Over 3000 people flocked to St. Dominic’s School for the Deaf yesterday afternoon to hear the Catholic Prelate, His Grace Archbishop P. T. B. McKeefry, bless the new building and officially open it.
The magnificent new school for those afflicted children who are unable to hear or speak will stand as a memorial to the sisters of the St. Dominican Order who have been associated with it since the early days at Island Bay, Wellington. It is an undenominational school, the only institution for deaf children in New Zealand not operated by the Government.
There was an impressive array of visitors from the surrounding district and, indeed, many other parts of New Zealand.
His Grace opened the ceremony when he remarked that the new building was the development of one of the many works of charity of the Dominican Order. All who had seen the school would be impressed with all that had been done on the material side to see the pupils would receive the very best to fit them for their path in life.
Calling on Sir Matthew Oram, M.P. for Manawatu, to address the gathering, His Grace said that he would like to offer him his congratulations on his recent re-election to office and suggested the hope that through the life of the next Government, he would continue to give the devoted service to his country as he had in the past.
From Small Beginnings“From small beginnings, with an enthusiasm which could scarcely be matched in New Zealand history, we now have this splendid school,” said Sir Matthew. “It has been said Sir Matthew added, “we can all be very proud of the effort which has been made.
“I think that we can take a little general pride in the efforts we have made in New Zealand to help those afflicted children we have in our care. The State has made provision for two deaf schools, one of which has a new building in Auckland.
“It is a great credit to those responsible that the path has been blazed in the job of providing for such entities in an up-to-date school such as this. Our efforts in the future should be to assist in every way those who have been doing this wonderful work.”
Mr. B. McLeod, chairman of the Oroua County Council, also offered congratulations and best wishes. “We are glad to have the school near to us in Feilding,” said the Mayor of the Borough, Mr. C. B. McClure. “We are glad to have it here so that we may extend our sympathies and aid to the Sisters of the Order.” Mr. McClure concluded by paying a tribute to the Sisters.
“We cannot build buildings through wishes nor execute material things though thought,” remarked His Grace when introducing Rev. Father Guinane, of Dannevirke, who made an appeal for funds to the gathering.
An unexpected speaker was Dr. A. A. MacGibbon, of Palmerston North. Dr. MacGibbon, said Archbishop McKeefry, had taken a great interest in the school and was one of the leading specialists dealing with cases such as attended the school.
Early last month, he had visited the very latest similar school in America, said Dr. MacGibbon, which can accommodate 400 pupils and 10 pre-school units. In New Zealand, he said, the oral method of education had been in use for many years.
“The education of the deaf child should start at a pre-school clinic. The education of the parents is also a benefit.”
“The pre-school clinic method could be used to advantage here in New Zealand,” Dr. MacGibbon concluded by saying that this school was a worthy school compared most favourably with the best in America.
Among the official party were the following—His Grace, Archbishop McKeefry, Rt. Rev. Monsignor McRae (Wellington), Rt. Rev. Monsignor J. F. MacManus (Palmerston North), Very Rev. Dr. Gascoigne (Wellington), Rev. Father Broughton (Feilding), Rev. Father O’Neill, Rev. Dr. Guinane (Dannevirke), Sir Matthew and Lady Oram, Mr. P. O. S. Skoglund, M.P. and Mrs. Skoglund, Mr. K. J. Shelton and Mrs. Shelton, Mr. B. McLeod, Mr. C. B. McClure and Mrs. McClure, Mr. H. Watson (Child Welfare Branch, Education Department), Mr. E. V. Dawson (Architect) and Mr. P. C. Townshend (Builder).
