ST. MARTS CONVENT, HAMILTON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7160, 28 October 1884, Page 5

ST. MARTS CONVENT, HAMILTON.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 Hamilton, Monday. Yesterday was a red letter day for Waikato, when the foundation blocks of the new Convent of St. Mary, of Hamilton, and the convent schools in Hamilton, were consecrated by the Very Rev. Father Downey, 0.5.8., assisted by the Rev. Father Fox, 0.5.8.. amidst a large congregation of the faithful from all parts of the district. The ceremony was one of nnnsnal interest, and was ably*assisted by the church choir. Father Downey gave a short address on the advantages of the institution, and apologised for the unavoidable absenoe of Monsignor Fynes, who was much disappointed at not being able to be present, but sent a subscription of £20. Amongst the other subscriptions were £200 from the Prioress on behalf of- the Sisters of the Order; Bishop Luck, £100; Father Luck, £20; Fathers Downey and. Fox, £10 each. A sum of £112 was subscribed at the ceremony by the congregation. The building itself, which it is expected will be completed in about four months, will be an ornament to the town. It iB in the shape of a parallelogram, 62 feet x 34 feet, and three storeys in height, built entirely of the very best rimu timber, supplied by Messrs. Buckland and Shepherd, of Pukekohe. The weather - boards are rusticated, and the length of the studs on the ground and second floor are 15 feet and 14 feet respectively. A broad staircase leads from either end of the building to the upper floor. The lower floor is entered by a roomy lobby, and on this floor are the usual kitchen offices, storeroom, reception parlours, dicing room, etc., the parish school-room occupying about a fourth of the space. The select school is on the second floor, where are also the cells, eight in number, for the regular inmates. In the third or upper storey is the chapel and alio the dormitories, and these are lighted from attic windows in the roof. The building will cost about £1200, and was designed by Mr. O'Dea, who prepared the plans and has charge of the work.