THE MARIST BROTHERS' SCHOOL, WANGANUI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 41, 9 February 1894, Page 31

THE MARIST BROTHERS' SCHOOL, WANGANUI.

( Wanganui Herald, January 20.) A YflBY representative gathering of the Catholics of Wanganui assembled in the new and commodious building lately erected at the rear of the convent, to formally welcome the three Marist Brothers, who bad arrived to take charge of the Bchool bearing the name of their Order. Tke address was as follows :— " To the Beverend Marist Brothers, Wanganui. Beverend and dear Brother,— We, the Catholics of Wanganui, heartily welcome you to our midst as the representatives of the great Marist Order of Teachers, whose members have achieved Buch signal success in the schools of Earope and Australasia. Although we have in the past been most fortunate in securing good and able teachers for our boys, we have always looked forward to the time when men like yourselves, consecrated to God, would perfect tbe good work of religious education so well begun by their teachers. For many years past our zealous pastor, the Very Rev Father Kirk, has laboured unceasingly to secure for our children the many advantages of your ministrations. This com mod ions schoolroom, and the well built monastery which Btands cloaa by, owe their existence to his zeal and energy, and we btartily join with him in rejoicing that hia arduous labours in this direction have at length been crowned with success. From what we have learned we have every reason to believe that you will preserve in the minds of our children the traditions of the " Island of Saints and Scholars," that dear old land t ) which S3 many of us owe our birth and our faith. The fame of your Superior (Brother Alfred) as a teacher has already reached us, and we sincerely trust that under his able direction 8t Mary's Bchool will speedily attain tht success and distinction long since secured by the Sacred Heart School under tbe management of the good Sisters of 8t Joseph. Assuring you of our hearty co-operation in your noble efforts, we remain on behalf of the Catholics of Wanganui, yours very sincerely, Thomas Wixcey, B. T. Noble- Beasley, T. Lloyd." On behalf of the Brothers, and in thanking the congregation for the address just presented Brother Alfred acknowledged, in feeling terms, the very hearty welcome accorded them that day by tbe congregation of St Mary's. As they were aware, the Brothers had come to Wanganui for the purpose ef imparting to the children religious education, and it was gratifying, indeed, to find that the Wanganui people appreciated at its true value such necessary instruction. To their pastor, the Very Bey Father Kirk, the Brothers were exceedingly thankful, for he had worked zealously in his efforts to provide such a commodious schoolroom and monastery. Tbat zeal tbe Brothers would endeavonr to emulate, and they hoped to give the children a thoroughly Catholic education, which would not only make them Btaunch members ot the Cburcb, but also good citizens. Applause having followed tbe conclusion of the above well-chosen remarks, the Brotoers were introduced to those present, after which refreshments were handed round, and at the conclusion of the enteruioment, tbe Very Bey Father Kirk expressed his thanks to all who had combined to make the welcome to the Brothers such an unqualified success.

Next the convent is situated the Marist Brothers' monastery; Having been courteously ashed in by Brother Alfred ( Superior), we find ourselves in a lengtbly corridor, some 40 x 6 feet. To the left is a sitting-room, leading from which is a pantry, and giving access to ths dining-room. On the right is a Bpare room, which, later on, is destined to serve the purpose of a meeting room, with library attaohed, for the benefit of the studiously inclined, P»ssiDg Blong the corridor and again turning to the left is the study, attention being at occe arrested by the excellent collection of books ranged on tb» shelve", there being something like 300 volumes. About mid-way along the corridor is a staircasa, leading almost direct to the dormitory, a fine room about 40ft by 14ft, splendidly ventilated. Haviog ventured the opinion that, whilst everything is of the most substantial natnre, plainness is a leading characteristic in the furnishing, wo are next shown the bathroom and lavatory, passing from there to the oratory, 20It x 12ft, after which the linen olosst is inspected, and then a spare room in the front portion, kept especially for visiting Brothers. Descending the stairs, we were next introduced to the kitchen, which we find is fitted with a fist-class Shacklock range, also every convenience in the way of pantry and accessories. At the side is a large tank for the conservation of rain water, and at the rear is the wood and coal bouse, while further on, passing through the gateway, are some admirably-constructed conveniences and necessary outhouses. Attention is next arrested, as we are introdnoed to the schoolroom, by tbe well-planned verandah rnnning along its side. We find it is nine feet in width and takes up two sides of the building. We cannot help remarking that this same verandah not only affords ample scope for a good promenade, bnt, what is of more utility, that its shelter will prove invaluable to the scholars at all seasons of the year. There is a fine broad space for a playground, and the building is enclosed by a high galvanised iron fence. These little matters only prove to us what forethought and care most have been exercised in their planning and execution, and these thoughts are intensified on entering the schoolroom, a fine building measuring 72 x 25 feet. The atmosphere is particularly close outside, but upon entering the room a feeling is experienced that the temperature is materially reduced. No need to look very far or very high for the cause of this effect, which is due to the improved and excellent method of ventilation introduced by the Very Bey Father Kirk. Better ventilation we hays not seen, and we unreservedly say so. Then the lighting next engages attention. There are some ten windows, besides three doors (partly glass) to say nothing of the fanlights, bo that this very necessary essential has also been well looked after. After observing that the floor is of red pine and that the neat pannelling is carried to a height of about rive feet, we next make note of the fact that the height from floor to ceiling is some 16ft, and than we see that ths room is divided into three by movable partitions (with door to each), so that at will the three Brother! may have astparsteclass-room, each o c havings fireplace of its own ; a very necessary and thoughtful provision this latter, in view of cold winter days. The top storey, with its coved ceiling, is 13 feet high, and here, with an ingeniously constructed staircase giving access to it, provision ie made for dormitories, should the pupils at any time desire to become boarders. Our work of inspection here comes to an end, and continuing our interesting conversation with Brother Albert, we learn that the architectural work throughout has been a labour of love on the part of the Very Bey Father Kirk, All those engaged in the work pay tribute to the kindness and courtesy extended to them all through by the Very Bey Father Kirk, and to his unceasing labour in so successfully supervising the work from day to day. Ths Beverend Father is in retreat at Wellington, so that he cannot hear all the nice things spoken of him, and surely he deserves them. Well, the Catholics of Wanganui should be, and certainly are, proud of their school.