DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AT ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 33, 10 December 1886, Page 11

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AT ST. PATRICK'S COLLEGE.

(N. 2. Times.) The distribution of prizes to the students of St. Patrick's College by Bishop Redwood took place at the College last evening. For the past week the boys have been subjected to a rigorous and searching examination, and last evening was the time fixed when their labours were to be crowned. The occasion was celebrated by a vocal and instrumental entertainment, to which the parents and friends of the boys were invited. The opening of the concert was fixed for halfpast 7, and at 7 o'clock the large schoolroom, in which it took place, was filled to the utmost, even standing room being at a premium The stage and hall were tastefully decorated with ferns and nikau palms, flowers and laurel leaves being hung in graceful festoons all round. Amongst the clergymen, some of whom had come from a great distance to be present on the occasion, were the following • — The College Professors, including the Very Rev. F. J Watters S M D.D. (Rector), Rev. T. Devoy, S.M. (Vice-Rector and Procurator)' Rev. A. Braxmeur, S.M., M.A. (Jeff.), Rev. N. T. Carolan, S.M ' Rev.N. Marnane, S.M., Rev. W. I>. Goggan, S.M., Rev. M. J O'Sullivan, Bishop Redwood. S.M, D.D., Rev. Fathers Sauzeau, S.M M'Namara, M'Kenna, Kerrigan, Moore, Kirk, Patterson, Lane, and Melon. Amongst the visitors present were the following : —The Hnn. E. Richardson and Mrs, Richardson, the Hon. J. A. Tole, the Hod' P. A. Buckley and Mrs. Buckley, Mr. and Mrs. J. Macka'y, and Dr! Cahill. The concert, the programme of which was as follows was a genuine musical treat, and, when it is considered that it was given solely by the pupils, it must be admitted that it waß highly credit-

able both to the boys, their masters, and professors and the institution to which they belong. Special mention should be made of the following branches :— Firstly the vocal part of the programme, which was under the superintendence "of the Her Father Ouolan, professor of vocal music in the Colleee' Songs, glees, part songs, etc. were given with an attention to time and expression highly creditable in so young a body of performers Next the drawing and painting. The studies of the boys in this art have been conducted by the Rev. Father Braxmeier, and there can only be one opinion about the matter. The specimens which, were bun? around the walls do credit both to pupils and master. The bands both brass (under Mr. S. Cimino) and string (under Mr. T. Trowel!')' also speak well for the industry of the boys and the untiring teal at the teachers. The performances of the brass band, which has been in existence not quite a year, were a subject of general admiration The following programme was carried out, the applause being frea cent and enthusiastic :— Vale*', " Britannia," College bran band -overture " La Oouronne dOr," College string baud ; recitation, " The Raven "' Master Charles Mandl ; glee, " Dulce Domum," College choir • dnefc (piano), " The Gipsy Countess " Masters S. Cimino and E Kimbell • solo (violin), " The Minstrel Boy," Master J. Mcllroy • recitatW " The Sack of Baltimore," Master S. Barrett ; glee, « The Ginsv Chorus," College choir ; waltzes " Princess Alexandra " Colleee string band ; duet (piano), " Selections, La Traviata." Masters T Roche, and H. Houldsworth ; recitation, " The Gnipen," Master G H Harper ; fantasia, " Con Amore," College brass band : overt'nw " Taocredi," Kasters J. Kearsley and W. Haydon ; recitation " The Field of Waterloo," Master S. Mahoney ; glee, "All Amone the Barley," College choir ; recitation, " The Death of Marmion " Master J. Sheridan ; March ; " Cornelius," College string band, ' After the concert, the Bishop delivered the following address to the pupils : — Before I have the pleasure of distributing to the successful and expectant students their well-earned premiums I ask your indulgent attention for a "<-w moments while I put briefly before you some thoughts which naturally rise to my mind on the present auspicious occasion . In ihe first piace, I heartily congratulate not ouly the fortunate prize-winners, but all the Btudents on the success which has attended St, Patrick's Collrge in every line throughout this first full scholastic year. You have spent, my dear students a fruitful and happy year. Your distinguished Rector, and all his able and devoted siaff of prof e -son give the best account of you In general your tone, your diligence in study, your ardour and nianlv emulation on the playground and in the football and cricket field are the theme of their warmest praise ; while your attention to your religious duties has been all that could be desired. The progress you have made in music, drawing, and other accomplishments is conspicuous from what we have heard and seen this evening, and creat credit is due for this eacouraging result to your able bandmaster and other teachers, who, I am sure, are proud of the proficiency you have attained in so short a time. Your examination has proved that your progress has not been less in the higher and more solid branches of education, such as English, Latin, Greek, mathematics, and science Some of you are going in a few days to present yourselves for matriculation, and though, considering the very short time since the opening of this College, your attempt may perhaps seem somewhat precipitate, and your reliance on the old principle that " fortnne aids the brave "—"fortes fortuna juvai "—rather overstrained still your application to your studies has been so good that I confidently hope you will be fairly successful ; and even were you not so, I know your courage too well to doubt that a first check" would only nerve you to greater exertions, and ensure success on another trial. And now permit me to broaden out my view and to take a survey of what has been done already, and what is intended to be done in this rising institution. Of course this first year has been one of organisation, and no easy task has it been to classify a set of boys of the most varied degrees of proficiency. However order has been evolved oat of chaos, everything ia gradually binkine down to its proper level, and the machine begins to run smoothly and well. Next year a start will be made under more favourable conditions. The educational aim of Bt. Patrick's College is high and liberal. Our object is to make true and sterling men of you men able to discharge fitly and nobly your office in this life, and Drenare yourselves for the higher life of eternity. We intend te turn you out as far as time and circumstances will allow, sound scholars and cood Christians. We never forget that in the child we have the man aDd in the man the nation. Now, the child is developed into the complete man, when all his faculties are duly brought out, trained, strengthened and polished. True education is the culture of the whole human individual; the mind by truth, the will by discipline, the heart by noVe and unselfish pursuits, the imagination and taste by the contemplation, admiration, and imitation of the beautiful, the conscience by strict adhesion to duty under the light and with the help of Divine gracs, and all its wondrous and Godly appli ance3# jjor is the body neglected, though kept in rational subjection tj the soul. Every limb is trained and straightened, every sense improved • the' eye the hand, the err, the whole physical frame is cultivated. The cricketlawn, the football field, the gymnasium have tbeir proper and distinguished place in the training at St. Patrick's. Then there ;s; s the social training you give each other, and, looking at the excellent tone prevailing in this College, such training is not the least valuatfepart of your education. You begin public life here on a email scale • and your generous, manly, noble, and gentlemanly conduct towards each other now is an earnest of your dealings in after-life on the broader stage of the world, thus adding your ample share to the perfection and happiness of society. I hold in my hand the College annual calendar and I earnestly invite parents and all persons who are interested in the cause of Catholic education throughout this Colony to Deruse it attentively. It affords an excellent outline of the course ot studieß in this establishment— a course whose prominent feature is thoroughness and the absence— nay, the impossibility O f « cram " Anr boy who gcas through the well-graduated and progressive' studies here laid down must receive a soucd education. He will have time to digest the matters learnt ; he will really know what he knows • he will have laid a solid and broad foundation for future improvement,

aud — what is of paramount importance — he will have strengthened his faculties in a steady and noimal manuer. He will grow up a thriving, vigorous, and healthy tree in congenial soil — not a forced hothouse plant unfi for exposure to the rude breath of the world. The first s age in our curriculum is a piepaiatory course, lasting, as a i ule, one year, but in some cises two. Tuen the student enters on the full classical course, usually comprising- five classes, the last of which prepares him for matriculation in the Univeisity ot New Zealand. Afterward he may read for his degree, or go through a course of philosophy, which will complete the formation of his mind and give him an intellectual outfit suitable to any career he may wish to embrace. For such students as do not need the classical course, the College provides a commercial course, junior and senior, which will fit them for mercantile pursuits or the kindred professions. Meanwhile, the fine aits and accomplishments receive their .1 ue cultivation. Drawing-, painting, music, calisthenics have each their proper place and time. This plan of studies is, of course, open to many additions, alterations, and improvements ; but such as it already stands, it will, I presume, set forth in sufficiently bold relief the seriousness and soundness of the education aimed at in St. Patrick's College. On looking through this prize-list, you will doubtless notice that the lion's share of the premiums goes to the boarders, in contrast with the day pupils, conspicuously so in regard to the older day students. The explanation of this fact is easy and obvious. The less satisfactory improvement in such students is owing to their lack of home preparation. Day boys will not learn their morning lessons, and coming unprepared to their classes, they do not profit by them as the more diligent boarders do, and so they are left behind in the race. Therefore, my dear day pupils, if you covet distinctions learn your lessons at home ; they are not too long or burdensome, and all tuat they require is some energy of will on your part, together with constant exactness on the pait of your parents to afford you time and means to learta them. This is a point of the greatest importance for the success of day students in competition with boarders, and I hope parents and pupils will next year take it to heart. But, my dear students, lam trying your patience. I see your wistful, glistening eyes bent on those books and medals ; I hear your throbbing hearts. You claim, without farther suspense, your well-earned prizes, which I am mosc happj' to distribute ; while my ardent deeire is that they may be the token and earnest of higher prizes in the school of life.

After the address, the Bishop presented the prizes as follows — Prize medal, presented by His Eminence Cardinal Moran, Archbishop of Sydney, awarded for excellence in all subjects, Thomas O'Sbea. Good Conduct. — Intern students, senior division, Bernard McMahon; intern students, junior division, Alfred Malley ; extern students, Donald Reid. Christian doctrine.— Matriculation class, Thomas O'Shea ; second class, Alfred Malley ; third class, Thomas Hodgins : fourth class, Stephen Barrett ; fifth class, Thomas Brenuan. Preparatory cias^. — Senior division, George Gnmstone and John Casey ; junior division, William Putnam. Eughuh (matriculation class, — Stanislaus Mahony. Literature and Autnors. — Thomas Duffy. Histoiy and Geography. — Thomas O'Shea. Second class, English and Composition. — Francis H illey. Gramra ir and Anal)sis. — Alfied Malley. Literature a-id English Authors. — Alfred Malley. History and Geography — Alfied Malley. Thud class, Englisu Composition and Authors. — William T} mons. Grammii and Parking, — Joha Quinn. HistoTy and Geography. — Gerald Aheiu. Fourth class, English Composition.— William Butler. English Authors.— George 11. Harper. Hibtory and Geography. — John Ain9\vorth, Fifth class, Reproduction. — John O'Coi.noi 1 . Grammar and Parsing. — John Casey. U ading and Recitation. — Venioii Redwood. Hibtory and Geography. — John Casey. Bemor division, Eseicises. — Kobe it Collins. Grammar and Pamng.— Joseph Mahu\ Keadmg and Spelling, — Patrick J. Uarvey. Geogiaphy. — Salvatore Cimmo. Junior Division, Reading aud Spelling. — Fiedenck Cutten. llecitatiou. — Fiedenck Cutten. L.ttin ( matnculation ), Grammar, aud Composition. — Bernaid McMahon. Translation. — Bernard McMahon. Second class, Grammar and Tianslaiion. — Alfied Malley. Translation. — Alexander Mcllroy. Thud clas v , Grammar and Exercisis. — First. Prize, J. Harper ; second prize, John Qum, Fourth class, Grammar and Exercise. — Barrett. Filth clasp, Grammar. — J. Casey. Greek. — <J. H. Harper. French ("matriculation class), Compositim and Translation.— B. Mahony. f-econu class, Grammar and Exercise?. — A. Mcllroy. Translation — A. Mcllroy. Tbiid class, — Senior Divi-ion, Grammar and Exercises, J. Clarke ; Junior Division, Grammar and Exercises, 11. Hou. Ids worth -.SFouith clabs — Giammar, first prize, S. Bau\-t ; second pnze, J. O'Connor. Geiman. —C. Mandl. Matriculation clas-*. — Arithmetic, B. AlciVLibun. Geometry. — S. Mahom. Aigcbta. — T. Phnlipa. Trigonometry. — T. O'titit a. Second class— \nthmetic, A. Malley ; GeotnUiy. — Alex. Mclhoy. Algebra. — Wilaaui Hajdon, Trigonometry. — C. J. Clarke. lhird chfs. — Arithmetic, first puze, D. Burnes ; second prize, W. Tymons ; Geou etry, firbt prizi, W. Tymons ; second prize, C. Mandl ; Algebra, first prize, W. Tymons; second prize, H. Houldflworth. Fourth class, Arithmetic. — First prize, J, Brown ; second prize, B. Quion. Geometry. — G. Haydon. Fifth class, Arithmetic— D. Maher. Preparatory class, t-cnior division, Arithmetic— G. Grimbione ; junior division, Arithmetic —P. Conn r Sciences. — Matricuiauon, Michanics— B McUabun; sic nd clas«. Mechanics. — C J. Ciarke. Tmril ela-^s, Geology and Mint, rologv . — First pri'/e, Geoige Redwoul ; James Stead, second prize Fouith class, — First pri^e, lle.ny Lichtschemdl ; beeuiid prize, Michael Coogan. Commercial Couise (senior divi-ion). — Book-keeping, John Quinn; Ptionetic Languige.— John Mclllroy ; Penmanship. — kamefet Bmith, Junior Division. — Book-keeping, Chirles Mandl ; Penmanship. — Chailes Naibey. X ocution. — John Sheridau. Fine Ait--, painting. — John Mcliiroy, Senior division, driwing — Stauislaua Mahony. Junior division, drawing. — William Tymcns Mubic, vocal — Francis Holley ; Violin. — John Mcllroy. Piano, senior division. — Joseph Kcarsley. Junior division. — Thomas O'Shea.