MARIST BROTHERS' SCHOOL, INVERCARGILL

New Zealand Tablet, 17 March 1921, Page 11

MARIST BROTHERS' SCHOOL, INVERCARGILL

; Rev. Brother Columbanus, Assistant-General of the Marist Brothers, arrived iii Invercargill on Thursday night week. \ He was met at the station by the Brothers and the committee of the Marist Old Boys' Association. On Friday he visited the school. The pupils gave him a warm-hearted welcome, and Master Philip Henley, on behalf of the boys, read an address of welcome. A group of boys, representing all the standards, then came forward and presented the Rev. Brother with a book of views of Southland scenery and of interesting subjects in connection with the school. The rousing songs,,. "O'Donnell Abu" and the "Soldiers' Song," were rendered with vigor by 120 voices; "The Meeting of the Waters" was sweetly sung by J. Scott and T. Pasco, and J. Scott also recited with feeling "The Exile's Return." The footballers gave their song and their ha In, which greatly amused the Brothervisitor. The entertainment concluded with the Maori song, "Tia Tina Te Tangata." Brother Columbanus thanked the boys for their little concert and for the nicely-bound book of beautiful and interesting views. He said he felt a particular pleasure in meeting the Invercargill boys, as their school was the most southerly Marist.Brothers' school under his care. He could say that he had under his charge the most northerly and the most southerly Marist schools in the world. He would tell the Irish schoolboys that the boys of Invercargill were watching with great interest Ireland's noble struggle for liberty, that they sang her songs of freedom, and that they' were praying that Ireland might soon be a "Nation once again." Hearty cheers were then given, and a holiday was granted in honor of the Rev. Brother's visit. The Old Boys entertained Brother Columbanus at the Floral Tea Rooms on Saturday evening. Several toasts were honored, and Mr. Peter 'Gilfedder, on behalf of the Old Boys, presented the Rev. Brother with a certificate of life honorary membership, and with a badge of the Marist Old Boys' Association. Brother Columbanus thanked the Old Boys for entertaining him. He greatly appreciated the honor conferred on him that night, and would treasure the certificate and badge. He was pleased to see a flourishing Old Boys' Association in Invercargill, and impressed on all the great benefits of such an association. Brother Anselm thanked the Old Boys for helping-: to make Brother Columbanus's stay a pleasant one. He could assure them that the Brothers appreciated their kindness. The Old Boys were quite a live body in Invercargill. Everything they had undertaken had been a success, and- they had reason to believe that the concert they had in hand for St. Patrick's Night would be a tremendous success. He suggested that one of the best ways that Old Boys could show they appreciate the work of the Brothers would be to establish a bursary for the education of a young lad who would be willing to give his life to the cause of Catholic education. . On Saturday the Very Rev. Father O'Neill "of Waikiwi, took the Rev. Brother for a motor run to Riverton. Brother ' Columbanus left for Dunedin by' the midday express on Monday.