ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL, WANGANUI

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 430, 8 July 1881, Page 4 (Supplement)

ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC SCHOOL, WANGANUI-

A very interesting gathering of the little people and their parents -and friends took place last night (Jane 3rd) at the Catholic schoolroom, which was crowded to overflowing. Tbe reverence and affection which are displayed towards His Lordship Bishop Redwood by hia flock in Wanganui are significant and expressive, and no greater proof of the tact need be sought for than the gathering which took place last night. The curtain rose, if we may use a theatrical expression, to one of the most, charming sights with which poor human nature in these degenerate days is delighted. '• Queen of the rosebud, garden of girlf," sung the Poet Laureate, and the most confirmed hater of the fair sex would have last night been melted to softness by the spectacle of some thirty little maidens clothed in white, with rosy cheeks and gleaming eyes, and attuning their voices in one harmonius chorus. Wancanui is held by some of its severe critics to be remarkable for local products which are not particularly complimentary ; one may venture to say that in the good looks of the rising female generation it can bold its own anywhere. His Lordship, attended by Fatheis Kirk and Le Menant des Chesnais having taken their seats last night, the following programme was performed by the children -. — Hong, Welcome Bishop Dear, by all ; recitation, The Wa6p and the Bee, by Lottie Wixey and Maggie Reid; recitation, Rustic Logic, by \V. Derung ; song, The Flower Girl, by Bffie Gerse ; piano duet, by M "uses Ellen < lullum, Adelaide Jackson, Mary Cronin, and Kate Sheunan ; scene from " The Critic," Sir Fretful Plagiary, Dangle and Sneer, by J. Co&kley, W. Wixey, and W. Connery ; recitation, Destruction of Sjnnacherib, by W. McElwain ; chorus, The Happy Hunter ; May Queen (2nd part), recited by Mary Ryan ; recitation, Paudecn O'Rafferty's Mistake, by H. Reid ; recitation, Old Times, by Gertrude Holcroft ; piano duet, by Maude Nathan, Kate Fox, Lilly .Sutsford. and Mary O'Reilly ; recitation. Charge of the Light Brigade, by W. Johnson ; piano solo, Lily Nutsford ; recitation, Light for All, by D. Ryan ; recitation, The Farmer and Barrister, by W. Connery. An amusing farce, entitled "Mrs. Willis' Will," was also performed by some of the young ladies, and proved exceedingly amusing. The young lady who represented Jenny, the heiress, was very amusing, and she has really acquired the spirit of low comedy. At the conclusion of the programme Miss Kate Shennan, on behalf of the school children, presented to Bishop Bed wood an address, accompanied by two beautfully- worked birettas. The address, which was illuminated and engrossed in the best style of mediaeval workmanship by Sister Clare, and which was surmounted by His Lordship's coat ot: arms, expressed the joy of the children in seeing their Bishop once more back amongst them. In responding to the address, His Lordship expressed his sincere thanks for it, and for the beautiful and elaborate present which accompanied it. The feeling of joy expressed by the children was reciprocated, as His Lordship had always taken the greatest interest in. the schools of Wanganui. He could not praue too highly the efforts of their pastor, and could congratulate them on having efficient teachers both for the boys and girls. They were specially right in expressing gratitude for having amongst them the good Sisters of St. Joseph. He had been surprised and delighted with the entertainment. It was varied and interesting, and the children's efforts were an earnest of what they would do in the future, and a proof of what could be brought out of children by a little cultivation. He could promise them every assistance in their schools and in rendering education most efficient. The object of the Catholic Church was to make the children up to the mark in all the sciences of the day, but it was determined that the higher good should not be lost for the sake of a lower one. AH earthly knowledge is not sufficient for man, who has to prepare for eternity. The children therefore must be brought up not ooly proficient in secular learning, but in their duty to God. There must be no danger on this score, and therefore the Catholic Church establishes schools in which religious knowledge goes hand in hand with secular instruction. If the leaven of religion be not in learning, then the essential is wanting. His Lordship, whose remarks were listened to with the most profound attention, concluded by earnestly appealingto the congregation to support their schools, and warmly respond to the appeal which their good pastor would find it necessary to make from time to time on behalf of Catholic education. The children then sang the New Zealand National Anthem, and the proceedings terminated.-— Wanganui Herald.