CONCERT AT KERRYTOWN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 38, 11 January 1889, Page 20

CONCERT AT KERRYTOWN.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) Temuka*, December 26, 1888. I MAD heard a great deal about the annual entertainments given by the pupils of the Sisters of St. Joseph's Convent School, buf, although I did not doubt what I was told, still my estimation of them was far below the reality, and to be present alone could give an idea of their excellence. The school in the immediate vicinity of the stage, on the occasion cf the concert, held on the 20th December, was effectively decorated, and ihe stage was arranged very we 1 indeed. The schoolroom was crowded, and many had to content themselves with a " peep through the window.' Mr. J. M. Twomey occupied the chair. He referred to the good the listers of St. Joseph had done in the district, and said they had a great advantage over all otber denominations in the matter of imparting education to their children, fcuch was the zeal and devotion which their boly religion inspned that refined and gentle ladies, and highly enicated and cultured gentlemen were always ready to shut themselves in from the world, and devote their lives 1o tescLing the young 1 hese looked not for pay. tiny asked for no eanhly r< ward, and, const quently, they could carry on education when to others it wjuld prove an impossibility. While they had teachers so self-saor'ficing, so devoted, and so earnest hs these— who worked i ot for prutit. but l'jr the glory *nd love of God — they need not bothtr much about what the Government did about education. After some In more us remarks, for which the chairman was frequently applauded, Mr. Twomey implored patient atten'ion for the youthful performers. The pr< gramme was opened with an overture. " Fantasia from Oberon," by Mis-ses Mary and L'zzie Hoare. which was executed with profegfional-'ike skill, and at once displayed natural ability, supported by caieful training. This item, which wasloudly applauded, was followed by the chorus, " The Valley Lay Smiling Beiore Me." In this a stage full of girls took part, and as each one took her place on the stage she wore a smile on her countenance which betokened that a great treat was in store for the audience. The sweet sirring of the piece, combined with the ivmatkable order which th- children kept, at once showed that more tban the usual am<ULt of patience had been taken with them, and reflected infinite credit on the bisters. Mifs Mary Bro&nahan'd singing of >l My Wife and I"' was received with loud applause, and justly, too, when her tender year 1 ' were considered, and. though such was the case, the music was done fall justice to. The principal item on the programme was the stnior pupil's drama, " Who ie to Inherit."' the characters being npitecnted as follows : — N'rs. Annersley, Miss Kelly; Miss Ju U Annersley, Miss L. Hoare ; Mrs. Hamilton, Miss OSullivan ; Mrs. Manford. Mi«s M. Hoaie : Miss P y. Miss D. Hoare; Miss Chatter, Miss Coughlan ; MiBS Nicely. Miss Bro'nahan ; Mrs Hodgkins, Miß3 OKeefe ; Margery, Miss Margaret Hoare. Each rf the young ladies pei formed the pan allotted to her in a manner which unquestionably would have done credit not enly to best amateur actors, but to professionals, and everything tended to enhance the very treat repu'ation which the Sisters of St. Joseph — those selfsacrificing religious, who hare nought else in view but the glory of God and tbc welfare of the little ones entrusted to their care— have gained. Their gebtures and movements Were graceful, while their articulation and elocution may almost be said to have been perfect. Miss Kelly was really lady-like as Mrs. Anneisley ; and MissO'Keefe, as Mrs. Hodgkins, and Miss Margeret Hoare, as Margery, weie really wondeii'ul. Mim Nora ODnscol). who is a child of tender years, sang the so'o •' Old Ire and " in a munner which won for her a well-deaerved encore. It was evident no pains had been spared to get so young a child up to such perfection. Master Detis Hoare, another youthful peifoimer, rendered the reci'ation, •' Hit the Kight Nail on the Head. 1 in an applausible manner, and was followed by the duet. " Roses underneath the Snow,' by Mi«e9 M. Hnd D. Hoare, which was rendered very tweeily, and ereatly applauded. M sses Julia Scannell and C .uarhlan gave a thoiou^h exp >Mtiou of the "Royal hish Quadrilles," and wire siceeded by the recitation,

" Childe Harold's Adieu to his Native Land," which Matter Keane delivered in a clear and masterly manner. The duet, " Home of my Childhood," by Misses Coughlan and Hoare, was loudly applauded, aud wa9 followed by the junior pupils' drama, " Will o' the Wisp." The characters were : Market Children — Bluebell, Miss Julia Coughlan ; Rosetta, Miss Sara Day ; Cherry Ripe, Miss Nellie Fleming ; Rosy-Cheeked Apples, Master M. Barry ; Oranges and Lemont, Master P. Scannell; Renzo, Master M. O'Driscoll ; Town Crier, Master H. Brosnaban ; Fairies — Queen Sunbeam, Miss Julia Brosnahan ; Golden Wing, Miss Maggie Hoare ; Golden Ray, Mies Julia Scannell ; Prince Moonbeam, Master John Scannell ; Will o' the Wisp, Master Daniel Scannell. This was, without doubt, one of the most interestiag items of the evening. It would be unfair to single out any of the performers as having acted their part better than the other?. The manner in which this drama was enacted would no* doubted ly have done infinite credit to the best adult amateurs, while the dresses they wore quite equalled those of professionals. From the time the curtain iose for the first scene, one would imagine be were in dreamland among the fairies, and it was only when the curtain fell on the last scene that the fact could be realised thtt it was a very young band of the pupils of the bisters of St. Joseph, trained up to a standard until the present unheard of in this district, who bad transported him in spirit to fairyland. The patience with which they most have been taught is beyond imagination. The very successful rendition of the choins, " Bonnie Dundee," by the singing class, brought the first part of the programme to a close. Tbe second part was opened with the chorus, "Sunny Meadows," in which tbe singing class only confirmed the conclusion that had been arrived at : that in every item the reputation of tbe school would be well sustained. Misses M. and D. Hoare next favoured the audience with a piano duet, •' Erin go Bragh," in which the author was done full justice to, the execution throughout being faultless. Master O'Driscoll scored a complete victory by hit rendering the recitation, " The Orange and the Green." This piece, which in itself is a beautiful composition, was ably handled, and a pin could have been beard fall daring its rendition, the applause at its conclusion being of a prolonged nature. Miss O'Sullivan received an encore for the beautiful song *' Killarney," but did not respond. In the dialogue " The Contest of tbe Flowers," Misses Coughlan, O'Keefe, O'Neill, Young, Moore. Hoare, Coll, H. Brosnahan, L. Brosnahan, Murphy, and D. Brosnahan took part, aad* spoke their parts in a clear and distinct manner. This item was followed by the boys' drama, " Little Pickle," which kept the audience in roars of laughter from beginning to end. Characters: Uncle, Master Keane; aunt, Miss K. Fleming ; servant, Miss Lara O'Driscoll ; Jack, Master R. Hoare ; farmer, Master Cougblan ; pedlar, Master Conoell ; schoolmister, Master Foley. Master Keane, with hw blue specs., was simply immenss as Uncle, and his excuses for Jack (the little pickle) were very good. Tue part of ihe "Little Pickle" was splendidly taken, as were also the other parts. Tbe moral to be learned from this piece was neter to take tbe part of a child, boy or girl, for such course is t-imply encouragement. " Steer my barque to Enu's Isle " was nt'xt rendered by Mins Margaret Hoare, and an encore was the remit. Great talent was displayed in a piano duet, " Ireland." by Miss D Huare and Kelly, t>nd the two young ladies proved themselves surprisingly clever musicians. Tae audience were agnia driven to side-s jlittin^ laughter by the enactment of the drama ■' Handy Andy's little blunders. ' The actors. Mas.eis O'Driscoll and Foley and iMifrs Barry, proved that they were capable of amusing even a hhrd-to-please audience Tbe duet " Whispering Hope " wa« rendtreJ in a manner which suoweii very carelul training, and reflected grtat credit on those who trained the yuuog ladiei. Misse9 M. Hoare and E. Sullivan took one part, wbi.e Misses D. Hoare lutl B. Conghlan took the otber. T^e applause was great, an lan encore was persistently demanded. The dialogue •' An Ameiican Sam Weller " crowned tbe enjoyable eve Ling that Lad be^-n spent. The way ia which Master Keane took the part if iSaoj kept the people iv constant laughter. Master Hoare playeJ the part, of Judge successfully, as did also Master Coughlan his. The choius • I wuh you all Good Health," by the Hinging Class, brought one of the beßt entertainments I ha\e ever witnef sed to a close. lam unable to give sufficient praise to the Sisteis for toe manner in which the children had been trained. They are a credit to tbem, and the good people of Keirytown should leel pioud to have such excellent teachers in their nr.dst. A word cf piaue is justly due to Miss Mary Hoare for tbe able manner in which tttie presided ;n tbe piano during the evening, her playing considerably aidiug to rrake the entertainment a success. I was rather surprised at the large mm ,er of musicians Kerrytown can boast of, and all play very well indeed.

Before bringing my remarks to a close, I think it only right to say a few words of praise for the people tf Kerrytown. The manner in which all joined in applauding tne children, as well as everything else, went to convince me that they are pulling harmoniously to* gather. Jealousy of parents, if one child is better tban another, is a common thing, but there is no sucti thing existing in Kerrytowo. Tos rich dresses which the ctnldren wore iv playing the different parts also went to show that the parents are Leart aud soul with the good Sisters, and the kindly disposition the people tear towards the tutors of their children canuot fail to produce good fruit. It will inspire the children with a holy reverence fur those who hate put aside the pleasuies of ibis world and devoted themselves entirely to their welfare, and this is commendable and most praiseworthy.

The bazaar held here was a great success, as was also the ceremony of laying the f jundation-Bton9 of the new cburca at Pleasant Point. Fuller reports will appear in future issues.