Palmerston North

New Zealand Tablet, 21 October 1915, Page 59

Palmerston North

(From our own correspondent.)

October 8.

S' 4 A long-felt want in Palmerston North has been a new church, the present one being too small and also in a bad state of • repair. But before anything can be done, new schools must be built. The site for the new church is more or less oh the ground where the old schools are. Plans have been drawn and submitted to the Government and accepted, subject to slight alterations. A general meeting was held on Sunday last to put the views of the committee before the congregation. Mr. E. L. Broad presided over a large attendance. Rev. Father McManus explained the proposal to build new schools in Grey street, making it quite clear that it would be impossible to build a new church and leave the schools where they are. If that were done it would do away with the recreation ground.

. Mr. F. J. Oakley explained about the tenure of the land on which it is proposed to build the schools. The land in question was part of a Native reserve; it could be leased for the first 21 years at a rental of .£SB 10s per annum, with a right of renewal for another 21 years, the rent to be then at a valuation. After the expiration of the second 21 years it could be again renewed for a further 21 years, making a total of 63 years. Mr. Oakley pointed out that it would be much cheaper to take the land on these terms than having it freehold, because at a rental of £SB 10s the expenses would be a little over £1 a week, whereas if it was purchased right out, the congregation would have to borrow something like £4OOO, and the interest on that amount would be from £4 to £5 per week.

Mr. M. J. Kennedy (treasurer) said that the cost of the schools would be £3OOO. He had cash in hand and promises amounting to £IOOO, and it was proposed to borrow £2OOO. He asked for guarantors for any sum they liked, and several in the room at once handed in their names. It was decided to have a special collection on some Sunday, and no doubt a goodly sum will be forthcoming.

A Solemn Requiem Mass was celebrated at St. Patrick's Church this morning for our soldiers fallen at the front. The celebrant was the Rev. Father Forrestal. Rev. Father MeManus was deacon and Rev. Father Doolaghty was subdeacon. Father MeManus, in a particularly interesting discourse, said that in the moral as well as in the physical order, pain and sorrow were inevitable conditions of life and growth. The soul had its growing pains as well as the body. The prophet had told us that ' man born of woman liveth for a little while and is filled with many miseries.' There were no regions so favored, no firesides so sheltered, no heart so securely hedged in as to escape the common cry which was arising from the bruised heart of humanity, brought about by the great crisis. As if to prevent the possibility of escaping this common lot of suffering, continued the speaker, God sent death as the common heritage of humanity, and now more than at any other point in the tragic history of the human race was the destroying angel visiting the homes and the hearths of the people. There were few homes even in New Zealand, far as it is from the seat of war, into which the Angel of Death had not entered. But death which brought a common sorrow and desolation also brought a common solace. He Who commanded the weeping widow of Nain to weep not, also told them to dry their tears and He would give them that consoling doctrine of the communion of saints through which they could keep in. touch with and comfort the souls of the departed.

'. The following ; pupils of the convent were successful at the recent musical examinations conducted by the examiner for "the Royal,. Academy and the Royal College of Music;;London : L.A. B. diploma (minimum marks, 150) — Kelly, 160. Local centre, advanced grade (minimum, 103)—Mrs. D. Goldfinch, 120 ; M. Kearins (singing), marks to be withheld until theory completed in December. Higher division (minimum. marks, 100) —Ellen Millar 113 (singing); Edna Eyre, 112-'Katie Nash, 105; C. Hesketh, 102.. . Elementary division (minimum marks, Alberta Hans, 103 Leila Hocking, 100; Marie Kirk, 100; Beryl Lather, 100. Primary division (minimum marks, 100) —Rangi O'Reilly, 122; Molly Broad, 121; Marjory Sim, 113; Ellen Nash, 120; Barbara Evans ,114; Maisie O'Brien, 114; Gwen Brophy, 112; May Rogers, 112; Rita Barling, 110; Ida Dorset, 111; Nora Wood, 112; Mary McGonnell, 106; Frank Kennedy, 102 ; Gertie Wiggins, 105; Mavis Collins, 104.