Diocese of Dunedin.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 29, 13 November 1896, Page 19

Diocese of Dunedin.

QUEENSTOWN. thi; r, ducat ion question. (From an occasional correspondent.) Our Catholic school was examined on the llnth ult. an<l the results were most creditable. Again were in evidence the ability, the devotion to duty, and the self-sacrifice of the daughters of St Dominic. It is only by the merest fraction that one hundred per cent, ot pn^es were not obtained. This in itself says much for the efficiency of the school, but the inspector's report says a great deal more — in fact everything that could be de°ired. Mr. llendry in his report declares the children to be excellent in the seven following subjects — Conduct, singing, sewing. histoiy, reading, composition, arithmetic Almost every subject wa-. said to be very good. I don't know how many of the State schools have obtained, or is there any that has obtained, in the inspector's report seven " excellents." Without venturing anything like a comparison, it is certainly true to say that the Catholic school here is in regard to primary education most excellent. This, Mr. Hendry' s report clearly shows. I hope a word about this gentleman will not be deemed out of place. He is a very strict examiner, but at the same time absolutely fair. It was a treat to see him at his work. Not an instant of time lost from beginning to end. Yet there is no cast-iron about his method. In a twinkle he had every child in the schoolroom at work. He has the knack of all at once winning- the confidence of the children and making; them quite at home. You have in Mr. Hendry an efficient and a conscientious public officer. What a wrong our fellowcolonists have inflicted on us and are evidently bent on still further inflicting in this matter of education. Here is a school which in point of efficiency is one of the foremost in the Colony, but because it is a Catholic school, and because the children attending it are taught the Christian doctrine, it is denied the state aid given to the public godless schools. What about this British fair play of which we hear so much ? If ever they were possessed of such a thing the Britishers of New Zealand seem to have left it behind them. The Seddons and the Stouts, and the Scobies justify their attitude by saying, "We will not pay tor teaching religion m any school. ' I answer and say we do not want payment for teaching religion. Religion was not a pass subject here at the recent examinations. Mr. Hendry did not ask the children one tittle about religion. He examined in the secular subjects and it appears from his report the school is a most superior one. But the teaching ot religion was not neglected. The good Dominicans have every day ot their lives impressed on the children the absolute necessity of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the Christian doctrine. The catechism lesson is always looked upon as the most important lesson of the day. In the hymns which, from the Sisters the children learn to sing so sweetly are to be found, crystallized as it were, the great truths of Christianity. The Very Rev. Dean Burke went remilarly to the school and spent a halt hour each day giving relimous instructions. Truly the teaching of religion was not neglected. w\is not forgotten here, and hence the children ha\c what may be called a perfect knowledge of the Christian doctrine. But Mr. Hondry's r< poit pi.icucally declares that this school is second to none tor the acquirement ot secular knowledge. We can argue then against the seculaiists that the study of the Christian doctrine does not hamper one in the least in the endeavour to acquire secular knowledge. What harm then can it do the State that over and above the secular curriculum we also teach a know - ledge of the Christian doctrine. What a shilly-shally excuse tor denying to us our just rights. Why not give us a capitation grant ' Why not give aid to our schools as well as to the public schools / The only honest answer to this question is. ■■ You won't get State aid because you are Roman Catholics." This answer shows our leading Britishers to be not only secularists but also bigots. It they were not bigots they should be extremely well satisfied, they should be willing to gi\e aid to our schools when the secular subjects are so well and excellently tauuht. Where, I ask, again is this British fair play .' But there is no use reasoning with such men In vain ha\e they been told that Catholics, because they are Catholics, must endeavour to have Catholic schools tor their children. That where theve may be the opportunity, it would be for them to offer an outrage to their own moral nature were they to send their children to any other school but to the Catholic school. Where, then, is all the British fair play which the Aliens and the Stouts and the Scobies pride themselves on .' Those worthies say in effect to us : •• We are convinced you refrain from using the State schools because of your religious convictions. You havegnen absolute proof of this in the fact that you have, at your own sole expense, founded and still are founding Catholic schools. On the testimony of one of the school inspectors of the Cokny we must admit your schools to be excellent. We know also that you have done yotir share in helping to build up the Colony. You have done your part manfully in felling the bush and clearing the land. You ha\e helped to make our roads and build our bridges. You have wielded with might and main the pick and shovel and you have been lavish of your sweat in the formation of our railway lines. You have ne\er flinched from the extremely dangerous risks concomitant on the endeavours to win us golden treasures from the bow els of the earth. Notwithstanding all these things and thousand* of others w e will not g ive one penny State aid to your schools, and that because you are Catholics." Thus do the leading Britishers of New Zealand sin against us and sin in the light, and hence we should never forgive them.