ST. MARTS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, NELSON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume V, Issue 244, 4 January 1878, Page 15

ST. MARTS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, NELSON.

(From the Neteon Colonist, 20th December.') Yestebday afternoon the prizes were presented to the children attending these schools, who had by their efforts gained the awards The schoolroom had been made more gay for the occasion by the tasteful arrangement of flowers, etc., and upon the walls were exhibited many highly creditable specimens of the skill aud handiwork of the scholars in either of the schools. Mr. Curtis, M.H.R. had been requested to distribute the prizes, and that gentleman was supported by the Rev. Fathers Garin and Mahoney, Judge Broad, Mr J Shephard, etc. The distribution at the girls' school took priority, and there the proceedings commenced with a programme of recitations and vocal music, embracing over 30 performances, the whole of which proved highly creditable to the scholars and to the excellent ladies in whose charge the school is. At the conslusion of this somewhat long but pleasant prelude, they proceeded to the business more immediately to hand. Mr. Curtis said he had been asked to give these prizes to those young ladies who had earned them by reason of their efficiency in the different branches. He had always taken the very strongest interest *in these schools, seeing the great amount of good they had done and fhe only hoped they would continue in the future as they had done in the past, He did trust that the changes in the law which had been made last session would not have any effeafcin materially reducing the usefulness of the schools. He would only add before proceeding to distribute the prizes, that he hoped they would all enjoy their holidays, and that they would all come back with the full determination to work, that they would do as well, at all events, as they had done last year, and, if possible a great deal better. He then went through the prize list, presenting the prizes. ° The Rev. Father Garin wished the pupils to remember the work they had done the last year ; they had learned many useful things which would be more useful to them than if they had been at manual work, because their work now was for life. Those who worked manually might gain money, but on an accident bef ailing them they would lose all that, but the useful things they learned at school they would never lose, so that what they learned now was more precious than money. To those who were leaving school he would

advise that they made a proper use of what they learned. When a soldier was brought up to defend his country he was taught to master his weapons, but if he only used his information to commit murder he abused his knowledge. Now if they did not turn their knowledge to proper account they would be like the soldier who used his knowledge for wrong doing. He warned them of the danger of reading bad books, and advised them to be careful in their choice. He said they could write well, and would no doubt be happy to write to their friends, but they must remember that if they did not write according to good manners they would soon lose the esteem in which they might be held. He thanked Mr. Curtis for his action during the last session, when .he had supported their cause as far as possible, and he' also thanked those who seconded his efforts. He also expressed his thanks to the Hon. Mr. Larnach, who had visited their schools and shown his . interest mtheir welfare by requesting his acepptance of a handsome donation to be expended in prizes. It was his hope and desire that ,they wmld all enjoy their holiday, and he wished them all success in the future, and, for the present, a happy Christmas. . Mr. J. Shephard said the Rev. Father Garin was rather a hard schoolmaster, for he insisted on his saying a few words, and he was confident the scholars were of opinion they had been kept long enough. What he had seen that day only strengthened all that he had previously heard of the institution where they were now met, and which conferred so many advantages. They must all feel, with Father Garin and Mr. Curtis, how unfortunate it would be for those advantages jto be taken away, or if the efforts that were being made to- secure the continuance .of the schools did not succeed, He expressed his extreme pleasure in seeing so many happy faces around him, and hoped they would long continue to gather there, and that the people of Nelson would long have the opportunity of having their children^ so well taught as they had been at this institution. > The company then adjourned to the Boys' School, where there was a similar ceremony, Mr. Curtis prefacing the distribution by telling the boys they had done all the speech-making at the Girls' School. He then delivered the prizes. The Rev. Father Mahoney then requested that the boys might be allowed to express their minds to their teachers, wnereupon two of the leading boys stepped forward with addresses, and in turn each read one. The first was to Mr. Richards, expressing most kindly feelings, and there were presented to him some handsome, volumes and a paper knife ; the second was to Mr. Kayanagh, .in the same stirain, and which was accompanied by an inkstand andthermometer. Mr. Curtis made the presentation on behalf of the boys with suitable remarks, and Mr. Richards and Mr. Kavanagh feelingly thanked the boys. ' ; . The proceedings terminated with three cheers for the.Rey. Father Garin, three times three for Mr. Curtis, three more for, Rev." Father Mahoney, and yet another three for Mr. Larnach ; and more for other friends.