ST. MARY'S CONVENT NELSON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 340, 24 October 1879, Page 17

ST. MARY'S CONVENT NELSON.

(From an Occasional Correspondent.)

A VERY enjoyable entertainment was given at the close of the Michaelmas term "by the young ladies attending the high and select schools. The occasion for which it took place was to celebrate the feast of the Rev. Mother St. Michael, and this of itself became a newmotive to have them all enter heart and soul into it, and so make it torn out to be a great success. The subjects of the various scenes were most appropriate, and the characters were aptly represented by the young lady pupils, all of whom most creditably went through their iespective parts and gave universal satisfaction to all present. The story of Queen Esther as related in the Book which bears her name, was successfully gone through, Misses Hollis and Everett representing King Assuerus and Queen Esther respectively, the latter having as maids of honour Misses Broad and Edwards. The fatal end of Aman, through the snare he had prepared for Mardochi was carefully evinced by Misses Love, Edwards and Wymond. " A friend in need is a friend indeed" became the subject of another scene which was a means of bringing some more new faces on the stage, the principal ones being, however, Misses Corrigan, Kennedy, Bolton, and Nathan, who went by the name of the " orphan ieee May." But none so truly realised the character to be brought to light as Miss E. Ward who, weighed down with years, and standing as it were on the brink of the grave represented old Mr. Smith to perfection, while Betsy (Miss Gough), as the general attendant, showed the duties of her humble station, by her wonderful industry. The third part opened with that of a piece known, as " Germaine Cousin," which though a novel in its way took wonderfully well. Misses Hollis and Corrigan represented Germaine and Laurence Cousin, but they could not hold a light to Germaine's stepmother, (Miss Shiels,) more • especially in scolding, what stepmothers are generally noted for. Misses McCarthy, Stevens, Symes, Levi, Bolton and Nathau went through their parts with much success. The entire programme wound up with a most laughable farce, which commenced by way of a dispute about a singing lesson by two little dwarfs, Mr. and Mrs. Jones. They were represented by Misses Hollis and Shiels, and elicited much laughter by the natural manner in which each disputed this right.

At intervals some beautiful music, both vocal and instrumental, was rendered to perfection ; the Misses Edwards' duet, " The Pretty Birds." and Miss Wymond's song, •' Sweet Home," demanding much applause. But the most attentively listened to was the song, " Her Bright Smile," by Misses Broad and Edwards, both very young and yet no way abashed, going through it without the least fault. Miss Bolton's (piano prize) " La Voix dv Ciel," and Miss Kennedy's duet, (waltz) showed much taste and skill.

On the whole much credit is due to the young ladies and to their superiors for the manner in which one and all acquitted themselves in the execution of their respective parts, as was shown by the general feeling of all present.

A ceremony of a more imposing character took place in the same convent a few days after on the Feast of the Angel Guardians, the taking of the religious habit by two young ladies into the noviciate of the Order of the Missions. Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Father Mahony, at tha end of which he delivered a short but very appropriate address on the nature and importance of the ceremony about to take place. The Rev. Father Garin then proceeded to bless and hand over the Habits, the Sisters singing the various anthems and pieces proper to the occasion with wonderful perfection. The Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament ,in the evening brought the affecting ceremony to a close.