ST. JOSEPH'S CONVENT SCHOOL, TEMUKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 37, 2 January 1885, Page 19

ST. JOSEPH'S CONVENT SCHOOL, TEMUKA.

(From the Temuka Leader.")

Oke of the best juvenile concerts we have ever witnessed was given in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, last Tuesday night, by the children attending St. Joseph's Convent School, The attendance was unusually large, the hall being crowded almost to excess, and among the audience were several people from Geraldine, Waitohi, Milford, and all the intermediate districts. The weather, which was very hot and windy during the day, calmed down towards 6 o'clock, and left one of the finest nights we have experienced this secsion. As announced, the door was opened at 7. 30 o'clock, and from that hour the people began to crowd into the hall. Shortly after 8 o'clock Mr. Quinn came on the stage and introduced the performers. He said that in a conversation the Bey. Father Fauvel some time ago had said that if the Church was fir ; shed and a Catholic school established in Temuka and Eerrytown he would be ready to die in peace. These were now done, but he (Sir. Quinn) hoped that Fataer Fauvel would be spared to them for many a day to witness their success. Aftet a few more remarks the entertainment commenced with an overture, played in capital style by Miss C. Quinn; Considering her age she played splendidly. A full chorus of about 50 girls sang " Birdie's Ball " next, their voices blending well, and a drama entitled "Children's Choice" was given by Misses' M. A. Connolly, E. Demuth, and 3\ Dyson, and Masters T. Gaffaney, and J. Clark, all of whom spoke distinctly and well, especially Miss Dyson, about whose actions there was an air of independence which many adults could not assume. The song " Watching for Pa," was given very nicely by a number of little girls, and Miss A. Murphy gave the recitation " The Strawberry Girl " capitally. Her articulations were distinct and she emphasized judiciously. "We were crowded in the cabin," a song given by seven of the girls, was also an item that elicited applause. Misses McGrath and Elkis spoke the words of "' The Messenger of Mortality " with excelleut taste ; and the song " Some Folks," by the boys, was duly appreciated. " Papa's Letter" a recitation given by Miss Lucy Quinn, was remarkably well done for a child of her age, and the chorus, by the girls," Say a Kind Word,' passed off equally as successfully as any of the others. An item which elicited some interest was " The Colonist " in which Masters Elkis, T. Gaffaney. T. Demuth, F. Hodgson, J. Clark, T. Dunn, J. Clark, W. Fitzgerald, J. Connolly, J. Jackson, and H' J. Louis took part. In this Master Elkis was a colonist who was selecting men to bring out, and of course he had to do all the talking. He had only a few days to get ready for this, as the part had been allotted to another boy who, at the last moment threw it up. Master Elkis was then put in his place, and it must be said the selection was a good one, as he acquitted himself with great success. " Carrie Lee " was very nicely sung by the little girls, and " The Little Girl," a recitation -by Misß Bina Taylor, who appeared to to be about three years old, brought the first part of the programme to a close. After a short interval, and an overture well played by Miss Quinn, all the girls sang " Love at Home " well, and the dialogue, «' Who Loves Me Best," was spoken by Misses E. and C. Gaffaney in a remarkably able manner. Miss C. Gaffaney, who is only about eight or nine years of age, had the principal part, and spoke in a clear ringing voice that reached all parts of the hall. The recitation of " The Flower Girl " given by Miss M. A. Connolly waß artistically done. It was Miss Connolly who distinguished herself at an entertainment held in the Timaru Convent some time ago, and she certainly sustained her reputation. Master H. Ji Louis sang the comic song " I Beally am so Nervous " in a manner that elicited an encore, to which he responded, and the boys sang " The Sage and the Goldfinch " well. In the drama of " The Silver Thimble," Misses MoGrath. Murphy, Elkis, and Connolly* spoke their parts well, especially Misses Connolly, McGrath, and Murphy, who deported themselves quite equal to the best per.ormances of adult amateurs. " Little Sister's Gone to Sleep," by the little girls, " People Will Talk," by Miss Lavery and " Cousin Michael " by the boys, were all done justice to and'were followed by " The Inf aut Orator," by Master M. De ; math who delivered the oration very cleverly. The gem of the entertain^ ment was the " Christmas Chimes," sung by Misses M. and M. A. Connolly, a very difficult song, which they rendered splendidly, considering that they bad not the assistance of music. Two girls sang «• Oh, Erin My Country " and " As Welcome as the Flowers in May," and a duet on the piano by Misses M. and C. Quinn brought tne programme to the National Anthem, with which the entertainment wound up. Noticeable features of the entertainment were the neat dresses of the children, and the excellent way in which they were trained. Not a bitch occurred from beginning to end, and the smoothness with which everything passed off, even to the coming on and going off the stage, showed the great care that had been given to their training. The ladies of the convent, to whose care and attention the children owe their success, deserve great praise, and the training shows their work has been to them a labour of love. On Monday, the 22nd, a concert will be given in the Kerry town School