CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 36, 4 January 1884, Page 19

CHRIST CHU RC H.

(From our own Correspondent.) December 24, 1884. On Wednesday last the distribution of prizes took place at the Convent to the pupils of the Sacred Heart High School. The parents and friends of the children assembled in large numbers about 2 o'clock, and after a close inspection of the work, which was tastefully laid out in one of the upper rooms, all proceeded to the large schoolroom to enjoy a very delightful musical entertainment, the programme of which was as follows :—l.: — 1. Duet (6 pianos and harmonium), " Golden Trumpets," Hisses Nottingham, Mercon, Kennedy, Raphael, £. Raphael, J. Louisson, L. O'Brien, A. Gibson, Williams, Duncan, Callaghan, and O'Brien. 2. Song, " Festal Greeting," young ladies. 3. Solo (6 pianos and harmonium), "A Mother's Soog," Misses Callaghan, Duncan, Bishop, L. Funston, H. Nottingham, and O'Brien. 4. Solo (vocal), "The Magic of Music," Miss Morgan. 5. Recitation, ' " The Legend of the Forget-me-not," Misses Raphael, L. Funston, and L^O'Brien. 6. Duet (f pianos), " A Home Flower," Misses Kennedy, Hack, Otley, Moir, Louisson, S. Gibson, L. O'Brien, Raphael, £. Raphael, L. McCabe, J. McCabe, Merson, and Nottingham. 7. Part Song, " I've wandered in Dreams," ycung ladies. 8. Solo (6 pianos and harmonium), " The Dying Poet," Misses Merson, Kennedy, E. Raphael, L. O'Brien, Callaghan, Louisson, and Nottingham. 9. Recitation, •' Marguerite of France." Misses Bash, E. Raphael, and E. Fnnston. 10. Part, Song '• Whispering Hope," young ladies. 11. Duet (6 pianos and harmonium), "Morning Pearl," Misses Callagban, Kennedy, Merson, Williams, Nottingham, O'Donnell, L. O'Brien, Louisson, M. Duncan, Bishop, Raphael, and E. Raphael. 12. French Song, "O Jonr Heureux," young ladies. 13. French Recitation, "La Plume et I' Aiguille," Misses Bush, Kennedy, Duncan, and Callaghan. 14. Duet (6 pianos), air from "Lucretia Borgia," by junior pupils, Misses Mulligan, Tait, Bryant, Mahar, M. O'Neill, McHugh, Heslop, J. Louisson, Barrett, L. Raphael, L. O'Brien, and A. Weybourne. 15. Song, "The Little Cradle," junior class. 16. Duet (vocal), " The Merry Bells," Misses L. O'Brien and Morgan. 17. Duet (pianos), '• Les Jolis Oiseanx," Misses Nottingham, Kennedy, Callaghan, O'Donnell, Merson, Louisson, Williams, Raphael, E. Raphael, Moir, O'Brien, and M. Duncan. 18. Song, " To the Banks," young ladies. 19. Duet .(6 pianos and harmonium), "Success," Misses Hack, Moir, Bryant, McCabe, J. McCabe, Tait, Mulligan, S. Gibson, Connelly, O'Neil, E. Raphael, Merson, and O'Brien. 20. Song, " The Holidays" (after distribution of priz-s), 'young ladies. The proficiency attained by the various young ladies who executed the above programme was really surprising, and must be most gratifying to their kind and excellent teachers. The duets were given with great brilliancy and in capital tira**, and made one desire to bear the fair performers in solo parts. Miss Morgan's soog was very nicely rendered, and this young lady possesses a voice of considerable compass and sweetness. Miss L. O'Brien, who took the prize for singing, must also be complimented. Miss O'Brien accompanied with her usual sb.ill and efficiency, though the piano occasionally overpowered the voices. It is not always that one hears perfectly satisfactory recitations ; in the present case they were fairly given, though some of the French words were almost inaudible, except in the case of one young lady. Another has a slight tendency to place nndue emphasis on monosyllables, especially prepositions and conjunctions, but a little care and attention will soon remedy this fault. I rrgret that space forbids my attempting to report the words of excellent advice and hearty congratulation given by the parish piiest before he distributed the prizes ; he expressed himself as highly satisfied with the progress made by the pupils during the past year, and encouraged them to still greater exertions during the one to come. Father Ginaty also expressed his intention to give a prize for the best essay on a given subject, such as, for instance, the geography of New Zealand, and he mentioned that, in Wellington, compositions of very great merit have just been submitted by the pupils of the Sisters of Mercy for examination. I must not omit to say that the Key. Fathers Binsfield (Rangiora), MacManus, and Bowers were present during the entertainment and distribution of prizes. The prizes were many and valuable, and the young ladifcs who were fortunate in securing the rewards for exemplary conduct were also decorate! with pretty wreaths of fl ) are s. The prize list was as follows :— Exemplary conduct — 1, M»s* Leddy ; 2, Misses L. Funston and McPherson ; next in merit, Misses Bush, Kennedy j Duncan, Merson, O'Donnell, Annie Gibson, and A. We9terway. Politeness—l, Miss Hack ; next, Misses L. Fun-ton, McPherson, Duncan, Mulligan, and Westerway. Regular Attendance — Misses Bush, Kennedy, J. Louisson, Moir, Tait, and May Morton. This prize was drawn by lot, and fell to Miss Louisson. Music — Misses O'Callaghan, J. Louisson, L. O'Brien, Merson, McCabe, J. McCabe ; next, Misses E. Raphael and Hack. Singing— l, Miss L. O'Brien , next, Misses Mulligan and May Morton. Drawing, Miss Callaghan ; next, Miss Kennedy. Painting— l, Miss Kennedy; next, Misses Funston and Callaghan. French— l. Miss Bush ; next, Misses L. Funston and Conolly. Plain Needlework — 1, Miss L. Duncan. Fancy Work— Misses Callaghan and Leddy; next, Misses Bush, McPherson, and Mahar. Artificial Flower-making— l, Miss Annie Gibson ; next, Miss Leddy. Christian Doctrine — 1, Miss K. Connelly ; next, Miss Mulligan. Writing— l, Miss Callaghan ;2, Miss J. Louisson ; 3, Miss Merson ; 4, Miss L. Partridge ; next, Misses L. Funston, Otley, Mahar, M. O'Neill, Agnes Westerway. Reading and Recitation — 1, Miss Raphael ; next, Misses L. O'Brien and E. Raphael ; 3, Miss Heslop ; 4, Misses L. Raphael and May Morton ; next, Misses L. Funston, Mulligan, A. Bryant, L. Partridge. Grammar and Analysis— l, Miss L. Funston; 2, Misses J. Louisson and Mahar ; 3, Miss Merson ; next, Misses Bash, Duncan, 1. O'Brien, Connolly, and Hack. Bible History — 1, Miss Raphael ; 2, Miss Connolly ; next, Misses Kennedy and E. Raphael. Universal History — 1, Misses Bush and L. Fnnston ; 2, Misses Tait and L. O'Brien ; 3, Misa Heslop ; next, Misses Raphael, West rvvay, and

Bryant. Geography and Mapping — 1, Misses Duucau an<l Bush ; 2, Miss Maher ; next, Misses L. Fauston ani J. Louisson. Arithmetic. — 1, Misses Kennedy an I Laddy ; 2, Misses Mahar and Louisson ; 3, Misses Ha?k and O'Neill ; 4, Mis* Ethel Smithson ; next, Misses Raphael, L. Funston, Moir, L. O'Brien, and E. Funston, Book-keeping— 1, Miss Bush ; next, Missis Kennedy and L. Funston. Composition— l, Miss L. Funston ; 2, Miss J. Louissou ; next, Misses Duncan, OCallaghai, and Moir. Ast^oDomy. — 1, Miss Bush ; 2, Miss L. O'Brien : next, Misses Raphael and Connelly. Order and Neatness.— l, Miss L. Funston ;2, Miss J. Louiss n; 3, Miss L. Partridge ; next, Misses Duncan, A. Gibson, and A. Westerway. General Progress and Application— Mi ses Otley, Westerway, Weybourne, A. Gibson, S. Gibson, E. Leathern, Florence Bannard, Moir, O'Donnell, McHugh, O'Neill, and Birrett. The exhibition of work cannot be too highly praised, and on all sides expressions of warm admiration from the ladies present were to be heard. Keep* ingeyes and ears well op^n, I contrived to gather up a great amount of valuable information as to ths nature and character of the needlework, but unfortunately a too treacherous memory forbids me to attempt reproducing the names of the young ladies whose beautiful handiwork carried off the palm. The specimens of crewel-work and hand-paintings on satin and silk were too numerous to particularize, mantel drapes, cushions, etc., being in great abundance. In these the work in arracene was considered well executed, and very smooth and even. Mantel borders in red poppies and leaves, sunflowers, water lilies, and aquatic plants, Chinese plants, etc., were highly praised. A very beautiful piece of work was in the shape of a cover for a remonstrance stand in gold on white silk (or satin) which was intended, I was told, for a church at some little distance. Some lace work was destined for another church. The plain needlework was pronounced excellent, also the artificial flowers, of which there were a great many stands. A novel production was some tastefully painted firescreens, the designs being mostly birds and water plants. Noticeable among the drawings and paintings ware a framed and unframed sea subject, both well executed, a" Cindjrella," and a dog, the last of which is now on view in the art gallery of the Industrial Exhibition, and is most creditable to its owner, Here, as I foresee I shall be unable to make any other mention of the Exhibition, as I had fully intended doing, since tha many exhibits gathered there are worthy of great praise, and must be highly gratifying to the promoters. I must say a few words respecting the proluctions of the pupils of the new school of art, which appear in great profusion on the walls of the Art Gallery. It is. perhaps, hardly fair to compare the work done by the pupils of the religious of Notre Dame des Missions with that of the students of the School of Art, who are supposed, at least, to have the advantage of being instructed by a very highly-qualified master from, I believe, South Kensington — one supposed to excel in designing, besides being backed up by every modern appliance that can be of use to the pupils. After a very c'oje and careful inspection of the exhibits of the School of Art, I am, however, enabled to say, with truth, that they by no means, as a whole, show the superiority one might have expected, though it is only right to say that many of the freehand drawings, etc., are very creditable ; this cannot be said with truth of the majority of the drawings from busts, etc., a few of which only are fairly good, and sj far superior to the crayon figures done at the convent in that the outlining is much more delicate and fine. A female figure has been reproduced by the School of Art students, until one is fairly sick of its horrid ugliness, and truly revolting cast of features ; the mouth, in particular, is atrocious, and its wicked expression couli not be surpassed by any of the many terrible types of physiognomy to be seen in Madame Tussaud's Chamber of Horrors in London. The hideous subject to which I have referred seems to be a special favourite of the head t <acher of the School of Art, and the unfortunata students must, one would imagine, have suffered from acute nightmare all the time they were pursuing their unwelcome task. But to return to the convent drawings, from which I have too long wandered ; may I suggest that the young ladies who have executed them would do well to pay a visit to the Art Gallery ■ they would ba interested in comparing their ovrn work with what they would sec there, and their own good taste would assist them in discriminating between what they might with advantage imitate, and what they should take care to avoid. To pass on to the specimens of writing, it would be hard to find fault -with one ; indeed, all are so thoroughly good and legible, that it would ba well if the ex iminers of thelGovernment schools in this city, who have almost invariably condemned the writing which came under their notice, could but see what can be executed by the pupils of thj convent schools, they would then be compelled to amend their opinion that the writing throughout the Colony is of an inferior character. I am sorry that I must condense the prize list at the Select School, the pupils of which have made very satisfactory progress ; indeed, all the schools conducted by the devoted Sisters bear testimony to the unwearied care, attention, and ability lavished on their fortunate pupils. Exemplary Conduct — Miss N.Cain, first out of five. Politeness— l. Mies Williams ; next, Miss Cain. Regular A I tendance — Misses Marsh, Dobbs, N. Marsh, and N. Cain. Order and Ne itness— Miss F. Marsh, first out of three. Singing— Miss Traffe, first of three. Music— l, Miss Dobbs ;2, Misa F. Marsh. Geography— Miss T. Marsh, first of six. Writing— Miss Dobbs, first of eight Reading, etc. — Miss Dobbs, first of eleven. Arithmetic — Miss F. Marsh, first of seven. Grammar— Miss F. Williams, first of five. History— Miss A. Williams, first of four. Composition —Miss Dobb», first of six. Needlework — Miss A. Williams. Fancy work— Miss Cain. Christian Doctrine— Miss F. Williams, first of six. General Proficiency — Misses Sellers, Abbott, D. Taffe, Wisdom, Hamilton, and N. Marsh. The pupils of St. Leo's School underwent a very strict written examination by the parish priest, who is said to be much pleased at the result, which reflects the highest credit on the ability, zeal, and activity of the Principal, R. Dobbin, Esq. The prize list is as folio .vs : —First Class— Latin, Euclid, English Composition : Jas. Duncan. Algebra, French, Engl sh : P. Barrett. Irish History, Euclid, Algebra : R. Leathern. Second Class— Composition, Latin, Mapping, Iriah History : F. Cooper.

Arithmetic, Spelling : J. McKay. Conduct, Latin, Dictation : A. Malley. Latin, Spelling, Dictation : J. Lafferty. Arithmetic, Algebra, English Grammar : J. O'Neill. English, Grammar, Arithmetic, Algebra :— W. J. Cole. Progress in Reading and Spelling : T. Moynihan. Third Class— lrish History, Reading, Geography: S. Barrett. Spelling, English Grammar, Arithmetic : P. Connelly. Reading, Improvement in Writing :A. Moore. The progress of the pupils attending St. Joseph's, Papanui, and St. A.gnes' School, Halswell, is also said to be satisfactory. The distribution of the prizes at the former school took place on Thursday, and the litter broke up on Friday. lam unable to give particulars of the examinations of the girls' and boys' parish schools. The distribution of prizes will, I believe, take place to-day. Last night there was a very beautiful ceremony at the Church of the Most Blessed Sacrament— viz., that of the renewal of the baptismal vows, and a procession of more than usual grandeur and solemnity, in which over 200 children, besides the various confraternities, joined. All the details were personally superintended by the parish priest, aided by Mr. O'Conner, and it i 9 needless to say that the result was faultless. Had space permitted, I could have said much more of this deeply touching and beautiful sight. - To-morrow (Christmas* day) first Mass will be at 6 o'clock, and severaLpther Masses will follow before High Mass at 11 o'clock. "Ve^^Wand Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in the evening.