BREAKING-UP OF ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 37, 3 January 1890, Page 29

BREAKING-UP OF ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL.

The usual entertainment and distribution of prizes in connection with the Catholic Boys' School took place in St. Patrick's Hall on Thursday afternoon, December 19, and, as usual, the attendance was very large. The walls of the hall had been very prettily decorated with evergreens and flowers, and the stage fitted up in a very attractive manner. The entertainment commenced at about three o'clock, when the Rev. Father McKenna occupied the chair, Mr. Seffern sitting on his right hand and Mr. Hart alongside him. In the first part the recitation given by the little boys wa exceedingly well delivered, whilst the vocal pieces were all nicely sung. The comic drama, " None so blind as those who will not see," was capitally played, the boys being word perfect in their parts, and entering thoroughly into tbe spirit of the piece. Between the scenes of the drama Miss Oottier played on the piano two somewhat difficult pieces with considerable execution, and also took part with the Misses Teed, Moore, and Flahaven in * quartette on two pianos. The whole of the entertainment went off without a hitch of any kind, and at the termination of the programme the juvenile performers were all loudly applauded. Tbe following is a programme of tbe entertainment given :— Duet (2 pianos), Misses Cottier, Moore, Hammond, and Flahaven ; hymn, " Aye Maris Siella," the pupils ; recitation, "All for Ireland," Master A. Hart ; song, " Froggie's Ball," junior pupils ; recitation, "The Dilatory Scholar," Master Hart; trio (vocal). "The Heart Bowed Down," Masters O'Donnell, Hart, and O'Neill ; recitation, " The Two Cousins," Master Ryan ; song, " Half Mast High," senior pupils ; recitation, " Bernardo del Oarpio," Master O'Donnell ; song, " Swe6t the Evening Hour," senior pupils ; recitation, " Mary Queen of Scots," Masters Hart and M. O'Neill. Drama, " None so blind as those who will not see." Characters — Uncle, Master O'Neill ; Aunt, Master Pope ; Jack, Master O'Donnell ; Polly, Master Hart; Pedlar, Master Moore ; Farmer, Master Reynolds ; Schoolmaster, Master M. O'Neill ; Postman, Master D. Callaghan.

Between th 6 scenes the following musical selections were given : —Solo, "The Harp that once through Tara's Halls," Miss Cottier; duet (2 pianos), " The Sultan's Grand March," Misses Oottier, Moore, Teed, and Flahaven ; solo, " Silvery Waves," Miss Oottier ; finale, "Tbe Deir Little Shamrock," the pupils.

Rev. Father McKeuni said, previous to presenting the prizes, he must thank those present for tbeir kind atten lance that day. He himself was very pleased with what he had seen. The little boys had ali played their parts well, and gone through the programme with credit to themselves and to the ladies of the Convent, who had taught them. Tbe parents had to thank the Sisters for the pains they had taken in instructing the children. He had examined the boys in the several branches of their studies, and was, therefore, able to speak personally of the progress they had made iv them. He could not help referring to tbe entertainment given by the young ladies on Tuesday last, because on that occasion tbe excellent tuition in music by the ladies of the Convent was demonstrated in a most prominent manner by the pupils, who performed on the piano come very difficult pieces with a considerable amount of success, The vacation would now take place, but he hoped next year when the school! opened that he should see all the children there again. Rev. Father McKenna then presented the prizes to the boys, and was assisted by the Lady Superior, Mr. Seffern, and Mr. J. Hart.

The Sisters return their Bincere thanks to the following peraoni who have kindly contributed towards procuring the prizes: — Rev. Father McKenna, D. O'Carroll, Mr. and Mrs. Seff^ra, Mrs. King, Mrs. Gold water, Messrs Corke and Dingle, Mr. and Mrs. O'Neill, Mrs. Fisbleigb, Miss Cottier, Mrs. Francis, Mrs, Read, Mrs. O'Ryley, Mr. Corkil), Mr. Parker, Mr.Gilmour, Mr. Cock, Mr. Walsh and Mr. Hart.

The boys then gave three cheers for the Rev. Father McKenna and the Sisters of the Convent. Mr. Seffern then gave the boys sixpence each, a practice be has followed for some years back, when, after another cheer the proceedings terminated.