NELSON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 23, 8 June 1899, Page 6

NELSON.

OPENING OF A MUSEUM AT STOKE ORPHANAGE

Yesterday afternoon (says the Nelson Cn'onist, June 2) a number of citizens and residents in the neighbourhood assrmbled at the Stol e Orphanage to witness the opening of the new museum building in connection with that institution by his Grace Archbishop Bedrtorid. The boys, tn the nu nner of between 140 and 1 .">(), were drawn up in lines in f i out ot tin entrance t~> receive his Grace, and the band. tinder th" leaders lp of Mi. Le.ipor, wa.s playing in front of the nrnn huih.ing. A* i.ji t'iree o'clock the company assembled in front ot the museum buiK.i) g\ wiiKk is 'ituated to the left cf the main building.

The Wry R<_\. Dean Mahoney expressed his satisfaction at seeing' so many present. He said he believed that, although his Gi'ace hid been iM years a Bishop, he had n 'vcr before been a«ked to open a mu-i tun. He acknowledged their indebtedness to the benefactor-, who had helped them to piocure the building. He referred to the time he -t\rtcd the Orphanage, when he had not n'ore than JCiM in c i*>n. and whit th" institution had grown to. owing to the zealous labours of the Brothers, and the kindness of t'aeir many lneiaK He felt sure the Brothers joined him in sincerely thanking all their benefactors. He then handed the key to his Giace, and r> quested him to open the building.

Atohbi v -hop Redwood s.tul he hail greni pleasure in being present, and in performing the plea' Mit duty r< quired of him. He had always tiken a great interest in the orphanage. He said Bro. Lirtus had long desired to have a museum, and he congratulated him upon the real.-ation ot' his hope-;, lhs Grace spoke of the value of a mu-eura mt cabling the boys to study Nature, also man. He eulogized the good wink the Brothers were engaged in in training the la Is to become creditable and useful members of pointy. He ucknow l"dg"d the as-i-tance given by Mr. John Tinline, Mr. C. Y. Fell. Dr. Roberts, and other benefactors to the institution, lie said the museum would be found to contain many things of interest already, and he hoped it would prove a source of prolit and inerea-td happiness io the boys. He had great pleasure in declaring the museum building open.

Jli- Worship the Mayor and Mr. C. Y. Fell also addressed the assemblage, referring to the valuable ser\iees rendered by the late Father Garin. al-o to tho-e of Father Mahoney. Bro. L;etus, and his colleagues in caring for the boy?, and training them for lives of usefulness, thus not only conferring a benefit on the boys, but doing a good work for the Colony. They each wished the Brothers God's speed in thur noble work.

The visitors on ( ntering the fine building were furpti-ed to see such a valuable col'eo'i' not exhibits of all descriptions. The building, v. hich is •">'> f "< tl• • l i <_r - - 11 f< et m v ldth, and IS feet in height, is well fin's'red throiuhout, and n (le< b- great credit on the builder, Mf-sr v . L( ;ip< r Bto-. l>ro La^us, now there is such a suitable building to p!a':c them in. would be pleased to receive specimens and o')j 'Cls of iiuireit for the mu&eum. Among the many valuable exhibits in the building one we think deserves special mention, and that is the fine collection of various grass seeds.

The band played a number of selections during the afternoon, which were greatly enjoyed. Light refreshments were provided for the visitors, and his v\ orship the Mayor proposed the health of Brother La^us and his colleagues, which was r>nthus>iastically received. Archbishop Redwcod wrote the following memorandum in the visitors' book : — 'June 1, 18.).). This day will be ever mem- A orable in the annals of this noblo and sue es-ful institution, as the H one on which his Grace Archbishop Ktdwood, in the presence of a large number of the most distinguished citizens of Nel&on and its neighbourhood, solemnly opened the new museum, and wished it a long career of ever-increasing prosperity.' The signatures of the visitors iollnwed. All present were pleised with the institution and its bunouudings.

KEOEPTION OF AKCHIUsHOP IJF.DWOOP

There was a very large attendance on the evening of May 31, in St. Mary's Hall, Nelson (says the Cnloin\c), when a sooial and concert were held in connection with Arohbit-hop Redwood's and Father Ainsworth s visit to Nelson. The Very Rev. Dean Mahoney, in presiding, expressed the pleasure he ft.lt on seeing such a large audience present, who, he was sure, hail come not only to enjoy themselves, but to welcome his Grace the Archbishop and Father Ainsworth. There were old associations connecting his Grace with St. Mary's. They were sorry they had not the Aichbishop present at the opening of the hall, but were pleased now to see him present, and no doubt later in the evening his Grace would make a few remarks. Among the performers at the concert was the Rev. Father Ainsworth, who sang ' The admiral's broom,' and on being most enthusiastically recalled his fine voice was heard to even greater advantage as he sang ' Father O'Flynn.' The audience were not satisfied until the reverend gentleman reappeared and sang over again a portion of the song. Later on he gave ' The Holy City,' and as an encore piece, ' I'm off to Philadelphia.' His Grace Archbishop Redwood said that, looking on the audience as an assemblage of friends, he had consented to give them a violin solo. He had consented also because where some of them were sitting that evening was the spot where he first began to play the violin in 1851. He would not play them anything elaborate, but would play them an old melody ' Home, sweet home.' He did so, and received a most enthusiastic encore, when his Grace played an exquisitely sweet Italian melody, which was received with rounds of applause. At the conclusion of the concert Archbishop Redwood addressed the audience. He said that when an elephant was made to dance a polka, the people applauded greatly, not because the elephant danced well, but because the people wondered at an elephant being able to dance, and he thought the same applied to his violin playing. He had extreme pleasure at being present, and felt flattered at seeing so large an audience to welcome him and his associate. He esteemed the mark of their good feeling. In 1851, he and Mr. George Bonnington, the successful chemist, were the first boarders at St. Mary's. He first tried to play an accordeon ; next a flute which required too much breath ; next a flageolet, with which he was more successful : and after that he got Mr. George Bonnington to give him seme instruction on the violin, and afterwards took lessons from Mr. Charles Bonnington. While he was pursuing his heavier studies for years he lost sight of his violin, but after he became a Bi-hop he took to his violin again to while away his cares. He most heartily congratulatt d Father Mahoney and the congregation of St. Mary's on obtaining such a splendid hall. He hoped it would be a source of much enjoyment to them. In concluding, he thanked His Worship the Mayor and Mr. Graham for the kindly references made by them to himself when the hall was opened.