PRIZE DAY AT ST. MARY'S SCHOOLS, NELSON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VII, Issue 350, 2 January 1880, Page 3

PRIZE DAY AT ST. MARY'S SCHOOLS, NELSON

(From the Colonist.) On Thursday, the annual distribution of prizes at these schools took place, and the ceremony attracted a large number of ladies and gentlemen to the schools, which are situate in the fine grounds belonging to the Church and Convent. Shortly after 1 o'clock, the boys were mustered in front of the Church by Mr. Kavanagh, their master, and marched to the school- room, where a number of visitors, including his Worship the Mayor and Mrs. Dodson, Mr. O. Curtis, Judge Broad, and other ladies and gentlenceri also assembled. His Worship, who was requested to take the chair, at once proceeded to the pleasing task of distributing the awards, which were as follows : — boys' school. Christian Doctrine— First Class, Daniel O'Connell (presented by Father Gann) ; 2nd, Bernard Frank ; 3rd, William Collette ; 4th, Wilfrod Frank. Good Conduct — Ist prize. Bernard Frank (presented by Father Mahoney) ; 2nd, Edward Wainboust. (presented by Mr. A. M'Gee). Euclid— John Adams (prppented by Judge Broad). Elocution — Ist prize. Adolpb Frank (presented by Mr. Kavanagh) 2nd, Ernest Fleming- ; 3rd. Francis Perera. ' Book-keeping- Leonard Allen. Map Diawing — Ist prize, Leonard Allen; 2nd, Louis Carmine (presented by Mrs. Kavanagb) ; 3id, J. Kirwin. Geography (political)— Jeremiah O'Connor ; 2nd, John Everett. Geography (physical)— Francis James. (These last three prizes were presented by Mr. P. Topliss.) History— William Higgins. Grammar— lst prize, John O'Connor ; 2nd, William Slattery ; 3rd, John William Bourke. Arithmetic— First Class, Adolph Frank (presented by Mr. P. Topliss) ; 2nd, Arthur Leech ; 3rd, John Bray. Arithmetic (mental)— Leonard Allen.

Eeading — Ist prize, John O'Connor. Second' Class, Edwar Wainhou6e (presented by Mr. P. Topliss) ; 3rd, William Woodward ; 4th, Willm Borrough ; sth, John Hunt and Antonio West. Writing— First Class, Leonard Allen; 2nd, J. Wainhouse ; 3rd, John Kirwan. Tables — James Hart, second class. Spelling— First Class, Francis James (presented by Mr, P. Topliss). The room was decorated with flowers, evergreens, and banners, whilst the walls were adorned with illuminated writings, mottos, and a^ number of maps, which testified most conclusively to the proficiency of the boys in that branch of study. The prizes having been distributed, at the request of the Key. Father Mahoney, Mr. Kavanagh. called upon a number of his pupils to give some recitations, which they did in a manner that fully proved the excellence" of their memories. After some recitations from Macaulay and other authors several of the boys gave some scenes from Hamlet very creditably. The Eev. Father Mahoney then rose, and said that, on behalf of the boys, he wished to thank those ladies and gentlemen who had presented prizes to the scholars. His Worship the Mayor said it had afforded him a great amount of pleasure to distribute their prizes The examination they had just gone through showed that they stood well as regards educational attainments, and they had now received their rewards for past exertions, but when they went away he hoped they would remember that there would be more prizes to be striven for next year. Those who had not taken prizes, he hoped, would remember that what one had done they all could do, and he urged upon them to try a little harder next time. (Applause.) The Bey. Father Garin referred to the disadvantages under which those schools had been working since the Government withdrew all aid ; but he hoped they would all agree with him, that if the working machinery had been affected from this cause, they would not consider it had greatly affected the results. The examination had shown that a great deal of work had been done, both by the pupils and the teacher ; and he^ hoped that that day's proceedings world encourage them all in activity ; that those who had not received prizes then would try hard to secure some next time ; whilst these who had been more fortunate would strive to maintain their position ; so that by emulation a great deal of improvement might be effected. His Worship having announced his incention of giving a prize for good conduct next year, the proceedings were brought to a close by the boys giving three cheers for his Worship, three more for Father Garin, another three for Mr. Curtis, still another three for the ladies, and final three for Mr. Kavanagh. An adjournment was then made to THE GIRLS' SCHOOL, The fine room in the wing recently added to the High School building had been arranged for the purpose, and had been tastily decorated for the occasion. At the western end of the room was a platform, on which were seated a large number of the young ladies attending the school, whilst others were grouped on either side. Below the platform a harmonium and seven pianos were ranged, whilst at the opposite end of the room were tables piled with a most liberal supply of handsome prizes, and all down the room seats were placed for the convenience of visitors. His Worship the Mayor again presided, and there was a large attendance of ladies and gentlemen. The proceeding were commenced by the following programme being gone through by the young ladies, in a manner which testified in the highest degree to the ability of the reverend ladies who conduct these schools. Of the musical items we can only say that we were totally unprepared for the skill and taste displayed in the brilliant execution of the instrumputal pieces. The performance of the " Gloria " from Mozart's Twelfth Mass, upon five pianos aod a harmonium, by eleven young ladies, was in so excellent a manner and with such perfect time, that we were by no means surprised that a general request was preferred that it might be repeated — a request which was very kindly complied with. The vocal pieces, too, evinced the most careful training, and amongst the voices were several very promising ones :—: — (1) Pianoforte— Overture to Zatnpa (Sarrold), Duet on three pianos by Misses Bolton, Kennedy, Hollis, Hounsell, Wymond. and Pratt. (2) Vocal Duet—" Come with thy Lute to the Fountain," by Misses Broad and Elsie Edwards. (3) French recitation — "La Jeune avougle aSa Mere," Miss Hollis. (4) Pianoforte— " La Voix dv Ciel," (Keldy), Solo on five pianos, by Misses Bolton, Kennedy, Hollis, Hounsel, and Pratt. (5) Vocal Chorus — " The Music of the Birds," (Glover) by the Young Lady Pupils. (6) Engdsh recitation — "David's Lament," (Willis) Miss Lucy Edwards. (7) Piano Solo— " Fairy Whispers," (Harrinon) on seven pianos and one harmonium, by Misses Kennedy, Hollis, Pratt, Wymond, Hounsell, Kelly, Symes : harmonium, Miss Bolton. (8) Vocal Chorus — " Pussy's Tea Party," (Lyons) by Juvenile Pupils. (9) French recitation—" Jeanne d' Arc," by Miss Everett. (10) Tocal Duet—" Hark, 'tis the Goat Bells," by Misses Pratt, and Bolton. (11) Pianoforte Trio— by nine young ladies on three pianos : Misses Broad, Duff, Kelly, Litchscbandel, R. Litchscbandel, Scbit-ls, Deane, Peirin, and Nathan. (12) Vocal Chorus— "The Soft Winds," by the Young Lady Pupils. (13) Pianoforte — " Gloria," (Mozart) by eleven young ladies on five pianos and one harmonium : Mia-sc-s Wymond, Houiibell, Kelly, Pratt, Holliß, Kennedy, Byrnes, Duff, Broad, and M'Caity ; harmonium by Miss Bolton. (14) French song—" Elle a fuit vers les Cieux," by Young Lady Pupils. (15) Pianoforte—" Invitation to the Waltz," ( Weber) by six young ladies on three pianos : Misses Bolton, Kennedy, Hollis, Pratt, Hounsell, and Kelly. (16) Holiday Duet. At the termination of what was, we are sure, a great treat to all present, his Worship proceeded to distribute the following PEIZES. St. Maby's High School. Good Conduct, Miss Lowe. Pol^ness, Miss Syme. (Both presented by Mrs. -uck.) First Clas ipture and Christian Doctrine (presented by Eev. Father Garm,, Miss K. Hollis ; Universal History (presented by Judge Broad), Miss.tfollis^EDglish Composition, competitive (pre-

MissHouiseS^AintL^t/.?^ 8 - ; ?? d ' Miss Everett ' Drawing, *sw m S^' Mary>s Select School. n, . „ ST - MAEY's PABISH SCHOOL S«rar&ott !MS ~ W PriZe> M^^am 8i 2nd, Ma^ Farrel; Sra, Scott Pme> Eaiie Hunt; 2nd ' M - L^i; 3rd, Alice Alice F fio? MS - lßt PrfZe ' AnniS Hunt ' 2nd ' E^ J—; 3rd, SSdML^^S^ bb ° WeVCr ' WM Miss K. HoUis, and of the their cbiSr D a°d r been KTere^iT.^indl^ relig ? Dfi°lD fi °l were thesi children that an it w t, ' ?•' I ? deed » so satisfied read, to S ,

3&B§ssgSSiSa*M NHOMBB facing the dfneers iS «w Z? th l wc are Rti 'l *Kve and 33fe3SgSFSSB3aS So for eleven* years I^™s°^°™°?°™ of the Catholic child «*- KSipilif iiitiiisl iifiiiil mmam

tfc* mL D •°i t yev c Rev ' Father Mahoney, a vote of thanks to I rint^ 7 />, Waß m - ed - by acclam »tion, and the proceedings terminated by the pupils singing the Natiocal Anthem. d«. J? exhibition of some very beautiful fancy-work, of needle-work, i 2!t 9 ; 5™f nß ' a^ d P enraa nehip, the production of>oung nrll f% + ; DdlDg these Bchoo]8 ' which were arranged in a room set 2K?r2? Wo®!'W o ®!' a^acted a great deal of attention and general ~^-. Indeed j all the work exhibited at these schools gave tta! «f «l« lh p nce , a ° d care °° part of the pupils, and at the same . of +\? f C 4 areful * ra \ mn g on tfa e part of those having the conduct ot the respective schools ; and id congratulating these upon the unwUlloin wHh 88 effOlt8 ' We are SUre that all who ™ r " P^