ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE, WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 13, 18 July 1884, Page 3

ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE, WELLINGTON.

TO THE EDITOR N.Z. TABLET. SIR,— A few days since, I paid a visit to the Catholic college which is being erected in the metropolis of New Zealand, to judge by myself of the progress of the edifice. I was really surprised to see how wonderfully this handsome and extensive structure had advanced by the energetic efforts of the contractor, to the complete satisfaction of All those interested. The main building presents already an imposing appearance, a . ty what is done any one can judge of the effect the elegant simplicity of the stately edifice will produce when finished. The concrete foundations have bsen laid on solid ground ; the thick walls are built with very good bricks, bound together with cement, with bands and plates of iron, and when plastered over again with cement, they will be as firm as a rock. The out-offices are covered in, and the rafters on the spacious kitchen and servants' room are ready to receive the roofing boards. Iv the main building, which is now over 40ft. from the foundations, the joists of the third floor have been just laid down. The grand edifice towers already over all the city, of which it will be one of the principal ornaments, and will command a SDlehdid view of its noble harbour and surrounding mountains. " .n,, ' , The visitor, by inspecting carefully the- large and lofty halls, dormitories, dining-rooms, class-rooms, and professors' rooms, will plainly see that no pain or expense has been spared to make St. Patrick's College a comfortable, cheerful and healthy institution, in which the pupils will receive all the care and attention that may be reasonably bestowed upon them. All the halls and rooms are lofty, well aired and lighted. The edifice is being erected in a pleasant and salubrious part of the city ; and spacious grounds, which will be divided into play-grounds and cricket-field, ,have been already fenced in, and soon will be surrounded with evergreen and ornamental trees and shrubs. So the Catholics of the Diocese of Wellington, and of all New Zealand, may be justly congratulated on the success which has so far crowned their generous efforts. In about two months, if the contractors are no.t stopped in their work by inclement weather, the whole building will be roofed in. St. Patrick's College will be under the high patronage and supervision of his Lordship the Bight Bey. Dr. Redwood, Bishop of Wellingtou, and under the direction of the Marist Fathers, who have had a long experience in the management of colleges at Home, and who have been very successful in the training of the pupila entrusted to their care. No pains nor expense will be spared to give the pupils a liberal, useful, and religious education,— in a word, such an education as may fit them for the learned professions, for mercantile* life, or the Civil Service. St. Patrick's College will also afford the means of preparing candidates for the priesthood ; a matter of paramount importance for supplying New Zealand with holy and learned ecclesiastics taken from the ranks of her own sons. — I am, etc., Wellington, July 10, 1884. A Visitor.