Archbishop Opens Feilding School for Deaf Children

Erected at a cost of £68,000 and standing in 23 acres of farmland and gardens, St. Dominic’s school for the Deaf, at Feilding, was blessed and officially opened this afternoon by Archbishop T. B. McKeefry, Metropolitan of New Zealand.

“On this occasion my task is a simple one,” said the archbishop in his opening remarks. “I am here to act as chairman only and I do not intend discussing matters of contention with you.” He said the day marked a great occasion in the history and work of St. Dominic’s.

Those who saw the school must be impressed by all that had been done so that the pupils could be fitted for their part in life.

Sir Matthew Oram recalled that St. Dominic’s School for the Deaf had started at Island Bay, Wellington, in 1944, and the present property at Feilding had been bought two years ago. The splendid building being opened was the latest of its kind in the Dominion.

It was able to provide accommodation for 40 to 50 pupils of all denominations, between the ages of four and 15. The amenities left nothing to be desired, but what was more important was that loving care that was given to the pupils by the Dominican Sisters.

Sir Matthew traced the work done by the State in providing education for the deaf, and he felt that New Zealand could be proud of the provisions it had made. Efforts were still being made to give the earliest possible help to those born with the affliction of deafness.

Sir Matthew congratulated those responsible for the school on all that had been done and expressed the admiration of the people and of the Government for the splendid service that was being given.

Mr. C. B. McClure, Mayor of Feilding, conveyed the appreciation of the townspeople to the school and to the band of Sisters who were devoting their lives to a great and noble cause. The whole of the people of Feilding, said Mr. McClure, would echo his hope that the Sisters would be continuously successful in their painstaking care of the children.

Caption: Recreation time for children at the new St. Dominic’s School for the Deaf, Feilding, opened yesterday by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Wellington, the Most Rev. P. T. B. McKeefry.