HUNTLY

New Zealand Tablet, 12 February 1914, Page 15

HUNTLY

ST. ANTHONY’S CONVENT SCHOOL AND PRIORY

The opening of St. Anthony’s Convent’ School, so longingly anticipated by the Catholic portion of the community, is now an accomplished fact, and the delay caused by the experienced in securing teachers at a time when the demand for such was so great, only served to accentuate-the satisfaction felt by all concerned (says the //until/ Press of January * 30). On Wednesday afternoon there arrived in bluntly from Christchurch by the Rotorua express the' Mother Superior and five Sisters of the Mission, four of whom are to take charge of the priory and school. Met at the station by a number of- the ladies of the Parish, the new arrivals were escorted to the priory, where were assembled Fathers Cahill and Ivreymborg, the members of the local branch of the Hibernian Society, a large number of the Catholic laity pf the town and district, and a goodly sprinkling of prospective "pupils. Miss Ralph, who stood at the main entrance to the priory, alter according to the Mother-Superior and the Sisters a most kindly and cordial welcome, handed over to the former the keys of both priory and school, expressing as she did so < her delight at their arrival, and the hope that their presence in Huntly would not only advance the educational interests of the little ones, but would conduce to the good of all interested. After refreshments . had been partaken of, Miss Ralph conducted the visitors over the priory, a fine, two-storeyed building comprising fourteen rooms, all fully furnished and replete with everything in the way of furnishings necessary to the conduct of an establishment of the kind. Not only was the forethought of the donor displayed by the provision of everything required for household purposes, but the extra supplies which filled the cupboards and other receptacles showed that the needs of future expansion had not been overlooked. The trim and ornate grounds were hastily surveyed, and. the party adjourned to the school, where speeches of welcome were made by Rev. Father Cahill on behalf of the parishioners, by Mr. J. Robertson for the laity, and by Bro. W. Darby for the. Hibernian Society. - • A v The welcome accorded was of a most cordial nature, the keynote of the various.speeches being gratitude to Miss Ralph for the handsome gift which formed another monument in Huntly to the generosity of the Ralph family, and the most, recent of the many gifts bestowed by them on the town the satisfaction of the Catholics upon the arrival of those who would not only superintend the secular education of the little ones, but both by precept and example would.supervise their spiritual growth ; promises of hearty assistance and support, and forecasts of the blessings, both temporal and spiritual, that through the agency of the Sisters, would follow Miss Ralph’s handsome benefaction. The speeches of welcome fended, all’adjourned to the lawn, where the ladies of the parish dispensed the generous hospitality highly appreciated by those present. Miss Ralph’s donation to the Church comprises the priory and,.school, which occupy a large, valuable, and central position on the west side of Great South road, while behind , is the Waikato flowing serenely alongside the fringe of willows that separates the grounds from the water. As has been already stated, the priory, which stands in the middle of extensive aiifl spacious grounds, comprises' fourteen rooms, fully and handsomely furnished and provided with supplies that cam be drawn upon-according to thy requirements of, future demands, and containing everything-from pianos to. cooking utensils—that; the ■ most anxious thought could provide:; for the completion of a house hold equipment from which nothing had been omitted. 1 The outbuildings also are large and extensivfi, while 1 a windmill provides a perpetual and inexhaustible water supply. • j ■ ... -■ v b -v, ; The school, built to accommodate 100 /pupils,' consists of one large and two subsidiary and smaller class-

rooms, all of which are well lighted and painted in colors that are not only pleasingly effective’/ but restful to the eye. Here, too, the furnishings are complete. Miss Ralph having given personal supervision to the equipment of the school, and having provided everything in the shape of teachers’ and pupils’, desks, tables, chairs, blackboards, mans, and the, hundred and one other things that make teaching as easy as possible for the instructors, and as comfortable for the-pupils as the best scholastic conditions admit. The' desks provided lor the pupils call for special mention. Built of heart of kauri to Miss Ralph’s order, they are handsome and substantial, are provided with a. folding seat, with a rounded back, covered inkwells, and a lid, which, on being lifted, provides a receptacle for the pupil to keep his or her books, papers, and other material in. Lavatories, a spacious shelter shed,' ‘ and other. outbuildings round off a gift which, fully complete, .shows not only the interest the donor takes in the Church and in the town, but her evident desire’ to use her means for the advancement of the district as well as for the educational progress of all who care to take advantage of the facilities which she has placed within their reach. • • . The regret of the residents at the approaching departure to ‘Auckland of the Rev. Father Cahill is as sincere as it is general '(says the lluntil/ Press).. His own people regard his transfer as a personal loss, while the residents look upon it as the passing of a tried and trusted friend whose benefactions, though secret, were numerous : whose interest' in all that tended to promote the interests or progress of the town was great : and whose personal help and assistance were genially offered, when sought,, and frequently proffered before any request had been- made. The rev. gentleman, during his residence in Huntly of over a period of eight years, has made many friends, and not a single person will he leave behind who does not wish him well. Devoted to his particular work and to the duties of his holy office, he has proved himself a. worthy citizen, helpful in every good cause, and at all times giving of his best in the interests of his fellow men, while his life has incited many to followeven if falteringly and far behind—an example well ,• worthy of imitation. And so when farewell is said, the ..word , carries with it esteem, respect, love, and all those wishes which, could they become active, would mean for Father Cahill all future happiness, prosperity, and success.