CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIV, Issue 35, 24 December 1886, Page 9

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, DUNEDIN.

DOMINICAN CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL, THB annual distribution of prizes took place at this school on Friday his Lordship the Bishop presiding. There were also present the Rev. Fathers Lynch, Vereker, and Purton, 0.5.8., and several members of the Dominican community. The following programme was perf ox mcd by the young ladies who, as usual, did their parts admirably, and displayed all the fruits of careful teaching and diligent study.— Bolo and Chorus, "When daylight's going " ; overtore, •• Caliph of Bagdad," (Boieldieu) ; pianoforte duet, " Chant dv Paysan," f Rendam) ; vocal trio, " Light and laughing Summer sky," ; pianoforte solo, " Rondo, " {Hummel) ; pianoforte duet, " Benedictus"' ; pastoral glee, "Ye shepherds tell me," (Mazzinghi) ; overture, " Die Italienen in Algier " ; chorus, " Joyous reapers" (Camptma) ; pianoforte solo, " Valse," (Chopin) ; overture, "Hebridies," ( Mendelssohn) ; vocal duet, " Watching from our dreams'" ; overture, "Jeande Pans," (Boieldieu) ; vocal chorus, " The Lark," (Walpy). The pianoforte playing was in every case far above the average, and in several instances extremely brilliant, and the songs and choruses were distinguished for their correct expression, harmony, and sweetness. The young ladies who particularly distinguished themselveß as pianists being the Misses Williamson, Moloney, Harming, and Martin, and those who took the principal parts in singing being tbe Misses D. Howell, M.Morrison, and K. Blaney. The prizes were given by the Bishop in the intervals between certain musical selections, and before the concluding chorus, the young lady who had been pronouaced by the votes of her schoolfellows most deserving of the Bishop's prize for good conduct, amiability, and general excellence, was crowned with tbe wreath prepared for the occasion The prize in this instance was awarded to Miss Martin. His Lordship having performed this pleasing duty addressed the pupils to the following effect :— He thanked them for the entertainment they had given him, for taeir music and singing, and for their appearance and deportment. It would not be presumptuous, he thought, for him to say that all present would a^ree with him iv saying that their music and singing had been of a high class, and justly claimed for the school a high tone. They had afforded him the greatest pleasure, and two things were made evident by them. First, that the pupil 3 had made good use of their time, they had studied diligently, and improved themselves most creditably — the proficiency especially shown by those young children who had taken part in the concert was extremely remarkable. Secondly, all the industry of the pupils would have been of no avail had they not been well taught. Ii was evident that they had been ju iiciously directed and guided, and abundant proofs were furnished by them of tbe zeal, devotion, and labour that had been expended on them. The Most Rev. speaker did not pretend to be an expeit in music and singing. He only knew what pleased himself, but judging by a long experience in which he had heard a great deal of music, he gave his opinion tbat their playing and singiug had been extremely good — of this, however, he could not judge so as to say who deserved a premium and who did not, and he had been obliged to leave that judgement to those whu were qualified to decide. Respecting other things, he could speak with more confidence. He had himself examined the school, and he had examined it thoroughly, sparing no pains to discover what degree of knowledge the pupils possessed — their possession ot knowledge gave him an opportunity of judging of their general proficieucy. He had examined them in all that they had learned except needlework, painting, flower-making and music. He bad examined them in reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, and the whole course of their general studies, and they had given him very great satisfaction. He referred to the school as a school taken altogether, everywhere there were exceptions. This was a kind of festive occasion, and it was not suitable to find fault but still it must be admitted that he had a duty to perform, and he must say that all had not been equally good, all had nut been equally successful. But this of course could not be expected, even had they all been equally industrious, the brain power that nature had conferred upon all was not eqaal. The number of failures, however, had been exceedingly small. In many of the classes be had found a difficulty in deciding who was best — he had spent some time in examiuing them but in some cases no mistake was made, and he was obliged to direct that the maiks gained by the girls during the course of the year should be compared so as to decide in that way. This statement was sufficient to show that the pupils had been exceedingly industrious and that they had been well taught. He bad much pleasure and he was sure that all present would join him in congratulating them on the success of their jear's work. -The exhibition of needlewoik und other matters done by the hand would be held when tbe concert ended with the chorus still to be eung. Some of tbe things thus sbown were of the utmost importance, and gave clear evidence of advancemeut in acquirements and accomplishments that were very necessary. His Lordship concluded by exhoiting those of the pupils who should return to school next year to be regular in tueir attendance and attentive to their Btudies. such being the necessary conditions of progress. In dismissing the school until Jan. 31, he advised the girls while they amused tLemselves innocently, to occupy themselves also in some useful way, such as reading some improving book. This, tie said, would help to keep up their habits »f industry, and would add to their information, and if they followed his advice they would find themselves all the happier on returning to school. The exhibition of work this year was not quite as extensive as we remember it on former occasions. — The quality of the articles shown, however, left nothing to be desired — tbe needlework both plain and fancy ; the flowers in wax and paper, and the paintings were most creditable to all who were concerned in them. Among the exhibits especially noticed oy us were Borne specimens of bleached ferns done by Miss McKinnon aud which were extremely pretty and curious, the leaves while retaining all their shape and peculiar marking, had in some mysterious way been turned as white •as snow. An alum basket by Miss Heggaity was also ao attractive

feature, and displayed no small degree of ingenuity and taste. There was besides a quantity of French embroidery in chenille, some be&uti. ful arrangements of wax and paper flowers mixed, and a large collection of plain work most delicately stitched and inlaid with rich embroidery. Miss Cameron showed some nice oil paintings and a wreath of roses in water colours, on silk, and Miss McKinnon and a private pupil exhibited some choice specimens of crystolenm paint* ing. Raised beadwork was shown by the Misses Martin, McKinnon, and D. Howell ; crewels by Misses Monkman and Sloane ; plainwork by the Misses Martin, P. and G. Harding, D. G. and M. Howell, Columb, A. Hallinan, M. 'Fagan. Macedo, Colehan, Allen, Cahill, Meenan, Reany, Scanlan, Allen, and A. Mills, Miss Martin takingthe prize in this department, and Miss Mary Meenan, a tiny damsel of six years old, distinguishing herself by the complete manufacture of a most astonishing pinafore. Miss Martin had a handsome ladies' lounge in French embroidery ; wax and paper flowers were shown by the Misses Colehan, C. Meenan, Martin and Blayney. Crochet mantles in wool were exhibited by the Mißses Purton, Columb, and Martin : the Misses Colehan, and M. Howell had teapot coaeye; Mantle drapes were shown by the Misses McKinnon, Roughan, and Cameron. Miss C. Meenan had a pole screen. A hanging iv French embroidery was shown by Miss D. Howell. Misses B. Mills, and Lamb had antimacassars. Cushions were shown by the Misses Heggarty, Mills, Wain, Carson, and Blayney. The Misses Martin, Dunue, and Heggarty had point and Honiton lace. Fender stools were exhibited by the Misses Hefgarty and Wain ; slippers by Miss McGrath ; embroidery on satin by Miss M. Howell ; embroidery in chenille by Miss G. Allen. All the articles shown as we said, were among the best of their kind, and spoke well for the industry and skill of the young ladies exhibiting them. The following is the list of prizes :— English— Fourth Claß9 : English and History— Miss Mills, 1 ; Miss Williamson, 2. Transcription— Miss Martin. CompositionMisses Wain and Roughan. Mapping— Misses Wain and Careon, Certificates— Misses Martin, Mills, Wain, Carson, Columb, Hall, Williamson, Morrison, and Roughan. Third Class : English and History— Miss Meenan, 1 ; Misses Scanlan, Moloney, and Colehan, 2. Transcription, — Miss Meenan. Composition and History — Miss Hayes. Mapping— Miss Allen. English, History, and Mapping— Miss Howell. Certificates— Misses Meenan, Howell, Colehan, Allen, Scanlan, Moloney, Hayes, Fagan. Second Class : English and History— Misses M. Howell and Blaney, 1 ; Misses Fitzpatrick and G. Allen, 2. Transcription— Misses Monckman. Dunne, and Fitzpatrick. Certificates— Misses Dunne, M. Hcwell, Blaney, Monckman, Perrin. Macedo, G. Allen, A. Mills, T. Hall, o<ven, Fitzpatrick. First Class : English— Miss Sloane, 1 : Miss Hallinan, 2 ; Miss L. Columb, hon. mention. Transcription— Miss Hallinan, Certificates Misses J. Lamb, M. J. Sloane, P. Harding, A. Mills A. Hallinan, Barnes, S. Green, L. Columb, E. Sloane, G. Howell. French— Fourth Class : Miss Williamson. Third Class : Misses Meenan, Hegarty, Allen. Second ClaBS : Misses G. Allen and Moloney. Arithmetic— Fourth Class • Miss Carson. Third Class : Miss Hall, 1 ; Misses Colehan, Wain, Williamson, F. Allen, Koughan, honourable mention. Second Class : Misses Moloney, Fagan, Blaney, M. Howell, G.Allen. First Class : Misses M. J. Sloane aud Hallinan, 1 ; Miss Lamb, honourable mention ; Misses Howell and L. Oolumb, 2. Writing— Misses Martin, Mills, Hayes, 1 ; Missts Dunne, P. Harding, Hallinan, 2. Freehand Drawing — Misses Hegarty, Wain, Carson, Howell, M. Howell, Allen, G. Allen, Columb. Painting — Miss Cameron. Plain Work— Miss Calumb, 1 : Misaes Howell, Meenan, A, Mills. 2. Fancy Woik— Miss Maitia, 1 ; Misses Meenan, Colehan, Wain Blaney, 2. Flower- making — Miss Colehan. Politeness and deportment — Missas Hegarty, Martin, Millsf Coleban, M. Howell, Cameron, M'lutyre, M'Grath, Ritchie, Allen, G. Allen, M. Owen, Fagan, Columb. Order (boarders)— Misses Cameron, M'lntyre, Ritchie, M'Grath, Colehan, Meenan, M. Howell, Bla'iey. Order (day pupils) — Misses Mills, Martin, Wain, Morrison, Barnes, Columb. Domestic Duties (boarders)— Misses Colehan, Meenan, D. Howell, M. Howell, Blaney. Christian Doctrine (boarders) — Misses Meenan, Ritchie, Cameron, Colehan, M'lmyie, M'Uratb, Rougbau, 1 ; Misses G. Harding, P. HardiDg, M. J. Sloane, 2. Scripture History (boarders)— Misses M'Grath, Cameron, M'lntyre, Colehan, Meenan, Roughan. (Day pupils) — Misses Columb and Williamson. Christian Doctrine (day pupils) — Misses Lamb, Hall, Williamson, Columb, Fagan, Morrison, Scanlan, Hayes, Mulony, Hallinan, Mills, MonckmaD, Martin, Hegarty. 1 ; Misses S. Green, Columb, S. Hall, A. Mills, Fitzpatrick, M. O'Rmlly, B. O Brien, Heany, Cantwell, Barnes, Macedo, O'Driscoll, Caiull, Bush, W. Perrin, 2 ; Misses Hannon, Liston, Parton. Meenan, K. Martin, N. Hall, P. Perrin, 3 ; Misses Hungerfoid and N. Martin 4 Music— Misses Williamson and Maloney. 1 ; Miss M. Howell, 2 ; Improvement in music— Miss Howell, Miss G. Harding, and M. O'Rielly, 3. Singingr. — Miss Howell. 1 ; Miss Morrison, 2. Improvement in singing. — Miss Blaney, Regular Attendance. — Miss Halliuan, 1. Good conduct (boarders), — Missea Howell, Ritchie, Cameron, M'lntyre, M'Grath, Roughan, Meenan, Colehan, tiloane, 1. (Day pupils;. — Misses Hall, Columb, Martin, Mills, Hegarty, Allen, G. Allen, Scanlan, Hallinan, Fagan, Filzpatrick, Monckman, Columb, Lamb. JUNIOR SCHOOL. Good Conduct, Miss O'Reilly ; application, Miss K. Martin ; application and reading, Miss L. Reany : general improvement, 1 Miss N. Hall ; do. do., Miss M. Meenan ; neatness. Miss Hannon ;

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punctuality, Miss Fitegerald ; arithmetic, spelling and writing, Miss G. Harding ; geography, Miss A. Cantwell ; grammar and punctuality, Miss G. Bush ; arithmetic, Miss Cahill ; spelling, Miss N. Martin ; poetry, Miss O'Driscoll ; spelling, Miss Hungerford ; writing, Miss M. Liston ; reading, Miss P. Perrin ; arithmetic and geography, Miss Doyle ; general improvement, Miss Purton. Matriculation Class.— English, Latin, Mathematics, Geography : Miss Ritchie, 1 ; English Grammar, Geography, and Composition ; Miss Moloney, 2 ; Latin, Algebra : Miss M'lntyre, 2 ; Arithmetic, Euclid, Mapping : Miss Hegarty, 2 ; General Improvement, Miss M'Grath.