NEW CONVENT AT MILTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 12, 21 March 1901, Page 19

NEW CONVENT AT MILTON.

LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE.

The oeremony of the laying of the foundation stone of the new Dominican Convent at Milton was performed on Sunday — St. Patrick's Day — by the Right Rev. Dr. Verdon, Bishop of Dunedin, assisted by the Very Rev. Mgr. O'Leary (Lawrence), and the Very Rev. Father O'Neill (Milton). Pontifical High Macs was oelebrated by his Lordship Bishop Verdon, Very Rev. Mgr. O'Leary being deacon, and Very Rev. Father O'Neill subdeacon. The choir, under the cendnctorship of Mr. J. A. Scott, rendered the music — Este'a composition — in a very efficient and aevoiioual uiauncr. Mr? King, of Lawrence, assisted, and sang as an offertory an ' O Salutaris.' The occasional discourse was preached by ilou»ignor O'Leary, who took for his subject the feast of the day, dealing with the life and labors of St. Patrick, Apostle of Ireland. After Mass a procession, consisting of the school children wearing green sashes, the members of the local branch of the Hibernian Society, the clergy, and the congregation, was formed and proceeded to the site of the new convent. The solemn ceremony of laying the foundation stone was then performed by Bishop Verdon, at the conclusion of which he delivered an address, in the course of which his Lordship congratulated the Catholics of Milton on the spirit displayed in providing (suitable accommodation for the Sisters of St. Dominic, who, for a number of years, had labored so successfully in their midst, and whose efforts in the cause of Christian education were bo successful throughout Otago. The new convent womld be an ornament to the district, and he earnestly hoped and trusted that when completed it would be entirely free of debt. At the invitation of Father O'Neill, Monsignor O'Leary also addressed the assembled people, and said that he could bear testimony to the splendid work done by the Dominican Nuns in the diocese. He also gave a brief discourse in Gaelic, which was interpreted by Father O'Neill for the benefit of those who were not conversant with the old tongue In the evening Father O'Neill exhorted his people to make a united effort so that this new and much-needed institution should open without the disadvantage of a financial burden. The weather was beautifully fine, and as a result there were large numbers of persons present from Balclutha, Kaitangata, Waihola, and Henley. The collection amounted to the very respectable total of £170.