Official Opening of New St Patrick’s School

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27082, 17 May 1949, Page 3

Official Opening of New St Patrick’s School

NORTH OTAGO NEWS

Twelve months aftei' the laying of the foundation, the new St. Patrick’s School was blessed and opened by Bishop O’Neill at a function held on Sunday afternoon. That this school occupies a warm place in the minds of the Catholic members of the community was seen by the large attendance present. After the ceremony, an opportunity was taken to inspect the school, which has been built in accordance with modern educational standards.

The official party consisted of Bishop O'Neill, Dean O’Reilly, Mr A. W. Marshall (chairman), the Mayor. Mr M. F. E Cooney, Bro. Ryan, Father Hussey, Bro. Beeden, Messrs L. S. W. Lowther (architect), R. W. Firman and J. S Dooley. "As you can see for yourselves, the architect and contractors hav" done a magnificent job.” said Dean O'Reilly, ana this school is worthy of the Brothers, the pupils and the parish.” All would agree that the dominant need of the hour was manly men—men of character upon whom they could rely, men who could not be sold, and men who would stand upon their own ideals. Tire aims of the Catholic schools, he continued, were to perpetuate and make stronger the early lessons learned at the mother’s knee.

The school was one pf which the whole community would be proud, said Mr Cooney. The modern pupils were fortunate in having such a fine building. Oamaru was one of the educational centres of the Dominion, and at present there were approximately 800 pupils in the various boarding institutions, 350 of whom attended Catholic secondary and primary schools. " This school should improve Catholic education considerably,” Mr Cooney added, " and this moment is one of the proudest in the history of Catholic education in Oamaru.” “ This new building will compare favourably with any of its kind in New Zealand Or Australia,” said Bro. Ryan, in speaking on behalf of the Council of the Australasian Province and Brothers in Oamaru. Only by the support and generosity of the people was the new school possible, he added, in thanking all who had contributed.

Father Hussey extended thanks to the contractors, the architects, members of the school committee and the people of the parish, on behalf of Bishop Whyte and Bishop O’Neill. All were happy to know that the school had been completed and already £BSOO had been contributed towards the cost. It was his hope that the rest of the finance would be found before the school was occupied for the first time, Father Hussey said, when making an appeal for further contributions. Messrs Lowther, Dooley and Firman also expressed gratification at the completion of the school.

OPENING KORERO

Oamaru Savage Club The 1949 season of the Oamaru Savage Club was opened by a korero on Saturday night. Tlie programme was in the hands of Great Chief C. F. Jones and Deputy Great Chief A. S. Dowdle. A warm welcome was extended to Great Chief G. T. Deam. Scribe N. E. Dawe, and Brave G. Sewell, of the Waimate Savage Club, who brought greetings from Waimate. A message of goodwill was also received from the Ashburton Savage Club. Members of the council struck a novel note with personal disguises devised by Paleface E. Garchow, and with rousing hakas they ushered in the new season. Several visitors were present, and four new members were initiated, and nominations of other new members were received. During the korero 20-year membership badges were presented to Ex-Great Chief E. McDiarmid and Savage J. H. Main, a former Brave. A welcome was given to former Scalphunter H. Griffen, who was on holiday from Dunedin, and best wishes were conveyed to Savage C. Koller, who was attending his last korero before removing to Auckland. Kai was provided under the direction of the club’s new kai steward, D. Taylor, and the programme comprised numbers by the Savage Club Orchestra under ExGreat Chief J. Macmillan and the Casa Nova Orchestra; instrumental duets, Palefaces P. and S. Fellows; songs, Paleface I. McWhirter; sketch, Savages W. Berry, R. Allan, and H. Crowe; and banjo solos. ' Paleface R. Jackson. The next korero will be held on June 4, the programme being in the hands of Braves M. Mirfin and L. Harris.