SACRED HEART COLLEGE, AUCKLAND

New Zealand Tablet, 14 December 1911, Page 2527

SACRED HEART COLLEGE, AUCKLAND

(From our own correspondent.) At St. Benedict’s Hall on Tuesday evening, December 5, the annual distribution of prizes took place. Their Lordships Bishops Cleary and. Carroll, Monsignors O’Haran and Gillan, V.G., and several of'the clergy , were present. The following programme was ably contributed, and evoked much applause from the large audience:—Overture, Irish selections, Ewart’s Orchestra; chorus, (a) ‘ Blow soft southern wind ’ (b) ‘The leaves are falling,’ College choir; violin solo, ‘ Pastorella,’ Bernard Gallagher; debate—The Hackett medal, ‘Robert Emmet,’ Master R. Hanson; ‘Home Rule,’ Master R. McYeagh; vocal solo, Love’s old sweet song/ Horace Jew; piano duet, ‘Poet and peasant,’ Masters B. Cottrell and Roy Jenkins; debate —‘ George Washington,’ Master G. Bryant; ‘Napoleon/ Master G. Colgan; ‘God save the King/ Mr. Harry .Hiscocks acted as accompanist. The following is the annual report, which was read by Rev. Brother Clement, Superior of the College: It is my pleasing duty this evening to present to you my report for the scholastic year just closed. I feel sure it will be gratifying to you to receive the same, as it speaks of the steady growth and development of 5.H.C.... In my report of two years ago, I placed a high ideal before the Catholic population of Auckland all citizens of Auckland, in fact, for the growth of a Catholic College is of the greatest importance to every inhabitant A of this great city. I placed before you the ideal of possessing the largest and best-equipped college in New Zealand. The developments that have taken place at college this year have been very decided steps in that direction. I can only express the ardent wish that the onward march may be uninterrupted, until our first ideal may be replaced by one higher still. We have had a most successful year from every point of view. Our numbers constitute a fresh record—for "the emulation of succeeding years. This increase rendered it necessary to provide further accommodation, accordingly three new classrooms were built. The erection of a large and well-equipped gymnasium has added to the facilities for physical development; while, thanks to the generous co-operation of many Catholics, a hand ball court has been erected and tennis courts

laid out, so that the pupils might have every' convenience wherewith to build up the ‘ sound body,’ «o necessary to success in every sphere of life. Although but a few months in existence, our cadets, under the care of our late enthusiastic officer in command (Captain J. Paul Kavanagh), made such rapid progress as to secure high encomium for their marching and general smart appearance at the parades. We regret very much that Captain Kavanagh’s change of residence has necessitated the severance of his connection with the cadets. His Lordship’s pastoral solicitude urged him in the beginning of the year to name a resident chaplain for the college. That the choice of Rev. Father Smiers was well directed, is sufficiently evidenced by the high moral tone of the students of 1911. Our examination results have been well above those of previous years: One Senior Civil Service, four Matriculation, four Solicitor’s General Knowledge, nine Civil Service. If these results appear numerically small, it is in the power of the people to remedy that defect. Send us the boys and we will secure the results. Our percentage of successes for the various examinations was 75, 90, and 100, Old Boys; Very satisfactory reports reach us of the doings of our Old Boys in their various walks of life. In the University, in commerce, and in the Government service, they are busy making history for our youthful college. Their example is very stimulating to the present-day pupils, who regard them as elder brothers, by whose conduct and example they are to shape their own line of action. Our fullest sympathy is offered to those studying in the University. The out-of-date method of selecting examiners in England to pronounce on the fitness or unfitness of candidates for University degrees is as cruel and uncalled for in the three months’ suspense and inactivity it causes the students, as it is uncomplimentary to the many

eminent men we have professing at our different colleges in New Zealand. If outside examiners are considered necessary, surely some persons sufficiently qualified for the work could be found within New Zealand. Thanks to the able and exhaustive brochure on education by his Lordship, we find that the interest of the public towards Catholic education has been greatly stimulated. We hope to reap as the benefits of that excellent pamphlet, God or No-God in the. Schools) a, very considerably increased school roll next year. Should we not reasonably appeal to you for this ? Why, from Auckland’s large and increasing population, should we not claim our share of Catholic children for our Catholic college ? To have a fair percentage of patronage from Auckland Catholics alone, we should have a school of at least 400 pupils. When we have a Catholic college in a good locality, well equipped, giving good results, we have right to expect hearty support of all Catholics. Our ineligibility to participate in Government scholarships does great injustice to our cause, but with good will on. the part of all, that circumstance should not be a bar to the entrance of any deserving candidate to our college. Why would not the wealthier members of the faith help the poorer by founding day scholarships, to enable the latter to receive the benefits of higher education ? Two friends of the college have offered to found three day scholarships for the boys of the Pitt Street School, and three for those boys attending Catholic schools, who cannot attend the Brothers’ school. Moreover, they are prepared to meet half-way any men of good will who feel disposed to contribute £5 5s per annum towards the founding of day scholarships. The effects produced by money spent in this way cannot be over estimated. The most intelligent of our Catholic children are yearly drifting from us to spend the most important part of their school life in an atmosphere that is altogether void of Catholic element. By the system of day scholarships this state of things would be brought to a close, we would keep our promising youth in a thoroughly Catholic atmosphere, build them up strong in intellect and strong in the faith, to be leaders of thought and champions of Catholic cause in public life. His Lordship the Bishop afterwards addressed the assemblage, and in most eloquent and telling language spoke in favor of the excellence of the education imparted in our Catholic colleges and schools. He complained of the gross injustice imposed by a tyrannical majority on the Catholics of the Dominion. They were mulcted in the maintenance of a system of education to which they could not conscientiously subscribe, and were forced to maintain their own system as well. The time would surely come when means would be taken to obtain a redress of this wrong. The following is the prize list: Special Prizes.—Good conduct, ‘ Coolahan ’ gold medal, G. Colgan; Christian doctrine, Gerald Coakley; Dux of the school, Robert McYeagh; prize essay, Robert McYeagh; Oratorical competition, Gordon Bryant; senior athletic championship, D. Kean 1, E. Burns 2; junior athletic championship, T. B. O’Connor 1, J. Buxton 2; handball championship, Cyril Brownlie; invitation race (220yds), R. Pittar (King’s College); record high jump (sft 4in), Cyril Brownlie. Senior Class.—General proficiency, Latin and English, R. McYeagh; ; chemistry and French, G. Colgan ; mathematics .and mechanics, P. O’Sullivan. Matriculation Class. Latin, French, and science, L. Buxton; mathematics and English, A. Snedden; Christian Doctrine, L. Buxton. Civil Service Class. Christian Doctrine, F. Cody 1, J. Hally 2, H. Taylor 3; aggregate merit, J. Molloy 1* J. Russell 2, J. Hally 3; mathematics (special gold medal), J. Molloy 1, J. Russell 2, H. Taylor 3; English, J. Hally 1, P. Cody 2, J. Molloy 3; arithmetic, J. Molloy 1, J. Hally 2, G. Bryant 3; Latin, J. Hally 1, J. Molloy 2, F. Cody and H. Taylor 3 ; French, J. Russell and J. Molloy 1, G. Coakley, F. Cody, and G. Bryant 2 ; chemistry, G. Coakley 1, F. Cody 2, J. Hally 3algebra* G. Bryant and H. Taylor 1, J. Molloy 2; geometry, J. Russell and A. Gibbons 1, J. Molloy 2; geography, E. Burns 1, W. Swift 2 ; elocution, F. Lavin 1; instrumental music (piano), R. Hanson. V .

Sub-Civil Service Class.—Aggregate merit, O. Dolan 1, C. Boyle 2, J. Foley 3; Christian Doctrine, E. Harold 1, B. Cottrell 2, O. Dolan 3; English, O. Dolan, 1, C. Boyle 2, F. Sullivan 3; essay, O. Dolan 1, B. Gallagher 2, W. King 3; reading, K. Beehan 1, E. Harold 2, O. Dolan 3; writing, E. Harold 1, F. Sullivan 2, Y. Hunt 3; arithmetic, O. Dolan 1, C. Boyle 2, E. Earlly 3; Latin, O. Dolan 1, J. Foley 2, C. Boyle 3; French, N. Hall 1, O. Dolan 2, C. Boyle 3 : chemistry, B. Cottrell 1, J. Foley 2, H. Jones 3; geometry, F. Sullivan 1, C. Boyle 2, O. Dolan 3; algebra, C. .Boyle 1, E. Earlly 2, B. Gallagher 3; geography, D. Gould 1, J. Foley 2, H. Jew 3 ; application, H. Jew 1. Sixth Class (A).—Religion, H. Cahill, W. Molloy, M. Flynn; aggregate merit, M. Flynn, J. Boylan, R. Adams; English, J. Boylan, L. Grey, A. Howe; reading, L. Grey, R. Adams, H. Cahill; writing, M. Flynn, L. Gould (prize), J. Boylan; spelling, J. Boylan, M. Flynn, A. Howe; essay, R. Adams, M. Flynn, L. Gould; arithmetic, M. Flynn, J. Boylan, R. Adams; geography, M. Flynn, J. Boylan, L. Grey; drawing, A. Howe, R. Adams, M. Flynn; general improvement, W. Molloy, A. Howe, H. Ganiev. Sixth Class (B). —Religion, F. Lowry, E. Sullivan, L. Cullen; aggregate merit, A. Foley, V. Owen, F. Lowry; English, F. Lowry, J. Ralph, V. Owen; reading, J. Ralph, F. Lowry, E. Sullivan; writing, J. Ralph, L. Cullen, M. Twomey; spelling, Y. Owen, F. Lowry, J. Murray; arithmetic, J. Murray, V. Owen, A. Foley; geography, L. Cullen, Y. Owen, T. Sullivan; general improvement, E. Sullivan, C. Brownlie, L. Russell.

Fifth Class. Religion, F. O’Brien, Gus. Hart, B. Hannify; aggregate merit, IT. Hunt, P. Sheridan, F. O’Brien; English, J. Martin, F. O’Brien, P. Sheridan; reading, R. Jenkins, P. Sheridan, J. Martin ; writing, H. Hunt, C. Burke, R. Jenkins; spelling, Gus. Hart, George Hart, P. Sheridan; arithmetic, C. Burke, Gus. Hart, H. Hunt; geography, H. Hunt, P. Sheridan (prize), R. Jenkins. Fourth Glass. Religion, J. Mackle, D. Barry, J. Molloy; aggregate merit, D. Barry, J. Molloy, B. McCarthy: English, L. Adams, L. Hunt, B. McCarthy; reading, H. Reid, D. Barry, J. Mackle; writing, F. Wilson, B. McCarthy, L. Hunt; spelling, L. Hunt, J. Molloy, J. Mackle; arithmetic, T. Page, D. Barry, L. Hunt; geography, D. Barry, J. Molloy, L. Hunt; application, M. Graham. Third Class.—Religion, R. Hayward, T. McMahon, N. Wall; aggregate merit, N. Wall, R. Hayward, T. McMahon; English, E. Finnigan, IT. Williams, N. Wall; reading, R. Pilling, E. Finnegan, N. Wall; writing, J. Latapie, S. Moore, E. O’Connor; spelling, IT. Williams, E. Finnegan, T. McMahon; arithmetic, T. McMahon, N. Wall, E. O’Connor; geography, E. Finnegan, R. Hayward, R. Pilling; application, J. Latpie. Second Class.—Religion, L. McCarthy, M. O’Connor, H. Lucena; aggregate merit, M. O’Connor, L. McCarthy, IT. Lucena; English, M. O’Connor, L. McCarthy, H. Lucena; reading, M. O’Connor, L. McCarthy, J. Bray ; writing, M. O’Connor, IT. Lucena, L. McCarthy ; spelling, L. McCarthy, M. O’Connor, J. Bray; arithmetic, M. O’Connor, IT. Lucena, L. McCarthy. Music.-R. Jenkins, E. Harold, B. Cottrell, B. Gallagher, O. Dolan, L. Gould, V. Hunt, Dt O’Connor, D. Gould, R. Hansen," R. Frodsham.