CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ RESIDENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 1 March 1921, Page 37

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ RESIDENCE.

OPENING CEREMONIAL. The ceremenial of blessing and formally opening the new residence for the Christian Brothers, in Upper Rattray street, took place on Sunday afternoon, in the presence of a very large attendance. The building is a handsome and up-to-date structure. The ground floor is taken up with reception rooms, office, and living rooms for the brothers. All these are oi ample proportions and excellently lit, the mam rooms opening on to a wide verandah, which extends the lull length of the building. The kitchen department n> conveniently situated and arranged. “Utility” is the governing note here, and everything possible has been done to make the vont in this part of the house, as elsewhere, as easy and light as possible. On the first floor is placed the chapel, which, though small in dimensions, has been artistically designed, with an oak dado, covered plastered ceiling, quaint rood beam, and leadlight windows. The artificial lighting here is or. the semi-direct system. The balconyover the verandah is reached from the bedrooms, which are situated on the north side of the building. There is also a largelavatory block, fitted up with most modern sanitary fitting?. A continuation of the main stair leads one up to the attic, which will in the future be used as a recreation room for the brothers. From the attic access is given on to the roof of the balcony, -which commands a magnificent panoramic view of the city and harbour. Mr H. Mandeno was the architect, and Mr D. O’Connell the contractor, the estimated cost of the work being about £7OOO. Mrs H. Poppelwell presented a statue for the chapel. The ceremonial of blessing the new building was performed by the Bishop, Dr Whyte, who had presented to him by the representative of Mr Mandeno a gold key, with which the door of the building was opened. The Bishop then visited each room, bestowing a blessing on each, the ceremony being very brief, but impressive. The Bishop, in the course of an address, asked why,, then, should Catholic parents who sent their children to their own schools be obliged to pay for the building and maintenance of schools which to them were “white elephants.” He could not believe that public opinion in this country could always be in opposition to the Catholics’ claims for compensation. The press of this country might some day urge the Catholic right to recognition. 'The Rev. Father Coffey, who was received with applause, briefly expressed his thanks to the Bishop for his presence at the opening of the. house, and also those before him for their presence. Touching on the financial position of the brothers’ house, Father Coffey mentioned that out of a balance required to clear off the debt he had received a little over £2OO out of about £BOO required. Commenting on t-ho readiness with which Catholics had supported the education of their children, he stated that since he had come to St. Joseph’s he had collected £32,000. It was marvellous what the Catholics had done in this direction and were still willing to do. Brother Bowler expressed his thanks for the substantial support tho Brothers had experienced, and the regard in which the Brothers were held. The unity between the people and the Brothers in their work had been solid. Those present were then afforded an opportunity of contributing to the funds, and thereafter an inspection of the interior of the building was mail-. As the expenses of the Dannevirke band contest came to £775, and the receipts fell £l9O short of this amount, tho townspeople there are being asked to cover the deficit. The case of a widow with five children who married a widower with five children, and now has 10 children left on her hands, was mentioned at a meeting of the Wanganui Hospital Board in connection with granting relief-