OLD PUPILS MEET

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 59, Issue 4270, 24 April 1950, Page 5

OLD PUPILS MEET

JOSEPH'S JUBILEE EARLY DAYS RECALLED CELEBRATIONS ON SATURDAY “Do you remember ...” was a phrase which was much overworked in Paeroa on Saturday when St. Joseph’s Convent School celebrated its golden jubilee, old pupils from all over New Zealand being presenc to enter into the spirit of th 3 occasion and to renew school day friendships. The celebrations took the form of a garden party and a jubileee dinntr, followed by a concert and dance on the Saturday and general communion ff on the Sunday. The Most Reverend . James M. Liston, D.D., Bishop of Auckland, visited Paeroa to attend the jubilee, which proved to be a highly successful function. At the garden party a large crowd attended, although the weather was not ideal for the occasion, rain threatening throughout the afternoon. Entertainment was provided at this function by children of the convent with folk dances and a may-pole while the Paeroa Municipal Band played selections. Stalls were well ladened and well patronised, the large crowd entering freely into the happiness of the occasion. Jubilee Dinner The highlight of the celebrations, the jubilee dinner, was held in the Civic hall and although the large . crowd taxed the capacity of the hall, the catering was excellently handled and a very happy time was spent. Old pupils were grouped according to the years when they attended the school and incidents of school days ■ were happily recalM and discussed. *' ■ The spirit of goodwill which existed throutbout the celtarations was much in evidence, making the meal a par- ? tieularly happy one. After everyone had heartily partaken of the excellent repast, Father < W. O'Meara extended a very warm welcome to the old pupils who had . assembled that night. The dinner, he . eaqHainod, was for the old pupils only, '' and in welcoming them foe expressed tbo hope that they would enjoy every - tatauts of the celebrations. He also ' • welcomed Bishop Liston and the visitpriests, one of whom was an old IwtaO of the convent. Father O'Meara 5 ■ then read a number of messages from ta eM pupils who had been unable to attend the function, but sent their good wishes for a happy reunion. In * conclusion Father O’Meara referred to the pressure he was having in pre- ' siding at the golden jubilee celebrations of St. Joseph’s school. “Well done Paeroa,” said Bishop Liston, when he rose to congratulate the gathering on the school celebratrzfag its golden jubilee. He spoke of the warm friendliness among all ' gathering in the hall that evening and referred to the good work achieved the teachers at the school during 50 years of its existence. The dinner, he said, was an occasion for happiness and good fellowship, and Sunday the occasion would arise for all to offer thanks to the sisters for what they had done for the people of Paeroa. Good Work of Sisters He spoke of the early days and t touched on the happiness which old pupils were experiencing in discussing incidents which they remembered when they attended St. Joseph’s _ oehool. He referred to the debt that |ff aM owed to the soldiers of World War U, and pointed out that the people owed a similar debt to the sisters who *•* hud served Paeroa so well during the L- lpet fifty years. He spoke of the Bt-taWlc ef Monsignor Haekett and reKjtetortad a very happy story concernB&tag this popular priest when, by acciKpiflt, he preached to a Presbyterian in a hall at Waihi. Praising frTwRL schodl and what it had done, k- BMMff'Liston concluded by congratur toting Father O’Meara on the work he had done in Paeroa. z Mayor’s Congratulations His Worship the Mayor, Mr Edwin Edwards, said that as a representa- ? thro of the whole of the people of - Paeroa he wished to welcome Bishop ' lAston to the town. He spoke of the good fellowship which obviously existnd at tiie celebrations, and said the Jubilee would mean a lot to all who had enjoyed benefit from the school Ik during its existence. He expressed of the welcome extended ”to the mayoress and himself to the k nfabratians, and spoke of the high ■pgtftou* hl Which Father O’Meara was ldd by aB the ptople of Paeroa and Ej districts.

Mr T. A. Barrett Praised Father O'Meara, he said, was a popular figure in the town, and ako had made a name for himself in the field of sport. His good fellowship was appreciated by all who came in contact with him. Touching on the earlier days, the mayor spoke of the popularity in the district of Dean Hackett during the period he was stationed in Paeroa and then went on to refer to some of the earlier families associated with the church. He paid a compliment to Mr T. A. Barrett and commended him for the wonderful service he had rendered to St. Joseph’s by supplying milk, gratis, for the whole of the 50 years during which the school had been in existence.

The value of the school to Paeroa was mentioned by the mayor who stressed the good training evidenced in the youngsters leaving the convent. The school had, he said, the honour of turning out the only All Black Paeroa had ever had —Buster Barrett, the lad, who in his school days, had with his 14 school mates issued a challenge for a Rugby match to the pupils of the Paeroa District High School. In conclusion the mayor expressed the hope that the school would continue its activity and that it would be blessed with prosperity. Pleased to Meet Old Friends Mr T. A. Barrett w r as the next speaker and he expressed sincere appreciation of the privilege to be present at the gold jubilee celebrations of St. Joseph’s Convent School. He spoke of the pleasure that he had enjoyed in meeting so many old friends at the reunion, and he wished the assembled gathering happiness in the future. Mr J. J. Poland, who spoke on behalf of the old pupils of the school, said how pleased he was to be asked to speak on the occasion of the golden jubilee celebrations of St. Joseph’s Conjvent [School. He congratulated those responsible for organising the celebrations and commended them for the success they had made of the function. Speaking of the early days he recalled the reception accorded to his parents at St. Mary’s .church when they first arrived in Paeroa. He then referred to the days when he himself attended St. Joseph’s Convent School and spoke with appreciation of the sisters who had taught him, saying that they had been strong minded and strong armed. They had, he said, done the very best with the poor material offering and all who had come under their control were the better for their guidance. He spoke of Dean Hackett and the way in which he endeared himself to the people of Paeroa and district. Concluding he expressed the hope that all would enjoy the celebrations. Happy Evening

Father Ryan <ST~ Thames spoke of the good feeling which existed between Paeroa and his centre and congratulated SV. Joseph’s school on celebrating its golden jubilee. The evening then took the form of a social and dance and a very happy evening /was spent. Relatives and friends of old pupils joined the gathering, the function carrying on until a late hour. An excellent supper was served and this again was a tribute to the organising of those responsible for the celebrations.

Two former Karangahake boys, old pupils of St. Joseph’s school. Father F. Walls and his brother, Brother J. Walls spoke during the social and interested those present with what they had to tell them regarding their work and their reminiscences of the early days in Paeroa. To balance the programme, dances were interspersed with items those assisting in this direction being as follows:—

Song, Miss M. McClinchy; song, Mr G. Pinnock; vocal duet, Mrs Reidi and Miss Richards; song, Mrs E. Kahu; vocal duet, Mrs R. Brenan and Mr G. Pinnock; accompanist, Mrs F. A. Bown and Miss Eileen Smith.