Story of the Church in Westland

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LI, Issue 3, 17 January 1924, Page 57 (Supplement)

Story of the Church in Westland

Gladly participating in the rejoicings of the people of the “Golden West” on the attainment of their diamond jubilee of settlement in that attractive and important portion of the Dominion, we give a brief historical sketch of the parishes of Westland, taking each district in the order of its missionary foundation. These records cover the period from the establishment of the respective parishes to 1912. GREVMOUTH. The gold discovery of 18(30 attracted over 100,000 people —a. large proportion of whom were of Irish nationality—to the West Coast of the South Island. Hokitika, and its neighboring districts were the first centres of attraction. The richness of the goldfields of Westport and its vicinity likewise invited great numbers anxious to obtain the precious metal. Greymouth and the fertile Grey Valley were soon populated. Koefton, still a rich gold-bearing district, became the home of many desirous of wealth. The whole region, though auriferous, was still in the primitive state of nature and extremely rough, so that the many hardships endured by the pioneers may be .readily understood. The moisture-laden clouds from the Tasman Sea are soon condensed by the cold atmosphere of the mountains, thus ■ making the West Coast a wet country, though possessed of natural beauty. Originally .the district was under the jurisdiction of the Right Rev. Dr. Viard, first Bishop of Wellington, who at an early date visited his newly acquired people, and sent the Rev. Father Tressalet, S.M., to Greymouth. His successor, a French secular priest, the Rev. Father Royer, arrived in 1866. The parish extended from the Teremakau river to Nelson, and to the ranges in the interior. Father Royer erected the Urst Catholic church in Orcyjn*iuth; the site uas top near thy Grey

River, the frequent floods of which brought Hie waters to a depth of five feet within the little building. In 1870 Father Royer was replaced by Father (afterwards Dean) Binsfeld, S.M. In May of the same year another change brought Father Colomb, whose zeal and energy accomplished much in the short space from his arrival to his deeply lamented death. In. 1871 he was drowned in attempting to cross Nelson Creek. Father Colomb -enlarged the church to double its first dimensions, and built the first Catholic school, the site of which was subsequently purchased by the Government for harbor improvements. After Father Colomb’s death Father Binsfeld returned and remained until the arrival of his successor, the Rev. Father Belliard, S.M. About 1883, Barry town and Marsdcn were added to the parish of Greymouth, little churches having previously been erected in both places by the Rev. Father Rolland. After Father Belliard, the Rev. Fathers McGuinness and O’Connor resided in Greymouth until the arrival or the Very Rev, Dean Carew, S.M., in 1884. With the increasing population and growing wealth of the Dominion, Greymouth has fully kept pace. About £1,000,000 have been spent by the Government in opening up coal mines from which approximately three hundred thousand tons of coal are annually exported. The timber, farming, and dairying industries have likewise grown to be important - factors in enriching the country. The gold mines of Greymouth have become insignificant. In 1887, the foundation stone of the present fine church was laid by the Most Rev. Metropolitan (then) Bishop Redwood. The first work of his Lordship Bishop Grimes in the parish was the opening of the new church bn Pentecost Sunday, 1888. The erection and finishing of the new church, dedicated to St. Patrick, cost about £BOOO debt of the past. In 1912, a site for a new presbytery was purchased at a cost of £BOO. From 1886 to 1889- a sum of £llOO was " expended on a new school and. convent of the Sisters of Mercy at Brunnerton. A new church, dedicated to the Sacred Heart, erected at a cost of £520, was opened at the State Coal Mines in 1909. In Cobden £IBOO have been expended on a site and the erection of a church and schools, which are conducted by the Sisters of Mercy! A site of IV acres been obtained, and a sum of money is in hand, for the erection of a Catholic school at Blaketown, The church at Barry town, having been destroyed by fire, was replaced last year by a new wooden building. .' On the present old presbytery, about to be replaced on the newly acquired site, £IOOO were expended. The following have been successively assistant-priests in Greymouth;Rev. Fathers D. P. O’Connor, Pertuis, S.M., Briand, S.M., Servajean, S.M., Malone, S.M., Kirabell, -S.M., Herbert, S.M., Taylor, S.M., H. Battalion*, S.M., and Finncrty. .' A branch of the H.A.C.B. Society numbers ,90 .members, the St. Columba Club has 180, the Society'off St. Vincent de Paid 80; 300 members are enrolled in • the Apostleship of Prayer, and about SO in the Sodality of Children of Mary. There have also been various clubs established for social and amusement purposes in the parish, . whilst, the original outlay on the Hibernian Hall and club rooms amounted to £IOOO, at which figure they arc' now valued. HOKITIKA • The parish of Hokitika at present extends from the • Arahura- River on -the north to the Hokitika. River on the south, and from the seaboard to the central Alps. As early as 1860, the first Catholic church on the West Coast was expected by the Rev! Father McGirr. St. Mary’s, in the town of Hokitika, is the principal church, although within the last twelve months (1912) another beautiful one (St. Joseph’s) has beeen erected at Kanieri. The former has seating accommodation for 400, the latter for about 200. Besides these churches there are other parochial edificesschools, presbytery, Catholic men’s clubrooms, and convent. St. Alary’s School is situated on a plot of two . and a-quarter acres. .The building - has been recejitly ,e_nlargndi and provide? ■s? 1?■, separate Tmd spacious . -tifftssTiwnfsr

The presbytery, erected by the Rev. Father Ainsworth, , S.M., is one of the finest in the diocese. The clubrooms are spacious and will be in due time as well appointed as those of any similar organisation possessing ampler means. The Convent of -St. Columbkille is a well-known landmark, having been founded in 1878. It stands on a central site of one acre, and is within a minute’s walk of the railway station. The buildings occupy about a quarter acre of space, and are admirably adapted for teaching purposes. The Sisters are of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy, and came originally from Clare, Ireland, and have founded houses of their community at Greymouth (1881), Lyttelton (1890), Ross (1889), Kumara (1889). Some sixty of their pupils have abandoned the world to devote themselves in various Orders to corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The annals of Hokitika record the devoted labors and administration of the following:Rev. Fathers J. McGirr, J. McDonough, J. A. Goutenoire, S.M., IT. P. Martin, S.M., W. Hickie, Tressalet, S.M., P. F. Golden, P. Regnault, S.M., D. Malone, S.M., A. Le Petit, S.M., S. Mahony, S.M., P. Aubry, S.M., J. E. Ainsworth, S.M., P. Henry, S.M., J. I). Clancy, S.M. AH AURA. The centre of the parish of Ahaura is a small township twenty-two miles from Greymouth. Besides the church and presbytery at Ahaura itself, there are seven other churches in the parochial district, viz., at Totara Flat, about seven miles to the north-east, a small but prosperous farming district, with a large proportion of sterling Catholic families; at Nelson Creek, eight miles to the south, a gold mining centre of decreasing wealth with a population of 250, of whom more than a third are Catholics, who preserve an admirable spirit of faith and piety, and a generosity of heart which their Irish extraction, and the palmy days of the gold diggings engendered; at Blackball, a prosperous coal-mining district, of which more than a tenth of the entire population are Catholics. The other churches are situated at No Town, Maori Gully, Maori Creek, and Marsden—names resonant of “digging days,” and once the centres of prosperous alluvial gold-mining districts. Curing to the timber industry and land settlement, many new but small centres of population have sprung up within recent years, especially along the Midland Railway to the Teremakau River, the southern boundary of the parish. In some of these places Mass is celebrated regularly in the public school rooms either on Sunday or during the week. Travelling in this quarter of the parish is as yet rather inconvenient, owing to the fact that there is no access by road. The total Catholic population of the entire parish is about 600, the average in Ahaura, Totara Flat, Nelson Creek, and Blackball being about 100 each. Formerly, the population was much larger. No Town, Maori Gully, Maori Creek, Marsden, Orwell Creek, Napoleon Hill, and Grandville had their hundreds and more, but' now number but a hundred or two between them. There is as yet no Catholic school in the parish, the Catholics being scarcely numerous enough in any one centre to support their own school. The priest may, however, after school hours, see to the religious instruction of the Catholic children in the State schools, where he is generally courteously received by the teachers. Regular Sunday schools have been established in the more populous centres where self-sacrificing, devoted ladies render invaluable assistance in the most important work of instructing the young. About thirty or forty years ago there were in Ahaura a convent and a boarding school taught by nuns, but owing to the dwindling population and other causes the teachers sought another field of labor. Before Ahaura was declared a separate parish, the district was worked from Greymouth. It was in those days—nearly forty years agothat the Rev. Father Colomb, a zealous and devoted pioneer priest, lost his life in endeavoring to cross Nelson Creek, on his way to Totara Flat, whither duty called him. On his return homeward he was drowned in attempting to re-cross the creek, and his body was found some days after on the sea beach north of Greymouth, where a suitable monument marks his last resting place. During the last thirty years no fewer than twenty priests have, in succession, served the parish. The registers record the following:—Rev. Fathers Rolland/ S.M., Fitzpatrick, Pertuis, S.M., O’Donnell, O’Hallahan, Laverty, Walshe, Bowers, Hyland, McManus, Servajean, S.M., Gallais, S.M., King, McDonnell, Leen, Creed, Nonyoux,

M.S.H.- Goodman, McGrath, and Gilbert, M.S.H. KUMARA. The parish of Kumara is situated between Hokitika and Grey mouth. It lies between the Arahnra River on the south, and the Teremakau on the north, and extends from the Tasman Sea to the Southern Alps. About the year 1876, the gold discovery attracted many miners, of whom a number were Catholics. No time was evidently lost in the erection of a church, and on St. Patrick’s Day in the following year this was opened by Bishop (nOw Archbishop) Redwood. Besides the Church of St. Patrick iii Kumara, there are three others in the parochial district — St. Patrick’s (Greenstone), St. Michael’s (Waimea), find St. Luke’s (Stafford). At Otira, forty miles from Kumara, where the Arthur’s Pass tunnel is being excavated for the formation of the railway which is to connect Canterbury with the West Coast, Mass is celebrated once a month. Over a third of the entire population in the parochial district are Catholics. The following priests have attended to tlie spiritual wants of the parishioners since the beginning of settlement in 'Kumara;—Rev. Fathers M. McCaughey, S.M., T. Devoy, S.M., M. Walshe, M. D. Browne, M. McManus, T. Walshe, P. Treacy, M. Laverty, D. O’Hallahan, P. Cooney, D. C. Leen, A. McDonnell, J. D. O’Dwyer, and J. Creed. There is a well-equipped Catholic school, in which four - teachers are engaged, and a convent building , which is much admired. ROSS. The parish of Ross extends from Hokitika River on the north to Big Bay In the south, the dividing line' between Westland and Otago, a length of about 300 miles. In this parochial district there are 66 rivers and creeks, some of which are very dangerous. Rev. Father Bogue, „■ predecessor of the present pastor of Ross, was stuck up by 1 one of those flooded mountain torrents. For two days and two nights he had to remain in a stock-driver’s hut without food of any kind. Exposure and privation endured in the zealous discharge of Iris priestly duties so undermined his health that in May, 1903, at the age of thirty years, the life of the saintly and zealous young priest came to an end. His remains rest in the Hokitika Cemetery. Eleven years ago, when his Lordship Bishop Grimes was on an episcopal visitation to the. parish of Ross, he had a very trying experience. Leaving Hokitika by the steamer Jane Douglas, which sailed for Jackson’s Bay, fourteen hours should have sufficed for the vessel to reach its destination, but instead eight days were occupied in fighting against the stormy elements. During all this time the steamer was tossed about by an angry sea, and several times it was thought the vessel could not survive. At last, to the heartfelt, grateful joy of his priests, people, and friends, the Bishop was landed safely at-Jackson’s Bay. His Lordship rode on horseback to Ross, a distance of 250 miles, and had a trying time owing : to" the flooded state of the rivers. When nearing. Ross a slight accident befel the Bishop, through the horse stumbling. Still undaunted, his Lordship, accompanied by the Rev. Father Hyland, made another visitation of that land of perilous adventures. Leaving Hokitika by the same Jane Douglas, which now lies beneath the Tasman Sea, they arrived next day at Okura, after a very pleasant run. They travelled overland, visiting each settlement; and were met at Cook’s Flat by the Rev. Father O’Connor, rector of the parish, who drove his buggy and pair as far as the Waiho. Though travelling in this way was a great improvement on the former method, still it was not all “sunshine.” The rain poured, and the streams were all in flood. At McDonald’s Creek the buggy was lifted bodily by the force of the current. The “pilot,” who for the past ten years has weathered many a storm, “set his compass,” and with the aid of his whip, landed them safely on the road. At Waitangi the Bishop blessed a new church. An address of welcome was presented to his Lordship by the settlers, who referred to the-Right Rev. Prelate’s resemblance to the Apostle of the Gentiles—braving perils by sea and dangers by land. In the days of the gold fever, 1865, men of many nations flocked to the district, and amongst them were stalwart sons of Erin, bearers of the faith of St. Patrick. Tim blessings, the great Apostle of Ireland bestowed upon: his people have fallen upon them and their children’s (hildren,

and have followed them sixteen thousand miles from Ireland to Westland, for the 'faith of the young AYestlanders is as strong as that of their fathers’. For a short time Ross was attended from the parish of Hokitika. The first resident priest came in 1869. A school was soon opened and was conducted by secular teachers until the Sisters of Mercy took charge in 1889. In 1901, the Sisters opened another school at Rimu. The pupils in the two schools, which are new buildings, receive a sound religious and secular education from their devoted teachers. In 1907, a new church was erected at Waitangi, and a. large section of land was recently purchased at Rimu. A magnificent high altar and two beautiful side altars adorn the church at Ross. The palmiest days of, Ross have passed with the wealth of its goldfields. The race of brave, faithful, unselfish —examples and models for imitationis fast disappearing. Catholics number more than a fourth of the entire population of the parochial district. The sodalities of Children of Mary and of the Sacred Heart are established in the parish. The priests who have served the parish, are Rev. Fathers Goutenoirc, Chareyre, McOaughey, McGuinness, Olaffey, Pertuis, Ahern, Browne, McManus, Hyland, Bogue, and O’Connor. RUNANGA. The Spring is in Runanga woods, The mating tui calls, Clouds drift above the spires of Grey, And kind rain softly falls. Beyond Otira skies are blue, The “Barber” never blows, ' And rarely black mists brood above The white, unchanging snows. But who would change for dreary plains. And lonely, level skies The Westland with its verdant woods Where beauty never dies! 0 tui, tui singing clear, A blessing on your lay! And in Runanga may I find Yourself another day. J.K. THE MARI ST FATHERS LEAVE WESTLAND. Commenting editorially in its issue for March 1, 1921, on the fact that the Marist Fathers wore definitely leaving the scenes of their many years’ zealous, fruitful and strenuous labors, the Greijmouth Evening Star paid tho following tribute to them : The departure of the members of the Marist Order from the West Coast brings to a close a most important period in the history of the Catholic Church in the Dominion. The Marist Fathers were the pioneer missionaries of the Catholic community' and took • a prominent part in the early life of the people. They are a French Order, and the majority of the priests were French. They were men who had been specially trained for such work as they would encounter in a young country. Trained in the French seminaries, they were of the highest erudition, and many of them were scientists and astronomers, and all had a good general knowledge of medicine. They lived on terms •of the -utmost friendship with the Maoris, and their visits were welcomed by the settlers of all denominations. For over fifty years they have labored on the West Coast, and the early pioneers speak in terms of the warmest praise of the Marist Fathers, who tramped from one “diggings” to another ministering to the wants of their scattered flocks. There were no motor-cars, and the priests had to walk many weary miles. Those were wild days, and human life was regarded as cheap, but it is a noteworthy fact that even the worst of the bushranging gang respected the clergymen of all denominations. Such men as Father Holland . and Father Pertuis did most valuable work. The labors of these pioneer missionaries drew together congregations in the different settlements and churches and schools were erected. •- Greymouth became an important parish, and, guided by the great organising power of the late Dean Carew, who took charge, of the district in 1884, the parish made rapid progress. The splendid church, convent and .Marist Brothers’ school are all monuments of the late Dean’s life work. The three priests. who” are receiving a farewell to-night are comparatively newcomers, but during

their stay they have made themselves exceedingly popular with people of all denominations. Outside his Church work, Father Aubry is known as a good musician and a player of considerable skill. Father La Croix did splendid service during the war, and whilst on active service as chaplain of the forces he received commendation from the French Government .fur gallant rescue work during a railway disaster. Father La Croix is a genial soul and his friends are legion. Father McGrath has taken a keen interest in the Hospital, and there was no more frequent or ' gladly welcomed visitor than he. He had a bright smile and a cheery word for all, and his departure will bo greatly regretted by patients of all creeds. The Marist Fathers are now going to a fresh field of labor, and they will carry with them the best wishes of all sections of the community, where they worked so long and well. Diamond Jubilee Celebrations A special report under date January 9 to the Christchurch Press contained the following reference to the celebrations held at Hokitika in connection with the Diamond Jubilee of Westland: To-day was an historic occasion in Westland, being the Diamond Jubilee of the province, to celebrate which event the Hokitika Exhibition was organised. The weather was gloriously fine, and the trains running to o Hokitika all carried their quota of pioneers, each wearing a badge issued by the Exhibition executive in honor of the occasion. Many wore badges indicative of their attendance at similar functions in connection with the Golden Jubilee of Westland or of Otago gold-mining towns. The pioneers’ reunion took place at the band stand in the buildings. Present on the platform with Afr. W. J. Butler, president of the Exhibition, who presided, were the Hon. J. G. Anderson, the Hon. H. L. Michel; M.L.C., the Hon. J. Grimmond, M.L.C., Mr. J. O’Brien, M.P., Air. R. A. Wright, ALP., Mr. G. A. Perry (Mayor of Hokitika), and prominent visitors. The pioneers were seated in a circle in front of the band stand. The function, was commenced by the playing of the National Anthem. Pioneers Welcomed. Air. W. J. Butler, on behalf of the executive of the Exhibition, welcomed the pioneers and the Hon. G. J. Anderson, Minister of Mines, He said that it was exceedingly fitting that the Minister of Mines should be present, as the pioneers had been engaged in this industry in the very early days. Air. J. O’Brien, ALP., welcomed the Minister and Mrs. Anderson. Mr. Anderson said that the occasion was a highly important one. .He was the son of a pioneer in the goldfields of Otago, and he knew the great hardships the early settlers and their wives were* called on to endure. There as an enormous debt still owing to those who had given their best, particularly the late Hon, R. J. Seddon and Afr. Bonar, who arrived in Hokitika earlier still. Sir Arthur Guinness and others were also worthy of honor. In compliance with a request by the Minister, iho assemblage' stood in, silence, as a mark of respect to the memory of those who had departed. Proceeding, the Minister said the pioneers of West-land had greater difficulties to contend with than those in Otago, with which he was more familiar. The old-timers were actuated by a laudable spirit of colonisation". HJs old friend, the Hon. J. Grimmond, had attended all the Diamond Jubilees, and it was his prayer that the pioneers who were left wonljl live to enjoy life for many a day. 411 the gold had not yet been taken out of the ground, but greater capital was necessary and better machinery. The West Coast had sent out 344 million feet of timber from j.BBI to 1922, and if it was properly conserved there was still great wealth ahead. The dairying industry was in its infancy, and the province would be greater than a second Taranaki,, due, to its river and fertile Grey Valley. ‘‘ Fruits of South Westland, The West Coast had produced over six million of''the 22 million ounces of gold produced in the Dominion , from 1857 to 1922. The Government had greatly assisted the mining industry, and had spent half a million on the water-races. He was not sure all this expenditure had been justified, and the resources were not being exploited to the best advantage. The West Coast had produced 28

million tons of coal, which was quite the equal of Newcastle coal;, and there was .necessity for any shortage, as millions of tons yet lay in the ground on the West Coast. West Coasters were at the top of the tree everywhere in New Zealand. He rejoiced at the completion of the Otira tunnel, which great work had been delayed by the great resourcefulness and independence of the West Coast j.s. He uSrged|-the young men and women to honor the pioneers, whose perseverance, manliness, Courage and industry had made life possible here. ;lgfAt' the Minister’s request hearty cheers were given for the - pioneers and their womenfolk. . • Faith in the Future. -'if Mr. G. A. Perry (Mayor of Hokitika) said Westlanders had great faith in the future of Hokitika. The West Coast was not played out, and its resources were abundant. The pioneers present marked a changing order, this being the transition period between mining N and agriculture. He hoped that the pioneers would in their lives greatly exceed

the allotted span. It was exceedingly gratifying to see the number of visitors present and the, interest taken in the function. , Decade of Progress. Mr. T. W. Duff, county chairman, recalled the Golden Jubilee of ten years ago, and said that great progress had been made in the decade. The isolation and stagnation which had been features of West Coast life had departed with the piercing of the Southern Alps. The Hon. H. L. Michel, M.L.C., recalled the year 1866, in May of which he arrived in Hokitika. , The first game of .bowls ever played on the Coast was ripe in his memory. It was played with cocoa nuts on -the deck of a brig commanded by “Bully” Hayes. It was sad to bring back to memory the procession, carrying the remains of the first-comers down Revell Street. It was a great experience to see the fine industries, which were being built' on the superstructure erected by. the pioneers.