Commercial. ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL, HOKITIKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 22, 25 September 1885, Page 19

. ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL, HOKITIKA.

(From the West Coast Times.)

A CONSIDERABLE number of the parents and friends of the boys attending St. Mary's School met to-day (Friday. Sept. 11), at two p.m., in the school-room, on the occasion of the departure from Hokitika of Mr. J. A. Kearden, schoolmaster, who bus earned the golden opinions of all classes of the community since his short residence in Hokitika. About sixty boys, all neatly apparelled, healthy-looking, clean and orderly, were mar-hailed by Mr. Rearden, the word of command being given by means of a small clicking instrument of his own invention, probably.

The proceedings commenced by the photographing, by Mr. Tait, of a group consisting ot the Rev. Father Martin, Mr. Rearden, and the three score pupils. For this purpose the boys were skilfully mamfeuvred by Mr. Kearden on to the ground immediately adjoinine the residence of Father Martin, wheie Mr. Tait took a photograph by the new instantaneous process. The boys were then marched back to the school-room, where they took their seats in excellent order, directed by the aforesaid instrument, wielded by Mr. Reaiden with magical effect.

The boys then exhibited specimens of their penmanship and arithmetic, and also of some beautiful illuminated work, most of which elicited warm commendation, general and personal, from those who carefully and analytically inspected them. The work showed that great care and competent instruction had been devoted by Mr. Rearden to the adrancement of his boys, and a pleasing feature of the proceedings was the pleasure the boys took in exhibiting their work, and their pride at the freely- bestowed words of approbation which fell from the visitors. The benefit of Mr. Rearden'a method of instruction was clearly apparent. He was obeyed, as everyone could see, not from motives of fear, but from inspirations of respect and love, a circumstance which gave a pleasant tone to the proceedings, and divested them of all that forced geniality and unreal sentiment which too often are evident at such gatherings as the one now described. A careful inspection of the boys' work being concluded, and the school-room — the walls of which were covered with maps, illustrations of natural philosophy, and other interesting aids to the studious youth — having been admired, the most interesting proceedings of the day followed. The following address, admirably delivered by Master Mandl, was read, and by that young gentleman presented to Mr. Kearden : —

" Dear Sir, — On the eve of your departure from among us>, we beg most respectfully to be allowed to tender you the expression of the feelings of our hearts.

" We deeply regret your inability to remain longer with in. if it can add anything to the satisfaction you undoubtedly must already feel at having faithfully discharged your duties towards us. Be assured, most respected sir, that your devotion has not been in vain, and that we shall ever feel the liveliest gratitude to you for the kiDdly interest you have uniformly manifested in our welfare.

"We shall ever cherish the remembrance of the many pleasant hours we have 6pe»t during the last eight months in acquiring knowledge from you, and of the manly and affectionate spirit in which your welcome instructions were always conveyed.

" Wishing you equal success in the n< w field of labour to which you are returning, as also a safe and pleasant journey : and, trusting that you may long be spared to be an ornament to your profession, we beg most respectfully to subscribe ourselves, your grateful and affectionate pupils, on behalf of St. Mary's School boys. " W. FITZGRRALD, PETKR JONES, "J. KODGKRS, ('. MANDL, "W. Ryan."

Mr. Rearden, who was warmly receive 1, thanked the Rev. Father Martin and the ladies and gemlemen then assembled for their presence, and his boys for their recognition of his services. He had simply done his dut\. He had told hi 9 boys of tho immortal signal run ud in Trafalgar Bay. He had tried to do his duty. The address was oust flattering to him. He must say that there was some Irish — Cork, perhaps — blarney about it. Whoever had drawn it up must have so repeatedly kissed the blarney i-tone that there could not be much of it left (laughter and applause). He might say that be had commenced teaching in the year 1853. In all his travels he had not met better boys than those boys of Hokitika now before him (applause). He really had not, and he meant what he said ; perhaps it might be said that there was a little blarney about that, but he could not help saying what he really felt. He wished particularly to pay this tribute to the character of his boys, because when he t-ame here first he had heard they were by do m -ana lamb-like. However, he bad found them most obedient. He was proud of them, and would hold their name up wherever he might go (applause). He hoped they would be as obedient to his successor as they had been to him, and trusted never to find any of their names on the black list. He exhorted them to try to be uood. He was tbaukful to say he had found them pious Catholic boys. Hods were almost uiiKnawn in the school. He hoped and trusted they would maintain the name they had at present, and would never forego it. To his kind friends present he mu6t bid farewell. It was a parting, but life was made up of partings and meetings. He expressed his grateful thanks for the kindness and hospitality he had met with on the Coast from all, regardless of creed, nationality or colour. Perhaps he might have left out colour, as he was not now in the North Island (laughter and applause). The Weßt Coas: was proverbial for its geniality and hospitality, and he could add his tribute to the truth of that fact (loud applause^. Three hearty cheers were given for Mr. Rearden by the boys and the visitors. The Rev. Father Martin, who was received with applause, thanked the visitors for their presence on that occasion, when Mr. Rearden was saying good-bye to the boys he had so well instructed. He praised Mr. Rearden's ability and tact, and expressed a hope that the boys would discharge their duty to their new teacher, as they had

to Mr. Bearden. "He did not intend to say more than to exhort those present to be sincere in doing right and living according to God's will. He desired specially to thank the non-Catholics whom he saw present, and hoped that Mr. Rearden would lead a long and happy life in Napier, whither he was returning (load applause}.