ST. MART'S SCHOOL FETE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 162, 6 July 1878, Page 4

ST. MART'S SCHOOL FETE.

[COMKUXTCATED.]

As stated by advertisements _\ the local papers the Rev. AM. Garin invited the pupils of St. Mary's Schools to celebrate the twenty-eighth anniversary of his schools by a grand pic-nic at Foxhill on Wednesday. ILw° , Ullately ha PP enfe <* «>at the day was lather Garm and Mr Ashcroft took every precaution that in the event of the day being wet the young people should be properly sheltered. Mr Ashcroft rau a special train, and instead of the open carriages used on such occasions, kindly supplied covered cars. Ibe boys mustered in large numbers at the station and at 9.30 the train started for *oxtnll. It was a bright picture to see the Hags of all colors flying, and happy faces beaming with joy at the expected day's pleasnT\ Ihe Rev. Fathers Garin and Mahonev and Air Kavanagh accompanied tbe boys. A*s the train neared Foxhill Captain Edwin's yarning was verified, so on their arriving at Foxhill Mr Wainhouse, the station-master, very thoughtfully offered the use of the goods shed for the boys, and in a short time he had swings put up for the youngsters. Mr Jervis had his carriages ready to take the little ones to his hotel where he had tents pitched for the pic-nic. About noon the sun made its welcome appearance, and football, rounders, and other games were started. Mr Jervis supplied over 70 boys witb tea, &c, provided the gentlemen who accompanied the boys with a sumptuous dinner, and kept his carriages running to and fro gratuitously,. whHe Mrs Jervis had everything arranged iv grand style. This act of generosity was altogether un looked for and quite unexpected "by Father Garin. The boys visited the emus, and a loc»l celebrity, 72 years of age, known as ".Old Gauk," afforded plenty of fun for the youngsters by his quaint snyings and doings. A little after three tbe bugle sounded, and all returned to the station at Foxhill when the Rev. Father Garin ad--dressed the boys as follows:— "My dear boys,— Although the weather is not very enticing for a pic-nic I am glad to ccc so many here to say farewell to you on this the twenty-eighth anniversary of St. Marj's schools. ' The majority of you are of a different persuasiou from my own but I have never been less friendly on that account. Your religious principles have always been respected in your teaching, and during 28 years I have never heard a single complaint of a pupil's faith being tampered with. In some books you may read tbat Catholics are cot friendly to Protestants, but I hope from what you have seen you will be able to contradict the assertion. Many of your parents have been educated at St. Mary's, which has always held a high position with other Government schools, but unfortunately the State refuses support for denominational schools, and we are obliged to depend on the voluntary aid of the people. Under these circumstances many of you will go to other schools, but don't forget that you have been to St. Mary's, and by being truthful and honest you will become good and useful citizens. I wish you every happiness and success in your future undertakings, and though you go elsewhere for your studies I shall always be pleased to meet St. Mary's boys." The boys then gave lusty cheera for the Rev. Father Garin, Father Mahoney, Messrs Kavanagh, Jervis, and Wainhouse. At 4.30 the train started for Nelson, where it arrived at 5.30, the boys being all pleased with their day's outing, and grateful to Father Garin for his kindness in affordiug them so much pleasure.