Nelson and District News.

Colonist, Volume XVI, Issue 1655, 29 July 1873, Page 5 (Supplement)

Nelson and District News.

PRESENTATION TO THE REV. FATfER

GARIN.

\A axvxi.i • » Wednesday, the 23rd July, being the birthday of the Rev. Father G-arin, it was made quite a red letter day by the parishioners and pupila of St. Mary's. Early in the morning, the Re>. Father-was presented with small gifts from various members of the congregation, and on the arrival of the pupils at their respective schools they presented addresses, nicely illuminated by their own labor, and the boys and girls unitedly, by their own contributions, and without other aid, presented him with a handsome easy ohair with an inscribed silver plate to show that it was presented by the pupils. The congregation gave a teaparty to Father G-arin, and presented him with a dinner service. The tea was of quite; a sumptuous character, and the tables were well filled wit h guests. After tea, Mr, Lowtheb Broad said he had first of all to perform two pleasing duties, one was to beg Father Garin's acceptance of a dinner service from the adult members of his congregation, and the other \ was to read a telegram from Fathers Binsfield and ! Cummings in Wellington to this effect:—" Present ' affectionate congratulations to Father Garin, we are with you in heart and mind." They had met together to celebrate Father Garin's 63rd birthday, and he would not speak at length of bis character or acquirements as a priest, uor dwell upon his social I virtues; it would be sufficient in these respects to say that no pastor was ever more truly beloved by his flock, and no old colonist more cordially respected by the community ut largo. But he must speak more at length on a work in which Father Gurin ! had always taken the keenest interest,' and in the doing of which he bad rendered loyal service to the state; he alluded to education. Since the Father's arrival here in 1850, he had raised and expended on land and buildings for school purposes over £4000, and since that year 3510 pupils had received a fair . education at St. Mary's schools, and amongst them was one who would in all probability return to New Zealand as Catholic Bishop of Wellington, he meant Father Redwood, who owed his early training to Father Garin. From small - beginnings St. Mary's bclioolb had grown to be as important as any in the Province, and h« ventured to express his own opinion that there were no public schools for girls in the Oolony where a better education could be obtained than from the accomplished Sisters of St. Mary's Convent. Their presence amongst us was due to Father Garin's untiring efforts, and if the public had nothing else to thank him for, they owed him some gratitude for introducing at' his own expense so high a class of teaohera into the Province. There was a time when silly people eagerly swallowed the lies that at one time were poured forth by a certain portion of the Press to the effect that the Church of Rome was opposed to education, and desired to keep her children in darkness and ignorance. It was a fcul libel, but most people did not believe such stuff in these enlightened times. As a matter of fact, the Catholic Chur.ih was making in all parts of the world the most vigorous exertions to educate the young; as a proof he need not go further thanthissmallcornerof the globe. He had already told them what had been done here, and the same efforts were being made by the Church in every part of the universe. He must not omit to refer to the generosity of the Protestants, without whose, liberal aid St. Mary's schools would have been burdened with debt ; he felt, - and he was sure .every Catholio felt deeply thankful to them. There were now 96 boys and 146 girls.on the rolls of St. Mary's, and he was glad to see from the Inspectors' report that the average (Lily attendance had increased from 72 to 77 per cant, of the whole. Ha took this opportunity to impress upon parents that no matter how excellent the quality of the teaching, it would be of iittla use to their children .unless they kept them regularly at their lessons. There was one.pleasing feature in the conduct of these schools which had struck him, and it. was the absence of sectarian quarrelling between children of the maDy - different) creeds in attendance. Daily intercourse no doubt dispelled unfounded prejudices, and the children appeared to have learned the wise lesson that there is something to be respected, something beautiful and true in all the various forms of the Christian faith. He attributed this pleasing state of things to Father Garin's influence, it was his gentle spirit which inspired the pupils. He would now, in the name of the Catholios thank those Protestant gentlemen who had come to aid them in paying this mark of respect to their priest. And he would ask all present to respond right heartily to this sentiment—long life and happiness and many happy returns of the day to Father Garin. Father Gabin in reply said that the number of praises would abash him if he were to receive them, for himself, but he only received them as honor to' his office of priest of this district, and that in this, his adopted country the advantages of educating youth was so evident that he should continue while he lived, to give it his most earnest attention. The Rev. Mr. Simmons spoke of the high esteem classes and creeds entertained for Fathfl^Garin, and all he regretted that he had not had .the happiness of contributing towards some of the presentations on this occasion, as he had the highest esteem for those principles which made a minister beloved and respected by all classes. And he. considered that those liberal principles entertained by Father Garin in common with the Rev. Mr. Johnston and others, had done much to make the Education Act what it was. He concluded by wishing long life and increasing honors to the Rev. Father Garin. '"> Mr, Elliott, as one of the oldest Protestant visitors who had profited by Father Garin's School for boys, testified with pleasure to the careful manner in which ho had maintained his his pledge of not interfering with the creeds of those attending these schools, and he testified to the high character of the schools. The boon during the early days of the settlement of this Province had been very great indeed; and he' trusted that the Rev. Father Garin would be long spared to minister to his congregation, and continue those principles for the education of youth he had so long and so successfully upheld. About this time a great many visitors retired, but musio and pleasant conversation held many there until about 10 p.m. The following addross accompanied the ohildrens 1 present :— "To the Rev. Father Gabin, P.P.—We, the pupils of St. Mark's Schools, on this your birthday, greet you with all kind wishes for your health . and happinesss, praying God may preserve you long for , the good work to which you have devoted yourself. " We, the recipients of many favors from you, beg the acceptance of this alight token of our affection and as a remembrance of this day, wheu we, the pupils of both sohools, unite in wishing you all happiness, and desiring to remain ever " Most faithfully and sincerely." [Signed by 200 children.]