ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL, MASTERTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIV, Issue 36, 31 December 1886, Page 7

ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL, MASTERTON.

(Wairarapa Star, December 21.) The above school appears to have lost none of its popularity or efficiency and it redounds to the credit of the Roman Catholics of Masterton, that they are able not o ily to maintain such a creditable institution without State aid but to annually give away a very valuable collection of books as prizes. At the distribution of prizes on Monday about 60 boys and girls were in attendance. The children had a neat, cleanly, tidy appearance, and they seemed healthy in more respects than one, for better behaved, more polite, or more attentive children it would be difficult to find. It is estimated that by the education of these children aud the maintenance of the school over £300 is annually saved to the State by the Roman Catholics of Masterton. In other words they pay that amount in taxes and having to educate their own children, they receive nothing in return. About a week ago Mr. A. R. Bunny examined the school carefully, and in this instancejthere were no exemptions. Father Treacy made an examination in Christian doctrine, a subject that is rery carefully taught. The result was exceedingly satisfactory considering the fact that many of the children are very young. On this occasion the distribution of prizes was made by Mr. Bunny, assisted by the Rev. Father Treacy. The prizes consisted principally of well bound books, but there was a special prize the gift of Mr. J. W. Leahy, consisting of a splendid painting, representing " The Ascension," framed in massive gold, which was awarded by the vote of the school, for good conduct, to Master John Toung. The girl who had the honour of carrying off the special for good conduct, also by the popular vote, was Miss Maggie McKillop, and had she received the wealth of the Indies, she could not have borne off her trophy more proudly. The children on receiving their prizes accompanied by a kind word of congratulation, bowed politely their acknowledgements. After the distribution Master John McKillop presented the Rev. Father Treacy with a neatly written address, full of seasonable good wishes and hearty congratulations. Father Treacy, in reply, acknowledged the good feeling shown by the children, and sent them to their homes for the holidays with words of kindly blessing and good advice, recommending them above everything, to respect and love their parents, avoid evil company, and allow no bad word to pollute the lips, or evil thought to stain their hearts. Mr. Bnnny said it had given him great pleasure to preside for the second time at the prize distribution. On this occasion he had tested the progress of the school, and after a searching examination he found the children remarkably forward and well-informed generally. He congratulated the prize-takers, and he hoped the unsuccessful would not be discouraged but make a better effort next year. In conclusion, he paid a high compliment to Father Treacy for the spiritual welfare of the children, and to Mrs. Carnck, their accomplished teacher, for the successful way in which she imparted instruction, and the evident command tnat she had over the school as a whole. Hearty cheers for Mr. Bunny, Mrs. Carrick, and, at the request of the latter, for the Rev. Father Treacy were given and the school broke up. The following are the prize taker 3: — Senior Division. — Christian Doctrine, Maggie O'Leary ; reading and spelling, Paul Price ; grammar, Joseph Bell ; geography, John McKillop ; arithmetic, John McKillop and Francis Sip.manuk ; application, M iggie O'Leary. 2nd Division. — Christian Doctrine,. Mary Potter; arithmetic, Maggie McKillop, Bella and John Collins ; grammar, Maggie Treader; reading and spelling, Francis Hoffman. 3rd Divi9ion.—~Christian Doctrine, John Ryan ; reading and spelling, Annie Hourigan and John O'Leary : writing, Mary Siemanuk and Francis Stempa ; arithmetic, Miry Siemanuk ; application, Mary Stempa. 4th Division.— Christian Dictrine, Kate Toutcher, Edith Tierney; reading and spelling, Mary Ann Collins and Willie Carr ; arithmetic, Minnie O,Leary ; mental arithmetic, Thomas Williams ; application, Alfred Potter. Junior Division. — Christian Doctrine, Kate Rouscher ; reading and spelling, James Power, Michael de Frahus and Leonard Jones ; arithmetic, Richarcl Tierney and James Fitzgerald ; general application, Augustus Stempa and Cissy Hourigan ; good conduct, John Young and Maggie McKillop ; singing (senior), Francis Treader, (junior), Johanna Ryan ; sewing and knitting, Bella Collins ; knitting, Francis Siemanuk ; knitting (junior), Annie Hourigan.