Whangarei

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXIV, Issue 7, 15 February 1906, Page 15

Whangarei

The blessing aiid opening ol St. Joseph's Convent. School, Whaiigiirei, look place on Sunday, February 1, the ceieiiiony being performed by the Right Rev. Di Lenihan, assisted by- the Rev. leathers Smiers, Beckers, and Kiejmborg. Solemn High Mass was celebrated m the new school, at which a large congregation were present. His Lordship the Bishop m the course of his sermon impressed upon his hearers the vital importance ol the, religious training of the young. The advantage ol eaily religious instruction, the pleasure that parents must derive lrom the knowledge thai their children were undergoing such a course of instruction, and the joy that would be theirs when the final commendation of God was, pronounced upon their action were surely motives of sufficient potency for the work they had undertaken. The present advanced state of the actual buildings, which were now almost ready for occupation and for tlm reception of pupils, was due to the devoted labors of Father Smiers, with the able seconding of the committee. The Sisters of St. Joseph had set themselves apart irom the ordinaiy concerns of life with the express object ot devoting themselves to the commendable object of training the minds ot the children. The collection amounted to about £17 10s, -and an additional sum of £3 3s was generously donated by the Kauri limber Company. The new convent school occupies an exceptionally good site, with an open and uninterrupted view of the wooded hills that form the western background of the town. The schoolroom is 50ft long by 251 1 wide, with a porch at either end. Perfect ventilation has been provided for. The convent proper contains a commodious dornntoiy, an oratory, a refectory, a music room, a kil/chen, a bath-room, and a scullery. Another block of buildings, which contains the coal-shed, store-room, wash-house, and pantry, will be connected with the main buildings by a covered way. Gas and water are to bo laid on wherever desirable, and the convent is so constructed that a second storey for the accommodation of 30 or 10 boarders may be added whenever the need of the occasion directs. A sum of over £(i()0 in aid of the convent school has been raised during the past two and a half years due to the noble and untiring efforts of Father Smiers. Over 30 pupils attended at the convent school on the opening day, this being a decidedly good beginning for a new establishment. The arrangements are now complete, and besides the ordinary routine of school work the Sisters intend holding classes in more advanced subjects. General satisfaction is expressed at the new building. As the convent had not been completed, Mr. O'Gorman, on the arrival of the Sisters, very kindly .vacated his house and handed it o\er for their use.