ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5730, 27 October 1905, Page 2

ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE

VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR. Tho Rector and Faculty of St. Patrick's College yesterday entertained a largo and distinguished company at luncheon, on the occasion of his Excellency Lord Plunkct paying a visit to the institution. After the Governor had been 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, Hector, who presided, was supported by Lord Plunkct, the Right lion the Premier, Hon' Sir Joseph Ward, .Hon T. W. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington, and among the representative men present were Rev Dr Wallis, Rishcp of Wellington, Sir William Russell, M.H.R., Mr J. G. W. Aitken, M.H.R.. Revs J. K. Elliott and Van Stavereu, Councillors Devine and \\ iader. Dr McArthur. S.M., Sir E. Gibbo.s, 'Secretary for Education, Dm Pollen and Cahill, Mr T. W. -McDonald, Mayor of Lowe:' Hutt, Messrs It. 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 ‘ 'Die King' 1 was duly honoured. The chairman then proposed the health of “Tho Governor,” in an able speech,‘replete with historical reminiscences. Ho expressed the pleasure that ho and his compatriots laid felt when the nows camo that an liisimum had been appointed Governor of Now Zealand. Some felt especial gratification at the fact of the new Governor being, a Dublin man, and all were delighted that ho was a Plunket, for no family was more highly respected among Irishmen than tho Plunkets, who always had tho greatest sympathy with tho people around them, and had kept in touch with the patriotic aspirations of Irishmen everywhere. Tho Plunket family first camo into prominent notice in tho seventeenth century, when Oliver Plunket, Arclubishop of Armagh, was tried and executed in England-—tho last occasion on which any person was put to death in Britain because of his religious views. Tho 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 Plunketts 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 not think tlxat anyone at that time believed ho would so quickly rise to tho eminent jrosition he now holds. The toast was drunk with musical honours.

Lord Blanket, in returning thanks, said the invitation to visit St. Patrick’s College had given ilim 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 liis own country. While he had his own opinions on religious matters, he could not help being struck -with tho splendid work that the Roman Catholic Church is doing in this country. When one considered that this church is training in Now Zealand some 11,000 children in its own schools—a church representing only one-seventh of the population—one could not but feel tho greatest respect for it. After the remarks of Father Keogh, he would not trouble them with many more “Plunketisms” —(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 landed property, a Protestant family of Plunkets hold the property of a neighbouring family of Roman Catholic Plunkets until happier times enabled the latter to receive their own. In conclusion, he -wished every success to' St. Patrick’s College, and he felt confident this would he achieved, with such an able Rector as Father Keogh at'its-head. The toast of “The Parliament of New Zealand” was proposed -by Father Keogh, and responded to (briefly) by the Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, and Sir William Russell. The last-named speaker was in especially happy vein, and created much amusement by his commiseration with 'Ministers, who missed all tho fun of Parliamentary life. Not only did the Opposition have all tho enjoyment in the immediate pre-. sent, but they had also tho pleasure of anticipation, ‘hi election was now at hand, and the Opposition hoped to secure office. “Of course,” added Sir William, amid hearty laughter, “we have been saying this for a good many years” ; but despite all disappointment, ho believed the turn of the party to which ho belonged would yet arrive. _ Lord Plunket, in a brief but- felicitous speech, proposed the health of Father Keogh..'whoso, work in connection with St. Patrick’s College he highly eulogised. Father Keogh returned thanks, and the interesting function 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 from the college cadets.