MARIST OLD BOYS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2772, 16 May 1916, Page 6

MARIST OLD BOYS

BIG REUNION There was a gathering of over 200 at the social reunion whicn.was neld in the Alexandra Hall last evening to honour the occasion of tho fortieth anniversary of the coming of the Manst Bros, to Wellington. Bro. Egbert, the present head oi the Marist Bros, in Wellington, presided, and among those associated with nim were: Sir Joseph Ward, the Rev. Father O'Connell, the Rev. Father Segnei, Father G. Mahoaey,. Mr. Martin Kennedy, and the Hon. W. Beehan, M.L.C.

Early toasts_ honoured were "The Pope and tne King"' (proposed by tho chairman), and "The Hierarchy and the Clergy of New Zealand" (Mr. P. J. O'Regan and the Rev. Father O'Connell).

"Our Alma Mater" was proposed by Mr. H. M'Keoiveu. Supplementing the toast, the Kov. leather 0. Mahoney told several interesting stories of the early days of the Marist schools in the City, 'the Rev. Bro. Egbert, responding to tlie toast, thanked tnoso present 'lor the generous praise they hud bestowed on the Marist scaools. He assured every boy that in the brothers he had true friends. 'The brothers took him in their caro from the time he was brought to the school, and even after ho left they still took a brotherly interest in hiin. j.\ T ext year the centenary of the ■ founding of the Order would bo celebrated. In those hundred years 5000 brothers had laid down their lives in tho "glorious cause of Roman Catholio education, which is worthy of any sacrifice any man can -make." In various climes Cl)00 brothers were caring for 100,000 children.

The toast of "The Catholio Federation" was proposed by Mr. J. L. Leydon, and responded to by Mr. Geo. Uirling-Butcher. Sir Joseph Ward then unveiled the roll of honour of old boys of tho Wellington Marist Bros.' School who had responded to tho call. Two hundred and forty-eight names were on the tablet, and this, he observed, was a matter of great satisfaction. Twenty of the roll had laid down their lives for the country. It had pleased him, greatly in travelling . this uouutvy to find that no ono could give the Irish a load in responding t0..,th6! call of Empire. Let no one attempt to point the finger, of scorn at the irisli for what occurred in Dublin the other day. Tho answer was seen in sucli things as the roll of honour of this school. Irishmen tho world over in vast majority had stood by the old flag. (Applause.) Referring to Capt. Shout, V.C., M.C., D.C.M., an old boy of tho,school, he described him as the bravest of tho brave. Capt. Shout had fought through the Boer war, and had been mentioned in dispatches for bravery. Iu the present war ho had been wounded twice.. Ifor extraordinary bravery and good service he had been awarded the Military Cross, and for still more extraordinary bravery he, had been (after his death) granted the Victoria Cross. Sir Joseph Ward also un. veiled a photograph of Capt. Shout. Other toasts honoured were "Catholio Education" and "Kindred Societies,"