NEW PLYMOUTH

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 33, 13 August 1903, Page 20

NEW PLYMOUTH

(From an occasional correspondent.) August 8. Recently there passed away one of the oldest, most devoted, and highly respected members of the Catholic congregation, Mrs. Johanna Kingdon. For years it had been her pride and pleasure to look after and decorate the altars in St. Joseph's Church, which noble work she persevered in until old age and declining health compelled her to hand in her resignation. Every movement for tht benefit of the church had in her a willing helper, but it was in connection with the Sacred Heart Society that her zeal and earnestness were most displayed. A large number of relatives and other mourners, including the school children, followed her remains to their last resting place. The Very Rev. Dean McKenna officiated in the church and at the* grave, and feelingly referred to the many admirable traits of deceased's character, especially her spirit of generosity and self-sacrifice in the service of God.-R.I.P.

On Thursday the new parish school was formally opened by a concert and social. Despite the constant downpour of rain the building was well filled, and a pleasant evening was spent. His Worship the Mayor, Mr. Richard Cock, presided, and in a neat speech congratulated the Catholic body upon the noble spirit they had shown in erecting such a splendid school for the education of their children. He took occasion also to compliment the Sisters of the Mission upon the excellence of work done in the convent, and instanced the case of his own daughter, who had been trained under them and whose attainments (he said) it would be difficult to surpass. The cost of the new school is close on £800 and the debt on it is only about £100. Dean McKenna left the collecting of the funds in the hands of the school committee, and the happy result shows that his action in so doing was a step in the right direction. As Taranaki is one of the most progressive and prosperous parts of the Colony it is satisfactory to see Catholicity keeping abreast of this progressive movement.