WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 45, 26 August 1892, Page 5

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

August 20. On Monday evening last some of tbe students at St Patrick's Collage gave an entertainment in the study kail for the amusement of the fellow students, and also to a few invited friends. The performance consisted of songs and musical items, and a farce, the vocalists being Masters J. O'Connell, W. Crombie, and P. Milligan. The second part consisted of a laughable farce called the » Darkey Photographer," which was productive of much merriment, the principal characters being— Collodion, J. O'Oonnell ; Gumbo, G. Mahony ; Adolphus, J. Butler. The entertainment was a very good one, and reflected much credit on those taking part in it, as well as on the Bey Father Claney, under whose able direction the performance was carried out, the only thing regretted being that a larger audience of the general public could not be present to witness it. lam glad to be able to state that the Literary and Debating Society in connection with tbe college is in a very flourishing condition, and that debates an carried on with a fluency of diction and a vigour that would throw many older aad more pretentious associations into the shade. The subjeot for the last discussion was the relative merits of a republican or a monarchical form of Government. The subject, although apparently well threshed out at various times with other societies, was discussed in a very exhaustive manner, showing that many of the speakers had carefully prspared their addresses and marshalled their arguments in no careless style. I understand that Mr S. Oimino has resigned the conductor ship of Bt Mary of the Angel's choir, and has been offered, and 1 believe accepted, a similar position in St Mary's Cathedral, vice Mr M'Duff Boyd resigned.— The prettily situated church of St Mary of the Angels, Boulcott street, has been undergoing considerable repairs and renovations ia the interior during the past month or so, and now presents ft very altered appearance. Tha space around the high altar has been considerably enlarged, and tbe whole of the sanctuary has been very tastefully painted and picked out in suitable tints. The very uneightly painted windows which did duty for some years at the baok of the high altar have been replaced by stained glass ones, which are a decided improvement on their predecessors, helping to give the building more of a devotional and ecclesiastical appearance than formerly. The improvements have been carried out by Mr J. Delaney, contractor, in a thoroughly efficient and satisfactory manner, bis very successful completion of several ecclesiastical contracts in Canterbury being a guarantee of the excellence of his work. The Very Bey Father Devoy has purchased a new organ for tbe church, through Mr Pinny of Manners street, which is now being erected, and will be opened next Sunday at the eleven o'clock Mass, when it is expected that his Grace the Archbishop will preach, should he have returned from Nelson, where he went on Thursday last to attend the obsequies of the late Judge Broad. Since writing the above I have learned that the Archbishop will not be back, and consequently the opening of the organ will not take place until next Sunday. The great event of tbe week, from a Catholic standpoint, has been the visit of the Governor and Lady Glasgow to St Patrick's College on Thursday afternoon. Great preparations had been made for the proper reception of so distinguished guests, and from the turrets of the tower flew the Boyal standard, the Union Jack, the green flag of Ireland with harp and crown, and the College flag, and the Boyal ensign floated also from the flag staff in front of the main entrance. This has been one of tbe first public functions of this nature which his Excellency has undertaken since his reception here, and it is said that there are some heartburnings over it. too, as a scholastic institution not many miles away considered they bad prior claims on Lord Glasgow. However that may be, it is evident that the rector of St Patrick's was not likely to let a golden opportunity Blip, and he certaidy scored a point on this occasion. Long before the hour appointed for tbe arrival of his Excellency and party, the rector, the professors and students were on tbe gui vive. The latter were drawn up in two lines in front of tha College, and an intelligent, healthy and sprightly looking lot of boys they looked. Lord Glasgow is tbe esstnce of punctuality, and at a few minutes past three, the vice-regal par^y, in two carriages and consisting of the Governor, Lady Glasgow, Ladies Alice, Augusta, and Dorothy Boyle, Miss Hallowes, and Mr B. Clayton, drove up— the students saluting and tbe College band, under the conductorehip of Mr S. Oimino, playing the National Anthem. Tbe distinguished party were received at the main entrance by the Very Bey Dr Watters and the Very Bey Father Devoy, V.G. The vice-regal party were then shown over the building by the rector and tbe Vicar-General. Among those present I noticed the Hon the Postmaster-General and Mrs Ward, tbe Eon the Miniiter for Labour, the Hon Dr Grace and Mrs Grace, Messrs M. Kennedy, N. Beid, W. M. Maekell, B. A. Loughnan, P. S. Garvey, J. J. Devine, J. P. McAlister, O'Connor, C. B. Orombie, J. Barrett (Christchurcb), Collins, Captain Collins and Dr Cahill. After the Governor and party were shown through the College, they were'en-

tertained in the study ball by the College choir, under the conductorship of the Bey Father Braxmeier, and the College orchestra, undo* Mr S. Oimino, with the following excellent programme of vocal and* instrumental music :— Nautical fantasia, " Trafalgar "; overture on national airs, " The Union Jack "; part song, "The Blue Bells of Scotland "; piano duet, " Marcbe Hongroise," Masters B. K. Eimbell and N. B. Maloney ; waits, " Buds and Blossoms "; part song, " 'Tis the Last Bose of Summer"; fiaale, Tyrolese, " Elange vom, Gebirge." At the conclusion of the musical entertainment, which, by the way, was very warmly applauded by his Excellency, the Bey Dr Watters, addressing the Governor and Lady Glasgow, said he begged on behalf of the staff, the students and those present, to extend a hearty, genial, and kindly welcome to them. Many distinguished visitors had been within the walls of tbe institution since its foundation seven yean ago, but they would look upon this as a "red letter .^flay to bo recorded in the college books at all times to come. Previous Governors had honoured them by their visits, and had condescended to give the prestige of their position to college entertainments, but it was reserved to Lady Glasgow|to show her kindness and interest in the institution by being the first lady of her rank to honour tha college with her presence. He regretted. verywuch the tibsqnee of his Grace the Archbishop who by his position would give more eolat to the reception of hia Excellence, but he was unavoidably absent in Nelson attending the obsequies, of the late Judge Broad. They welcomed his Excellency tor many reasons, the principal motive being the distinguished position which he filled, and also because they were proud of tbe progress which the college had made. They were proud of it as an institution which had been built and equipped at such great expense and sacrifice, for the purpose of imparting all the branches of a higher education to their youth. They ware proud too of their boys who bad succeeded in literature, science, athletics, and music ; and where they had not been successful thsy tried to be so, which was nearly just as good. Tbe boys were very proud to welcome; bis Excellency for the honour conferred on their college and also because it was a pleasing innovation on their studies, and" they had implicit faith, justified by past experience, that such a visit would result in a certain amount of juvenile liberty. These were a few of the reasons which actuated them in giving his Excellency a genial, kindly, and. affectionate welcome. Tbe sentiments of tbe college faculty and tha boys were contained in ths address which his Excellency had so kindly consented to receive, and he would now call upon Master Francis J. Grace to read it. Master F. J. Grace, son of the bon Dr Grace, who was supported by Masters F. Crombie and J. Butler, then read the following address, which be afterwards presented to His Excellency :— " May it please Your Excellency,— We, the masters and students of 8b Patrick's College, desire to bid you respectful and cordial welcome. Tbe visit of a distinguished stranger is always to us a source of pleasure and legitimate pride, showing, as it does, the interest taken in the work in which we are engaged. This pleasure and pride are much enhanced when, in this hall, the scene of our daily labours, we greet the Governor of the Colony, who, coming fresh from Home as the representative of Her Most Gracious Majesty in these seas, compels the respect and homage of all subjects of the Crown. In a young country like New Zealand, however enterprising and progressive, Your Excellency will not yet look to her children for that mature fund of scientific], literary, or classic scholarship which is the rightful outcome of ages of study, and tbe peculiar birthright of those time-honoured institutions at Home— well known to Your Excellency— that have written their fame down deep in tbe hearts and minds of thicking men. Onr aim, however, and our ambition it is to follow, feebly it may be, in the path so clearly marked out for us by the great seats of learning in tbe Old Country, and, like them, on tha solid bed-rock of faith and religion, to contribute our share in raising, forming and monlding in this colony a race of men who, in virtue aad knowledge, ia wisdom and culture, in true patriotism and practical Christianity, will not be unworthy of our ancestors. We beg to thank Your Excellency for coming amongst us. We desire, also, unaffectedly, to thank Lady Glasgow and the members of Your Excellency's family for the honour done our college by your visit. We hope during your Excellency's years of high office it will, at times, be our privilege to extend a hearty welcome within these walls to Your Excellency, to Lady Glasgow, and to the members of your distinguished family.— Signed, on behalf of tbe college faculty by Felix Joseph Watters, S.M., D.D., rector, and A. Braxmeier, vice-rector ; on behalf of the students by John J. Casey, John M. O'Connor, Joseph Sheridan, William Organ, Bernard McCarthy, Melville J. Orombie. and Francis J. Grace." At the conclusion of the address Master F. Crombie presented Lady Glasgow with a very fine bouquet, and Master J. Butler presented a copy of the College Calendar to the Governor and bis suite. His Excellency, who on rising was received with continued applause, said, in addressing Dr Watters, tbe staff and students of the college, that it was with feelings of no ordinary character that he rose to return thanks for tbe address which had just been presented to him and had been so well read by Master Grace, and which he was given to understand reflected the feelings of tbe staff and students of St Patrick's College, It was not only with feelings of groat pleasure,

bat also of much interest that he visited an institution of this kind in the Colony. Perhaps be might be permitted to say that it was an object of great interest to him to visit an educational establishment conducted on the principles of this one, for he was one of those who j held that religion should not be eliminated from the studies in the schools in these countries. It was only by inculcating the principles of religion in the schools that they would properly train their youth, aid to make them successful citizens of the country to which they belonged, and also fit them in the future timt for the kingdom of heaven. He believed that in the Nineteenth Century the time had passed when different denominations of Christians should be turning their weapons against each other, as he considered that they ought to combine against the common enemy of atheism. It was for this reason that be wished to show the authorities of the institution that he was in favour of religious education. He did not think that it was the time and place for making a long address, but he thought it right to say that education was a subject that he took great interest in, perhaps it was because he never had much hinself, for he was taken from school at the early age of 13 years— when others were beginning their education— and sent to sea, and for that reason he felt a satisfaction, a pleasure, and an appreciation in the benefits of a good •chool-training. He stood there warning them off the shoals of ignorance rather than pointing to the ways of learning. He had received a hearty welcome and he could assure the students that he was very pleased with hie reception. He might with perfect frankness congratalatc Dr Watters on his excellent establishment and on the high class of work turned oat by the students. In looking around he saw before him a healthy and clever looking set of lads, which perhaps might be due to the excellent mutton of the Colony, and if any of them were inclined to write a national song similar to the " Roast Beef of Old England," this would be a very good subject, and they might take the hint. Ha begged on behalf of Lady Glasgow to thank the donor of the bouquet, and he humbly requested that the boys should be granted a holiday. (Dr Watters here said that his Excellency need only make a request, and it would be a command ) His Excellency in continuing saH the name of the college was one that was very dear to them, as Lady Glasgow was from that classic part of Scotland from which the coast of Ireland could be seen, and where it was said 8t Patrick landed. Her brother also owned the land about Port Patrick which took its name from 8t Patrick. Father Devoy then thanked His Excellency and Lady Glasgow for their kindness in visiting the establishment, and regretted the absence of His Grace the Archbishop. His Excellency having complimented the band and choir on the excellence of the entertainment provided, left amid cheers for himself and Lady Glasgow.