THE LATE VERY REV. DR. WATTERS, S.M.

New Zealand Tablet, 18 May 1916, Page 22

THE LATE VERY REV. DR. WATTERS, S.M.

(From our Wellington correspondent.)

A cable message received on Wednesday stated that the Very Rev. Ur. Watters, S.M., president of the Catholic "University School, Dublin, had died of gunshot wounds received while standing at the door during the rebellion. This brief message has brought great grief to St. Patrick's College and to many outside its, walls, including old boys scattered up and down the country; many in Flanders, France, or Egypt, and also many friends among the citizens of Wellington. Dr. Watters was born in 1851 at Dundalk, Ireland. His father was Scotch, his mother Irish. He was educated at St. Mary's College (Marist Fathers), Dundalk. He joined the Society of Mary, starting his ecclesiastical studies at Belley (France). His father's death called him back to Ireland, and he completed his theological course at Dublin. He received the degree of Doctor in Theology, ' S.T.D.,' from the College of Propaganda, Rome, and the degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on him by the Dublin University. He . was ordained by Dr. McGettigan, Archbishop of Armagh. He joined the teaching staff of the Marist Fathers' Day School in Lower Leeson street, just off Stephen's Green. When St. Patrick's College was founded, 1884, Dr. Watters was selected by the Marist Order to be its first Rector. The members of the staff then were: —Father Carolan (died in 1894), and two still alive, the Ven. Archdeacon Devoy (Newtown), and the Rev. Father W. Goggan (Seminary, Greenmeadows, ITawke's Bay). For fourteen years (1885 to 1899) :Dr v Watters presided over the destinies of St. College. Much of its success was due to his firm, but'' gentle rule. He was well known in social circles in Wellington; his courtly manners and winning ways made him many friends. Dr. Watters was a member of the Victoria College Council for some years. He was ever ready to support every public cause. He left the impress of his person -

ality indelibly on St. Patrick'scollege, classroom, and playing field found him, equally enthusiastic. Old boys will remember him as excited as any boy of the time in the annual football matches with teams of Wellington College. In 1899 Dr. Watters was recalled to Ireland to preside over the school in Lower Leeson street, Dublin, -where he had taught before coming to Wellington. Under him the school made constant progress, till it was recognised as one of the best secondary schools in Ireland. He had just made extensive alterations. Despite the war the school held record numbers when untimely death removed the president from the scene. ' Dr. Watters loved Ireland passionately; he knew her history well,' says one of his many friends. The rebellion must have been a sad blow to him; no wonder he was not among those who remained hidden whilst this great crisis was on. One can easily imagine him doing his. utmost in a city where he was well known to stop the rebellion. And so he, too, haV fallen a victim. By the blood of such noble and innocent'victims Ireland will be redeemed, freed from the poison lurking below. Dr. Watters will be long remembered as a man whose utmost energies were consecrated to bringing out all the noblest features of the boys in New Zealand, and in his own loved Ireland.'

The editor of Blue and White (the annual magazine of the college) had just received a letter from Dr. Watters, congratulating him on the 1915 issue and offering to write an article for 1916. He retained his interest in St. Patrick's to the last.

A Requiem High Mass for the repose of the soul of the deceased was celebrated at St. Patrick's College Chapel on Saturday morning. The Very Rev. Father Keogh, S.M., 8.A., was celebrant, Rev. Father Gilbert, S.M., deacon, and Rev. Father O'Farrell, S.M., subdeacon. Very Rev. Dr. Kennedy, S.M. (Rector), Rev. Fathers O'Reilly, S.M. (Vice-Rector), Gondringer, S.M., Schaefer, S.M., Ryan, S.M., J. Cullen, S.M., A. Cullen, S.M., Campbell, S.M., and all the pupils of the college were present. The college choir rendered the music of the Mass. —R.I.P.