mARIST BROTHERS OLD BOYS, WANGANUI

New Zealand Tablet, 28 April 1921, Page 22

mARIST BROTHERS OLD BOYS, WANGANUI

UNVEILING OF ROLL OF HONOR. A largo gathering of Marist Brothers’ old boys and friends assembled on last Thursday evening at the ‘‘Golden Gate” , Tea Rooms to witness the unveiling of the Roll of Honor, containing the names of 123 old boys who had rendered active service in the Great War. The meeting was presided over by Mr. E. O’Meara, and among the visitors were the Rev. Fathers O’Connell, S.M., and McGrath, S.M., the Marist Brothers, and the Mayor (Mr. P. B. Williams). After the loyal toast had been ‘honored, the chairman congratulated the company on the large attendance, and expressed his pleasure that such a splendid work of art as the memorial board was would adorn the walls of the local school and serve to show future generations of boys the sacrifices that their predecessors had made. That 123 old boys had served from a school, the roll number of which, including infants, rarely exceeded 130 boys, was sufficient proof that - the cultivation of the : civic spirit” went ’’ hand in hand with religious and secular training; One of the first New Zealanders to gain the Victoria Cross was a Wellington Marist Brothers’ old boy, the late Captain Alfred Shout. - Four of his soldier cousins, sons of the late Mr. George Greener, were old boys of the ! local -school. : To the parents and friends of the 13 who had lost their lives he extended the deep sympathy of the meeting. ' Rev. Father O’Connell, before unveiling the Roll of Honor, delivered an eloquent address," eulogising the patriotism of the young men who had left their homes, their friends, and their country' to 1 fight -primarily for : the freedom of that gallant ‘ little country, ; Belgium, and ‘ indirectly that all nations, particularly the r smaller, might be free to work ' out * their own national ' life | without interference from others. ‘‘Father O’Connell - denounced, the ‘ servile at- ■ titude of the daily . press, which either misrepresented, or openly vilified the brilliant and brave young ' Irishmen who ; i’.nKIlH -A'i-ocito.?? r<t -tA> 8* BSP s . mss • .- a —.

• if^ ran ' „ ■■■■■■ : > ■ frr/ were striving to free-their land from the domination / of the English tyrants. He quoted Archbishop-’Clime, who had stated that every horror’ and outrage which, the ; Ger- -. mans were alleged to have• perpetrated on the Belgians had been worsted by the criminal soldiery that had been let loose' on the innocent' arid defenceless : - Irish people. The speaker 0 stated that only (i that morning his Grace;.Arch- . bishop Redwood had told him that though he, as an Englishman, was proud of his nationality, he felt thoroughly ashamed of the present English Government, for the barbarous way they were treating the Irish nation. He urged them to continue kind and forbearing to their fellowcitizens, However great might be the calumnies alleged against them, and all they held most dear and sacred. Their loyal support in all that made for the advancement of Catholic education had heartened him in that work, and he knew they were even more determined than he that their schools should - be maintained at the highest stage of educational efficiency. Whether they were granted their just rights, the work of Catholic education would go on, and just as these young soldiers had never flinched before the enemy so they, and ' all those . associated with them, would maintain their rights; while at the same time heartily joining with their fellow countrymen in all that conduced to*the moral and spiritual advancement of 'their native land. The Mayor, who was warmly received, thanked the organisers for inviting him to take part in the gathering, and said he yielded to no one in his admiration of the young men who had served and fallen regardless of the school from which they had come. He recalled the great work done by the various patriotic societies in the Dominion for the benefit of the soldiers, and it was pleasing to know that this sympathetic encouragement had greatly stimulated the men to carry on in their awful struggle. Like the previous speakers he deeply sympathised with the friends of the departed, hoping that they, with all the fallen, would ever bo held in honored memory.)”--Other toasts honored were “The Clergy,” “The Marist Brothers,” “The Fallen,” and; “The Visitors.” In responding to the toast of “The Clergy,” Rev. Father McGrath spoke of the great work accomplished by the chaplains to the forces, making special mention of the late Rev. Fathers Dore and McMenamin. He pleaded for the incorporation in our civil life of the splendid spirit., of toleration and mutual help which prevailed among all the chaplains and men on active service. ■ A special vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. George Smithies, who designed the board, collected the names and the funds, and organised the whole function. The various toasts were interspersed with musical and elocutionary items contributed by Messrs. McCarthy, Grotty, Morris, Sloane, Cardston, and Ahern. The Roll of Honor is now being exhibited in the show window of Spillane and Co.’s premises. >