ROMAN CATHOLIC COLLEGES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1608, 27 November 1912, Page 4

ROMAN CATHOLIC COLLEGES.

AND STATE SCHOLARSHIPS. "A. MATTER OF EFFICIENCY." Tho question as to whether the request of J.)r. Kennedy (Rector of St. Patrick's College) for tho board's approval of the college as a school at winch Education lioanl and junior national scholarships may be hold, led to tho following notice of motion being given' by Mr. R. Lee at yesterday's meeting oi the Education Lioiii'd "That, as this Education Board is administering a Stato secular system of education, and as freo places and scholarships aro awarded irrespsctivo of religious beliefs, and in this education district aro now tenable in two Wellington collegos (ono for boys and one for girls), and a technical school, and district high school, non-sectarian in their teaching, and wholly or in part built and largely maintained by tho State, this Education Board would not bo justified in allowing scholarship holders to attend sectarian colleges." Tlig chairman saiil -that it was a matter of efficiency of tho college, and the board wants the inspector's report on that particular point. However, 'as it is a very important matter, .he thought that.-it would bo very much better to give it careful consideration. Members of tho board concurred, stating that it-would bo advisable to hold tho matter over. . A report submitted to the board by two inspectors stated that they were very favI ourably impressed with the quality and quantity of tho various forms at St. Patrick's College. Oil the part of the teachers generally, a spirit of earnestness and enthusiasm in tho discharge of their leaching duties is abundantly evident. Tho following is a copy of a letter received by the board from Dr. Kennedy, giving an explanation of a misunderstanding which has arisen over the question:— In reference to my recent application for approval by your board of St. Patrick's College as a secondary school in which, Education Board and junior national scholarships may he held, lest some members of the board may have gatliercred from newspaper reports the erroneous impression that the Auckland Education Board refused a similar application from th'e Sacred Heart College, Auckland, I beg to draw your attention to the following fact 9:— "In reply to a question on this point, Bishop Cleary, of Auckland, in a telegram dated November 7, says:—'Not accurate to say Auckland Education Beard refused application of Sacred Heart College for scholarships. The board-declin-ed application of O'Connor for scholarship there, on the plea that his scholarship was declined, and therefore given to the next highest candidate. Copy of board's letter mailed. Application of Sacred Heart College was referred by Board to Education Department for deci r sion, Department sent two inspectors to test 'equivalent' character of education. Their report was generally very favourable, and when science hall is enlarged, as recommended by them* work being now in progress, fresh application will be made. "I would add that the Grey Education Board has recently approved of a Catholic School in Greymouth as-an institution in which board scholarships may be held." j ...It was eventually agreed that the matter should, stand, over.