CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ COLLEGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3775, 20 July 1926, Page 35

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS’ COLLEGE.

ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING HELD. On Sunday evening a lnrgcly-aP ended meeting was held at St. Joseph's Hall to devise ways and means of financing the new Roman Catholic College which is about to be established •" Oamavu. Bigliop Whyte presided, and Rev. Father Collins, adm.. Rev. Father Rooney (South Dunedin), Rev. Brother Moore (who has been deputed by his order to organise the work of establishing the new institution), several of the local brothers, and prominent Catholic laymen were also present on the platform. In opening the proceedings, Bishop Whyte said that his views in regard to the new college must be known to them all. The need of such a college in the diocese was almost as certain to him as the axioms of geometry. To finish the cathedral —praiseworthy though such a work would be —could not, he held, be compared in urgency ir ’mportance with completing their Catholic scheme of education in Otago and Southland. In this educational scheme, a college such as the one proposed was indispensable. Having those strong convictions, he could readily answer “Yes” to Brother Barron, who had more than t-ro years ago asked him whether the diocese wished to have a college established. Since then the brothers and he had inspected numerous sites in and around Dunedin. Finally, the property at Oamaru came under their notice, and some of the brothers with vast experience of colleger in various countries decided that “Redcastle” should be procured as having many advantages over any other property submitted. This property was held in the names of the Provincial of the Christian Brothers and the Bishop of the Dunedin Diocese. Jt would, therefore, belong to the .diocese in such a way that it could never be alienated from the diocese without the consent of the bishop. They could, therefore, regard it as their own. It was a great Catholic undertaking, and concerned the people of every part of the diocese from Waitaki Bi\ Ige tc Stewart Island. The priests in every parish would welcome it as a solution of the question where the Catholic boys would be equipped intellectually, morally, and religiously, so as fitly tc represent the Church in the higher walks of life. Men of that calibre they had with them that evening, and these were the men who were particularly anxious that the boys of the rising generation should have advantages in education that were not within their fathers 7 reach, la summing up, the speaker said that the college w r as ueeessary for their diocese, the priests and people would prove by their generosity and enthusiasm how greatly they welcomed those facilities for higher Catholic education, and they humbly and eoTifidently felt the work which they had undertaken would be successful Rev. Father Collins and Brother Moore also spoke briefly, after which Mr H. Hart moved—“ That a subscription list be opened to assist the Christian Brothers to finance their new college at Oamaru.” Mr T. Hussey seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr J. B. Callan moved—“ That collectors be appointed to canvass the parish of Dunedin for subscriptions, and that 1927 be devoted to a big bazaar to be held for the purpose of assisting the Christian Brothers to finance the college.” Mr A. G. Neill seconded the motion, which was also enthusiastically carried. Several substantial sums were promised at the meeting, and it was decided, so as not to interfere with other movements now in progress, to defer a general colletcion in the city until October.