FIRE-SWEPT PARISH, OHAKUNE

New Zealand Tablet, 31 October 1918, Page 42

FIRE-SWEPT PARISH, OHAKUNE

Our people, feeling the need of Catholic education for their children, determined to provide them with a .Catholic school. This year a large and commodious school ("where more than 80 Catholic children are now taught) was erected at a cost of ill6oo, and a convent was purchased at a cost of ill4oo is, a total of £3OOO. Our people have subscribed generously, but they are not rich in this world's goods, and they could only reduce the debt by £BOO. £2200 still remains as a debt. Since the erection of school and convent the terrible bush fires of last March swept over the district, inflicting heavy loss on some of our people. | Moreover, we have no church and no presbytery yet. I We are badly off. Hence we appeal to the benevolent i throughout the Dominion to help us to keep the Faith in'this back blocks and fire-swept parish. We are running a bazaar on November 20 to relieve our debt. Donations in kind or money will be gratefully received and personally acknowledged. Address — Father Guinane, Ohakune.