EXHIBITION DAY AT THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, WANGANDI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 37, 2 January 1885, Page 27

EXHIBITION DAY AT THE CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, WANGANDI.

The annual examination of these schools was held on Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 15 and 16. Both the local newspapers were represented, and as their reports, though somewhat brief, are impartial, a few extracts from thejm may be interesting. The Wanganni Chronicle, of Dec. 18, says :— The annual exhibition of the work done by the pupils of the Sacred Heart Convent School took place yesterday afternoon, when a large number of the parents of the children and others interested in the welfare of the scholars were present by invivation. The work was tastefully hung round the school room, and placed on shelves and tables. The Rev. Mother and the Sisters conducted the visitors into the schoolroom and showed them the work. The articles consisted of fancy work in silk and wool, end flowers and needle- work of all kinds, which showed the great care that has been exercised in teaching the scholars the art of using their needle to the best advantage. The fancy work excited general expressions of approval, that of some of the pupils who had only been a short time at the Convent showing wonderful progress. Among the specimens of work that deserved special mention was a stand of wax flowers by Miss Jackson, which was greatly admired. There were also several stands of imitation flowers which showed great taste in their arrangement and wqrk by Misses B. Goodson(lst year), C. Ballam, Roache, and Heslop. On the same table were two beautiful lilies in wool, made for the Hawera bazaar, to be held this month. On another table were a number of dolla beautifully dressed by the Sisters, as prizes for the little ones, the pupils making a quantity of the clothing. . . In the evening a concert was given by the pupils. The singing of the choruses and solos by girls were well executed, while the pianoforte duets were performed in a manner that reflects the highest credit on their instructors ; excellent time was kept and the touch all that could be desired, and must have made the parents feel that their children were trained with the greatest care.

The Wanganui Herald, of the same date, speaks of the exhibition of work and the distribution of prizes in the following terms :—Yesterday the annual breaking-up of the Sacred Heart Convent Schools took place. In the afternoon the schoolroom was thrown open to the public for the inspection of the fancy and plain work done by the pupils during the year. The exhibition included many fine samples of artistic sketches with pencil and water-colours ; some excellently made up stands of paper, wax and woollen flowers, elegantly dressed dolls, crochet work, brackets of various designs worked with crewel silk and wools, and smoking caps. Some of the new macrame work attracted special attention, as did an excellent Berlin wool and beaded screen. Plain work, in the shape of frocks, pinafores, and underclothing, was abundant, and the specimens showed that while fancy work is given due attention to, the pupils are taught also to ply their needles on more everyday articles of attire than fancy worked aprons and smoking caps. The work was exceedingly creditable to both the pupils and the sisters. Some special work "by the latter for the Hawera Bazaar was greatly admired by all. The following are the names of the pupils who did the fancy work :— Miss Dais— Berlin wool picture, "Excelsior." Miss Haudley—Watercolours, " Tulips," " Blackberries," " Icebergs," and satin cushion in crewel, Berlin wool footstool, and pencil drawing. Miss Goodson— Crewel bracket, mantel cloth in crewel, and paper flowers. Miss McMinn— Navy silk bracket in crewel, and Berlin wool bracket. Miss E. Barnott— Crewel bracket, crewel apron, watch-pocket and kettle-holders. Miss Mahoney— Berlin wool picture. Miss Ballam — Crewel picture, crewel bracket, Berlin wool, bead and crewelworked slippers, and crewel apron. Miss Roache — Water-colours "Birds," paper flowers, crewel-worked cushion, piano stool, and pencil drawings. Miss Heslop — Water-colours. " Passion flowers," •' Geranium," and " Fruit," paper flowers, pencil sketches, crewel d'oyleys, watch-pockets, and macrame-worked bracket. Miss Wixcey — Crewel bracket, crewel-worked slippers, and brush and comb bag. Miss Barnott — Crewel bracket. Miss C, Ballam — Paper flowers. Miss Jackson — Wax flowers. Miss B. Handley— Pencil sketch, Berlin wool aDd beaded screen with gold fringe. Miss A. O'Hara — Crewel apron. Miss Woolston— Wool mat, crewel apron, and watchpocket. Miss S. To »zer— Kettle- holders. Miss Eddie— Crewel bracket and watch-pocket. Miss O'Hara — Cushion worked with Berlin wool. Mis 3C. Eddie — Berlin worked cushion. Miss J. Ryan — Knitted k brush and comb bag. Misa E. Keegan — Crotchet mats. Miss Farrell — Paper flowers. — In the evening an entertainment was given by the scholars to their parents and friends, when the following programme was rendered : — Pianoforte duet, " Mamma's Little Pet," by Misses Z. Ballam, G. Burke, E. Barnott, M. Perritt, G. Eddie, and C. Eddie : song, "Australian Anthem " by all ; pianoforte duet,|" West End Polka," Misses L. Heslop, L. Handley, A. McMinn, M. Dais, B. Goodson, and J. Boache ; song, •• Betsy Wareing," by Miss J. Roache ; pianoforte duet, •' Palerm's Quadrille." by Misses L. Wixey, A. McMinn, C. Ballam, M. Dais, B. Goodson, and L. Handley ; hunting song, by all ; pianoforte duet, " Prince Albert's March," by Misses J. Roacbe, L. Heslop, A. McMinn, and L. Handley ; pianoforte solo, " Abd El Kader," by Misses L. Heslop, L. Handley, and A. McMinn. The following took part in the play " Filiola " : — Mrs. Harvey, mother to Filiola, Miss Roache ; ..Filiola, a child of ten, L. Wixey ; Filiola, a young woman, Miss B. Goodson ; Miss Hastings, governess to Filiola, Miss L. Handley ; Fairy Mirobola and page, Misses L. Heslop and E. Barnott ; Mrs. Contradictory, mother-in-law to Filiola, Miss G Holcroft ; Hilda and Fanny, children of Filiola (eight and nine years old), Misses McMinn and G. Burke ; Bertha, Filiola's maid (when married), Miss Z. Ballam ; Rachel, maid to Mrs. Contradictory, Miss K. Mahoney ; Margaret, nurse to Filiola (when a child). Miss M. Dais. The pieces were played mostly on three pianos, and the pupils gave evidence of skill and ability, their efforts being marked by a regularity which showed constant practice. The solo " Prince Albert's March," which was played on three pianos and an harmonium, was the piece of the evening, and deserves special mention. In the play

1 Filiola " the characters allotted to Misses Roache, L. Wixey, and B. Goodson were well sustained. After the programme had been gone through, the Rev. Father Kirk distributed the prizes, stating briefly that the school examinations had been conducted by himself, assisted by Messrs Lundon and Holcroft. On Friday, 19th, the Christmas Tree was prepared in St. Joseph's school. The prizes, which consisted of dolls and other fancy articles of all descriptions, were all very pretty. They were distributed to the younger children by Rev. Father Kirk, assisted by the Sisters and a few lady friends. In the evening an entertainment was given by the children attending the parish schools and at its close the distribution of prizes took place The programme, which was well selected, was very creditably performed, and the parents and friends of the children dispersed after spending a very enjoyable evening. The following is taken from the Wanganui Herald, December 20 :— The children attending St. Mary's and St. Joseph's school assembled in St. Joseph's school for the purpose of giving an entertainment to their friends, and receiving the prizes allotted to them. There was a large attendance of friends and parents. The following programme was rendered by the children :—: — Song, "The Student's Reunion," by all; recitation, "The Fakenham Ghost," J. Ryan; dialogue, ''The Alopted Child, M.Kearney and S. Oliver ; song, '• Fox and Grapes," K. Derung, S. Oliver, F.'Loftus, M. Ryan, J. Moran, L. Derung, and C.Oliver: recitation, " Saul's Address," M. McDufi ; dialogue, " The King and the Miller of Mansfield," F. Oliver and J. Murphy ; song, " Try Again," all ; recitation, •• The Bunch of Shamrocks," M. Ryan ; recitation, " The four seasons," J. Derung, M. O'Leary, B. Neary, and C. Russell ; song " Vacation Song," all ; scene from " John Bull, W. Wixey, J. McMahon, and H. O'Hara ; song, Happy New Year," all. Play, " Brnscliff Hall "—Annette, Jane Lee ; Sophia, Mary Morgan ; Countess Moreland, Johanna Ryan ; Miss Matilda Sinclair, Mary McGrath ; Miss Clara Hamilton, Mary Campbell ; Footman, Thomas Turner. After the entertainment, Father Kirk proceeded to distribute the prizes. In the 3rd and 4th classes (boys) no prizes were given, Father Kirk not being satisfied with the work done. He will re-examine them at Easter. The Wanganui Chronicle of the same date describes the entertainment thus : -The distribution of prizes at St. Mary's Boys' and St. Joseph's Girls' School took place yesterday in the schoolroom, the Rev. Father Kirk officiating. ... In the evening an entertainment was given by the children in the schoolroom, which was well attended. An excellent programme had been prepared, and all the items were rendered in a style that showed that they had careful preparation. Mrs. Lloyd played the accompaniments.