VICTIM OF THE IRISH REBELLION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2768, 11 May 1916, Page 6

VICTIM OF THE IRISH REBELLION

FIRST RECTOR OF ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE, WELLINGTON. The Very Rev. Dr. Watlers, president •of .tho Roman Catholic University School at .Dublin,' whose -death from gunshot wounds received while standing at tho door during the rebellion, was reported yesterday, was the first Rector of St Patrick's Collece, Wellington. Dr. Walters was born in 1554, at Dundalk, Ireland; his father was Scotch, his mother Trish. • He was educated at 'St. Mary's College- (Marist Fathers), Dundalk. He joined the Societv of Maryi starting his ecclesiastical studies at Beiley (France). His father's death called him back to Ireland, and ho completed his theological course at Dublin. He received the degree of Doctor in Theology, "5.T.D.," from the College of Propaganda, Rome, and the decree of Doctor.of Laws was conferred on him by the Dublin University. He mw ordained' by Dr. M'Gottigan, 'Archbishop of Arm.->crh. Ho joined the teaching staff of the Marist Fathers' Day School in Lower Leeson Street,'. just off Stephen's Gre»n.

When St. Patrick's College was founded, IKB4. Dr. Watters was selected by tho Marist Order to bo its first Rector. The members of the staff then'were: Father Cardan (died in ISM),, and two still alive, the Ten. Archdeacon Dcvov (Newtown), and the Rev. Father W. Goggan fSemiiiary. Greenmeadows, Hawke's Bav). For fourteen years (18"- r > to 1893) Dr.' Walters nresided over the destinies of St. Patrick's College. Much of its success was duo to his firni, but penile, rule. Ho wns well known in social circles in -Wellington ; his courtly manners and winning ways made many friends'. Dr. Watlers was a member of the Victoria College Council for some years. .

In 189!) Dr. Watfers was.recalled to Ire, hnrl to nreside over the school in 'Lower Leeson Street, Dublin, where he hnd taught, before coining to Wellington. Under liiin the school made constant pro, "ress, till it was r"cr."nised ns one of tho best _ secondary schools of Ireland. He hnd just made extensive alterations. Despite the war tho pOiool held record numbers when untimely death removed the prudent from the scene.

The flag at. St. Patrick's College was flown at half-mast yesterday.