ENTERTAINMENT AT ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1321, 24 June 1897, Page 9

ENTERTAINMENT AT ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE.

PRESENTATION TO ARCHBISHOP

OOD

The study hall of St. Patrick's College was filled to overflowing last week on the occasion of the midwinter entertainment, at which His Grace Archbishop Redwood was given a reception on his return from, his recent visit to Europe. The room and the

stage were prettily decorated with greenery and drapery. Over the platform were the words " Welcome to our Archbishop." On His Grace entering the hall, he was greeted with three hearty cheers from the pupils. The entertainment opened with a grand selection from Verdi's "La Traviata," which was exceedingly well rendered by the College braes band. This was followed by the overture to Herman's "Le Chevalier Breton," an effective interpretation of which was given by the College string band. Father Devoy said: Your Grace, I have been requested by the clergy and laity of the archdiocese to read to you the following address and present you with the ac-

companying purse of sovereigns: May it please your Grace,—We., the clorgy and laity of the archdiocese, respectfully come before you to tender you our homage on the return from your visit ad limina the capital of the Christian world. Your frequent letters to us through your esteemed VicarGeneral left us in no doubt as to your constant, unceasing solicitude for our spiritual welfare ; and your petitions for us at the hallowed shrines of the Old World have brought us blessings of peace and comfort. During your absence from amongst aa the various works of zeal have been prosecuted with unfaltering energy, and your faithful people have earnestly and unvaryingly responded to the many duties imposed on tbem. We thank God, after your many travels, that you are once more restored to us in all sound; ness of health and energy—ready tq renew your labours for our interests. securing for us the active service of devoted pastors and for guaranteeing a further supply from the mother countries of active labourers tor this your wedded poriipri of the Lord's vineyard we are pro'onndJ.y grateful. Ji.a a slender outward sign of inward affection and loyalty, we beg your Grace's acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns, and while asking for your benediction,*' wo subscribe ourselves your Grace's faithful children, the clei-gy and laity of the archdiocese of Wellington. (Signed) T. Devoy, S.M., V.G. John O'Connor, Secretary.

The address had been beautifully illuminated by the sisters at the Convent, and was suitably framed. The Rev Dr Waiters, the Hector of St. Patrick's College, read the following address, which was inscribed on parchment :

May it please your Grace, — : We, the masters and pupils of St. Patrick's College beg to extend to your Grace, after your many journeys, a respectful and cordial welcome home. It is just 12 months since, on a similar occasion, you did us the honour of presiding at our customary midwinter entertainment, and once more we return deep, hearty thanks for the distinction done our College by your presence amongst us this evening.

We desire to say how grateful we feel to your Grace for the Jdeep practical interest you have always taken in our College, and, what we especially, prize, for securing for thia

institution "nomination," the particular blessing of His Holiness Pope Leo XIII. Tour Grace's counsel to us on the eve of your travels did not fall idly on our ear, and in your absence we have striven, reasonably striven, to rise to the level of tasks imposed on us. We beg- your Grace's acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns, the joint contribution of the masters, the pupils and the attendants of the College, and subscribe ourselves, Your faithful children, The masters and pupils of St. Patrick'sCollege. Signed on behalf of the masters and pupils l by Felix Joseph Wattees, S.M., D.H., Rector. Master Michael Grace (son of Dr Grace) presented the Archbishop with a bouquet, and Master Joseph P. Collins (son of Mr R. P. Collins) presented a purse containing- the sum of .£2O, on behalf of the College. His Grace was received with applause on rising. He said he would more fully express his gratitude at the end of the programme, as he did not desire to interfere with it. He now wished to express his deep gratitude for the addresses, and particularly for the kind presents accompanying them, which had come on him unexpectedly. (Applause.) The College string band gave Mendelssohn's "War March" (Athalie) and a sextet, for strings and piano, from. "Faust" followed.

An academic debate on the question " Is« it desirable that New Zealand should, enter into Federal Union with the Australian Colonies ?" which was opened byMelville J. Crombie, took place. The following spoke in favour of the proposal : Fredrick J. Evans, Bernard J. Deviney George Redmond, Reginald J. Collins an<7. Felix Campbell, and the following opposed it : —James E. Eccleton, Patrick McGrr„th, Stanilaus Morgan, John Finiay arid Morgan H. Grace. At the concfri? ion a vote was taken on the question, whi' jh was declared carried by 10 votes to 9.

His Grace Archbishop Redwood, in returning thanks for the address purse of sovereigns presented by the roaster-sand pupils of the College, assured t.hera that it was with feelings of great gratitude and delight that he received the address. He would always cherish the feelings which had prompted the for he knew of.the sacrifices which all had made with respect to it. He had been delighted to hear of the success of the College last year, and was sorry that he had & been absent from the annual distribution of" prizes. He was glad to hear that thecareer of the College had been mostsatisfactory, more especially with respect: -to the increase of the number of students,: which was a most important factor. All' would agree that the debate they hadt listened to had been an intellectual! treat, and had shown great promise* of future eloquence on the platfornsa* of the colony and very likely om ib'e floor of the House—(laughter)— and he felt sure that some of the members of the House would have to burnish thoir arms if they wore to be put in the shade He had thought of the College, on most important occasions while away from the colony, and moro especially during his audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIII., who, was particularly interested in educational matters. His Holiness had expressed his delight with the measure of success attained by the College, which he considered compared favourably with thoseof the older world.

In thanking the laity and clergy for~their address and present, His Grace said/' that no portion of the amount presented'} would be devoted to his own personal use, . but would be spent in the cause his hearess£jj knew he was so much interested in—the 1 procuring of priests for New Zealand..; While at Home be had made arrangements*j for a continual stream of priests from the ,? land of the apostles—lreland—towards they education of whom the Church in, j Zealand would require to contribute.. jj Q was very grateful to bo able- to Recoup* some of the expenses, incurred i n tbfs respect. Whenever he had h&eu in his travels his. heart had been wi&s the clero-y and laity of the archdiocw*. :in d on Ine ' moat solemn occasions, *5aG begged of Almighty God to afcw«* His blessings upon them. His u a vo a lou~ arid interesting aovvnrat o£ his audience'Vith His Holiness Pope Leo XIIX, dealing specially with HA 3 Holiness' impressive personality, his *i-«,ilty of body and great intellectual powers. As an indication of I His Holiness' unimpaired memory, His Grace said ohat on his entering His Holi- • noss greeted him as a familiar friend and I said. "Come ftnd tell me all about Wei- v iington." Concluding, he said that the M addresses and presentations strengthened '. 1 the affection he already had in his heart ; towards them, and he would treasure this H ? weloome home as one of the most pleasant ; incidents in his life. (Applause.) The Hon Dr Grace, in moving a vote of * thanks to His Grace for presiding, said the • welcome accorded Archbishop Eedwood had > been dignified and sincere. (Applause.) Mr C. Wilson, M.H.E., in seconding,v said the non-Catholics of Wellington fully I recognised the good work done by St... Patrick's College. The vote of thanks was carried unanimously, and was briefly acknowledged byr His Grace. ' •

A descriptive selection, " Coomassie" (Watson), by the College Brass Band; brought a highly successful evening's entertainment to a close. °

Mr Thos. Trowell was an efficient conductor, and Master David Kenny ablyofficiated at the piano. " ,