FOR DEAF & DUMB, CATHOLIC SCHOOL, TUITON BY DOMINICANS

The important part Christianity had played in caring for the afflicted was stressed by his Grace Archbishop O’Shea at the ceremony of the blessing and opening of St. Dominic’s School for the Deaf and Dumb, at Dover Street, Island Bay, yesterday afternoon. This school, conducted by the Sisters of St. Dominic, is the first Catholic School for the education of deaf-mutes to be established in New Zealand, and its opening marks an important step forward in Catholic education in the Dominion.

In spite of wet weather there was a large attendance of Catholic clergy and public, and among those present was the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser). The Chancellor of the Archdiocese (the Rt. Rev. Monsignor McRae) presided, and the Dominican Order in New Zealand was represented by the Rev. Mother Philomena, Vicaress-General. The Superior of the new convent is Mother Stanislaus.

After the ceremony of blessing the convent and school by the Archbishop, Monsignor McRae expressed pleasure in seeing such a large attendance in spite of the bad weather, and on behalf of the Dominican Sisters voiced his appreciation of his Grace’s presence. The number of those present showed that the Sisters’ work had met with a very fine response from the Catholic people of Wellington. Monsignor McRae said he had received apologies for absence from the Minister of Education (Mr. H. G. R. Mason), the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop), the Director of Education (Dr. C. E. Beeby), and Mr. R. McKeen, M.P., all of whom had expressed sympathy with the new undertaking. Monsignor McRae paid a special tribute to the interest the Rev. Father Phillips, of Mosgiel, had taken in the establishment of the school, and said that it was owing to his efforts that the school had been commenced at the present time.