Dannevirke

New Zealand Tablet, 1 December 1910, Page 1968

Dannevirke

(From our own correspondent.)

November 26.

Last month' the Sisters of the Missions let a contract to Mr. J. H. Fairhurst for a fine convent in brick, which is to cost £3314 15s. The building is already making splendid progress, and is to be completed by the end of January. Mr, W. J. O'Donnell is architect. Provision is made in the convent for a high school. Sienor Borzoni is to arrive here about the middle of December to arrange the spectacular attractions for the great Catholic carnival which opens early in February. Needless to say, the parishioners are taking great interest in the approaching carnival, of which Messrs. J. J. O'Gorman and F. Kelliher are the honorary secretaries. The Convent School, which was opened here last February by his Grace Archbishop Redwood, has been so well attended that it is found necessary to enlarge it. A contract has been let for an extension (50ft x 30ft) to provide two more class rooms, which are to be separated by folding doors to allow the hall to be used for social purposes as occasion may require. The building is in brick, and the cost of the extension is £6BB. When completed this will be one of the finest schools in the archdiocese. A large number of country children come in by rail, which shows the desire of the parents to provide a. good Catholic education for their children.

Dannevirke in the past has been one of the greatest centres in the Dominion of the timber industry, and now that the bush has almost disappeared the whole country is fast becoming a great dairying and pastoral district. Vast tracts of native land are being purchased by the Government, and opened up for settlement. The land, being cheap and fertile, is in great demand at the land ballots. With such prospects, Dannevirke is bound to become a great town, and the Catholics of Dannevirke are keeping pace with the material development round about them. The late Father O'Meara, of Feilding, ,and Father Cahill, of Dannevirke, were school-fellows many years ago at the Ennis College of the Killaloe diocese. When Father O'Meara passed away, Father Cahill wrote to the Most Rev. Dr. Fogarty, Bishop of Killaloe, to inform him of the death of his dear friend, and the Bishop's letter just received contains the following terms of appreciation and regret:—'l have just got your letter and paper about Father John O'Meara. May God be merciful to him ! His is a guileless soul left this world. I have said Mass for him, and often pray for the gentle spirit. He was alwavs a child. When he came here a couple of years ago in search of health he thought to put up at the hotel. Not knowing he was so delicate, J walked him out from Ennis (one mile). It nearly killed him. He and I were old school-fellows, and I greatly lament his death.'—P