NEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Grey River Argus, 10 February 1942, Page 6

NEW CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Opened at Hokitika

(Our Own Correspondent.) HOKITIKA, February 9. There was a large assemblage yesterday of about one thousand tor the inauguration of ■ the new Catholic School in Hokitika, those present including prominent citizens, representatives of local bodies, of the Canterbury Education Board, and of the Greymouth Catholic congregation. The ceremony began with the consecration of the school by Bishop Brodie, to whom the various representatives on the platform were then presented by the Chairman of the School Committee, Mr. W. H. Stopfoilth, namely: The Mayor of Hokitika and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Perry; Mr. R. Wild (District Representative of the Canterbury Education Board), Mr. C. Batt (Headmaster of the Hokitika District High School), Mr. T. P. O’Neil (County Chairman), Mr. D. J. Evans (County Clerk), Very Rev. Father J. Long (Greymouth'), Rev. Fathers Finerty (Hokitika), D. Healy (Kumara), P. A. Jovce (Ross), Rev. Dr. Harrison (Hokitika), Rev. Brother Tarcisius (Greymouth). Among apologies read were (those of Rev. Dr. Kennedy (Beckenham), Hon. H. G. R. Mason (Minister of Education), Hon. P. C. Webb, Mr. J. O”Brien, M.P., Mr. D. P. Stuart, Mr. A. R. Elcock (Deputy Mayor), and Mr. G. W. Armitage (Canterbury Education Board), who, in a letter, senf his congratulations on such a splendid achievement as the new school constituted. Mr. Stopforth stated the cost of. the school was £3,700. There were sheds costing £438 6s; furniture £232; and ground expenditure £5OO. The cash in hand amounted to £1,249, of which £9O had been donated tnat morning. During the afternoon an additional £142 12s was subscribed. The school children had raised £ll7, while Fr. Finerty and Dr. Harrison had been a great help in the undertaking. He thanked ’the contractor, Mr. Williamson, for his assistance in arranging the requirements for the school and for many helpful suggestions. They had also had help from many friends in various parts of the Dominion, some outside their own congregation. and the committee desired to thank everybody who had assisted.

Rev. Father Finerty expressed gratitude to those 'who by their presence in such numbers had made such a success of the inauguration, and the committee. He contrasted the old building with the new. with all its up-to-date appliances and furnishings. To many older members of the gathering, the old building brought back many happy memories, but now they had _the consolation that their children, and their children’s children, would be well provided for. He thanked the architect. Mr. Collins, for his splendid designs, and Mr. F. Williamson and his staff, for their wonderful work. He extended, a cordial welcome to Bishop Brodie, to whose encouragement was largely due the undertaking they had; now carried through. The Mayor (Mr. G. A. Perry), after extending a welcome to the Bishop, and visiting clergy, compared the conditions of education in Hokitika many years ago, with those at present, .giving an example of an old canvas school on the beach, from which point, education had passed through many stages to the present day. In '.those days children had far fewer opportunities. Perhaps

to the children, many of the things at school seemed worthless, but n was the mission of the school to Irani children to become good citizens of the future. He congratulated the congregation on the consummation of 'their' efforts and also the committee on their succes. He was sure that the - pupils would, in later life, remember with pride and pleasure the school in which they had been trained. Mr. T. O’Neil, County unairman, in a witty speech, recalled the arrival here of the Sisters of Mercy and their work in education for the ensuing 63 years. He congratulated them on the splendid results of their efforts, and pointed out the moral value in training and manners that the teaching of the Sisters had upon the young minds. He complimented all associated in building the school. , __ , . Mr. C. Batt, Rector of the Hokitika District High School, said that undoubtedly a new building was important, but to make a good school more 'than that was needed. Education was a matter of fact, and the final result depended upon the pupils and teachers. The pupils of todav were of a different stamp to those of yesterday, with a different environment, and more stimulation, demanding different treatment. He would like to pa v a tribute to the Sisters for the right atmosphere they possessed in their schools, to their contemplative life and t'heir bearmg, as opposed to the new barbarism that was rampant in the world. He I contended that, more than education i itself, self-culture was essential to the welfare of the child, both during and after school. Concluding, he wished the Sisters and the pupiis every success in their new school. Mr. R. Wild, as 'the representative of the Canterbury Education Board, expressed amazement at the successful conclusion to which a task of such-magnitude had been brought. The children’s parents could look with satisfaction at the sacrifice , they had made, culminating in such a splendid building. He could remember when the Sisters of Mercy came, to Hokitika and honoured them, together with the people of th e town, for the wonderful work they had since done. The Department’s inspectors previously showed reports which illustrated the fact that private schools compared favourably with the average of State Schools. Moreover, a school such as this had the advantage of moral training, and on behalf of the Canterburv Education Board he wished to convey good wishes for the success of the school and the hope that the good work done would be continued. He hoped that truth, earnestness, and sincerity would continue to be taught and that the pupils would pass into after life without that spirit of boastfulness which gave thanks for obtaining so much after giving so-little. Very Rev. Father Long congratulated the people of the parish on the wonderful work they had done. When they came to build a new technical school in. Greymouth, he was sure the example of Hokitika would serve as an inspiration to the people there. Christ had said “Suffer the little children to come unto Me.” That command had been disobeyed, resulting in the present turmoil and the degeneration of civilisation. It was the duty of all to inculcate into the pupils not only knowledge, 'out also to train them from moral point of view. He hoped that this would strengthen the vision of the people, enabling them to din. into the future and to see that the influence the children obtained at school would remain with them all their lives, and be a blesisng to civilisation and to

the country worth even such a sacrifice as had been made. Rev. Bro. Tarcisius, Rector of the Marist Brothers’ School, Greymouth, congratulated the committee and people of Hokitika on the splendid effort they had made. In comparison to many schools he had seen in New Zealand, from Auckland to the Bluff, this was one to be envied, especially for the ample sunlight and air that the pupils would so obviously obtain. The motto to-day was “make the world safe for democracy”, but he had not seen anything tangible towards that end. A building such as this, however, served as a contribution and a monument in order that that motto might be fulfilled.

Bishop Brodie said that as the cathedral had been built in Christchurch, when he was consecrated bishop, he had been able to devote his entire energies toward the building of new schools in his diocese. He acknowledged the compliment paid by the Mayor and Mayoress in being present, giving a lead to the community in these times when unity was so essential. He also thanked the people for their presence and help. The gathering was honoured by the presence of Mr T. P. O’Neil (County Chairman), and Mr D. J'. Evans (Clerk of the Westland County Council). While the speaker had celebrated a silver jubilee, Mr Evans had celebrated a golden jubilee, and would, he hoped, celebrate a diamond jubilee. The educational world was well represented by the letter from Mr Armitage, and by Mr R. Wild and Mr C. Batt, to whom he was indebted for their presence. In this crisis of history, everyone must realise the value of combined effort, without which all must fail. He complimented the builder and archtiect on their splendid work, and on the expedition with which that work had been executed.

The bishop traced the history of the Sisters of Mercy, from when they landed in Hokitika, ten in number, 63 i years ago, of whom four remained here and one in Lyttelton. The history of the Sisters of Mercy began in the Crimean War of 1854, when the community was in its infancy. They had been asked by Florence Nightingale to go with her to that war. Their response was magnificent and their work was crowned with success. When the British troops returned to London strange figures were seen leading the procession of soldi’ers through the streets. • The people thought they were captives and hooted and jeered, but the commanding officer, holding up his hand, halted the procession and said, “People of England, you are making a mistake; these people are nurses and deserve the front rank, they are Sisters of Mercy, and to them the soldiers owe many acts of kindness.” The people then showed their appreciation by many hearty cheers. From that day the Sisters of Mercy had always been shown great respect. From the humble start they had made in Hokitika so long ago, what wonderful progress had been made, having spread all over New Zealand. He congratulated Father Finerty and Dr. Harrison on the zeal and enthusiasm thev had shown. He had much pleasure in dedicating this building to the cause of education, as an honour to God, and to wish both priests and people the choicest of God’s blessings.

The school children concluded the function with the singing of “God Defend New Zealand”, and they were then given free ice creams and lollies in the old building as part of the reward for their good work, while the older generation inspected the new building and afterwards, if they wished, were entertained at afternoon tea in the Convent grounds, terminating a splendid, happy and most auspicious occasion. Every room in the hew school is

equipped with a large cupboard, a gas heater, dual desks and chairs, with a neat desk for the sister in charge. The floor is polished and selected from the best of timber. The school has a modern wireless connected with each room, enabling all the classes to derive benefit therefrom. The sisters have a staff room for. themselves, .while the children have a room in which they can hang their coats. . Altogether, the school has nothing lacking to make it one of the most modern and up to date schools on the Coast. It is tastefully painted in cream and green outside, while the inside possesses all the most modern conveniences. The large amount of window space, cor-

rectly situated to allow the entry of the maximum amount of sunlight and air, must greatly add to the health and general well being of the children. The floor space is amply sufficient for each child, with plenty of blackboard space.