, to the extent of about two and a-half acres, was secured, having on three sides respectively: Stafford, Tancred, and Sewell Streets. The building of Saint Mary’s Church, the first Church in Hokitika; or indeed, in Westland, was commenced. The Presbytery soon followed, and next a school for boys and girls, all within the same area.

When gold-digging became rife in Ranieri, a church and school were built there also. As the industry .declined, the floating population vanished, so the school had to be closed. Over a. decade of years later it was re-opened bv the Sisters of Mercy. From 1864 to 1869. the population of Hokitika varied from 10,000 to 50,000! About the latter year the returns of gold steadily declined and the “exodus” set in. • Within a year or two the population dwindled to units of thousands. The work of the church, however, went steadily on, though owing to the .unsettled state of things, there were frequent changes in the clergy till the arrival of the late Very Rev. P. A. Martin, S.M., m who was appointed permanent Parish Priest of St. Mary’s. Hokitika. The Parish extended and still extends, from Arahura River in the

north to the Hokitika River in the south, and from the seaboard to the central Alps.

Though the new Rev. Pastor found the schools well staffed with capable teachers for both boys and girls, still, from the beginning, Father Martin (later created Dean of Westland), cherished the hope of procuring, for | the girls, at least, a Community ot Religious Teachers. Ten years later this hope became a reality. Early in 1878, Mother Mary Cecilia Benbow, of Wellington, went to the Home Lands in the interests of the Sisters

of Mercy. She had the further commission of procuring a band of teaching sisters for Hokitika. By a~ happy chance, she. applied to St. Xavier’s Convent of Mercy. Ennis. Co. Clare. Ireland. Her application, was duly considered. Soon it became known that eight sisters had offered’ _ their life services for the distant Mission. Two young ladies, still in their teens, and who had just completed their education’ in the Ennis Convent Boarding School, volunteered to accompany them, as the first recruits

in the noble cause. Thus, the Missionary party increased to ten. ' t On July 23, 1878, the Missionaries left their Alma Mater, took the train to Limerick, thence to Cork City. The s.s. “Upupa” took them to Plymouth, where they boarded the s.s. “Garonne,” bound for Australian waters, via The Cape of Good Hope. They disembarked at. Melbourne, and reached New Zealand in the s.s. “Albion,” via the Bluff. The travellers tarried three weeks with their Sisters in Wellington, before setting out for the West Coast, in the “rolling Tarawa.” In Nelson the party was most, kindly welcomed and entertained by the Sisters of the Mission. There, too, they met for the first time, the now Venerable Archbishop of Wellington, who was then in his 39th. year, tall, slight, erect—a Prince of the Church in 'very • deed!—His cordial and paternal manner made a lasting impression on the little band who had come so far, to work under

Interesting Church History

his guidance and authority. 'Nelson, was the only port of call, till the Hokitike roadstead was reached, at 11 a.m. on October 15, 18’78. Owing to unsuitable conditions, it was some hours before the c.c. “Waipara,” the tender for all the large boats coming to Hokitika at the time, came out, having oh board a small reception party, namely:—Rev. Father Martin, S.M., Mr. M. M. Cleary, Governor of the local jail, and Mr. E. A. Burke, later the well-known commercial traveller. It was noon of night before the feet of the weary travellers touched “terra firiria.” The waiting crowds of men, women, and children, gave them an enthusiastic welcome. Carriages in readiness, wheeled the Sisters off in a few moments, to what was then known as “Mulligan’s Cottage,” which served as a temporary Convent until January of the next year. The said “temporary Convent,” later, passed through many hands. Finally, many years ago, it was purchased, enlarged and improved by the late Hon. H. L. Michel. Now it is the Hokitika home of the Michel Family. It may not seem irrevelant to mention here.that a gentleman, who was closely connected with the early history of Hokitika, and who was answerable for much of its progress, travelled from Wellington, with the Sisters. He was none other than the Hon. A. J. Ronar. The genial and amiable Scot introduced himself to/the Mother Superior, the* late lamented Mother Mary Clare Molony, and her companions. A few davs after the Sisters had taken possession of their “Cottage Convent,” the Honorable A. J. Bonar. Mrs Bonar and their oldest son, then a baby in arms, visited them. A friendship and mutual appreciation, which was lifelong, commenced. For a long chain of years, the local “Lord” and “Lady” | (as the residents of Government House were called by their friends) were honoured guests at the Convent School entertainments.

The Sunday following the Sisters’ arrival, they got a warm welcome, in ] the Parish School, from the parishioners. Addresses were read, speeches made, and many were the marks of friendship and good will showered on them. The next week the Sisters took over the Girls’ School, from Miss Stephens. They commenced the visitation of the' sick in their homes, and in the Hospital. The inmates of the jail and mental hospital were also visited. The Sisters were made welcome everywhere, and by all classes of the community. The Sisters’ real work did not, it may ho said, commence till Jamiary, 1879. Early in the month, possession was taken of the completed Convent, henceforward known as Saint Columbkille’s Convent of Mercy. The wing, facing Sewell. Street, of the present large building, represents the original Convent. Time in its flight, made additions at various times necessary, till the Convent reached its present goodly proportions. The little Gothic Chapel, considered an architectural gem, was built in 1914, to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the Holy Profession of Mother Mary Clare Molony, the foundress and first Mother Superior of the Convent. On January 20. 1879, the Sisters opened schools in the Convent —a primary and a High Day School. The Primary School was a very large room, on the ground floor, extending almost the entire length of the building. The higher classes were taught there, while the former Girls’ School in Tancred Street, was retained as a mixed school for infant boys and girls up to Standard I. inclusive. As the present Government system of education was then in its infancy, and the District High Schools did not appear till many years later, the Sisters’ High School was welcomed by crowds of girls anxious for the ordinary “secondary course” of the present day. In this school, after a little time, as now, pupils were prepared for Civil Service, Matriculation and Teachers’ Examinations. Several years ago, a commercial course was added. In addition to school work, the teaching of instrumental music, drawing, painting, art needlework, etc., was inaugurated and have since gone on unremittingly. It was soon found that, for the work to be done, the labourers were insufficient. Hence, through the influence of friends in Ireland and in Australia, the attention of young ladies desiring to consecrate their lives and talents to the Higher Cause, was directed to Hokitika. As the years rolled on, very many of the best and most gifted of the girls educated in St. Columbkille’s Convent Schools, developed vocations to religious life. Some joined the local Convent, whilst many others entered Convents throughout the Dominion, and not a few have gone to Australia. ‘

Towards the end of 1881, Rev. Mother Mary Clare took a few of the Hokitika Sisters 1 to Greymouth, to establish a Convent there. The late Mother Mary Mechtildes was its first Local Superior. The re-opening of the Kanieri School was the next advance. In 1889 branch Convents were opened in Ross and Kumara. About the same time, on the invitation of the late Bishop Grimes, S.M., the Sisters of Mercy made their first home in Canterbury, at Lyttelton. Some years later, His Lordship invited them to the large and important parish—Saint ‘Mary’s, Manchester Street, Christ-

church Thus, from the Hokitika’r “seed.” the Sisters of Mercy haveji spread- and multiplied throughout, i Westland and Canterbury. The years : following 1889-90 were rather dull, owing to the diminishing gold returns, i and as a consequence, the departure of many, to more promising fields. Hence, the salary for the male teacher was ‘ being felt over-burdensome. At the beginning of 1891 the Sisters were requested to take over the boys’ school. Thus, commenced the “mixed school as it is at present. The Venerable Dean Martin ruled the Hokitika Parish, wisely and well till his death, on August 5, 1906. He was a man of great peace, and liberality towards the poor and distressed. When the Dean’s health commenced to fail, he was given an assistant, the late .Dean Regnault, whose ardent zeal and energy, coupled with a charming personality, made him esteemed and loved by his people. Within two years, > Father Regnault was succeeded by j Rev. Father Le Petite. It was during] the latter’s time at Hokitika that the j present Parish School was built. I Father Aubrey was the next assistant; Priest, and on the death of Dean Mar-, tin he was appointed Parish Priest. I Within two years, Rev. Father John' Ainsworth took up the reins foi’ a few ] years, which were very active ones. 1

He built the present fine Presbytery, ( : the Club Rooms, and organised the ; j Club He also had a new school built h in Ranieri. Till then, the Church had ! ( been used as a school. The genial and (i optimistic Father John Clancy follow- i ed in his wake in 1910. On him de- - volvcd the building of the shell of the ; fine Romanesque Church, which is a : striking feature of the town. In 1920 s the late Dean Tubman took charge for ; a few months, and he was succeeded by the Rev. Father O’Sullivan till the : end of the year, when the Marist Fathers wore withdrawn for other works of their Order. Very Reverend Doctor J. Kennedy was appointed to the care of the Par-1 ish in 1921. His term was one of j great energy and activity. He got the | outside of the Church plastered and i finished off as it stands at present. In the rural district, Kokatahi, he had a nice little Church built and for the schools he did much in the way of j equipment. The present incumbent, Father'd. Finerty, 8.A., who is at the ! present time on holiday in Europe I (and whose place is being ably filled i by the eloquent Father D. Healy, late • of Greymouth) took over the Parish in 1192", with Father J. McKay as assist■'ant. Since their advent, much proi gress has been made in many direcI lions. The Church has been plastered

inside and beautifully decorated, the Parish School has' been enlarged and painted, a tennis court has been laid down and the Church and School grounds improved. At the beginning of 1932 the news that Father McKay was transferred.to the Parish of Rangiora came like “a bolt from the blue.” He was known and well-liked by every grade of the community. Tennis, golf, aviation, etc., had interests for him, yet he was first and last a zealous Priest. Nothing ever kept him from Miis duties in the Church, Hospital or towards his people as a whole. Of him, a§ of the clergymen who preceded him, as well as of the few who ! have followed him, it may be said that |the instruction, uplifting, and betterIment of their congregation was and 'continues to be their primary aim. During 1933, Father E. E. Anderson, M.A., filled the * position of assistant Priest. His indifferent health debarred him from much intercourse with the people, save in the Church. There, however, those whose privilege it was to listen, Sunday after Sunday, to his instructive, devotional and cultured discourses will long remember them. Father R. O’Gorman became his successor in the beginning of 1934. He bids fair to rival his predecessor!? in zeal, energy, and devotion to duty.