OPENING OF SR. VINCENT DE PAUL'S ORPHANAGE, SOUTH DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVI, Issue 21, 29 September 1898, Page 2

OPENING OF SR. VINCENT DE PAUL'S ORPHANAGE, SOUTH DUNEDIN.

THE MA.SS

AItCHUISHOI' KEDWOOD'S SERMON.

Genial sunshiny weather favoured the opening ceremonies in connejtion with the new Orphan .ge of St. Vincent de Paul, which is under the charge of the Si>tei-n of Meny, South Dunedin. A large congregation filled St. Patrick.-. Btsilica at the Pontifical High Mass, and before and at its close surged around and through the Orphanage, which was thrown open by the Sisters for inspection.

THE BUILIUNU, the contract for which was signed on April 2lst. 18i)7. has been designed with the view of future enlargement ; at the same time, as it now stands, it forms an almost complete institution. When it is found necessary to add t > the accommodation, the present building would form one wing, so that the additions could comprise a central administrative block, another wing, and a back service block in continuation of the present laundries ; the whole forming a compact establishment enclosing a spacious quadrangle. The present building has its main entrance at the West end, where the door opens into a vestibule 8f i. by 10ft., communicating with the study-hall 50ft. by 20ft., opening on to which is the dining hall, 30ft. by 20ft., which communicates with the kitchen, 15ft. by 18ft , adjacent to which are two store-rooms Bft. by Bft., and the scullery 10ft. by Bft. All these offices are filled up with complete arrangement of cooking range, hot and cold water supply, plate-rack and sink, together with a large 1(1 gal. gas copper. Ranging along with the above accommodation, and in communication with it, is a concreted verandah. 49ft. by t)ft. from which the main stair-way is attained : on the first floor are situated two cells each 10ft. by Bft. for the nuns in charge of the dormitories. The principal dormitory is ."iofr. by 20ft. Sin , the second dormitory 20ft. by 20ft. Bin. In communication with the large dormitory is the lavatory 20ft. Sin. by loft., which at present is only temporarily fitted up. Immediately adjacent to the small dormitory is an infirmary ward loft, by 15ft. with a bath-room etc., the whole completely isolated from the rest of the building. Immediately over the verandah of the ground floor, is a balcony 4i)ft. by 9ft. for the accommodation of the first floor. The whole of this portion of the establishment is substantially built of brick on concrete foundations and base, with halftimber gables ; both floors with 16ft. ceilings, and an abundant provision of light and air by means of unstinted finistration.

The sanitary arrangments have received every attention ; all the rooms are provided with fresh air inlets, and foul air extractors, the latter of which are in communication with a foul air case in the roof, which is cleared by means of six cowl extractors.

Attached to the building described above, is a complete establishment for carrying on the business of a laundry ; the soiled linen being received in a room for the purpose, 11 x 14 feet, from whence ids transferred when necessary, to a fumigating room, which has its walls sealed and felted from thence it is received in the wash-house. 14 x 18 feet, which is fitted up with tubs, into which hot and coid water are laid, a 30 gal. copper, and provision for fixing a steaming apparatus in the future. Following on from the wash-house is the drying-room 10ft. by 14ft. which is fitted with a hot chamber in which are fixed eight screens, the fresh air being admitted by means of a number of flues, corresponding with which are zinc, cowls for the extraction of the steam. Following from the drying room is the ironing and mangling room. 14ft by llitt., fitted with furnace for heating irons, esc. Opening out of this is the sorting and packing room 14ft. square, which is amply piovided with snelving and pigeon h)les to facilitate the delivi ry ot the wash. Ever}' attention has been given to the providing proper means for carrying off all the drainage in a manner not likely to interfere with the general sanitation of the establishment. The buildings are built with substantial woodframinu, set upon a concrete base, and entirely covered in with iron; all the floors are laid with concrete, neatly finished in cement. The main building was constructed by Mr. D. W. Woods, Dunedin, and the laundry buildings by Mr. James Small, Dunedin. To Mr Blagd.in. ot Caver»h.im, was entrusted the contract for the supply and fixing ot gas, water, and drainage. Messrs. Falconer and Co. have the undort iking of fitting up the drying-room: the w hole lias bee. i carried out from the plans, and under the supervision of Mr. F. \V. Petic engineer and architect, Dunedin.

The Poutific.il High Mass w«is celebrated by his Lordship Bishop Verdon. Father Ryan acted as Deacon, Father Coffey as Sub-de.ic in, and Father Cleary Assistant Priest.

Tlu' music onlthe occasion was Gounod's Mcn.ie Soh-niwlle, which was render, d by the chair of St. Joseph's Cathedral, assisted by a large- oichet-tra. The French composer's great work was rendered in a most cap ible manner, and was a fitting accompaniment to the solemn ceremonies of the day. The solo parts were allotted to Miss Rose Illaney (soprano), Mr. P. Carolin (tenor) and Mr. J. McKenna (bass). Mr. () Xaiimann was leader of the orchestra, and Mr. F. Stokes proidH at the organ, while Mr. A. Vallis acted as conductor.

His Urfii c the Archbishop, after the first Gospel, ascended the pulpit and preached an eloquent sermon on the Gobpel of the day. In that portion ot the Gospel, lie said, they found that a Pharisee, a doctor of ! lie law, wane to <>ur Klesced Saviour and asked : ' Master, v\hich i- the great commandment of the law.'' and our Saviour answered- 'Thou love the Lord thy God with thy whole .soul and with thy whole mind.' This is the fiist and gieat commandment And the second commandment is like unto tins : ' Thou t-halt love thy neighbour as thyself.' It was "t the utmo.st importance, his Grace went on to say, that we should know how we stand in regard to the fulfilment of that commandment which God declares to be the first and greatest, because upon