ST. PATRICK'S CONVENT SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6253, 1 December 1881, Page 5

ST. PATRICK'S CONVENT SCHOOLS.

The annual examination of St. Patrick's convent schools was held yesterday. There are three separate schools in this eseabliahinent conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, viz., the infant school, the common school, and the select schools. The examination of the two former was held in the forenoon, and was hignly satisfactory. The select school examination, or the examination of the school of St. Francis de Sales, commenced in the afternoon, and the handsome new edifice was crowded by parents and friends of the pupils. The Very Rev. H. J. Fynes, V.G., presided. There were also present the Kev. Fathers Walter Maedouald, Paul, Riordan, O'Sullivan, Downey, CTRielly, the Hon. P. Dianau, Mr. T. Boylan, Dr. Lee, and i<. number of other leading men. After the rluet " San Souce" played on two pianos and a harmonium by five pupils, Miss O'Dowd, in a self-possessed a:ul elegant manner, read the following address :—

To the Vicar Capitular, respected clergy, and friends. Very Kev. Father, rev. gentlemen, and friends: "We are highly honoured .1 ad much pleased to welcome you to-day in our now school-room, but it is not our privilege to greet him to whom we aro indebted for" the advantage of such a line room—our beloved and lamented Archbishop. How proud he would have been to-day ! How his noble presence would have been an additional impetus to our endeavours. We can never forget him. While a portion of this building remains it will be a lasting memorial to his memory, and it Trill be our aim to show ourselves worthy of the solicitude he has shown so substantially for our welfare by using our utmost enough to have him in our midst—sparing no labour in the attainment of virtue, combining the acquisition of learning wiih it; for if virtue and learning do not go hand-in-hand, no good result sin be expected. The presence of onr reflected and kind clergy is a evinced in our improvement. The number of kind friends we see will lead us to hope that they will be pleased at our progress, and be prepared also to overlook our shortcomings, often the result of nervousness. Have pity on our trembling hearts, and if we make a blunder or two : well—think that such will oftei. , occur when least enacted. Begging you, Very Rev. father, rev. and kind friends, to accept our thanks for your presence, we have the honour to remain, with much respect, the devoted pupils of St. Francis de Sales' School. The examination of the various classes then proceeded. It was oral, and the children of the classes were themselves the examiners. They exhibited considerable proficiency in English grammar, Scripture history, geography, &c. The examinations were interspersed by musical selections, pianoforte Juete, choruses. &c. The pupils reflected £." it sredk rhe anna, who are their teacaura, and the musical selections, the instrumentation especially, were highly creditable. The Very Kev. Father Fynes delivered an appropriate and instructive address to the pupils, a:?d then distributed prizes, handsomely bound books, cards of merit, etc., as per the following list : — First Class. — Misa Dempsey (highest number of marks), prize for good conduct and study, honourable mention for French, catechism, and science ; Hls3 O'ilenr.i, prize for general improvement in study, honourable mention for good conduct, catechism, French, and science; Miss Robinson, Srd prize for Honourable Mentions, First Class: Miss Hopkins, for science, writing, and con-poaition; Miss Craig, good conduct, soience, music, and French; Miss brennan. good conduct, writing, and music Miss Watson, good conduct and science; Miss Stokes, good conduct, writing, and composition ; Miss Stevenson, music and science. Second Class Prizes. Fernandez, good conduct: Miss Gain, Ist prUe for Catechism, Miss Carrigan ; prize for study, highest number of marks in 2nd class ; Miss O'Uowd. recitation ; Miss Honora Brcnnan, vocal music; Miss Lynch, instrumental music. Honourable Mentions, Second Class: Siiss Fitxsiinons, good conduct and music; Miss O'Dowd, science; Mi's Barren, science ; Miss Koth, scienre; Miss Danaher, science; Miss Fernandez, science;; Mi»3 Kelly, music ; Miss Hariett Stevenson, music. The National Anthem, in which Miss Avey led, and all present joined, brought the day's proceedings to a close.

The musical, literary, and dramatic entertainment in connection with St. Andrew's Mutual Improvement Association is advertised to be hold lu the Lorne-street Hall on the evening of December 9, the day of polling for the general elections. The first part will be musical and literary, and In the second part the conwdy " One Too Many for Him " will be produced. To-day, at noon, Mr. R. C. Greenwood will hold an extensive sale of prop erty belonging to Mr. E. Graham, in the Albert-hull. The propertics to be sold are enumerated In another column. Mr. Gradwell'a concert takes place tonight In the Choral-hall. The programme appears in another column.