ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12529, 15 April 1935, Page 7

ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE

GOLDEN JUBILEE, The golden jubilee of St. Patrick’s Cdlege is to he celebrated: in Wellington during Easter Week, when old boys of the college are expected from all parts of the Dominion. It was in the early eighties that th-o ’.ate Archbishop Redwood first broached the subject of a Catholic college for the Catholic youth of Now Zealand. -4 suitable site for the college was chosen and ,iwhat land was then available secured. The late Yen. Archdeacon L e Men ant dcs Chenais negotiated the purchase of the land from Johnson Brothers. The section on which the college now stands was procured for £2060, the owners (Johnson Brothers) discounting £SOO on the purchase money as a personal! donation. On the eve of St. Patrick’s l Day, 1884, the late Archbishop Redwood blesses and placed in position the foundation stone of the new college. Its central tower and flanking walls form a familiar picture in the city’s panorama of today. Those present gave practical proof of their sympathy with the cause bv the £I2OO placed on the foundation stone. Since the formal opening of the coF.ege in 1886 several additional buildings have haj to he erected to cope with the ever-increasing needs. As the years rolled on the need for a laarger college and recreation area became apparent. Final ly. after many proposals had boon thoroughly investigated, the site of the present college at Silvcrstream was purchased. On this wonderful area of some 60 acres a- noble buV.ding has been erected. The Rev. Father Dowling is the first rector of the college ajfc Silvcrstream. He took 168 pupils under his charge at the opening- of the institution, and the fnuimbbr has rapidly ’merensedy ’so that today the college has a r-olj of 220 pupils.