ST. JOSEPH'S CONVENT SCHOOL, TEMUKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 37, 4 January 1889, Page 5

ST. JOSEPH'S CONVENT SCHOOL, TEMUKA.

ANNUAL CONCERT.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) Temuki, December 20, 1888. The annual concert given by the pupils attending St. Joseph's School at Temuka took place in the Volunteer Hall on Mondiy, the 17th instant, and was a great success. Thu hall, which was dressed out with bannerets, was crowded, as has been the case at every concert since the first one was given by the pupils, and the reputatijn of the school as regards iraioing was undoubtedly well sustained. The audience was most enthusiastic, and the frequency with which they applauded was significant of satisfaction. The programme, which was a very long one, was opened at 8 p.m. sharp, by Miss L. Quinn, with a prologue, which was epoken with good emphiss, and was followed by an overture by Miss Quinn, which was rendered with effect. The chorus. " God defend New Zealand," was sung by a stage full of girls with due appreciation to music. The girls were all dressed beautifully in white, and those who had trained them to preserve suob splendid order were highly praised by persons of other denomination. The solo parts were taken by Misses Gaffan-y. Demutb, and Bromshan. Tne dialogue, " Toe way he managed it," caused much laughter, and the different parts were taken by Misses Connolly and Dcmuth and Masters Clarke and Connolly. This puce clearly demonstrated that husbands should not interfere in the kitchen management ; and the part of the terraot was done justice to by Miss Dcmuth. The rendition of the vocal solo, " We'd better bide a wee," won for Miss B. Connolly great applause, and was followed by a dialogue, "He would be an author," by Masters Deinutb, Lavuy, Gaffaney, Connolly, Polaschek, and Miss Barrett. Iv this a young gentleman, contrary to the conviction of his father, takes a liking (cr the caLing of an author and seta about writing a novel. He is continually being bothered — a bcotblsck comes ; then a canvasser Tequestn subscription of him for blankets for the poor, which he gives in order to get rid of him ; thea be is asked if ho would like stewed tiipa and onions for breakfast ; finally, Master Brow (Master Polaschek) is brought in by a singing master, who renders a song with much effect. Though the author does not act like many others are depicted to have done when they lost the thread of thought, he undoubtedly looks its if be has been wool-gathering, and, on the whole, the piece was well rendered. Iv the chorur, " The Miller," ibe boys showed a decided improvement on last year, and Master Polaschek, who is only seven years old, took tho solo part." in k mftnmr wmeh rh<i infinite credit both to himself and those who bad t ifned rim. The dialogue. '"The May Queen,' by Misses Wareing, Dalton, Archer, Brosnahanand Connell, was well spoket, Miss Archer, a very little pir) eaying her p»rt extremely well. Master Louis rendered the nigger song (in character), " Old Black Snow," in a manner which w<>n for him a well-merit*»d encore, to which he responded by singing ' Pat of Mulhngar," for which he was loudly applau ie '. In the drama, " The Reverse of the Medal," the characi»Tß were taken a» follows : — Countess Knaid, Misa Wareing ; Isabel (her daughter), M is? A. Wareing; Mme. Morville (hir governess).

Miis C. Goffaney ; Phillip* (maid to tbe Countess), Miss M. La-cry ; Ellen (b"u»emaid), Miss Fopplewell ; Motb«r Alarm (.farmer's wife), Miss r£. Gaffaney ; Jane (her little shepherdess), Miss L. Qoinn. lv this the impit eat coald well learn a le3soa. Isabel was dissatisfied with her calling, and en?ied the little shepherdess's freedom to roam over the fields. The two change places, and fin illy some by the knowledge of following patiently tbe ctlliug in which God places them. All tbe actors acquitted themselves in a manner which made it eTident that great pains had been taken in their tuition. They acted in a graceful manner, and spoke clearly. Mas'er Lavery 's singing " I really am so nervous," was followed by the du«t (in character), " Mrs. Brown and her Luggage," by Miss and Master Connolly, which was well raceived. The second part was opened by tbe Misses Quin rendering an overture (trio) Viviani's " Silver Trumpets," for which they were loudly applauded. The chorus. " See our oars." was nest rendered by tbe singing class, in which they were as successful as in the former one. Master Louis created great amusement with his recitation, •• The Quack Djctor," the wonders which he wrought through bis medicine being simply marvellous : a pe.son scalded to death was brought to life, while another, shattered into a thousand pieces, was made whole and restored to life. One of the best items of tbe evening was tbe grand old song, " Dublin Bay," to which MUs Connolly did full justice, a«d received a great ovation. In tbe dram*, " Old Poz," Master Clarke, as Justice Ueads'.rong ; MiBS B. Connolly, as Lucy (his daughter) ; Miss Demuth, as Mrs. Bustle (.the landlady) ; Master Connolly, as Old Man ; Master J. Clarke, as William (servant), acquitted themselves honourably. Master Clarke took the part of Justice Headstrong creditably, and from him tbe lesson of being backward in making rash conclusions could well be learned. Mrs. Rustle also performed her task splendidly. Misses Quin and Connolly next rendered the duet, " Voices of the night," which was followed by the dialogue, " Madame Learning and her daughter*," the characters being :— Madame Learning, Miss Wareing ; Orthography, Miss A. Wareing ; Etymology, Mi« B. Connolly ; Syntax, Miss C. Popplewell ; Geography. Miss 0. Galfaney ; Philosophy, Mia* C. Barrett ; Rhetoric, Hiss L Quinn ; Botany, Miss M. Clarke; History, Miss M. Quinn; Madame Learning's enemies, Folly and Ignorance, Miss Demuth and Miss F. Burke ; her friend, Keligion, Miss C. Lavery. All took their parts in a manner creditable to themselves. The boys were again very successful in their chorup, " The Dear Yonng Folks at Home," the solo parts being taken by Maews Louis, J. Connolly, and J. Clarke. Tbe dialogue, " The Dead Doll," by Mifs Williams inn Mies Horagan, was not the least item on the programme, owing to tbe manner in which Miss Williams, who, I might fairly say, is almost a baby, spoke her part. It was leally worth a place on the programme. Tha drama, "Jack in Giantland," was played in a professional style. Master Louis, aa Jack ; Master J. Clarke, as Countryman ; Master B. Horgan, as the Ogrd ; Miss C. Lavery, as Jack's mother ; Mim M. Lavery as the Fairy Queen and Miss C. Popplewell as the Ogress, performed their duties iv a manner which well deserved praise. Jack was very real aad ate heartily, while the Ogre partook of his tea with a frightful mouth. The little boys smg the song, •• The Ten Little Nigger Boys " (in character), in a way which showed careful training, aad were tollowed witu a domestic quarrel, "All About a Bonnet,'' which clearly dem nstrated that ihe ladies must have their '• swiag," and the gentlemen, without even pulling a face, swallow the gall. The cboru->. " Lulu is Our Darling Pride, ' wasjthe best ol the evening, and tbe solo parts were taken by Mitres E. (JafLiney, Demutb. and Brosuahan. Miss A. Waretng sp ke the epilogue with much tmphasis, anil the siogioß of the National Antbetn brought the programme to a close. Although vhe programme did noi come to a close till about h«lf-past eleven, nil sat it out to the end, und this is indeed sufficient pro< f of its nature. The applause was frequent, and lasted to the rinisn. Ihe tinging in tbe choruses was good in the extreme, and was far superior to th»t of last ytar. Tbe dramas were uot quite equal to ihose cf last year— though they were excellent, and showed i bat tbe good Sisters bad spared no pains in sustaining tbe very high reputation which they have made since their arrival in our midst, and again tendered a proof of self-sacrificing devcion in the training of the young minds— which fact is due to several of tbe larger girls haviug left school. However, there is every reason for belitviog thac next year the entertainment will be really first-rlass, as by that time several of tbe children will be ripe for acquitting themselves in a manner creditable to themselves and their uachers. The children, as last year, sp^ke their pirts in a remarkably cletr and telling manner, their elocution and articulation being faultless, while the grace and ease wiih which they moved about the stage would do justice to the brst amateur actors. On the whole the entertainment was most enjoyable, and will not soon be forgotten. Tbe Sisters of Bt. Joseph may well leel proud of the way their children behaved, while the great interest evinced by the public in theße entertainments must indeed be regarded as a flattering recognition of the excellence of tbe tuition they give to those placed under their c arge.

The annual concert by thp children attending the Convent School at Kerrytowi , was held on Thursday evening last, and was • great success. A full report will appear io next issue.