Described by a prominent Palmerston North specialist, Dr A. A. MacGibbon, as a school which compares more than favourably with the latest schools of its type overseas, St. Dominic’s School in Feilding for deaf children was officially blessed and opened yesterday afternoon by His Grace, Archbishop P. T. B. McKeefry, Wellington. A large crowd of several thousand people attended the ceremony, including visitors from as far afield as Wellington.
The Archbishop, who referred to the outstanding work being done by the Sisters of the Dominican Order in charge of the school, did not further amplify his views on Catholic education. He did say, however: “I hope you will notice that I have said nothing contentious, nothing which could have provoked anyone, or raise anyone’s ire.” This was an occasion on which all were united in the cause of helping those afflicted.
“Moreover,” went on His Grace, “I can assure all present I have for myself fully enjoyed the experience of the past two weeks and am looking forward to much more.” He also gave the assurance that there had not been any hard feelings on his part.
Archbishop McKeefry added, following a speech by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Sir Matthew Oram), that it was encouraging to know that the district was represented in Parliament by a man of Sir Matthew’s calibre and single-mindedness.
Set in spacious 23-acre grounds, the school with its associated buildings and grounds cost £68,000. There are 43 children attending the school from all over New Zealand and of various denominations. There are five classrooms constructed to the latest design and with up-to-date equipment for teaching the deaf. A two-storeyed dormitory block, designed to catch the maximum of sunshine, accommodates the children.
“The work carried on here has a deep appeal and finds a warm response in the heart of everyone,” said the Archbishop. “Those of you who have seen the school, and those who will be seeing it for the first time, will be impressed by what is being done on the material side to fit these children for their path in life, and also to fit them for their path in eternity,” he added.
Introducing Sir Matthew, His Grace said it gave him great pleasure to be able to congratulate him on being returned to Parliament. “I hope Sir Matthew will continue to carry out that distinguished service with which we have come to associate him in the past,” he added.
“MAGNIFICENT BUILDING.”
It was a proud moment for him as member of Parliament for the district, said Sir Matthew. The school had been originally started in 1944 in Island Bay, Wellington, and by the spirit and work of the Sisters of the Dominican Order, it had advanced until it reached the standard built today. The school was the very latest in its field of work, and was well equipped with every facility for teaching between 40 and 50 children. Everything possible was done to help those afflicted.
“We can all be justly proud of the effort made and the facilities which have been provided,” Sir Matthew said. “What is more important still is the loving care which is given those in the school by those who give service to suffering humanity.”
“We can take a little pride in the efforts made in New Zealand to deal with deafness,” Sir Matthew continued. Information showed that “we can be reasonably satisfied.” There were two schools for the deaf provided by the State — one at Sumner and one at Titirangi. “Now there is to be a new school in Auckland to take the place of the old school at Titirangi,” he added.
St. Dominic’s was a great credit to those who had “blazed the path” in providing the very latest and up-to-date amenities for the teaching of the deaf. The State was making every effort to ensure that deafness was discovered at an early age and that the utmost should be done for those affected.
It had been found that those who were deaf were not always dumb and tests were now much more thorough than in the past. He mentioned that in 1940 German measles had been prevalent among women. The number of children suffering from deafness had quadrupled and these children were now 14 or 15 years old.
Sir Matthew said all technical aid possible should be given to those afflicted. “No word of mine could express what marvellous work is being done by the Sisters of the Dominican Order,” he added. He also expressed admiration of those responsible for the erection of such a fine building.
The chairman of the Oroua County Council (Mr B. McLeod) briefly expressed thanks for the great effort which had been put into the construction of the school. “It is a wonderful building and one which we can appreciate being placed in our district,” he said.
He was glad that the school was near Feilding so that help and sympathy could be extended at all times, said the Mayor of Feilding (Mr C. B. McClure). “Our prayers are that the sisters may be happy and successful in the painstaking and loving care of the children,” he added.
The Rev. Father Guinane (Dannevirke) addressed the gathering on the need for support for the school. He spoke of the loneliness of deaf children. He referred also to the dogged perverance of the teachers of deaf children and their constant struggle. There was still £43,000 to be paid off the building.
A MILESTONE.
“An outstanding milestone in the history of teaching the deaf,” was how Dr MacGibbon described the opening of the school. He told the gathering how he had visited one of the newest schools for the deaf in the United States in Southern California. He described how he had noticed more spelling and sign language in the school. However bright the pupils were, there were always those who never became really expert at lip reading.
Archbishop McKeefry told the gathering how a new site for the school had been found in Rangitikei. Wellington would always remain “a small town” because of its geographical limitations. Realism had been given to decentralisation. He expressed thanks to the Rev. Father Broughton (Feilding) and to the people of the town who had done everything possible to co-operate and assist. “We can look forward to the future with the greatest confidence,” he added.
“The people of Feilding have done more than anything that could have been asked of them,” he said. “I say this of Catholic and non-Catholic without distinction.”
His Grace also referred to the generosity and work of those associated with the school, including the architect (Mr E. V. Dawson) and the builder (Mr P. Townshend).
