CHRISTIANBROTHERS SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 7401, 22 December 1887, Page 1

CHRISTIANBROTHERS SCHOOL.

The distribution of prizes in connection withthe above school was held lsit-ilsnriii the, old St. Jottjih's Churob, the fading being crowded to the door. and onrtaui r "wlth a tfery"pfe6ty tfrbp setae, which would be -the was decorated with fgrlft, flowers, and flags, and' bore the motto 'Cead harp design underneath. Before-the presentation of prizes those presentiwera'rawted Witoa«ert programmer as<follb^^MWter' ? B , Buckley contributed .Planof Campaign' and 'lreTahd'BlfcfoCoercionj.MMter > ■'m'e-Valgar^ I Boy, , and Master A. mil, 'Old Times,' T eacn lad bei»^ : desern!dJyi4pjpJauded; a noticeable feature being the dear and correct .of. the. words. The -school singing-class gave tiie Chomter* and «Erinthe deserving of great praise; and ieflectfag credit both upon themselves and tutor.' A trio ' Oh, Ever Thus,' by Masters Hall, and Pearson, afed. a Master Maloney arid blas¥; r also}met their share of 'attention.' After. entitled < He would be a SOI&JLJS* In which Masters,Maeedo, Day,. qrjffi&- Panell, WOfm and jntelligenjHy nuftined -.theirrespective parts, <;-,---<• uritihu

jxuj fop JMtutuß presßmea"Hre prizes the fellowlng Ihe number of pupils on the'roJlof> ; flii» -sohool is 270, and tta atißndsnceidur&ftiie .year has; been very good. "JTKeir "has also been very good, a subject of*oongratulation to us allP As to their studies, I am happy to hear tha^.these also-have been - the'exhibition this evening, I.need say. nothing; it speaks for itself, and I am sure all wiil agree with me that it has afforded-proof that the boys have profited by the isealbuWMd <a£le teaching of the Brothers, to whom we are all under many obligations. This sahooljViWfell! as all other Catholic schools in New Zealand, has been oarried plunder gteat difficulties, and although, ft Tenders as good aerviee-to the State and to society as; the t ppblic schools, it is not only not assisted bj,.#w State, but is absolutely, ignored I>y M. Here, in this neighborhood, within a radius of a quarter of a mile, the Government, of the country has established four schools-r one a High School for boys, another a High School for girls, a third an ordinary public school,- the fourth the .Normal School forOtago. All these BchoolS haw been JMTft by the public; two of them are entirely supportedbytkepublic, and the other two have large endowments given 0016%% the public.-. AUthese-sohools have a recognised place in the education system and enjoy the benefits arising from sich recognition and the numerous, scholarships endowed by the public. Contrast all *thtf with our position.; The Catholics of shu town have erected four 'fechpols, Nrhlch educate at present -700 children. "Our schools. have no ./place in" the system of public education, and bo isfaare id toe scholarships provided by the public Mod are shut out from, all the advantages afforded by the system of T ; education established by. Government. But whilst .the_ Government do_not forget-to extract money from-us to help to support their system, of education, it absolurav ignores these, excellent Catholic: which you, have established at'yourownsole .expense without any- cost to the. Govern* ment, and which you. maintain without *M£ cost to the State. Thiß is an extraordinary state of things, and goes to show-that although the penal laws nave been repealed •mtbe-01di3ountrry7tKe cotoriie¥mthunlneteenth century are not without their penal laws. A, dispassionate man J^opld-sxpe£t Catholics, as of should have received flie greatest ment. and' helpf or their.schools.' " v It a aot j»o» however. Thepedple ,Whoha|Ve made,p9 effort and ad saerifioe JoxJiheedncatioriof their children Have provides fof by the Government free education at the pubbo expense, whilst the. Catholics, who have made and are making the greatest sacrifices for education, are ignored, and not only that, but refused any aid even out of the moneys they Are compelled to contribute towards, the, free education of .other, people's children. " This conduct on the part of Government and the Legislature is .indefensible. The oniyeicuse offered for such a crying ipjus t fcice,is the p}ea that the public schools are'as open to Catholics as to others. This, however v amounts to a cjaim, on the part of that Catholics 1 should abandon their religious Purely if Catholics do n'ot avail r themselves, of public schools, and provideschools fofttUsfe' selves,' they shbujd noV be taxed for Isaj< jj* of no use 'whatey'er 'to' tjjem-; are • compelled litio pay for" education) r this, that which their "own -children receive, and not .that, which Iter given" fo'iotherpebpleS children. The treatment of Catholics as regards' this matter is r uftraL It-is-alsounwise will sooner-of later ment, and eyery .State that treats any section of its subjects unjustly is sure to mp withj chastisement it has so richly deserved. It is justice that exalts - what a course of injustice has well known to the student'of €fi46ry. I have been long accustomed to raise my voice on occasions such as the present to denounce this it.' Bat my words have been as the idle wind. Well, I may now ask: Is the country any the better ? Is it more prosperous for this injustice? Education, godless, tfuctfanySß ham-often-been-told, peace and prosperity., Has it done so? mm it done any of the things predicted of it? Let the bers of the able-bodied men of We country weekly from means of even living^" let languishing trade and commerce •answer.- ;)No;; good to the country can come out of a system founded in bigotry* and promiecl-ap by injustice. On the contrary, it is this most unjust ■ system of education' that has been mainly instrum.ental in bringing, depressipn to everyipart or r lt has-been often said—in many instances, to be sure, by the ill-infonneid and prejudiced that Catholics, are .the enemies of education. Catholics, Tiowever, are not disturbed by this calumny ;.they can afford to laugh it to scorn. History vindicates them, and people who cannot see the innumerable proofs given them by Catholics throughout the world in the present day of their lore and apprft"'* t 'ti nn nf T*ml -education-are incapable of'seeing anything, or- evenrOf thought. ' I do the hope that anything I can say wijlgaroduce the impression ori the J ma3ority of' our leialators; nevertheless, I shall continue on your part to protest, "and to claim It is our right Before dism&aSng.this sohool for the holidays, which, wffl end on the 80th of January, I wish to lstyou4aiow what has been done in reference ito? reopening St, Aioysius'Collegel Since we-laat met here Aegotaatfona have bfienieazitfid on , wiUia viewof obtainingan able. Ettaffopfpi^; . feßsors,«iidiaiio nowm&position to sfca&dth&t a religious Order, which has beenlmnstßuocesaful in teaching, and* which atWoddV wMefame-as-educationistß, is praparell to take charge of the. reopenedbnly .delay toPthis' teopening"to tbe-oon-Bideration'-that the prebent college" are situated rather too - far frota'tßwn, and that it will take time to provide, a suitable site and buildings. We to ablfr to annonnoe .tiiat ititi»<di&en%-Haß been surmounted. I have altoto-'fofonn yon that we are at present in communication witii-Government m 7! T^erenbb'to tiie eßtabliahment r> of ( a~ Catholic T Schoolfn Otoffio, which we' establishif Government will'grant ns con-, cessions, the same as those -conceded to. the kelson Catholic Reformatory,' and wtoda,'! believe, we are~aKQed.to.WrA]S"iCß^

and pupils, a happy vacation. But I think there fa 'a word more that I ought to Bay. The passing words in which I spoke of the good brothers do not appear to me to be sufficient, and I think I ought, therefore, to say a word or two more before ooming to a oonolusion. These good Brothers have labored indefatigably, most earnestly, most ably, and with great fruit for many years for your children. You are all witnesses of how unobtrusive has been their conduct, and anyone with a mind capable of forming a judgment must feel deeply the obligations which we owe to them—much more than we can ever repay. I think, therefore, that I ought on this occasion to tender to _them on your behalf as well on my own our most grateful and sincere thanks for all that they have done for our children. This school is the hope of this diocese. Here nearly 300boysreoeiveamostexoellent education ; I will add even a high education. They are taught, in addition to the various secular subjects, to be Christians, and to set a high value on their country's traditions and the religion of their parents. This is a matter whioh is of the very highest importance, and, I will add, even of the very greatest necessity. I could enlarge for a very long time indeed upon this subject, and say a good deal more concerning the Brothers, and probably would do so were I not speaking in their presence; but I really have not words to express in a short time all that I feel upon tbiß subject, and all which, I am convinced, yon would wish to convey to them. I will therefore thank them most heartily, wish them very long life and prosperity and success and happiness here, and that for which they are laboring, and which is their chief objeot—happiness in the life to come. I thank you all for ooming here this evening. I feel very grateful, and I am sure the Brothers and the pupils are, too, at the presence of so many ladies and gentlemen who have come here to patronise the entertainment and to give their unstinted applause to the successful pupils; and indeed I may say that nearly all have been successful. The examinations have been excellent, the papers were highly creditable, and I think I can congratulate the boys as well as their teachers, and as well as ourselves, upon the success of their studies during the course of the year and the entertainment here this evening.—(Applause.) I have to express my great satisfaction at the success of this school, and I venture to express the hope that nothing will be left undone by the congregation of St, Joseph's and the Catholics of Dunedin in seconding the Brothers in their efforts, so that the sohool may be made still more efficient, and in order to make it a great and grand success.—(Loud applause.) Three cheers were then given for the Bishop, and the proceedings terminated.

The following id the prize-liat : First Grade.—Subjects: Catechism-reading, Writing, arithmetic, and object lessons. The following having passed in this grade, received certificates, first twenty-five a prize in addition: —O. Miles, Oswald Bush, J. Crawford, M. Butler, H. Rossbotham, T. Cox, R. Whitty, P. Reid, J, Francis, J. White, M. Keating, J. Millar, W. Rogers, J. Hußsey, G. Mason, A. fctachiskie, F. M'Hugh, C. Welsh, D. Hannagan, W. M'Quillan, J. M'Ardle, J. Liston, F. Hannagan, H. Wilkins, W. Charles, Daniel M'DonneU, F. Mulloy, Dennis M'Donnell, C. Fagan, F, M'Grath, J. Power, W. Cameron, W. J. Connor, W. Johnson, J. Stewart, W. Clark, W. M'Ewen, H. Hughes, J. Keating, J. Sparks, J. Delahunty, V. Griffen, J. Wallace, J. Hannon, W. Wareham, E. Turner, J. Murphy. - Special Frizes. —Good conduct: C. Miles. Writing: Daniel M'Donnell. Singing: W. Clark. Improvement: T. M'Caw and W. O'Connor.

Second Grade.—Sublectß: Christian doctrine, reading, writing; arithmetic, geography, grammar, object lessons. The following having passed received certificates, the fifteen first a prize as well:—R. Pearson, J. Grimaldi, G. Nelson, J. Blaok, E. Keating, T. Grimaldi, R. Taylor, B. Clark, M. Keys, J. O'Brien, H. Hickey, J. Casey, P. Comer, J. Rowan, H. Humphrey, D. Buokley, G. Hesford, C. Stuart, W. Dunford, E. Buah, T. Dunford, R. Wilson, M. Meenan, M. M'Grab, J. Mulloy, P. Casey, C. Reid, J. M'Kewen, M. O'Driscoll. Special Prizes.—Good conduct: E. Clark. Elocution : D. Buckley. Improvement: S. Stuart, G. Hesford. Third Grade.—The subjects for this grade Were the Bamo as for the Fourth Grade, but, of course, less advanced. Tho following passed tttd received certificates. The twelve first also received a prize :—A. Hughes, J. Fagan, J. Drumm, E. Wilkins, F. Woods, R. Cotter, J. Carroll, J. Roach, J. Whealan, M. Comer, A. Costello, F. Jones, C. Day, W. Mulline, F. Sullivan, M. Hannon, W. Brown, J. Crawford, J. M'Quillan, A. Miscall. Special Prizes.—Good conduct: J. Drumm. Home exercises: R. Cotter, J. Liston, A. Frinder, J. Fitzpatrick. Home lessons: S. Bemech, "W. Crown, M. Hannon, and O. Day. Fourth Grade. — Subjects: Christian doctrine, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, grammar, drawing, general knowledge. The following having passed in this grade, received a certificate and a prize: —A. Griffen, P. O'Rourke, N. O'Connor, W. Connor, P. Crein, S. Hussey, J. Delahunty, O. Wilkins, D. Welsh, J. Bryant, P. O'Neill, W. Stronach, M. Rogers, J. Hughes, J. M'Donnell, J. M'Donald, J. Mulloy. ■ Special Prizes. —Good conduct: P. Drumm. Improvement: G. East. Home exercise : M. Kilmartin. Home lessons: E. Kennedy. Regular attendance: J. Rogers. Fifth Grade. —Subjects: Christian doctrine, reading, writing, arithmetic geography, grammar, drawing, simple mechanical powers. The following having passed in this examination received each a prize and a pass certificate: —J. Buckley, J. Gurin, F. Webb, J. Kennedy, E. Duffey.F. Delaney, C. Pistor, N. Moloney. The following received a prize each: —J. Cantwell, J. Connor, J. Connellan. Special Prizes.—Good conduct: A. Grifton. Regular attendance: M. O'Connor. Oral debating : J. Cantwell and J. Kennedy. Home exercise: J. Cant well. Most progress: N. Moloney and J>. M'Kewen. Penmanship: J. Cantwell and J. Drumm.

• Sixth" Grade. —The examination in Sixth Grade embraced Christian doctrine, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, grammar, bookkeeping, elementary physics, Euclid, algebra, Lam, and shorthand. Of those examined in this grade, 14 made over 50 per cent.; 11 over 60; 10 over 70; and 6 over 75; • Bishop's Scholarship.—The competition for the Bishop's Scholarship was this year confined to the junior section of the Sixth Class, the senior having preferred to commence earlier than the beginning of next year the Btudy of the subjects required for the Civil Service examination in January, 1889. The [subjects for the scholarship were: Christian doctrine, reading, writing, Arithmetic, geography, grammar, bookkeeping, and elementary physics. Of the nine candidates -for this examination, Master J. P. Delaney came to the front with 84.5 per cent. of the possible number of marks. To him, therefore, was awarded the Bishop's Scholarship for the year 1888, and a silver medal, also the gift of the Most Rev, Dr Moran. Master A. J. Hall came next with 75.5 per cent.; E. O'Neill, third, with 74 per cent.; and E. Fhilp followed with 70.6 per cent, of the possible number of marks. Prizes.—The following having passed in the Sixth Grade received a pass certificate and a prize, according to percentage:—D. Salkner, W. Woods, J. Meenan, W. Morkane, E. Knott, J. Delaney. The next distinguished themselves, And received each a prize: —A. Hall, £. O'Neill, B. Fhilp. • Special prizes.—Good conduct: Gold medal (gift of Mr W. H, M'Keay), awarded by the votes of Fifth and Sixth Classes to J. P. Delaney. - Regular attendance: A. Hall and E. O'Neill. Penmanship: J. Buckley and M. Francis. Home exercises: J. Delaney and J. Gonnellan. Oral debating: E. Fhilp and A. HalL Elocution: J. Buckley. For regular Attendance on the altar: J. Delaney. (This prize was presented by a member of the Confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Succor.) Home lessons: J. Farrell.

The following were donors of prizes:—Rev. Dr Moran, Rev. Fathers Lynch, Vereker, and Potuwlly, Mintfa m,M Liston, Delaney (Arrowtown), J. £ Connor, Bush, Kennedy, P. Fagan, Hannon, Bryant, Hiss Seollard, Messrs J. B. Callan, 0. Bunhury, W. H. M'Keay, H. Oourley, N. Smith (Port Chalmers), Caldwell, J. F. Perrin, J. J. Connor, Jan., J. Halley, Fitzgerald, W. Molrooney, D. W. Woods, L. M'Namara, M. Roche, Dnnedin Catholic Literary Sooiety, Mr R. A. Dunne, N.Z. Tablet Company for several beautiful oleographs, Messrs Gastland and Hannon.