ST. PATRICKS COLLEGE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1756, 1 November 1905, Page 49

ST. PATRICKS COLLEGE

VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR. Tli© Rector and Faculty of St. Patrick’s College last Thursday entertained a large and distinguished company at luncheon, on the occasion of his Excellency Lord Plunket paying a visit to the institution. After the Governor had heen shown over the college, with, -the arrangements and condition of which he expressed himself highly pleased, the company sat down to luncheon in the dining-hall. The Rev Father Keogh, Rector, who presided, was supported by Lord Plunket, the Right Hon the Premier, Hon Sir Joseph Ward, Hon T. W. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington, and among the representative men present were Rev Dr Wallis, Bishop of Wellington, Sir William Russell, M.H.R., Mr J. G. W. Aitken, M.H.R.. Revs J. K. Elliott and Van Staveren, Councillors Devine and Winder, Dr McArthur, S.M., Sir E. Gibbes, Secretary for Education. Drs Pollen and Cahill, Mr T. W. McDonald, Mayor of Lower Hutt, Messrs R. J. Collins, Martin Kennedy, and R. P. Collins, Rev Father Lane. Lower Hutt, Colonel Webb, Major Joyce, etc. After luncheon, which was served by the college students, in their smart cadets’ uniform, the toast of “The King” was duly honoured. The chairman then proposed the health of “The Governor,” in an able speech, replete with historical reminiscence,s. He expressed the pleasure that he and his compatriots had felt when the news came that an Irishman had been appointed Governor of New Zealand. Some felt ’ especial gratification at the fact of the new Governor being a Dublin man, and all were de- ~ lighted that he was a Plunket, for no family was more highly respected among Irishmen than the Plunkets, who always had the greatest sympathy with the people around them, and hud kept in touch with the patriotic aspirations of Irishmen everywhere. The Plunket family first came into prominent notice in the seventeenth century, when Oliver Plunket, Archibishop of Armagh, was tried and executed in England—the last occasion on which any person was put to death in Britain because or his religious views. The guest of St. Patrick’s College to-day traced his immediate descent from the younger brother of Archbishop Plunket. Another of his Excellency’s relations was William Plunket, a distinguished Irish orator, who became Master of the Rolls in England. Lord Plunket’s father was Archbishop of Dublin, and had a high reputation as a broad-mind-ed gentleman. Father Keogh went on to say that he well remembered when Lord Plunket attained his majority, when a great wave of rejoicing passed over Dublin. Everyone then predicted a brilliant career for the young man: but he did nob. think that anyone at that time believed ho would so quickly rise to the eminent position he now holds. Tlie toast was drunk with musical honours.

Lord Plunket, in returning thanks, said the invitation to visit St. Patrick’s College had given him as much pleasure as any he had received in New Zealand, for as an Irishman he was glad to have an opportunity of meeting many people closely connected with his own country. While he had his own opinions on religious matters, he could not help being struck with the splendid work that the Roman Catholic Church is doing in this country. _ When one considered that this church is training in New Zealand some 11,000 children in its own schools —a church representing only one-seventh of the population—one could not but feel the greatest respect for it. After the remarks of Father Keogh, he would not trouble them with many more “Plunketisans” —(laughter)—but he might mention that the Plunkets had evidently been wise in their generation; for at the time when the penal laws were in force in Ireland, prohibiting Catholics from owning lauded property, a Protestant family of Plunkets held the property of a neighbouring family of Roman Catholic Plunkets until happier times enabled the latter to receive their oAVn. In conclusion, he AAdshed every success to St. Patrick’s College, and he felt confident this Avould be achieved, Avith such an ahle Rector as Father Keogh at its head. The toast of “The Parliament of Ncav Zealand” was proposed by Father Keogh, and responded to (briefly) by the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, and Sir William Russell. The last-named speaker AA r as in especially happy vein, and created much amusement by his commiseration Avith IMinisteis, Avho missed all the fun of Parliamentary life. Not only did the Opposition haA-e all the enjoyment in the immediate present, but they had also the pleasure of anticipation. An election aa as hoav at hand, and the Opposition hoped to secure office. “Of course,” added Sir William, amid hearty laughter, “avc have been saying this for a good many years”; but despite all disappointment, ho believed the turn of the party to which he belonged xvouid yet arrive. Lord Plunket, in a brief but felicitous speech, proposed the health of Father Keogh. whose Avork in connection Avith St. Patrick’s College he highly eulogised. Father Keogh returned

thanks, and the interesting terminated. Prior to and during the luncheon, an orchestra, . under the leadership of Mr William McLaughlin, rendered choice musical selections. The college buildings were gaily decorated with flags and bunting, in honour of the occasion. On arriving and departing his Excellency received a salute t. pm the college cadets.