NEW ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 192, 10 May 1921, Page 6

NEW ST. PATRICK’S COLLEGE

FATHER GILBERT’S MISSION TO EUROPE

FAREWELL BANQUET

IDEALS OF THE COLLEGE A farewell marked by enthusiastic expressions of gnod will was tendered at St. Patrick's College last night to the rector, Very Rev. T. A. Gilbert, S.M., M.A., who will leave to-morrow for Europe in order to obtain tho sanction of the Superior-General of the Marist Fathers to proceed with tho erection of tho first part of the new St. Patrick’s College. It was 'felt by the old boys and friends of the collego that Father Gilbert should not bo allowed to depart on his mission without a tangible token of their respect, -admiration, and support, and accordingly, at tho banquet held last nigh 1 ! in the study hall pf the ■college, the rev. rector received a gift of a substantial cheque. Mr. J. L. Burko was chairman, and there were nearly 100 guests. Valedictory telegrams from old boys in all parts of tho Dominion were read to the gathering. The chairman gave the guests some reminiscences of St. Patrick's College 33 years ago. Upon his entry into tho school, he said, his dreams of what tho college would be externally were deeply disappointed. He and his fellows in those days had felt the restrictions of inadequate college grounds. To have such a. college as tho new one now planned had ‘been tho lifo-dream of Father Gilbert. The help of old boys and all well wishers was required to enable this dream to bo realised. He wished the reverend, father God-speed and a safe return to carry on for many years the work of tho collego at Miramar.

Mr. C. B. O'Donnell spoke for the vounger generation of "old boys." He said that it. was a common habit of students to believe that they discovered defects in their preceptors, but he could testify that tho old boys whom ho knew had even during their school career perceived the rare qualities of Father Gilbert. Perhaps the sucjgess of Father Gilbert as rector was dW- in part to the fact thnt he himself was an old boy, and was consequently peculiarly fitted :to recognise, the difficulties which tho boys experienced, or thought they experienced. Old boys would remember with gratitude the kind words with which Father Gilbert had welcomed them to the college. Father Gilbert’s to the rectorship at a time of extreme difficulty was a striking tribute to his abilities. Yet another tribute paid by the ecclesiastical authorities to Father Gilbert was bis present appointment as New Zealand delegate to the Marist Chapter. No priest was more genuinely entitled to the relaxation that th© voyage would provide. Tho speaker hoped that Father Gilbert would be spared many years to continue tho good work he had so nobly started.

Mr. T. P. Cleary, as one who had 'been taught by Father Gilbert, testified to tho tov. vector’s capacity as a ibacher. Perhaps the greatest tribute that could be paid to Father Gilbert, the speaker thought, was to describe him as a worthy successor of Dr. Waters, Dr. Keogh, and Dr. Kennedy. Father Gilbert was to the college "always so patient, so kind, and so tender; he watched over it so carefully, and let it lean upon him ever so heavily; and when it wns in question he had no thought of himself."

Mr. J. J. M'Grath asked pardon for any lack of oratory he might exhibit. There had been no debating club in the college of his day. (Laughter.) He could expect little thanks, he felt, from the friends of Father Gilbert if ho expressed anvfhing but what he sincerely felt. It was meet that Father Gilbert should have been chosen for the mission tr Europe. His zeal for and ceaseless devotion to the cause of Catholic secondary education had truly earned ,a rest for him, and not only the present 'but succeeding generations would benefit by Father Gilbert’s experience abroad. Father Gilbert’s scholastic career was one thnt they might well envy—one of which many a distinguished man in the scholastic world might be proud. ' "Father Gilbert lias been a valued defender of our principles and of the land that gave our .parents and many of us birth, said Mr. M'Grath "Tho West Coast friends of his childhood are doubly proud of him. But his record alone is not what makes him loved and revered most by those who have known him longest. We can say with the poet: ‘lt is something more exquisite still.’ It is his high character and scrupulous regard for truth his detestation of anything mean or paltry, his hatred of intolerance, his solicitude for the poor and afflicted, and, above all, his devotion to the formation and moulding of the character, anff to the true and full education of the splendid boys who are gladly committed by their parents to his loving care. . . - He has never bit below the belt, either within or without the college. We earnestly pray that God will bless and protect him on his long and important misSl Mr. M'Grath handed to the Rev. Father the present of the old boys -and friends of the college. Amid thunderous applause lather Wilbert rose to respond. He said that he was not foolish enough to take for himself the lion’s part of the compliments paid by the previous speakers. lie reioiced in the larger compliment paid through him to the school In honouring him, the guests, lie felt, were honouring the men who had laid the foundations of what existed to-day. He took it that in honouring Ins name they were particularly honouring Archbishop Redwood, who was responsible for the founding of the college. He referred to the splendid traditions with which, as rector of the school, he felt himself to bo linked. The college had Keen built to give the Catholic youth of the country a good secondary education, so that they would be able to take their place with the best in the land. He believed there was much to bo thankful for in the success which had applause.) Father Gilbert made more years of existence. "This school and others like it, said Father Gilbert, "stands as a protest against disbelief, and stands as a declaration of belief that God made men a little lower than the angels—that in Hie own image and likeness He created them. We have striven to do our best for the bovs sent to us; to teach them faith, honour justice and truth; to bring them up God-fearing, self-respecting men, and men true to their word. We have striven also to teach the boys ths true lesson of patriotism—which is that tho measure of a man’s loyalty to his country is the measure of tho trim and honourable service he gives to his country. We have striven to teach the bdys never to apologise for the existence of a Catholic school. (Applause.) We exist by right, and we we will maintain our existence come woe, come ill, to the last, ditch. For we stand for what we believe in and we feel thnt w e are building upon rock. Having that ideal to forge us ahead, we try to put before the bovs the fact that there is one standard of’truth, honour, and justice—one for priest and peasant, prophet and king—and that small minorities, even small nations, have as much right to equal and undivided justice as their bigger brethren. (Applause.) We have met with ups and downs, but wo are human enough to be proud of ™r record in the scholastic world. There is no school that knows better than St. Patricks how to bear itself in victory; and no school that can. take a licking in eucn a sportsmanlike spirit, for it has had long years of experience.” (Laughter and

applause.) Father Gilbert make more specific reference to the record of St. Patrick’s. He also returned thanks for tho kind things that had been said of him, and expressed his conviction that when the time came for the college to "put out the pegs of its tent much farther,” it would find its best and most loyal friends in the old boys present that night. (Applause.) The new building, he believed, would be one that not only the Catholic community, but the whole city of Wellington, might look upon with admiration and pride. When Father Gondringer announced that the amount of the cheque presented to Father Gilbert was ,£'3oo, and that it had been subscribed in only a few days, there was a fresh outburst of applause. The guests drank with enthusiasm the health of Mr. J. J. M'Grath, treasurer of tho committee which arranged the banquet and the presentation. Excellent musical (items contributed to the success of a very pleasant evening. ■While abroad, Father Gilbert will visit the lending educational institutions of Europe and America, so thnt he may turn the experience he gains to the advantage of the new St. Patrick’s. PLANS FORNEW COLLEGE The need of St. Patrick’s for a larger building and more spacious grounds has long been recognised by those interested in the college, nnd at this moment, tho authorities of the institution are taking the first steps towards an actual beginning of the work of building at Miramar. The site of the college adjoins Scots College which is already a familiar landmark to visitors to Seatoun and Miramar The ground affords ample room for buildings, football, and cricket, general playing areas, and the necessities of a large boarding establishment. Before plans were made a relief model of the property was prepared by Mr. J H Afunnings. This model, the first of its kind to Be made in New Zealand, attracted groat attention, both \m the Dominion Farmers’ Building, where it was first exhibited, and subsequently in St Patrick’s College. Tho plans are now finished. They are the work of the same architect who, in the opinion of exports, has achieved a remarkable success in co-ordinating tho difficulties of the site and the needs of the schoo . When complete the building, it is stated, will bo on" Of the largest, as well as one of tho handsomest, in the capital city.