THE CONVENT SCHOOLS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXV, Issue 43, 20 February 1889, Page 3

THE CONVENT SCHOOLS.

Yestebday afternoon the prizes were distributed at the Convent School m the presence of a number of parents and friends of the pupils. The large primary school room was well filled with girls, who all looked remarkably healthy and cheerful, and were patterns of taste m dress. These particulars were only less noticeable than the excellent discipline of the school and the good bearing of the pupils, who were evidently under a most saluiary and gentle control. The chair was occupied by Dr Muller, who had examined the schools, and with him on the platform were the Rev Fathers Lewis and Aubrey, the Head Sister, Sister Mary Patricius and Sister Mary Francis. The other Sisters were dispersed among the pupils. The platform was also filled up with visitors, all of whom evinced a lively interest m the proceedings. The room was tastefully and not excessively decorated, and m the wing of the building was disposed the work which was eagerly inspected by the lady visitors. We have the highest feminine authority for stating that the needlework, was unusually good —the more so because of the absence of all attempt at show work, and the evidences of thoroughness. After the distribution of prizes (as recorded m our last issue) Dr. Muller addressed a few words of congratulation to those children who had obtained prizes, and of encouragement to all. He had had a long task m examining the school, but he was more than pleased to be enabled to say that he had found the most wonderful uniformity m the work, the children m all the classes being well grounded. He observed that at Nelson lately fault was found with the spelling, but no such fault could be found here. He had never seen a better organised or a better taught school than this, and he., would call upon them all to convey their best thanks to the Sisters and the clergymen. (Applause.) Eev. Father Lewis expressed the gratitude of their community to Dr. Muller for his repeated and valuable services as examiner. His kindly interest m their schools was appreciated by the entire Catholic community. (Applause). They were grateful also to those who had liberally helped them to supply prizes, and to many ladies and gentlemen who, though not Catholics, were kindly interested m them, and were like themselves anxious to see the Catholic education grievance redressed. He thought it was undeniably a shame that so many Catholic children should have to be educated m other schools than the state schools, because the | Catholic claims were disallowed. Pro- i vision was made by the Catholicß of the colony for the education of 8648 children, | 2859 m the diocese of Wellington, 2500 m that of Christchurch, 1689 m Auckland, and 1600 m Dunedin —all at the cost of the Catholic people, who meanwhile con tributed to the general revenue. He thought the time had come for the recognition of the Catholic claims. (Applause.) In these schools here they had 200 children, 50 of whom were nonCatholics. In conclusion the rev. gentleman asked those present to inspect the work and drawings. (Applause.) After a few words of acknowleclgmnnt by Dr. Muller and an assurance of his sympathy with the Catholic claims, a hymn of welcome was sung and the formal proceedings ended.