ST. MARY'S ORPHANAGE AT STOKE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 45, 1 March 1889, Page 11

ST. MARY'S ORPHANAGE AT STOKE.

(Nelson Colonut, Feb. 18.)

The ennual distribution of prizi s to the lads at St. Mary's Catholic Orpbai.ape and Industrial School, at Stcke, took place on Friday evening last. In consequence cf the rtceni death of Mr. Levtstam, M.H.K., who had intended being present had he lived, the proceedings were quite of a private nature, only members of the Committee and the representative of this journal bung pre-eut. Leaving the Catholic Presbytery duiing the afternoon, a pleasant drive brought the party to the by-lane at Stoke which leads from the main roa t to the Institution. Entering the grounds, which are of very considerable area, we first arrive at the cottage which was the only building on the ground when it waß acquired by the Committee. This is now BBtd for a variety of purposes ; on one side is established a shoemaker's shop, where a disciple of Bt. Crispin is instructing the young idea in the mysteries of boot-making. Here are also the quarters of the men who are employed in the various works on the faim. There is alpo provision made here for a hospital, in case ef infectious disease breaking oot in the Orphanage, that any cases may be thoroughly isolated. As the main building itself stands on the hill, with ratcer a sharp rise from where the stables and cowhouses stand, we leave the buggy and horses to the attention of a couple of active lads, whose broad grins and respectful Balutation to the Rev. Father Mahoney show that he ia a welcome yisitor. His cheerful greeting of " Good day, Harry," given to all the lads — they are all Harrys to him— is received all round in the same respectful and affectionate manner. It is milking time, and the herd of sixteen cows are in the byres, yielding the store of rich milk to be used for the evening meal, We pass one equad of lads soon after we enter the gate ; they are busy thiiming out the mangolde. under the watchful eye of a farm hand, who, besides his farming lore, is possessed of theories on astronomy that would astonish the modern scientist. Another squad of boys are milking and carrying away the full pails to the kitchens. The cowhouses, and the piggeries just above them, are patterns of cleanliness and good order, which might be imitated by many of our dairy farmers with advantage. Passing on to the building, we sue what has at one time been a flax and raupo swamp, now drained, however, and with heavy crops of vegetables of all sorts on it. A ■hort, stiff climb brings us to the Orphanage building, where, passing through a deep and comfortable porch, we are welcomed by the matron, whose smiling face augurs well for the comfoit of the la Is under her care. After a short rest we proceed to inspect the building. We are shown the infirmary, where moie trifling ailments treated, containing five beds, now, fortunately, untenan cd. Through a wide and lofty corridor we next come to the broad n ght of stairs leading to the dormitories and chapel. We notice the fire extinction appliances. In addition to hand grenades there are taps and hose wherceterthey are likely to be of use, and the force of water is pointed out. A Tery high pressure is always attainable, and as the lads are trained in fire brigade drill, there is little fear, even should a fire break out of any serious consequences. The Chapel is a handsome one, cipable of seating perhaps 250., The decorations are all very handsome, more particularly the altar. which, with its inlaid work and elaborately carved candlesticks, is the work of Mr. Robert Stewart, of Nelson. Going through the vestry we gain the stans leading to the tower from the top of which, an elevation of 75ft. we get a grand view of the bay and the hill district on the other side of it. The well-cultivated lands of the home farm and those of the neighbours spread out like a beiutiful panor.im i before us, and the lofty hills at the rear mike a grand backgiound to the picture. Descending once more to the becond floor, wo are shown through the dormitories, the first, a very large room, containing 100 iron bedsteads, each with its spotless white coverlid. The room is well ventilated and airy, the cleanliness which is everywhere apparent being a marked feature. Opening out of this is another smaller dormitory, with some 30 beds, equally pleasant with the last. At the end of the big dormitory is the lavatory, where on benches surrounding the room are basins to the number of 50, while hot and cjld b<iths <tro at one end. Another wide and commodious staircase, also fitted with fire hose, etc., takea us down to the large dining room, which will seat over 200. Here we get our first look at the lads altogether. It is tea time, and the mugs of tea and huge " wangs " of bread and butter and bread and jam are disappeanng as if by magic. There are la Is from every part of the Colony, from every race, and of all sorts, sizes, descriptions, and colours ; the descendants of Eughsh, Irish, Scotch, foreigners from every country, Maoriwand halt-castes are here, all looking happy, and in the pink of good health and condition. Leaving tha "lions feeding," we peep in at the storeroom, where all the requisite stores for the commisanat department are kept, and the wnrdrobe room, which contains all the clothing, and pass on to the mfanta' ro im, where a tiny lad of three summers sings " Auld Lang Syne " and dances a double shuffle, to his own great satisfacti n and our amusement. We see the kitchens and washhouses, all well fitted for their respective uses, and beautifully clean and orderly, and are then shown the schoolroom, which is well supplied with all the requisite educational appliances, and h fine, lofty, well ventilated room. Leaving the building, we go for « stroll up the hills to see the water supply system. The tre. s piovidei by the g< neiosity of Mr. Tinline, and planted by Mr. Hale, arc all doiugwell, and before m.uiy years have passed away will make a splendid cover, and a handsome backgiound tor the building. Some distance away is the dam whence is obtained the wa er supply for the institution and grounds. When tho streum is at us lowtst, about 1000 gallons of water per hour How through the boxe«, winch extend fur some distance, to the irou tanks which form the icaervoir. Of thes-e there are five, each holding 500 gallons, the first one of the series being half filled with gravel and charcoal to form a filter. Ihe water is of •plendid qnality, and the quantity is more than sufficient. Ia the •tream a little below the reservoir is the bathing poo), and in response

to a request the lads were allowed to have a plunge. I< was an extraordinary sight to see ] 30 of the lads uiidrisaud in a 1 winkling, and the pool fairly alive with bo^s, m-my «.f them expert «wj miners and divers, and all showing the greateb 1 coi.fidenee in the water. The distribution of the prizes for ihe vear'a work in school and house was pr«.eedpl with on the mum of the bathing contingent. Father Mahoney, addressing the lads, who were asH'mb'ed in the schoolroom, baid h'jw deeply he regretted that their old iriimd, Mr. Levi.B am, comd not be present witb them. They hid all heard, he was fcure,of the death of that gentleman with gi\ at borrow. Mr. Leveßtam had always been their kind, good tm nd, always ready to help them by bis influence in Parhamentaud pnvately. M.ii} of them knew nim per sonally, and had often listened to his pleasant voice and cheery words. Mr. Levestam had intended commg out to distribute the prizes, and had only on the previous Saturday night gone out with Mrs. Levestam and bought some toys for the little children whom he bad noticed on his last visit. The toys he had intended giving himself, had been now cent to them by Mis. Levestam. Father Mahoney concluded his address by giving the lads good advice as 10 their conduct, both whilst inm»tes of the Orphanage and in after life, and proceeded to distribute the piizcs. Some of the boys gave songs in capital stylo, the choruses being heartily taken up. After a few words by one of the visitors, who called for three cheers for Father Mahoney, the proceedings closed, and the rev. gentleman drove his party back to town. la reply to questions, Father Mahoney said that St. Mary'a Orphanage was the only one for Catholic boys in the Colony. He waa the legal manager of the Orphanage, which wa9 also an Industrial School. The children were supported by tin Charitable Aid Boards of various parts of the Colony and not by the Government. If a lad was committed, the magistrate before whom tre case was brought made searching enquiries to show 'that he really was of Catholic parents btfore allowing him to come to the Nelson Orphanage. It was a good thin^r for the town, for whi c he tnd not a dozen children paid for by the Nelson Charitable A.d Boaid, at ;\ yearly cost of £18 5->, the maintenance of the Oiph.-uiaged cost upwards <>f £5000 annually, every penny of whicn ww sp<'nt iv tho town. They bad many cbildrea in ihe Orphanages f, r whom they get nothir.g ai all ; they took them because tfuur parents were nut in a, position to pay tor them and di 1 not like to goto the Charitable Aid Boaid for support. We have to thank the Very IW Father Mali m-y, the matron, and all the staff for their courtesy in s iowmg us ov< r ihe institution. The visitors' book contains t ivoirablu teqtitnoni-ils of a number of very influential men of all creeds, and we ha\e pleabur« in adding a word of warm commendation for tue way in whiou the management is carried on.