DOMINICAN CONVENT HIGH SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIII, Issue 35, 25 December 1885, Page 11

DOMINICAN CONVENT HIGH SCHOOLS.

The annual distribution of prizes took place on Tuesday at the Dominican Convent High Scbool, his Lordship the Bishop presiding, and in presence of a large number of the lady friends and relatives of the pupils, and of the Rev. Fathers Walsh and Lynch, the Hon. P. Buckley, Dr. Feigusson, and Mr. Thos. Bracken. The programme, which was rendered with even more finish than in preceding years — high as the excellence of each perfoi mance had been— was as follows : — " Hail Zealandia " (Leech), sung as a chorus in three parts, and very prettily and comctly given ; an arrangement of Kossini's " II Barbipre " as a duet, performed on two pianos with great taste and skill by the Mipses B. and D. Howell and F. and G. Allen ; "Si la St-inchezza " (Verdi), a duet, very sweetly and effectively sung by the Misses B. and D. Howell ; " The Battle of Blenheim," a juvenile recitation by the Misses G. Howell, A. Ancell and G. Hardi' g. very intelligently repeated ; " Till the Breaking of the Day " (Pinsuti), charmingly su^g by Miss D. Howell ; the overture to Mozart's "II Klauto Magico," splendidly played as a duet on two pianos by the Misses Haauing, Molone.v, B. Howell, and M. Harding ; " The Minstrel Boy," sung as a chorus in 2 parts with correctness and expression ; " Theme de Cara*a " (Hunten), brilliantly played as a duet on two pianos by the Misses Martin and Morrison ; a French recitation from Racine's " Esther," fluently given by Mies Harming ; "The Storm" (Blockley), sung with expression and sweetness by Miss Murphy ; " Home Sweet Home " (Tbalberg), a pianoforte solo very finely played by Miss Harming ; the " Chord of Love" (Bebrend), sung with exquisite finish by Miss B. Howell, with pianoforte and violin accompaniment, Miss M. Howell playing the violin ; " The Last Rose of Summer (Thalberg), performed as a pianoforte polo by Miss Williamson, whose performance was as brillant in execution as it was perfect in feeling ; a German recitation from Schiller's " Maria Stuirt,'" intelligently giv'n by the Misses Murphy and B. Howell ; an arrangement of Dleyerbeei's " Les Huguenots," magnificently played as a duet on two pianos by the Misses Molnney and Harming ; vocal trio, " 2Eo\i&n Lyre " (Danby), deligh fully sung by the Misses B. and D, Howell and Murphy ; French recitation from Racine's " Athalie," given with spirit by Mis-. B. Howell; "Norwegian " Bridal Processional March " (Giieg), most stirringly played by Mis 9 Moloney ; Sir J. Stevenson's arrangement of " Silent O Moyle" expressively sung by Miss B. Howell ; overture to Weber's " Der Freyscbutz " finely played as a duet on two pianos by the Misses Harming, Williamson, Hungerford, and Moloney ; " Hail, Merry Christmas " (Young), sung as a chorus in three parts and like all the rest, admirably given. We have said the entertainment surpassed those given on prev'ous years, — and nothing could more plainly show the manner in which the school baa continued to progress. Its traditions are now.however, completely established and we can hardly look for any further advancement. — But if it sustains its present tone, as we have no doubt but that it will, notbiog more can possibly be required When the prizes had been distributed and the musical programme with the exception of the concluding chorus exhausted, his Lordship the Bishop, as reported by the Daily Times, spoke as follows : He said the visitors had been asked to attendjto witness the distribution of prizes, but that was not the chief entertainment provided. There was principally the magnificent exhibition of music, both vocal and instruuental, and behind this lay a great deal of work oa the part both of teachers and pupils. Evidence had been given them of industry and talent which were highly creditable to them, and he was sure must have been most gratifying to those present. If theie were nothing else to admire than this it would have been very well, but he was happy to say they had only seen that day specimea3 of the efficiency which had been attained by the pupils in all departments of the school. He was present himself at some of the examinations, and was pleased at what he saw and beard. So that those present would would not go away under the impression that the pupils were proficient only in accomplishments. He was gratified to be able to say that tt ey bad made considerable progress in more homely and necessary things — English lessons, arithmetic, etc. — which would be useful to them in after life. Th y were not to suppose frono tbiatbat be thought music and singing lessonß unnecessary. They were not so necessary, bat still were necessary. He had not seen the exhibition of fancy work yet, but he had seen those of former yeais, and understood that as the pupils had improved in all their lessons, so also had they in this department. Altogetter, therefore, he was very much pleased, and thought he might take it on himself to say that all the ladies and gentlemen present were also much pleased, and obliged to the pupils. After these remarks they would be dismissed for a holiday, which he hoped they would enjoy thoroughly, because it had been so well earned, acd they could therefore take it with an easy conscience. He trusted tbey would at the came time enjoy the vocation innocently, and not allow

it to become a source of dissipation of any sort, but keep up that discipline which they had learnt at school, and which was so valuable to them m every way. The bishop's prize remained now to be presented, and he should explain the mode in which it was awarded. At the end of the examinations, all the pupils in the senior school were asked to write on a slip of paper the name of the young lady whom they conscientiously considered the best in the school ; that was to say the most regular and exact m her observances of the rules at school, the most amiable among her companions, the most sweet and even tempered. The bishop took these papere, counted the names, and gave the prize to the one who had most votes. It fell this year to a young lady who bad been at the school for years, and who had received an almost unanimous vote— certainly the rote of over two thirds of her fellow pupils The selection alßo had the entire approbation of the superioress, and he had much pleasure therefore in presenting the prize to Miss Harming. Tin visitors then adjourned to one of the school-balls in which an exhibition was given of plain and fancy work wax and paper flowers, various kinds of p tinting and other productions of skill and art executed during the year by the pupils It would quite impossible for us, within the space at our command" to attempt anything like an adequate description of the display. Richness of material, and beauty of design were only equalled by perfection of execution, and a profusion of all kinds of beautiful and useful objects was to be seen— delicate laces and good solid work in plain linen and muslin, comfortable woollen garments, and luxurious screens, and cushions and chairs ; fancy baskets, and nick-nacks of every kind, and in all the newest as well as some of the oldest styles and stitches, loaded the tables.- Nearly all the pupils down even to the tiniest seemed to exhibit something, and all we can do is to try to call to mind the names of those young ladies who seemed the most industrious, or whose works the most took our individual fancy.— Miss Qameron's landscapes in oils were a chief attraction, as were the crystoleum paintings of Miss B. Howell, and the painting on mirrors of a private pupil.— Miss Beany had a beautiful banner screen in crimson and gold, and a mantlepiece border in which waterlilies took a prominent place, Miss B. Howell had some exquisite camelias done iv wax and Miss D. Howell a vase of paper Bowers most artistically arranged,' Miss Martin had a shirt froat sewn with exquisite neatness, and a very handsome chair. Miss King had some quaint and beautiful crewels. Miss Carroll a table top with a view of the Vale of Avoca. Miss F. Allen a bracket in chenille ; the Misses Cameron, M'Kinnoo,' and Martin had also some very beautiful crystoleum painting, and poonah painting by a private pupil was very curious and pretty. Miss Hegarty had a parrot iv raised wool, a complete and most striking woi-k of art.— We are conscious, however, that we are leaving many more r'ch and beautiful productions unmentioned.— We append the prize list. PEIZE-LIBT. English.— Fourth Cla=s : First Division— Miss Hegarty (Mrs Callan's prize) ; Miss Dennehy. Hon. mention. History— Miss Dennehy. Second Division: Miss Martin. Transcription and mapping— Miss Hegarty. Transcription— Miss Dennehy. Transcription and composition— Miss Mnrtin (Mrs Callan's prize). Third class: Misses. M. Columb, Keanv. and Hall. Composition— vl isa K. OMeagher. Mapping-Miss N. Columb. Application— Misses D. Howell, Allen, and Meenan. Hisiorv— Misse9 Reany. N. Columb M. Columb, A. Hall. Second class : Miss M. Fagan, 1 ; Miss Scanlan 2 ; Miss OweD, hon. mention. Application— Miss A. Moloney , Transcription -Miss M. Woods. Composition— Wins A. Scanlan' History— >!iss A. Scanlan. First clasi : Misi G. Allen, 1: Misj P' Harding, 2. Arithmetic— Fourth class : Miss Heparty. Third class • Miss j Dennehy. Sfcond class : Miss M. Columb ; Misses Hall, D. Howell Harding, M'Kinnon, and K. O'Meagher, hon. mention. First class •' Miss M. Howell ; Misses Fagan, Moloney, Pernn, and Owed, hon. mention. Algebra,— Miss Hegarty ; Miss Dennehy, hon. mention. Geometry.— Misses Hegarty and Dennehy. Writing. — Miss Columb, 1 ; Misses Reaay and D. Howell hon mention ; Miss L. Fitzpatiick, 2 ; Miss Daly, hon. mentioD French. -Fourth clas-. : Miss Hanuing ; Misses Murphy and Howell, hon mention. Third class • Miss A. Williamson. Second class : Miss K. O'Meagher ; Misses Reany, Hegarty, M. Columb Cameron, Allen, and Perrin, hon mention. First class : Miss d' Howell ; Misses M. Howell Scanlan, Moloney. and G. Allen hon' mention. German.— Miss Murphy ; Misses Howell and Ritchie, hon mention. Latin. — Miss Howell ; Miss Dennehy, hon. mention Singing Misses Murphy, B. and D. Howell. itr-,,- Hxcell€nce in mu9ic --First prize ; Misses Moloney Hanningand Williamson (the Dresden prize, presented by Mr. Reidle.) Improvement in music.— Second prize ; Mi-ses Howell, Martin, and Morrison. Hon. Mention Miss M. Harding. Third • Misses Reany, Murphy, Fitzpatrick, Fraser, Fagan, and M. Howell. Needlework (plain).— First prize : Miss Martin. Second : Misses Harding, Hegarty, and Dennehy. Fancy work.— First prize : Misses Hegarty, Martin, and Rearry Second : Misses B. and M. Ho well, Kinß. and Allen. Lace work. — Misses Cameron and Hanuinp Flower model!ing.-( w ,ir) Mibs HowelT; (paper) Miss D Howell. Painting.— Mis Cameron ; Misa Howell, hon. mention. Crystoleum painting.— Miss Howell. Freehand drawing.— Miss M. HardiDg ; Misses O'Meagher F and G. Allen, Reany, N. and M. Columb, A. Moloney D and M* Howell, Woods, Fitzpatrick, and A. Mills hon. mention. Attendance.— Misses Beany, Hegarty, Martin, Hall, Morrison, Dennehy, N. and M. Columb, A. Maloney, Woods, Fitzpatrick, and A. Mills. r Order (boarders).— Misses Cameron and M. Howel). Domestic duties.— Miss M. Harding.

xr i, c . r^ d , aily P°P ll( O-— Ml8 «?s Martin, Hegarty, Beany, Fagao, N. and M. Columb, F. and Q. Allen, Daly, M'Kiaooß, L. Fifapatrick, Woods, Denueby, and Monckman. Politness (boarders).— Mißses Howell, Cameron, Ljnch, If. Howell and K. Maloney. Politness (day pupils).— Misses Martin, Hegarty, Beany, Oven, F. and G. Allen, N. and M. Oolumb, M'Kinnon, and Fagan. PRIZES TO JUNIOB SCHOOL. Catechism (boarders).— First : Misses Cameron, Harming, Moloney, M'lntyre, Meenan, and M'Grath, Second : Misss O. Harding. Bcripture History.— First : Misses Harming, Moloney and Cameron. Second : Misses 6canlan,Perrin, and Meenan, Church History. — Misses Harding, Cameron, Moloney, and Harming. " Scripture History and Catechism (day pupils).— First prize: Misses Hall, Martin, Beany, Dennehy, Williamson, Columb, M. Columb, Hegarty, Morrison, Woods, Fagan, Daly, Monckman, and A. Moloney. Second prize : Misses Fitzpatiick, Reilly, O'Brien, Beany, 8. Hall, Mills, Wall, Green, Barnes. Smith, and Cantwell. Catechism Prizes to Junior School.— Misses B. Hongerford, Downey, Reilly, N. Hall , Liston, and O'Driscoll. Conduit (boarders). Misses M. and D. Howell, Meenan, Scanlan, and Harming. Condnct (day pupils.).- Misses Martin, Hegarty, WilliamsoD, F. and G. Allan, Beany. Dennehy, Columb, Woods, Owen, Pagan ifrazer, M'Kinnon, Fitzpatrick, and Ancell.