THE MAORI MISSION.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 6, 8 February 1900, Page 10

THE MAORI MISSION.

THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF CATHOLIC BOYS.

We have received the following communication from the Very Rev. Father Lightheart, Superior of the Maori Mission, Rotorua :—: —

May I venture to ask you for a small space in the N.Z. Tablet to bring the following deserving object before the eyes of the C'.ithohc public : — When our Maori boys have passed the Fourth Standard in the State schools there is absolutely no opportunity for them to continue their studies, should they be inclined to do so, beyond what the non-Catholic colleges afford them. Hence our Catholic Maori boys are at a great disadvantage. These nonCatholic colleges are a temptation for the boys who desire to gain more knowledge than what the State Bchools can give them. I remember do less than three of our boys who were educated at one of these colleges at the cost of their Catholic faith.

Now, since many of our Catholic boys are desirous of gaining knowledge, it becomes our duty to afford them the means. What can and must be done ? We should have our own college for our Maori boys, even if it be on a small scale. With this view I again recommend myself to the charity of the Catholics in New Zealand, hoping and praying that they will stand by me to do some good and substantial act of charity in favour of our Maori boys. This school is an absolute necessity, and I hope most sincerely that I may soon be enabled to make a beginning. To this end I will be happy to acknowledge all donations which your charity and benevolence may prompt you to send.