THE MARIST ORDER

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 16, 22 April 1909, Page 622

THE MARIST ORDER

SOME IMPORTANT CHANGES

Just as we were going to press we received by telegram notification of some important changes in the personnel of St. Patrick's College, Wellington, and of the Scholasticate of the Marist Fathers at Meean.ee, Hawke'sßay.' Long and arduous and continuous over-toil in education ever since 1875 ha.'« made it necessary for the Very Rev. Father Keogh, 8.A., the able and genial Rector of St. Patrick's College, to ' ease off ' and seek in a change of work and scene as near an approach to rest as his active brain, and his gluttony for work are likely to permit him. He has therefore resigned the onerous and responsible position of Rector of St. Patrick's, which he~ has filled for many years with credit to himself and his Order and with conspicuous -benefit to the large number of students who had the good fortune to pass under his fostering and fatherly care. At the celebrations held a short time ago in connection with his silver jubilee, tributes ivere paid on every hand to the splendid progress which the college had made under his able direction, and the Minister for Education himself^ in a more than usually cordial speech, warmly eulogised the magnificent work done by St. Patrick's College in the cause of education. The Very Rev. Father Keogh is a man r.f wide learning, of ready and, on occasions, brilliant wit, an educationist of many gifts and wide experience, and his contagious pleasantry, his cheery bonhomie, and his hospitality and expansiveness of heart will long be remernliered within the walls of St. Patrick's 'College. Father Keogh goes from Wellington to take charge ~of the important parish of Hastings. The Very Rev. Dean Smyth, of Hastings, has Jbecn appointed to the. very responsible directorship of St. Mary's Scholastieate, Meeanee. Dean Smyth is still a comparatively fresh man of sixty years of age. He studied in Ireland and France, had seven years' teaching experience in colleges in the United States, has been a singularly successful administrator, is noted for the ex-

quisite taste displayed ly. him in tie erection and maintenance of church buildings, .and has won a well-deserved reputation as a preacher during his missionary life in New Zealand. Hastings will feel a pang at- parting with 'ts beloved pastor, but und«r his wise and experienced direction the great training-college of the young levites of his Order in New Zealand is sure- to continue to flourish.

The new -Rector of St. Patrick's College is the Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, -now Rector of, St. Mary's • Scholastieate, Meeanee. The Rev. Dr. Kennedy, S.M., was born in Christchurch in April, 1864, and received his elementary education in that city. At the age of thirteen, he left New Zea--land for St. Mary's College, Dundalk, Ireland, where he spent five 'years, and won fame as a 7a 7 brilliant studenb. During his college course, he was a prizeman in. the varioxis' grades of the intermediate. When his secondary college course terminated he matriculated in the Royal University of Ireland, and entered University College, Dublin, where the Catholic fellows of the Royal University lectured. The same brilliance marked his university career, and after obtaining scholarships in. the various arts examinations he obtained the degree of B.A. in 1886, with honors in pure mathematics. After becoming a professed religious of the Society -of Mary, he was sent to Rome, ,. and obtained the degree of Doctor of Theology in 1891. As a scientist Dr. Kennedy's reputation is by no means confined, to New Zealand, and under his able direction St. Patrick's College is sure to maintain its best educational traditions. The changes mentioned above take effect at the midwinter holidays. ~ . -