SACRED HEART COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12303, 22 June 1903, Page 6

SACRED HEART COLLEGE.

OPENING CEREMONY.

INTERESTING SPEECHES.

The Marist Brothers, who have for the last six years been doing intermediate work at their parochial school, Pitt-street, have erected at considerable cost a commodious building in Richmond Road, Ponsonby. Some 18 months ago His Lordship Bishop Lcnihan made a generous offer of 14- acres' of land on Richmond Road, and upon this property the college, which was formally opened by His Worship the Mayor (the Hon. E. Mitchelson) yesterday afternoon, has been built. The solemn blessing of the college by the Bishop (the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan) took place in the morning. Prior to the opening ceremony the college was thrown open for public inspection, and hundreds of persons availed themselves of the privilege. Special 'buses were run from the bottom of Queen-streot, St. Patrick's Cathedral, St. John's, Parnell, Newmarket, and St. Benedict's Church. The college was visited by Catholics from distant parts of the city and suburbs, and many enthusiastic remarks were made regarding the completeness of it in every detail. At the inauguration, in the large upper room, there was a crowded gathering. The Mayor occupied the chair, and there were also present on the platform, the Bishop (the Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan), the Revs. Father Benedict, 0.P., Father Purton, 0.5.8., Father Brodie, Sir G. Maurice ORorke, the Hon. J. A. Tole, Messrs. F. E. Baume, M.H.R., and E. Mahony. THE MAYOR'S OPENING REMARKS. The Mayor, who said it gave him very great pleasure to assist at the opening of such an admirable institution as the Sacred Heart College, referred to the progress made by the City of Auckland during the last 40 years. He could remember the time when it was considered a day's journey from Nel-son-street, where he was living, to and from any one of the bays in the Ponsonby district. Now there was every facility for getting up, and Auckland possessed many fine institutions. They all admired those responsible, for the founding of the Roman Catholic College for their pluck. He understood that this was the first* high school belonging to the Roman Catholic community in Auckland, and he hoped it would have a prosperous career. A* boarding school had been greatly needed, and, judging from the excellent character of the accommodation that had been provided, the college should be popular with parents. Much credit was due to all concerned in the great undertaking, the realisation of which they were now celebrating. (Applause.) BISHOP LENIHAN'S ADDRESS.

Bishop Lenihan stated that his 0119 thought during the seven years of his episcopate had been the establishment of such a' school, which he considered absolutely necessary for the training of their youths and young men. As showing the interest of Roman Catholics in education, he mentioned that the primary schools erected in the past in Auckland had cost, in the aggregate, about £20,000 They would, therefore, be credited with being earnest and sincere in their efforts to educate the children. Throughout Australasia their schools had attracted attention. On Catholic intermediate education he could afford to be very brief. Other grave wants stared them in the face, but in spite of those tho Roman Catholics give ample evidence of the value they set on education. These intermediate schools, standing between primary and university instruction, were being multiplied, for they realised that, perfect as they wished their primary school system to be, it was but half complete as long as the children found. no kindred atmosphere to pass on to when they left its protection. They wanted to see their youth instructed, not only in their religion, but perfected in every branch of service, for they were convinced that the world holds nothing more precious or more beautiful than the cultivated intellect of man, enlightened by faith. For this reason the Marist Brothers had joined with him in this matter. The land given by Mr. Hugh Coolahan, for religious and charitable purposes, was now being utilised for this purpose. While the laws of the land prevented any hope of great emolument from the land, he had been able to lease a portion to the brother, and they had erected, at their own oost, a building, replete with every requirement for its success. I The name of tho Marist Brothers was a i household one in Australasia. Their work at Hunter's Hill was so excellent that he felt no fear but that in a like manner they would. reap tho fruit of their labour here. (Applause.) HON. J. A. TOLE'S SPEECH. The Hon. J. A. Tole said it was very gratifying to him, not only as a member of tho Catholic body, but as a member of several bodies governing higher education in the Auckland province, and more especially of the Auckland Grammar School, to offer his congratulations to the brothers and those who had assisted in erecting the Sacred Heart College. The Marist Brothers deserved the highest possible praise for their zeal in the promotion of education in the colony, and for the unselfish devotion they had shown in the erection of the college. This was the first institution of the kind devoted to higher education in the diocese. The delay had not arisen from want of enterprise on the part of the Catholic community, but from want of money. In respect to primary, secondary, and University education the State had advanced by leaps and bounds, and at times it had l>een a hard strain upon the Catholic conscience to withhold th.-'.ir sons from the seductive advantages that had presented themselves. Ho congratulated the Bishop and tho Marist Brothers in having succeeded in arousing the enthusiasm which had resulted in the estab-

lishment of such a. magnificent college, and he hoped the Catholic youth would appreciate the advantages they enjoyed, that were unknown to their forebears of a couple of generations ago. The college must be efficient and up-to-date; it must produce sterling educational results. There was a keen rivalry among the secondary schools, and competition in education made the pace extremely fast. Everything to-day was hurried; wo were living in an electric age. He sometimes wished for the sake of thorough education that the pace could ba made slower, but tha fact remained, The Marist

Brothers wore gifted and devoted teachers, and the curriculum of education at the college would be found to ho of the most: comprehensive kind, including, as it did, the Civil Service, matriculation, and right on to tlio threshold of the University College, (Applause.) One of the aims of the college would be to impart religious knowledge alonp with the secular. It had been Ids firm belief nil rhrouirh the vicissitudes of a public career, extending over some 27 or 29 years, that the old expression, "Religion and instruction shoidd go hand in hand," was an everlasting truth.. If the moral bent supplied by religion were not given- to men while they were young it would not come in later life. There was no better preparation for the battle of life than an education

ill which tho religious and secular elements i were- wisely blended. (Applause.) Ho | thought they would all agree with Lord I Salisbury's remark that every church, no \ metier what section of Christianity it repre- j sented, should ho given the utmost oppor- j trinity to educate its young people in the j belief it represented instead of driving them I away to the lifeless, boiled down mechanical. 1 unreal religious teaching which was pre- i v.ilent in board schools. In conclusion, Mr. ' Tola proposed that a subscription list be opened. The £6000 expended in the erection of the college had come out of the provincial funds of the. Marist Brothers' Order, but assistance was wanted . in tb"furnishing of the building. The services of the brothers in teaching were gratuitously erivsn. Tie compared the college to a strong young knight of the days o! chivalry going out for fcho first time to seek renown. He had no equipment, no armour. His success would depend upon the armour they gave him.. A. smiling face, I health, beauty, and strength were his. arid ! if they equipped hint properly, placing the | shield in one hand and the sword in the other, be would go forth with a high and proud resolve that whalevei glory the Marist Brothers had achieved in the field of education in the past should be achieved in the college of the- Sacred Heart. (Applause.) SIR MAURICE O'RORKE. ; Sir G. Maurice O'Rorke said he entirely : agreed with the remarks of Mr. Tolc. It was an ovil day for the colony when the denominational system was abolished. He hoped to see established in the schools the inculcation i of the principle of temperance, not as was I done- to-day by firebrands, who abused the! tast citizens of the country, but as wa.s car-! ried out by that great apostle of temperance ! in Ireland, Father Matthews. Moral suasion was a _ better method than putting one's trust ' in police courts and Parliaments. (Applause.) j Sir Maurice went an to deal with (lie politi- ; cal ups and downs of It eland, and expressed ! tho hope that the measure now before Parliament—a measure to enable the people to be rooted to the soil without the terrors of the landlord's evictions hanging over them— would soon become law. The present popu- I lation in Ireland of four millions would, he ' hoped, be increased to 20 millions. (Applause.) j

CONCLUSION OF THE CEREMONY. Mr. E. Mahcney announced that the result of the collection taken up on behalf of the funds of the college had reached a total of £221 lis 3d. He expressed entire concurrence with the views of Mr. Tole and Sir Maurice O'Rorke on the education question, and hoped the time was not far distant when ! it would be realised by the people of the ' colony that secular education without the adi mixture, of religion was a mockery, a dei lu3ion, and a snare. (Applause.) He heartily congratulated Brother Basil and the members of his, order in this city on the great work which the. college would represent. The Rev. Father Brodie, of Waihi, an old puph of the Marist Brothers, also addressed the meeting. A vote of thanks to His Worship the Mayor for presiding was passed on the motion of the Bishop, seconded by tho Hon. J. A. Tole, and the proceedings concluded with the following prayer by the Bishop :—O Lord ,Tesu» Christ, Who has said to His disciples '"In whatever house you »ntor say, 'Peace be to this house.' " May Thy peace, we beseech Thee, como upon this house destined for the instruction of youth and anon nil i those dwelling therein; deign to free it from all infirmity, fill those teaching in it with the spirit of wisdom and knowled-re. and tho.vi learning in it with Thy grace, that what they safely learn they may understand with their intellect, retain in their hearts and follow out in work and in all things give glory to Thy name. On our entering this school ' o'eign, O Lord, to bless and sanctify it, and may Thy _ angel of light dwell within the wall' of this bouse and guard those dwelling in ii' through Christ our Lord. Amen. DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING. A more suitable site for a college could not well be selected, it being within easy reach of Queen-street and the heart of the city. The electric cars run Montr Ponwinby Rw\, which is about four minutes' walk from the college, and it is expected that in 12 monwis' time they will run along Richmond Road in order to complete the circuit to Archhill. The college is very substantially built, the ! walls being entirely of brick, resting on concrete foundations, plastered inside and cemented outside, to ensure dryness and stability. All the rooms are large, lofty, and well lighted and ventilated. One of the dormitories, which measures 83ft by 28ft, is capable of affording sleeping accommodation to 50 boarders; whilst the dining hall, which overlooks the harbour, is 40ft by 28ft. On the basement ample space is provided for kitchen, refectories, and bathrooms, wbieh are supplied with hot and oold water. On the first floor, and commanding a magnificent view of tho Waitakerei Ranges, are plpeed the classrooms, four in number, separated by glass partitions, which give the rooms a lightsome and cheerful appearance. Through the building runs ? central corridor, on one side of which arc two parlours and a music-room, and on the other a temporary chapel. The second floor contains the dornr'tories, study hall, visitors' rooms, and a we'i-appointed infirmary, where coys can receive every attention in ease of illness. The building is surrounded by two lines of verandahs, so that the comfort of the boys is secured in unseasonable weather. Splendid recieation grounds are available for athletics The building has cost £6000, Mr. Mahoney bwi:* the architect, Mr. Moody the builder, end Mr. J. Corley inspector of works.