Notes

New Zealand Tablet, 28 April 1910, Page 662

Notes

St. Patrick’s College As intimated in our columns a fortnight ago, the silver jubilee of the well-known and ever-popular ‘St. Pat’s’ occurs on Ist June of this year, and the authorities have decided to commemorate the occasion by raising a fund to be applied (1) to the building and equipment of science laboratories in connection with the institution, and (2) to the reduction and, if possible, the complete extinction of the existing debt on the college. With regard to the first object, it is pertinent to point out that the gifted Rector of the College (the Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy) is a man of European reputation as a scientist, and, given reasonably adequate facilities, there is every reason .to anticipate that St. Patrick’s would achieve very special distinction in scientific work. Regarding the general work of the institution, we recall the pregnant saying—uttered recently at a prize distribution by the Bishop of Goulburn—to the effect that the Church’s greatest need at the present clay was leaders for the laity. Give me officers,’ said the great Napoleon—‘l can get soldiers any day.’ ‘lt is the leaders,’ added Bishop Gallagher, after quoting this story, ‘ not the many, who make a party, an army, a people, a nation.’ It is the special function of our colleges to supply the need referred to by the Australian prelate. In this work —so ..capably carried on by all our Catholic secondary institutions in the DominionSt. Patrick’s College has borne a more than_ honorable part, and throughout New Zealand the ranks of the priesthood, the law, the medical profession, and other important and influential callings are today graced by men who received the most important portion of their moral and intellectual training within its walls. Under such circumstances a benefactor to the College is a benefactor to the Church at large, and we hope that the efforts of the very representative committee who have charge of the movement will meet with the full measure of success which they deserve. All communications are to be addressed to either of the secretaries, Rev. J. 1 ymons, S.ivl., St. Patrick s College, Wellington, or Norman J. Crombie, 5 Tasman street, ’Wellington.-

Catholic School Successes One of the noticeable features of the recent Inspectors’ Conference was the friendly and appreciative tone in which various speakers referred to the work being done by the Catholic schools; and it was evident that the respect manifested was begotten of a close and first-hand knowledge of the facts. Our Catholic teachers do their work quietly and unostentatiously, but ever and-anon little incidents are recorded which indicate in a striking way what excellent grounds Catholics have for being proud of'their schools. Only last week our Oaraaru correspondent chronicled the tact that Miss Annie J. Lynch, pupil of the Dominican vent, had been successful in securing an exhibition of six guineas awarded by Trinity College, London, to the candidate gaining the highest marks in pianoforte in intermediate division. The merit of the achievement is indicated by the fact that the exhibition was competed for by iona l i atGS m New Zealand, Tasmania, and Canada, In 1908 the same young lady carried off the junior prize of six guineas Our correspondent added that Miss Maggie 1 womey, of the same>’ school, had also secured a national prize of £o awarded by Trinity College to the candidate obtaining in the . same year, honors in both practical and theoretical work in the senior division.

In the same issue we reproduced from the Greymoutli Evening Star the full text of the Grey Education Board inspector’s examination report on the Greymouth Convent School, which was read by Bishop Grimes at the close of an entertainment tendered to him - by the convent pupils. The Grey inspector— E. A. Scott— point of practical teaching experience is one of the best qualified inspectors in the Dominion, and he is a non-Catholic. When, therefore, Inspector Scott says that the convent school work is ‘ such as to compel admiration 5 the tribute means something. We quote a portion of the report, allowing the facts recorded to speak for themselves. ‘ This school has this year surpassed even the■ exceptionally high record established at my previous examination, and it is the barest justice to those in charge to say that the work is such as to compel admiration. Spelling was excellent, every scholar but one in Standard VI. obtaining full marks, and the average over all the standards being only a mark or two below .100 per cent. Writing and drawing were almost uniformly excellent. The work, in Standard VI. arithmetic establishes something like a record —every pupil in the class (which numbered twelve) getting absolutely full marks. The results in Standard VII. geography were almost equally remarkable, every pupil but one obtaining over 90 per cent., and the average of the class, minus the exception noted, 95 per cent. . . Order, attention, and manners were all that could be desired. It only remains to be added that the very excellent results shown above were obtained easily and smoothly, without any special spasmodic effort, and without overdriving and undue pressure of any kind.’ Such a report is creditable alike to the teachers whose success it chronicles, and to the inspector, who was just and manly enough to givein such unstinted measure — where honor was due.