the Brother Director . In fact , the issue continued for some months until the arrival of Brother Visitor Abban who put an end to the whole unfortunate affair by sending Brother Augustine to Colombo and naming Brother Dolet Eugene as the Director in his stead . Brother Eugene served as Director of St . Josephs for about lY > years ( Nov . 1893 - Feb . 1894 ) when he was succeeded by Brother Patrick of Jesus ( Feb . 1894 - March 1896 ).
Shortly after being appointed Brother Visitor in 1895 , Brother Gabriel - Archange , realising the importance of having a good school in Singapore named Brother Osmund Gregory as Director of St . Joseph ' s Institution on 9th March 1896 . Under his direction , the school progressed rapidly both in discipline as well as in academic performance . Having placed the school on a sound footing , Brother Gregory turned his attention to improve the welfare and the needs of the Community . The
country house at St . Michael ' s Road had no attraction for the Brothers and they had no other place
to go during the weekends . A property in Telok Kurau was offered for sale at that time and Brother Gregory , with the assistance and influence of one
Mr . Lloyd purchased it for $ 1,100 . The Brothers paid $ 900 and the balance of $ 200 was paid by Mr . Lloyd and a friend . This took place on 30th
January 1898 . By then , Brother Gregory was not in the
best of health and had to go to Ceylon to recuperate . During his absence , an additional piece
of land was purchased by Brother Lucius , the
Acting Director ( with Brother Gregory ' s permission ) on 15th May 1898 at a cost of $ 300 .
It gave access to the road at the rear of the Telok Kurau property . When Brother Gregory returned from Ceylon , he put up the old bungalow which was eventually demolished in July 1931 to make way for St . Patrick ' s School .
Brother Gregory next tumed his attention to the school building . Through the influence of Mr . Williamson , then the Acting Inspector of Public Instruction ( Schools ), he petitioned to the Straits Government for a grant of $ 6,000 to add another storey to the school . He obtained the grant , but before he could implement this noble project , he was appointed Assistant Visitor and Director of St . Paul ' s in Rangoon . On 12th May 1889 , Brother Gregory had to leave the school for which he had worked so hard and well He was succeeded by Brother James the Young , former Director of
Hong Kong . |
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which his predecessor Brother Gregory had begun . The facilities in the Brothers ' property in Telok Kurau were improved . Brother James had a well dug in the compound and the house was enclosed by a fence . While working at the Telok Kurau house , he hurt his ankle on a rusty nail . As he did not pay any attention to it , the wound became septic and it almost cost him his life due to blood poisoning . Still , he continued his work until 8th Dec . 1900 when he was sent to America for medical treatment .