ST. MARY'S SCHOOLS, NELSON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XI, Issue 36, 4 January 1884, Page 7

ST. MARY'S SCHOOLS, NELSON.

(From the Col&nist, Dec. 19th.) • The annual distribution of prizes took place at these schools yesterday, and the whole of the proceedings proved fully as interesting as usual. At half-past one o'clock the children belonging to the Boys' Schools, assembled in their large class-room in the building to the south of Manuka street. His Worship the Mayor occupied the chair, and beside him were seated, in addition to the Rev. Fathers Garin and Mahoney, Mr. Shephard, M.H.R., Mr. and Mrs. Dodson, and a few other ladies and gentlemen. The Rev. Father Mahoney explained that the prizes were not so numerous this year as usual, as the boys of the Industrial Schools had already received their rewards, but the whole of the boys had been examined with satisfactory results. His Worship the Mayor said, before proceeding to the distribution, he would like to say a word or two regarding his esteemed friend the Rev. Father Garin. That gentleman was one of his oldest friends, for he had known him since he was a child. The worthy Sastor of St. Mary's had always faithfully discharged every Christian uty, and though the boys present could not tell how good he was or what he had done, he (the Mayor) hoped they would look up to Father Garin as a model, and that when they arrived at his age they would be able to look back on as honorable a career as the venerable Father. His Worship concluded by expressing the value he attached to having such a man as the Rev. Father Garin in their midst. The Rev. Father Garin feelingly referred to the remarks of the Mayor, whom he said he had known, as Mr. Fell had said from childhood. He could say, too, that his Worship had always borne a good character, and he urged the boys always to be as good. He thanked the Mayor very much, not only for his very kind remarks, but for having come amongst them that day, and he called for three cheera for Mr. Fell, which were heartily given. His Worship- then distributed the prizes, addressing the several recipients in encouraging terms, and at the conclusion of the distribution, the Rev. Father Mahoney said he had been asked on behalf of the boys, who remembered those who kindly gave them prizes, to express their thanks to the kjmd donors, and he called for three cheers in their honor, which were given lustily. The Mayor having wished the boys a pleasant holiday, the proceedings terminated with more cheering. • The Convent Schools. An adjournment was then made to the large room of the Girls' Orphanage, in which "it had been arranged that the distribution of prizes to the young ladies attending the Select, High, and Day schools should take place. Before arriving at this room, however, it will be convenient to refer to the large room, where an admirable Exhibition of fancy work, etc., was displayed to advantage. It is needles* to cay that this room proved very attractive, especially to the ladies, but those of the sterner sex also found very much to interest them. The fancy work, which included every conceivable variety, from laco to waxwork flowers, embroidery, wool, silk, and bead work, was all the handiwork of the young ladi»s attending these schools, and testified as highly to their skill and assiduity as to the excellence of their teachers. In addition to the fancy work, there was'plain needlework, specimens of penmanship, drawing, etc., and especially with regard to the penmanship must we speak in the highest terms, and we also desire to notice the admirable system which has been introduced in these schools for the study of botany ; the books with specimens representing the different orders of plants formed not the least of the many very interesting things that were to be seen here. On gaining the room which had been set apart; for the distribution of prizes, it was found that his Worship the Mayor was in the chair. His Worship was accompanied by Mrs. Fell, and at the head of the room there were also seated the Rev. Fathers before mentioned, Mr. J. Shephard, M.H.R., bis Honour Judge Broad, Dr. Duff, and Mr. and Mrs. Dod&on. As usual the proceedings here were commenced with the performance of a very admirable programme. Of the 21 items, nine were instrumental performances, and of these, notwithstanding the number of performers, we must speak in the highest terms. The execution of Mozart's " Gloria i n Excelsis." on seven pianos with harmonium, by fifteen of the young ladies ; of the "Vesper Hymn," performed on Eeven pianos with harmonium, by 15 performers, and of the " Marcheaux Flambeaux" on seven pianos, harmonium and seraphine, by 15 young ladies, was each admirable, and elicited much applause. The performances on the harp by Miss Duff, were also appreciated, and the singing, consisting of solos, and choruses, was exceedingly good, as also were the recitations in English, French, and German. The whole programme having been gone through, the Chairman called on his Honour Judge Broad, who had acted as examiner, to read the report, which was as follows : — examinee's bepoet. Nelson, 17th December, 1883. To the Reverend the Lady Superior, St. Mary's Convent, Nelson. Madam,— At your request I have examined the first division of St. Mary's Schools in the following subjects :— Arithmetic, Ancient History, English History .|History ot New Zealand, French, Geography, and English. As in the past, Arithmetic is still one of your strong points. All the papers in this section were well done, and the percentage of marks obtained is therefore high. Jane Reeves made 90, M. Cadigan 85, and R. Moloney, M. Kelly, and E. Arnold 80 each out of a possible 100. None of the candidates made less than 65. The Ancient History paper, although decidedly difficult, was satisfactorily answered, especially by Sarah Levi, and after her by E. Moloney and Harriet Suites

The English and French papers were the least good. In English Composition there was a marked absence of original thought and not a trace of humour. The spelling and handwriting were, however, good throughout. The History of New Zealand, as narrated in Mr. Bourke's excellent little book, is, judging from the length and accuracy of their answers, a favourite subject with your pupils, Mary Cadigan, Sarah Levi, and Matilda Hunt sent in exceptionally good papers. Ido not think it at all desirable to cram school-girls or schoolboys either with too much history. If they thoroughly master the outlines, especially the chi onology, they can fill in afterwards. lam not, therefore, at all sorry to^find that in teaching English Histoiy you have recognised this. The Geography paper was (after ihat in Arithmetic) answered best. In this subject Sarah Levi, K. Moloney, and Matilda Hunt take first places. The best all round girl is Mary Cadigan, her aggregate number of marks being 510 out of a possible 700. Attached is a statement showing the numbers obtained by each candidate in the various subjects. The result of the examination as a whole satisfies me that the first division of the High School are carefully grounded in the subjects in which they were examined. Upon foundations so solidly laid they may erect almost any intellectual superstructures they please ; and if to Eome learning seems a painful drudgery, all may be assured that for those who cheerfully persevere there will be more than ample reward in the " power of knowledge." Your obedient Servant, Lowthbe Broad, Barrister at Law, Judge of the Nelson and Westland District Courts. His Worship the Mayor said it was then his pleasant duty to present the prizes, but before doing so he would congratulate the Key. Mother and Sisters of the Convent upon the excellent results they had achieved. They who had been present had been permitted to hear what the young ladies could do, and the programme had be:-n so arranged that some eighty-eight girls had been heard performing on the piano. The musical part of their education had been well managed , and what they had heard proved that the directress must be highly competent. He said he might perhaps be permitted, without appearing hypercritical, to express a wish that in future some of the most advanced pupils might favor them with solos. His Worship, after referring to the samples of needlework, drawing copy books, botanical books, etc., and Judge Broad's report, said all these gave him reason for congratulating the ladies who conducted the institution which represented the first effort in Nelson for the higher education of women. He said that he had himself been connected with the education of women on unsectarian principles, and he was glad to find there an institution equally useful with the one to which he referred. After speaking of the history of St. Mary's schools, he said that, considering they obtained no State aid, they reflected the highest honor on their conductors. There were at present, he learnt, 205 girls attending the schools, 50 of these being pupils at the High School, 30 at the Select, and 125 at the Parish Schools, which included the orphans. Ten Sisters were engaged in the actual work of the schools, and 21 others were engaged looking after the boarding establishment and other matters connected with the schools. His Worship spoke of the building of the fine structure in which they were gathered, the result of the unaided efforts of the directors, as the most successful of its kind. He willingly paid bis tribute of respect to those ladies who had given up what most of them considered their dearest privileges — their family ties, and had devoted themselves to a work of usefulness, but of the greatest selfdenial.— (Applause.) It had given him the greatest pleasure to accept the invitation of the Key. Mother, and he congratulated that lady and her Sisters on their success, and hoped that in future years they would still see as well taught, as healthy and as cheerful girls as they did then. His. Worship then proceeded to deliver the prizes, and in doing so spoke encouragingly to the girls. The prizes haying been distributed, Mr. J. Shephard, M.H.R., was called upon to make a Bpeech, and in responding the gentleman said he believed that anyone with the ora f ory of a Galdstone would be deemed a bore if he made a long speech at that hour, but he was bound to respond to the request of his old and reverend friend Father Garin. They had had ample proof that in that school and in the parish school the cultivation of arts proceeded with equal success and pace with that of more useful pursuits, for in addition to the evidence around them, they had heard read the report of Jndge Broad. That testiomony, together with the evidence which their eyes and ears bore, gave the highest praise that could be given, to such an institution. Their meeting in that building reminded him that it had been dedicated to the orphans, and he felt that he would be pardoned when he said the orphans claimed their deepest interest and sympathy, — (Applause.) The young ladies attending the superior school were blessed with homes out side that building, but the position of the poor children whom they saw ia such numbers around them must touch all who possessed humane feelings. It was a sad sight to see nearly 100 girls and 70 boys thrown on the hands of the benevolent either by the death of their parents or worse still, by the negligence of parents. It was a cheering sight, however, to see that the spirit of mercy had come back to rescue the orphans from unseen dangers, and probable degradation. Those who conducted the institution were following the precept of Him who said " Suffer little children to come unto Me." They would agree with him that the part of that noble instruction which touched them most was the Orphanage, and he trusted that the rev. ladies would go on and prosper in the good work, for a blessing must remain to them. The Rev Father Garin having proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried by acclamation, _ His Worship expressed his thanks, and wished they might enjoy their holidays, and hare a merry Christmas and happy New Year, \ The proceedings then terminated,