NAPIER.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 38, 9 January 1885, Page 19

NAPIER.

Tbe annual distribution of prises at the Convent Schools took place on Monday, 21st December. His Worship the Mayor (Dr. Spencer) presided, and amongst those present we noticed Rev. Fathers Grogan, Beignier, Kickham and Ahem, Rev. Bros. Joseph, Neal, Celestine, Messrs. Lee, Cornford, Sheath, St. Clair, Bearden, Bowerman, John Sheehan and Blake. Long before the entertainment began crowds thronged the large classroom of the Maori school to inspect the very grand display of oil and water-colour paintings, illuminations, drawings, plain and fancy needlework, crewel work, macrame, point lace, knitting, darning, patchwork, &c., the result of the pupils' work for the year. The copy and exercise books, atlasses, and drawing books were much admired, and reflected the greatest credit on the institution. The ceremony of the day began by the ■distribution of prizes to the children of the native school, at the conclusion of which the audience adjourned to the large hall of the ladies' school, where they spent a few pleasant hours in the enjoyment of a rich musical treat. The performances on the pianos were the subject of universal admiiation. Overture, "La Gazza Ladra," pianos, by Misses Ferguson, Henn, Lee, Barton, Briggs, A. Bryson, Douglas, and Boylan ; harmonium, Miss Bolton ; violin, Miss Browne. Recitation, *• Complaints of the Poor," Miss M. Fortune; song, " The Funny old Woman," by the junior class ; French dialogue, " Les Femmes Savantes," Misses Ferguson, Douglas, Knowles, Brown, and Lee ; song, « The Bridge to Htaven " Misses Webb, B. Lee, and B. Lee. Solo, instrumental, "Come Back to Erin," 4 pianos, Misses Henn, Ferguson, Douglas, and Lee ; harp, Miss Bolton ; violin, Miss Browne. Song, " Scenes that are Brightest," Miss Bolton, accompanied on the harp by Miss A. Bryson ; eolo instrumental, " Life Boat," 5 pianos, Misses W. Bowerman, Webb, Fortune, B. Lee, and McGowan, dialogue, •« The Angel and the Fairy, or Temptations Resisted," in which Mines Ferguson, Knowles, Cunningham, Douglas, Lee, owccney, Torr, and Bowerman took part, duet instrumental, "Rondo," 5 pianos, Misses B. Lee D. Barry, McEeown, Fortune, W. Bowerman, Thompson, McGowan, Torr, Neagle, and Jarman ; song-, French, " Chantons cette fete," the senior class ; solo instrumental, « Lucrezia Borgia," 5 pianos, Misses Bolton, Been, Ferguson, Lee and Burton ; song, The Little Hero," Miss Knowles, accompanied on the harp by Miss Bolton ; song, ." Slowly and Softly Music should Flow," the senior class ; dnet instrumental, " Sultan's Grand March," 5 pianos. Misses Shaw, M. Shaw, Sweeney, M. Bowerman, Limpus, Thayer, Bryson, Allan, Cunningham, and Torr. The Mayor thanked the young ladies for the creditable manner in which they had rendered the various items on the programme. He congratulated tbe Sisters upon the proficiency of the pupils and efficiency of the staff, as was so strongly shown by what all had witnessed to-day. He then very gracefully wished both Bisters and pupils a happy Christmas and New Year and hoped they would enjoy their well-earned vacation. " At the conclusion of his Worship's remarks Rev. Father Gorgan, P.P., rose and thus addressed the audience : " Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, — I have now a very pleasing duty to perform : it is to thank you all on the part of the Sisters for your presence here this afternoon, which is a proof that you are friends of the Convent, friends of the Sisters, and friends of the children. I believe I can safely say that, after the beautiful performance which you have just witnessed, your convictions are that the Convent Schools of Napier are well deserving of the high reputation which they hold in ibis town and district. It is not of of late that this Cenvent has won a name for itself. For nearly 20 years it has played an important part, done great work in the •education of the youth of the district. Here the orphan finds a home and the children of the independent a safeguard of every gift and virtue — all go out with an education and a finish which makes them remarkable in society in after life. But here an important idea strikes me ana it is this : Before us are two great orders of schools, systems of education, — the secular and the Catholic. Both are side by side in the field of education, each tryingfor the victory , The world is the judge, aud what i 3 the conclusion the world has come to ? What is the answer we receive from nearly every country in the world, — from Enrope, America, Australia? The Catholic schools are gaining the victory, they are at the top of the list. Witness the signal victory of the Christian Brothers in the late Competition (Health Exhibition, London) amongst the nations of Europe. Other institutions more favoured will not easily forget their defeat in tbe field of science. In every country victory declares itself on the side of the Sisters and Brothers. Nor are the Sisters of Napier behind in the educational struggle, they, too, are doing their part of the work. For years their children have_ gone forth highly accomplished in every branch of learning, to be the honour of their people, and the example and safeguard for society. But there is another important consideration which I must not pass over. The Government schools have every facility afforded them. The grant capitation for each child is computed at about £3 16s per year, whilst the Sisters and Brothers are left to their own resources. The number of children at the Convent and Brothers 1 schools here in Napier is considerably over 300. What could we not do if we received capitation grant at the same rate as it is given to the Government schools 1 What could we not do if we received the £1100 a year to which in common fair play we are justly entitled ? Yet we receive not a penny and muse build our own schools and pay for the education of our own children, besides being taxed for the education of others. Notwithstanding these obstacles, the results of our schools are most satisfactory. With these facts before you, you will admit that our Sisters and Brothers deserve tbe greatest praise for the noble work they are doing in spite of all difficulties. Ladies and gentlemen, this is why I thank you still more sincerely, because your presence here to-day is a proof of yoor sympathy with us, and also a mark of your disapproval of the injustice with which we are treated by the laws of this country. And you, my dear children, I congratulate you on your success in acquiring a thorough knowledge of the many, difficult subjects with which you have had to deal. I congratulate your parents upon the

success of their children. Now the year is at an end, and you are going to enter on your well-earned holidays. Before you leave I have to thank you for the obedience, good-will, and excellent example shown by you during the year. You have at all times proved yourselves worthy children of the Convent : continue to do so during the vacations, and yon will thereby give the good Sisters the only recompense they ask of you. Once more, ladies and gentlemen, permit me to thank you for your presence to-day and wish yon all, parents, friends, and children, a very happy Christmas.