ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5468, 5 October 1878, Page 2

ARRIVAL AND RECEPTION OF THE SISTERS OF MERCY.

It has been at all times for ns a work of pleasure to record any movement that furthers the great cause of education, and it is therefore with feelings of satisfaction that we announce the arrival in the colony of several highly accomplished Sisters of Mercy, who have left their homes and their dear native land, and cherished friends and fond relations, for the noble work of imparting to the female youth at Hokitika everything necessary for their education and improvement. They arrived here yesterday by the steamer Albion, cn route for the West Coast, and were met at the wharf by the Rev. Mother Superioress and some sisters of tho Wellington Convent, the Rev. Father Kerrigan and other friends —carriages being in waiting to conduct them te the Convent, Hill-street. On the arrival of the carriages at Hill-street, a procession was formed by tho children attending the Convent Schools, some of whom wore the green ribbon and inedal of Father Matthews’s Temperance League introduced here last year by the Rev. Father Heneberry. Tho procession marched to the Cathedral, where Father McGuinness delivered an address of welcome, in tho absence of tho Eight Rev. Bishop Redwood in the Middle Island. The Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was then given by the Rev. Father Yardin, assisted by the Rev. Fathers McGuinness and Kerrigan, after which the choir'sang tho “To Deum." After the sermon tho sisters at once proceeded to the Convent, the exterior of which was beautifully decorated with evergreens. Over the, Cathedral door were the words “ Welcome to Wellington,” and on the arch of the Convent gate was inscribed “ Caed mille faUthe,” or “ A hundred thousand welcomes,” and in the special honor of Rev. Mother Cecilia, “Welcome to your dear old home” was inscribed over the door' of the Convent house, and over tho porch of the school-house

“Welcome to New Zealand.” About two years ago the Rev. Mother Cecilia, the as-sistant-superioress of the, Wellington Convent, went Home for, the purpose of bringing out nuns for the Hokitika- District, and she has been wonderfully successful in obtaining the willing services of Rev. Mother Mary Clare and the ten sisters who accompanied her. They will remain at the Wellington Convent for about a week, and will then proceed to the scene of their future labors at Hokitika, where 'a convent and commodious schools are being built from the designs of Mr. Charles O’Neill, C.E. and architect, of this city.