Riverton

New Zealand Tablet, 30 January 1913, Page 36

Riverton

Ever since the advent of the Rev. Father Murphy to the Riverton parish (says the Western Star) it has been his desire to see a school established and the ceremony next Sunday, February 2, will see his wish carried to a successful issue. We were given an opportunity to inspect the buildings, which are nicely situated on the section above the, presbytery and churcn in Milton street, South Riverton, and overlooking the town and bay. The main portion of the convent ’s 40ft by 30ft, divided into lour large rooms, with a six-foot hall. On the left as you enter is a room Lift Gin with lift ceiling, and is well lighted, which will be set aside as the private chapel; across the passage is the reception-room, the corresponding rooms being dining-room and dormitory. Further back are situated three bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, etc. The whole interior has been nicely papered and varnished, and being well lighted gives a pleasing effect. The schoolhouse, on the same section, is a most substantial building in wood of one room, 40ft by 22ft, with 14ft walls, lighted with eight large windows and well ventilated, and having a porch Bft by Oft. The whole has been constructed of red pine and totara with concrete foundations, and so arranged as to meet with the Education Board requirements. The four rows of desks will seat some sixty pupils. Two shelter-sheds and other outbuildings are added, while the necessary sanitary arrangements have been carefully attended to. The grounds are subdivided' with five-feet corrugated iron fences. The contract has been faithfully carried out by Mr. E. Walker-Bone, of Orepuki; the painting and decorating by Mr. J. Mangan (Orepuki), the plumbing; including the high-pressure service, by Mr. H. E. Philp (Riverton), and the brick and plaster work by Mr. Hannah and Mr. C. L. Richards (Riverton). The school will be in charge of the Sisters of Mercy. The ceremony of blessing the convent and school will be performed on Sunday next at 11 o’clock, when the occasional sermon will ‘be preached by Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., St. Joseph’s Cathedral. To enable the Orepuki, Te Wae Wae, Otatau, and other parts of the extensive parish to be represented at the ceremony the Rev. Father Murphy has arranged with the Railway Department to run two trainsone from Tuatapere and one from Nightcaps—on that day, at excursion fares.