ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE, WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 34, 18 December 1885, Page 16

ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE, WELLINGTON.

FIEST DISTRIBUTION OP PHIZES.

The large study of St. Patrick's College was filled to its utmost capacity on the occasion of the first distribution of prizes to the student 3of this scholastic institution who had been successful in carrying off the honours for the past half-year. The proceeding! attendant on the breaking up for the Christmas vacation were highly interesting. The holidays commenced thus early this term ia consequence of the work having gone on uninterruptedly since June last, and therefore it will be conceded that both the masters as well as the boy 3 have thoroughly earned their relaxation, The attendance must have proved highly gratifying to Dr. Waiters, the rector of the College, and the various professors who are associated with him. Theie must have be;n upwards of 200 ladies anl gentlemen present, all of whom were evidently interested in the proceedings, and who expressed their appreciation of the efforts of the pupils to entertain them. The hall had been tastefully decorated with ferns and flowers, and in front of the stage was the word " Welcome " in large letters. The chair was taken by the Very Rev. Father M'Namara, administrator of the diocese, and on his right and left were seated the following clergy men : — Rev. Dr. Watters, S.M., Restor of St. Patrick's College, "Rev. P. Kerrigan, S.M., Rev. T. Djvoy, S.M., Rev. E. M'Keuna, Rev. J.J. Moore, Rev. N. Carolan, S.M., Rev. A. Braxmeier S.M., Rev. Wm. Goggan S.M.

Most of the leading members of the Catholic community residing in Wellington were present, including tho Hon. Dr. Grace, M.L.C., Dr. Cahil, and Mr. J. C. Johnson, M.H.R. The proceedings commenced with an entertainment given by the boys, consisting of songs, glees, instrumental solos, and duets. The following is the programme of tha several items performed :— Glee, " Canadian Boat Song," College Choir; recitation, "The Battle of the League," Master Stanislaus Mahony ; violin solo, with piano accompaniment, " Home. Sweet Home," Master John M'llroy ; song, " The Powder Monkey," Master Stanislaus Mahony ; solo (piano), Rondo alia Turca"' (sonata in A), M ister Joseph Kearsley ; recitation. "Pillar Towers of Ireland," Master John Sheridan ; duet (cornet), " Music and her Sister Song." Masters Sanislaus Mahony and William Wiscey ; glee, " See oar Oars with Feathered Spray." College Choir ; duet (piano), " Birthday March," Masters James Kennedy and Joseph Kearsley ; recitation, " Charge of the six Hundred," Master James B. Stead ; solo (cornet), " Va pensiero sull ah derate," Master Stanislaus Mahony ; violin solo, with piano accompaniment, " Hope told a Flattering Tale," Master John M'llroy ; song, " Dear Little Shamrock," Master Koger Kett ; duet (pi.inoj, " Marohe aux Flambeaux," Masters Francis Redwood Hud Francis Hoi ley ; recitation, '• 'Ihe Fall of Poland," Aiaster John Sheridan; song, ''The Old Brigade," Master Charles Diamond ; quartet. '• Students' Parting Song." Masters Roger Kett, Clement Lee, Fiancis Hoi ley. and StanisHus Mahony. The programme was e;oiie through with precision and vigour that augur well for future efforts in music and declamation, an i round after round of applause greeted eaca pu.-c -. The effect of the entertainment was considerably h isjnteued by the graceful ferns and rich festoons of flowers and evergreens ih.i Mi in rich clusters from every vantage point,

At tne conclusion of the students' parting so itr. the Rev. Dr. Wattei-, 8.M., Rector of St. Patrick's College, lose and addressed the boys. He said as the evening in every seas^ belonged to the lads, it would b.> ungracious and unfair for him to impose a long oration. He c*"iiM not r> frain, however, from congratulating them and their fiiemlb on their having arrived at the termination of the academical year. They were now present at the end of their first term to lee 'ivc their well-earned laurels for the past half-year. He used the term " well earned laurels ' out of uu idle flattery, for both himself and hi< colleagues had found that the youth of the colony possessed a he Uthy and wholesome rivalry, and a determination to succeed in thfii btudies. (Cheers.) He bore willing tiibute to the zeal, industry and energy, tuat so far in the main distinguished the students. (Cheers.; Prizes in four of the subjects in the curriculum had been presented, the first by the Rev. Father M'Namara for good conduct, the s.cond by Father Kerrigan, who had given prizes for proficiency in Christian doctrine, the third by Father M'Kenna tor mathematics, and the fourth by Father Moore for science. To the first prizes they attacned especial importance, because tney desired above all things to turn out Christians and Christian gentlemen from St. Patrick's College. (Cheers.) Their first duty was to know God and to serve Him. How could the rising geneiauon perform their duty towards God unless they learned, how could they learn unless they were taught? On occasions like tha present, theie was invariably a a little shade to mar t ie pleasure, and so it was that evening, the absence of the Bisho,» being a source of regret to them all. However, he trusted ere long the Right Reverend Prelate would return to

his diocese. There was one other source of regret in their otherwise pleasant gathering, and tbat was that they had so coon to separate, though speaking for himself and the professors, he was glad to say it wa§ but for a time ; still, this much be must say : though the holidays promised a well-earned rest to professors and students, as he and his reverend colleagues had watched at the birth of this college, as they had, so to say, rocked it into consciousness, as they hal honestly striven to shape its life and mould its destiny, now that it had shakeu off the garb of infancy, and burst; at a stride into the healthy glow of active, vigorous youth, they would be pardoned if on seeing the first elements of this institute disperse, they confessed to a pang of regret. (Applause.) But he took comfort in the thought that, please GoJ, after recess they would return ia goodly health and goodlier numbers to pursue these studies, to implant these lessons and principles that in the not distant future are to make a name and a great name for St. Patrick's College. (Applause.) The prize list was then read :—: — Good Conduct.— lntern, students— Prize, Thomas E. Duffy ; next in merit, Thomas O'Shea, Bernard M'Mahon. Charles Diamond. Extern, students — Prize, Joseph B. M'Donald ; next in merit, Joseph Kearsley.

Christian Doctrine. — First Class— Prize, Thomas E. Duffy ; next in merit, Charles Diamond, Bernard M'Mahon, William Wixcey, Stanislaus Mahony. Second Class— Prize, Thomas O Shea ; next in merit, Jamea Kennedy, George Redwood, Wilfred Redwood, Joseph Kearsley. Third Class— Prize, John O'Connor ; next in merit, John Casley, John Scully, Joseph Fitzgibbon, Roger Kett. English, — Senior Division — First Class : Composition — Prize, John A. M'llroy; next ia merit, Bernard M-Vlanon, Stanislaus Mahony, John Sheridan. Junior Division— Prize, Thomas K. Duffy ; next in merit, Charles Diamond, Sydney Saunders. English Authors —-Prize, Bernard M'Mahon ; next in merit, Thomas E. Duffy, Chirles Diamond, William Wixcey. Grammar and Analysis— Prize, Bernard M'Mahon ; next in merit, Thomas B. Duffy, Charles Diamond Francis Saunders, Clement Lee. History and Geography— Prize' Bernard M'Mahen ; next in merit, Thomas E. Duffy Francis Saundeis' John Sheridan, Francis Redwood. Second Class : Composition — Prize, Thomas 0 Shea ; next in merit, George Redwood, Francis M'Lan, Joseph Burke, James Kennedy. History and Geography — Prize, Thomas O'Shea ; next in merit, Francis M'Lean, Joseph Burke, James Kennedy, Huntley Saunders. Grammar and ParsingPrize, Thomas O'Shea ; next in merit, Joseph Burke, Wilfred Redwood, Jo3eph Kearsley, Joseph M'Donald. Reading and Recitation — Prize, Thomas O'Sbea ; next in merit, James Kennedy, Wilfred Be Iwood, Joseph Burke, Joseph Kearsley. Third Class : Composition — Prize, John O'Connor ; next in merit, Alick M'Pherson, John Casey, William Paul, Joseph Fitzgibbon. Grammar and Parsing — Prize, John Casey ; next in merit, John O'Connor, John Scully, Alick M'Pherson. Patrick Garvey. Geography — Prize, Roger Kett ; next in merit, John Casey. John O'Connor, Joseph Fittgibbon, Charles Narbey. Spelling— Prize, Patrick Garvey ; next in merit, John O'Connor, John Casey, John Scully, Alick M ( Pherson. Reading and Recitation— Prize, ex csi/uo, John Casey, John O'Cor lor ; next in merit, John Scully, Roger K»tt, Alick M'Pherson, Joseph Fitzgibbon. Writing — upper division — Prize, Joseph Burke ; next in merit, Huotley Saunderf, Michael Coogan, Joseph B. M'Donald ; lower division — prize, Alick M'Pherson ; next in merit, John Casey, Roger Kett. John O'Connor.

Litin.— First Class— Composition — Prize, Bernard M'Mabon ; next in merit, Thomas O'Shea, Francis Saunderp, Clement Lee, Thomas E. Duffy. Translation— Prize, Bernaid M'Mahcn ; next in merit, Clement Lee, Thomas O'Shea, Tnoma9 Duffy, William Wixcey. Second Class— Exercises— Prize, ex cequo, Wilfred Redwood, Charles Kennedy; next in merit, Charles Diamond, John Sheridan, James Kennedy. Grammar— Prize, Jas. Kennedy ; next in merit, George Redwood, Joseph Burke, Joseph Kearsley, Wilfred Redwood. Third Class— Grammar— Prize, James Bond Stt^ad ; next in merit, Huntley Saunders, Donald Reid, Joseph M'DoQald. Joseph. Fitzgibbon. Greek. — Grammar— Prize, Bernard M'Mahon ; next in ment, Clement Lee, Stanislaus Mahony. E'rench. — First Class: Composition — Prize, Stanislaus Mahony ; next in merit, Bernard il'Mahon, Jno. Sheridan, Clement Lee. Grammar— Prize, Bernaid M'Mahon ; next in merit, Stanislaus Mahony, Clement Lee, John Sheridan, Thomas O'Shea. Second Class : Exercises— Prize, William Wixcey ; uext in merit, James Kennedy, Wilfred Redwood, Joseph Burke, Francis M'Lean. Grammar— Prize, George Redwood ; next in merit, James Kennedy, Joseph Kearsley, Joseph Burke, Wilfred Redwood. (N.B.— Honourable mention due to F. HoJley and C. Diamond.) Mathematics.— First Clasi : Senior Division— Arithmetic— Prize, Stanislaus Mahony ; next in merit, Bernard M'Mahon, Clement Lee' Richard Hodgins, John Sheridan. Junior Division— Prize, Francis Saunders ; next iv merit. Thomas Duffy, William Wixcey, Chas. Diamond, Sydney Saunders. Geometry : Senior Division— Prize,' Stanislaus Mahony ; next in merit, Clement Lee, John Sheridan Bernard M'Mahou. Junior Division— Prize, William Wixcey ; next in merit, Thomas Duffy, Francis Holly, Charles Diamond, Sydney Saunders. Mensuration— Prize, Francis Redwood ; next in merit Francis Saundere, Bernard M'Mahon, John Sheridan, Stanislaus Mahony. Second Class : Arithmetic— First Division — Prize, Thos. O'Shea ; next in merit, Joseph Burke, James Kennedy, Geoige Redwood. Second Division — Prize, Joseph Kearsley ; next in merit Francis M'Lean, James B. Stead, J. seph M'Donald. GeometryPrize, Thoma9 O Shea ; next in merit, Joseph Burke, George Redwood. Third Class: Arithmetic— Prize, Alfred M'Donald; next in merit' John O'Connor, Michael Coogan, Patrick Garvey, Reginald Vincent. ' Sciences.— Hydrostatics and Heat : Senior "D\ vision— Prize, Thomas O'Shea ; next in merit ex ecquo, Thomas Duffy, Bernard M'Mahon, Stanislaus Mahony, John Sheridan. Physics : Junior Division— Prize, George Redwood ; next in merit, Francis M'Lean, James Bond Stead, Chas. Diamond, Joseph Kearsley . Music— Piano— Prize, Joseph Kearsley ; next in merit, Francis Hollpy, James Kennedy, Charles Diamond. N.B.— Honourable

mention- is awarded to Francis Redwood, who began too late to compete for the prize. Vocal Music— Prize, Roger Kett ; next in merit, Stanislaus Mahony, Charles Diamond. Cornet-a-piston — Prize, William Wixcey ; next in merit, Boger Kett. Violin— Prize, John M'llroy ; next in merit, Francis Redwood. N.B. — A prize ia awarded to those who, not having otherwise a prize, have secured three second places. Prizes obtained by securing three second places, Charles Diamond, Clement Lee, Francis M'Lean. Dr. Watters, before the company separated, desired to express his thanks to the large assembly for having attended the College that evening, and he hoped the present occasion was only the first of many similar reunions. The choir brought the musical part of the proceedings to a conclusion by singing in a capital manner " The Men of Harlech." The Chairm m addressed a few parting words to the boys. He desired to congratulate them on the great success which had attended tbeir entertainment that evening. He had been much surprised at the very marked improvement which had taken place since they had been within the walls of St. Patrick's College. With regard to the prizes tbat had been distributed, he heartily congratulated these who had been- victorious, and at the same time he trusted that defeat would not have the effect of discouraging tho9e who had not been successful on that occasion. He reminded them that only one could win in a race. He regretted that the Bishop had not been present to distribute the prizes that evening, and be was convinced Dr. Redwood would have been delighted to have been with them. He hoped the lads on going home would not forget the instruction they had received at the College during the past six months, more particularly their religious instructions. He wished them all a pleasant vacation, and hoped they would return in good health. Three hearty cheers were given for the Chairman, and three more for the rector and the professors. The musical portion of the entertainment was under the management of Mr. Raymond, whilst Master Clement Lee officiated most ably a3 master of the ceremonies. Dr. Watters was very warmly congratulated by several gentlemen present on the success which had attended the distribution of priaei for the year 1885.