ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE, WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 34, 20 December 1895, Page 27

ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE, WELLINGTON.

AROHBISHOP REDWOOD PRESIDES ON SPEECH DAY.

THE HON. E. BLAKE, M P., IN NEW ZBALAND.

On the evening of the sth inst. the prize distribution and annual concert by the pupils of St Patrick's College took place in the large class-room of the building. The occasion is one which has special attraction for visitors, especially the friends of the pupils, who filled the large and prettily-decorated hall on Thursday evening. His Grace the Archbishop presided, aod amongst those present were — the Hon. B. Blake, M.P., Q. 0 .; Count Grace, M.L.O. ; Count d'Habbans (French OonBul) ; Very Rev. Father Devoy, VG ; Rev. Father M'Kenoa (Maeterton) ; College Faculty, Mr G. Fisher, Dr. Cab ill, and several other promienent citizens, and apologias were received from the Premier and his Honour Sir P. Buckley. The proceedings, commenced with a musical programme, which waa performed in a very pleasing manner by the students, and included the following items :— Selection, " Torquato Tasso" (Donizetti), College Brass Band; Selection, "Carnivalia" (Warwick Williams), College Orchestra; Chorus, " The Carnovale " (Bossini), College Choir ; Piano Duet, " From Foreign Parts — Italy " (Moszkowski), Masters Charles McDonald and Francis J. Morrell ; Violin Solo, " The Last Rose of Summer " (Chas. Lovett), Master William Fitzgerald ; Two Violins, with Piano accompaniment, (A) •' Melodic " (Chas. Dancla), (b) " Un Petite Fleur " (Tysoe Smith), Maßterß Vanning, Ferdinand De Jouffroy D'Abbans, and Cbas. McDonald; Sjlection, Polish Dance' 1 (X»vier Scharwenka) (arranged by Mr Thomas Trowell), College Orchestra ; Grand Fantasia, " Pride of England " (Round) College Brass Band. Woen the programme had come to an end the Rector (the Very Rev Dr Watters) said it once again became bis pleasant duty to read out the rewards of valour obtained by the scholars during the year. The large attendance that evening was to him a sign of the deep ani increasing interest taken ia the system of education imparted at the college and based upon religion. They believed in building up the ethical side of man on a sure and sound basis, and during the eleven years of their existence they had, he thought, given reasonable proof of sound, abiding results attaching to the conservative system pursued in St Patrick's College (hear, hear). However such an educational institution as this is out of joint with the modern, and all too widespread theory of irreligicn in education, it will be fairly allowed that tbe college, in the face of men, holds up a lofty ideal, and with energy begotten of sacrifice, strives, with some measure of success, to reach reali'y (hear). The influence of any centre of education can scarcely be measued or guaged, For nnits radiating from this centre into space, year after year, and leaving their surroundings with the principles there imbibad, cannot fail to be in the future an enormous pjwer in the building up, beyond the walls, of a sound, public opinion resting on a basis if right and troth. Whatever fosters sound education fosters civic writers, and must, by the fact, work for tbe public weal. Basides, all progress comes through education. Human nature ia not ra sed up, and refined, and cultured, and impelled into right channels by mechanical forces — tbe steam valve, the eltctric current. Men are worked through intellect and will, mind aDd heart, and tho c c who, in the echools, have action over these faculties, have their hands in the law that shapes the destinies of a nation (applause). He assumed it is this conviction that invests our distribution with so much public interest, and cot tbe pageantry of a great annual exhibition (laughter). He would thank all those who, by their presence and patronage, enabled the college to provide sucn an attractive programma. Also, lest there might be illusory Buspiciou th-tt there was a mine of latent wealth in the college (laughter), be would take occasion to thank those friends who presented the col ege with the valuable flior in mosaic. He and his colleaguea had at command only the wealth of their hands, the wealth of their convictions, tbe wealth of their principles — and, to a large extent, the wealth of their friends (great laughter). Tbe przei, which iocluded gold and silver medals and wellselected works, were then presented by the Archbishop, each scholar, as he came forward, receiving the applause of his school-mated. The following is the prize list :—: — Good conduct, intern stndents — Prize medal presented by his Grace the Mo6t Rev Dr Redwood, S.M., Archbishop of Wellington— Patrick J Garvey ; 2nd prize, Charles Yenning. Extern studentsClaude Sickson. Diligence — Prize medal presented by the Hon Sir Patrick Buckley, K.0.M.G., M.L.0., Colonial Secretary, for highest aggregate of marks attained in class work during the year — Charles M' Donald. Christian Doctrine, undergraduates' class — Prize medal presented by the Very Bey Dr Pestre, S.M., Provincial — Leo 8 Fanning, " Carolan Prize Medal," for excellence in music— Charles M'Donald. Oratory and debate— Prize medal presented by the Very Rev Thomas Devoy, S.M., V.G. (awarded by votes of members of the College Debating Society)—- Leo S Fanning. English essay writing— Special prize presented by Mr John Cumin, K.C.S.G. — Patrick J. Garvey.

Irish history — Gold medal presented by Dr Cahill — Patrick J. Garvey. Excellence in mathematics — Prize medal presented by the Very Rev Father Macnamara, S.M. — David Holland. Excellence in the Latin language— Special prize presented by Hon Walter W Johnßton Leo 8 Fanning. Drawing— Prize medal presented by Mr William B. Missen (ex-pupil)— Morgan H. Grace. Christian Doctrine — Matriculation class— James Butler. Second class— John O'Connor. Third Clais— Frederick Evans. Fourth clasß— James MoParland. Fifth class— Norman Crombie. Preparatory school— First division — Albert Creagh O'Connor. Second division— Marcel de Jonffray d'Abbans. Course of English — Literature and authori — John Madden. Historical Grammar, analysis, Sc? — Charles M'Donald. English history and geography — Francis Lynch. Second ClassEnglish composition — Ethelbert W. Smith. Literature and authors — Patrick M'Grath. Grammar and analysis — James Tymons. English history— Henry Eccles. Irish history — Michael M'Enroe. Geography—Daniel O'Reilly. Third Class — English composition — Frederick Evans. History of literature and authors - Frederick Crombie. Grammar and analysis— James Smith. History and geography— William Fitzgerald. Fourth Class — Grammar and analysis — Francis Smith. English authors — William Kelly. Handwriting—Healy De Vere, History and geography — Geoffrej Wasteneys. Fifth class — Be prod notion — Niel Ewart. Beading and recitation — Daniel O' Sullivan. Grammar and parsing — Daniel O'Sulllvan. Irish history — Daniel O'Sullivan. History and geographyStanley M'Laren. Preparatory school — Reading and spelling : First division — Michael Grace. Second division— o. Cotterill. Writing and exercises — Ferdinand de Jonffray d'Abbans. English authorCharles O'Malley. Grammar and geography— First division—William S, Johnstone. Second division — Marcel de Jouff ray d'Abbans. Course of Latin— Second class— Patrick M'Grath. Third olass — Grammar and composition — B. Devine. Fourth class— Charles Yenning. Fifth class — Ist prize, Sydney Organ ; 2nd prize, James Eccliton. French— First class: Grammar and composition — Leo Fanning. Second claßS— Charles M'Donald. Third class — James Smith. Fourth class— James Tymons. Fifth class — Ist prize, Charles Yenning ; 2nd prize, Daniel O'Reilly. Mathematics—Undergraduates' and matriculation class-- Arithmetic— James ttlowey, Geometry— Charles M'Donald. Algebra— Charles M'Donald. Second claßs— Arithmetic — Patrick M'Grath. Geometry — James Tymons. Algebra— James Tymons. Third class— Arithmetic — Ist prize, John Guthrie ; 2nd prize, Michael M'Eoroe. Geometry— William Fitzgerald. Algebra— James Smith. Fourth class — Arithmetic— Patrick M'Evedy. Geometry— Patrick M'Evedy. Fifth class— Arithmetic — Thomas Lawlor. Preparatory Bchool— Arithmetic : First Division —Daniel O'Malley. Second Division — Daniel Philp. Science — Senior Division : Sound and light — Ist prize, Leo Fanning ; 2nd prize, David Holland. Junior Division — Mechanics — Ist prize, John Guthrie; 2nd prize, Wm FitzGerald ; 3rd priz°, Thomas Campbell. Commercial Course — Bookkeeping and Accounts : Senior DivisionJohn Guthrie. Junior Division— James M'Parland. Music — Piano : First Division— Francis J Morrell. Second Division— Daniel O'Reilly. Violin — Senior Division— Patrick J Garvey. Junior Division — Charles Yenning. Prizes obtained for four mentions — Cyril Collins, Patrick Guthrie, James H Hughes, John M'Oartby, Ignatius N O'Boyle, Francis Pender. Archbishop Redwood said nothing encouraged the youths so much as to see the interest taken in their work, betokened by the presence of bo large an audience. Addressing the students, he congratulated them upon their happy and healthy appearance. They bad spent a studious and prosperous year. The tone of the students had never been better. They had been successful ia all lines of study, and had never given a better account of themselves. It was a deep satisfaction to him to no-ica tbe devotion of the teachers of the college to their work. He hoped the students would enjoy their holidays, and he hoped also that next year would be an equally prosperous and successful one (applause), Mr George Fisher proposed a vote of thanks to the Archbishop for presiding, and referred to the interest which his Grace had always taken in college affairs. As to the boys, if they paid attention to the precepts inculcated by their reverend instructors, observed those principles of faith, honour, rectitude — all that went to make a man — they would successfully surmount all difficulties to be met with in their way through life (applause). The Hon E. Blake seconded the motion. Coming as he did from a very distant coun .ry, he had watched with the greatest interest the development amongst the people acre of the educational problem, and he was glad to believe that there existed here a strong conviction of the importance to the welfare of the whole colony of putting on a Bound footing the institutions of learning. It was sometimes said that it waa rather an evil that there was too much education in these days. Perhaps there waa too eager an aspiration towards bettering oneself, and in the use of education towards rising above the level in which one was born. That, however, was an honourable aspiration. But education had a mere comprehensive 1 object. It afforded to those who profitted by it in their youth a I most abiding happiness all their lives (applause). No man's educa-

tion ended within the walls of his college ; no man's education ended nntil his last breath was drawn ; and how to meet that was the high and noble doty which was being instilled into the youth within these walls, He observed that public speaking was one of the arts trained at the college. He reminded the boya of two rules they would find useful to them. The first was, " Never speak unless you have something to say (laughter)." The second was liken to it, " Always stop when you have done (laughter and applause)." Example was always better than precept, and hs he was done, he would stop (loud laughter and applause). Cheers were given by the boys for the Archbishop, tbe Hon Mr Blake and the Hector, and the proceedings termina'ed. Tbe college re-opens on Saturday, tbe Ist February next. Tbe vestibnle of St Patrick's College has undergone a complete change, and in place of the concrete flooring there is now a very striking and handsome mosaic one. This floor was designed by Mr W. 0. Cbatfield. architect, and furnished by Messrs Simpson and Sons, Mark lane, London, under the supervision of the Rev M, J. Watters, brother of the rector of the college. The new floor, which is abont 14ft by 17ft, has a pretty border, while in tbe centre there are two circles, the outer one enclosing tbe words, "St Patrick's College," with the college motto, " Sectare Fidem," while the inner one contains tbe college arms and Archbishop Redwood's arms, tbe whole representing tne common seal of the college. The space between the border and the outer circle is occupied with floral designs, and tbe college coloura predominate in the work. A feature of the moaaic is the representation of St Patrick, who is in the attitude of preaching. The expression of the face, and all the details of the ecclesistical robes, are given with minute fidelity. As giving an idea of the time it must have taken to put this figure together, it may be stated that there are 45 pieces of mosaic in the right hand, 70 in the left, while 80 pieces are employed in the making of the crosier. The inner circle containing the arms was put together in London, and weighs scwt. The steps leading to th« hall have also been laid in mosaic in the college colours. Ths walls and ceiling of the vestibule have been re-stained in walnut, and painted, the ceiling harmonising with tbe flooring.