THE O'CONOR INSTITUTE, WESTPORT

New Zealand Tablet, 28 March 1918, Page 39

THE O'CONOR INSTITUTE, WESTPORT

Although climatic conditions were not very favorable on the occasion, there was a large attendance at the O'Conor Institute recently, when the building was formally opened by the Mayor of Westport (Mr. Arthur Leaver), who, with Archbishop Redwood and Mr. James Colvin, M.P., constitute the O'Conor Board of Trustees. During the course of the afternoon, those present were afforded an opportunity of inspecting the building and one and all were unanimous in their verdict that the architect, contractors, sub-contractors, and others concerned had done their work well, and that the home was a fitting memorial to the great work the late Mr. Eugene O'Conor had done for the district and would worthily perpetuate his memory. Mr. Colvin opened the proceedings by presenting the Mayor with a beautiful key, the gift of the architects —Messrs. Swan and Swan, of Wellington. The speaker said the trust had been carried on by the board with the greatest harmony, and the builders had done their work faithfully and well. Mr. O'Conor in making the bequest, intended that the home should be for people of all denominations. It would be under the charge of the Sisters of Mercy. Any one could get a bed so long as a bed was empty. Provision was made for five old men, for five old women, and for ten or fifteen children. The whole of the work h&d been carried out without a hitch or the slightest trouble. The foreman of works was Mr. T. Thompson, and he (Mr. Colvin) was sure, had Eugene O'Conor been alive, he would not have wished for any one better. Messrs. Swan Bros., the architects, had doii£ everything to the satisfaction of the board. He had much pleasure in presenting Mr. Leaver with a key, on behalf of the architects, and wishing success to the home. In the course of his address the Mayor said the foundation of the home was laid on April 10, 1917. Since then they had had several meetings of the board and complete harmony had prevailed. The building was a credit to the district. It spoke well for the district that all the materials used in the building were local products. They had gone outside for only the architect, and it was felt it was well to get some one with wide experience in designing large buildings, and he believed, if Mr. O'Conor were alive to-day, he would be in thorough accord with all the" board had done. They had carried out to the letter, as far as possible, the wishes of the late Mr. E. O'Conor. The old people and destitute children at the fine home would be under the kind care of the Sisters of Mercy. Anyone wishing for anything better would be hard to please. He hoped the home would prove a haven of rest to the aged and be a place where children would be brought up as they ought to be. Children would be brought up in the religion of their parents. No attempt would be made to interfere in any way with their religious principles. The different ministers would be allowed to call on them. Mr. Girling-Butcher, secretary to the O'Conpr Trust Board, said the expenses of the building had been very heavy. Their funds were not so buoyant as they might be, and any donations would be most acceptable. He had heard a great deal of the generosity of the people on the West Coast, and he felt sure that they would do all they could to promote the succes"- of ,the home. It was one of the most magnificent institutions of Christian charity in the Dominion. To give the Sisters of Mercy some time to complete the furnishings, the board had decided that the institution should not be opened until March 1. Mr. Girling-ButcHer paid a tribute to the spirit and zeal of the Sisters of Mercy, and congratulated the district on having such worthy managers of the home. What they were doing was being done for the love of God. He hoped the people would accept his hint in regard to the funds in the spirit that it was given. He meant what he said sincerely and he hoped they would take it sincerely. ,--.

Mr. J. J. Moloney also made a brief speech, thanking the Board of Trustees for the way in which they | had given effect to the wishes of the late Mr. E. O'Conor, and he paid a tribute to . the sterling • work of Mr. Girling-Butcher, who, with his .energy,, and capacity, had done so much to bring about the early erection of the institution. His Grace Archbishop Redwood delivered an eloquent address, in the course of which he said it gave him very great pleasure to assist in the ceremony of opening the O'Conor Memorial Home. The home would remind them of the charity, the broad-minded-ness and benevolence of the late Mr. O'Conor. His name would be in their memory for all time in Westport. Many people did not think of spending their wealth where they had made it. Not so Mr. E. O'Conor. His benevolent action was a very good example of the true use of wealth. If they had more men such in their midst, what magnificent institutions might be originated. Mr. O'Conor had set an example for others to emulate, and he (the speaker) particularly wished to impress this idea upon them. We were living in an age of materialism. Mr. O'Conor looked to the futureto the true destiny of men. He lived for them in time and in eternity. His Grace congratulated the people' of Westport on the erection of the fine and noble building, which was an ornament to the town, and would make its name known all over the Dominion for the pood work done in the institution. He hoped the people would appreciate the home and do all they could for its present and future welfare. He also congratulated his fellow trustees who had worked together in the greatest harmony. If he were to mark any one out for special eulogy, it would be the Mayor of Westport. They were in admiration of the pains he had taken and the zeal he had shown to promote the erection of the home and its success. They owed the deepest gratitude to him for what he had done. A tribute was also paid to the good work done by the secretary (Mr. Girling-Butcher". The speaker was glad that local material had been used where possible. His Grace also paid a tribute to the zeal and charity of the Sisters of Mercy, of whose good work he had experience in his own district. They always gave the greatest satisfaction. He felt sure they would extend that zeal and devotion to their duties in connection with the memorial home. The speaker enlarged on the difference between philanthropy and charity, the latter being the higher virtue because it was based on the love of God and humanity. He recalled Christ's words: "When I was hungry, ye gave Me to eat when I was thirsty, ye gave Me to drink," and, in reply to the inquiries of His hearers when they did this, "Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these My children, ye did it unto Me." That spirit actuated the Sisters of Mercy in the work they were doing in taking over the charge of the home. They received no payment, but were filled with the love of Christ. Their work was for the cause of God and humanity. His Grace had great pleasure in attending at the opening of the institution and wished it success in its noble work. The formal ceremony then closed with the singing of the National Anthem. Visitors inspected the home and also were the guests of the Sisters of Mercy to afternoon tea. The building was solemnly blessed by his Grace Archbishop Redwood, and the first Mass celebrated there on February 12.