ST. MARGARETS COLLEGE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 107, 11 June 1914, Page 4

ST. MARGARETS COLLEGE.

OPENINGLPP THE NEW BUILDING. The opening and dedication of the new building in connection with St. Margaret's College was performed by His Lordship Bishop Julius yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a large number of people. The form of service observed on the occasion commenced with the admission of the Bishop and clergy by the Sister in Charge, the Bishop saying "Peace be to this house from God, our Heavenly Pather: Peace be to this house from God, who is our Peace: Peace be to this house from the Holy Ghost, the Comforter." The remainder of the service was conducted in the main corridor, partly in the cookery room, and partly in the upstairs corridor, concluding with the hymn, "Now thank we all our God." The Bishop commenced his address by saying that it was quite unnecessary for him to make any remark about the necessity for religious education amongst the young people of to-day. Everyone present recognised its value and necessity, and knew that the groulrd root of all education was a love of the Lord. In Christchureh there were many excellent schools for girls, schools for whien the publie should be fully grateful, but in the eyes of the

Church of England none, of course, were so valuable as those which imparted religious instruction in the way that the members of that church knew it. He detailed the coming cf the Sisters to Chfistchurch, the commencement of the College, the excellent reputation it had soon won for itself, until the present quarters were crowded, —the girls being "packed in it like sardines in a barrel," to use the Bishop's own words. Following on that condition of things came the erection of the new building, the funds for which had been provided, not by Christchurch people, but by the devotion of people in England and other countries, who, under the name of the Church Extension Association, provided the money. StiD, the Sisters were £SOO in debt over the building, owing to the expense which they were forced to incur in having a heating apparatus | installed (cost £300) a fire escape (£3O) [and sundry other "extras" which brought the amount up to £SOO. He appealed to all who were present to help i the Sisters in their splendid work by I giving as liberally as they could in order that this debt might be liquidated. Proceeding, the Bishop stated that the College was in no degree under the control of Diocese. The Bishop (with the exception of the chaplain) was the only official in the Diocese connected with it, and he was only a

visitor, having no voice whatever in its management and control. The Sisters themselves, —and very rightly, he considered,—were the only ones responsible. He touched upon the illness of Sister Blanche,. who came out to start the College, and who had performed such sterling work in it until failing health forced her to return to England, and to hand over the reins of Government to Sister Anne, .who, with the' Sisters under her, were carrying on the work in the best and noblest way. A thoroughly sound educational system was carried out, and girls were given every = opportunity to develop, themselves, and become thoroughly educated along the best, lines. The system was not a flabby one, and wholesome discipline was maintained. He asked his hearers to back up the Sisters in their splendid educational and religious work by every means in their power. The Sisters were giving splendid service to the Church of God, and he was indeed thankful for their presence in the Diocese of which he was Bishop. .He hoped that God would abundantly bless them, and abundantly prosper their good work.

An inspection of the building then took place after which an adjournment was made to the Sisters' house in Armagh Street, where afternoon tea was served.