Waimate

New Zealand Tablet, 19 November 1908, Page 14

Waimate

His Excellency the Governor, whilst in Waimate last week paid a visit to St. Patrick's School. His Excellency (says the II atmate Times) inspected the new church, now in course of erect.on while on his way to the school. He was received by Fathers Aubry and Tymons, and Mr. L. Toohers was also present. On entering the school, Miss Maggie Ferriter read and presented the following address :

May it please your Excellency,— The pupils of St. Patrick's School have much pleasure in extending to you a hearty welcome on the occasion of your first Tisit to Waimate. We welcome you as the worthy representative of our King Edward VII. and to him through you we gladly offer our sincere loyalty We hail you as a noble scion of a distinguished Irish family which has given many illustrious names to Church and State. We welcome you as a kind gentleman, our hearts go to you, remembering th* keen interest you display in the youth of New Zealand, ami we appree'ur' r * "^ "^ *"**» ° f *° U ' kind

His Excellency thanked the children for their very nice address. He assured them that>he was very glad of the opportunity of seeing their school. It was his duty as representative of the King to see all parts of the Dominion, but no place*more so than where the boys and girls were assembled, for he remembered that in a comparatively short time they would be doing the duties their seniors were now doing, and much of the future welfare of their country depended on them. They would make it or mar it. Much depended on them and their influence. In their cas* there was a special reason why they should make use of their opportunities. At the State schools the education was free, but their Church thought they should have schools of their own and at great sacrifice their parents provided for them. They should herefore work heartily, and learn all they could while they had the opportunity. He came from the same country as very rnanv of their parents had come, and he had a warm heart foi - trj Let them honor and serve the Empire and give it first place, and then the.r own New Zealand, but never forget to keep a warm spot in their hearts for Old Ireland. The children then sang in very good style 'Let Erin Re«h " E^™. w th °" si ™ ' -"-a* - -

Aubrv his m prOceedin g s ' and at the invitation of Father Aubry his Excellency was escorted to the presbytery and partook of hght refreshments. The party >hen drove to the Siway station, in time for the midday express, the school cadets gmng a farewell cheer as the train, with his Excellency aboard