CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' SCHOOL, DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 11, 30 December 1892, Page 25

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' SCHOOL, DUNEDIN.

Thb annual distribution ot prizes took place in the City Hall on Thursday evening, 22nd inst. There were present — the Most BerDr Moran, who presided, the Rev Fathers Lynch, Ad m ; Hunt, P. O'Donnel) , Murphy, and Ryan, and a very large gathering of the lay friends of the Christian Brothers and their pupils. The programme was performed in a highly creditable manner, although, as tht Rev Brother Hughes explained, some allowance was to be made on account of the influea&a, which had been busy also among the boys. The singing was admirable in every respect, Master J. Ward gaining an undeniable encore for his solo, and the double quartette who gave Root* "Laughing" being also enthusiastically encored. Master J. Callan's recitation was given with excellent spirit and expression and a good, clear voice Master Hugh Miles, who made bis debut as a substitute for two of his schoolmates suffering from the epidemic, gave Macaulay 's death of Virginia with great intelligence. Master Edward Wilkins was quite up to bin usual standard in a humorous piece, for which be was encored. Masters A. J. Hall and R. S. Cotter acted ai accompanists on the pianoforte with skill and understanding, the latter, a junior boy, doing great credit to his master, Mr Whit wellButler. The accompaniment on the organ, kindly lent by Mr Baeyertz, of the opening hymn and chorus was played by one of the Brothers. The piano was lent by the Dresden Company. The programme was at follows : — Hymn, " five's exiled children," and chorus, " Let the bills resound," Young Cecilians ; recitation, " Leap for life," Master J. Callan ; solo (omitted through the influenza), " Sancta Maria (Piccolomini), Master J. M'Clean ; recitation (omitted through the influenza), " Magrnder's Twins," Master B. Cotter ; Quartette (a) " Canadian boat song " (Moore), (b) "Laughing " (Root) ; recitation (seleoted) Master Edward Wilkins ; solo, " Cottage by the Sea," Master J. Ward. Preparatory to the distribution of the prizes, the Rev Brother Hughes spoke a few words. He had, he said, sat down to write s speech, but, whether fortunately or unfortunately be would leave to bis hearers, he was called away. On coming back he saw that he had written tha words, "My Lord, ladies and g— — ," and he thought that would be sufficient. There was no necessity for him to My anything. He had nothing to offer them ; not even a sod of Irish turf by which he might try to get a sixpence. That was all fair aod honest at a bazaar, bat here thiogs were otherwise. There was one thing Irish, nevertheless, which he would bestow on them, pointing to the motto,

Goad fflUe IbUthe, that hung above the platform. The Bey Brother called on the boys to explain the meaning of the words and to bid the audience 100,000 welcomes. We need not say that the invitation was heartily responded to. The Bey Brother added that he thanked the visitors for their presence and for the kind encouragement they gave. Owing to the epidemio, of which the boys had got tbeir share, he said, they were not in as good form as usual. Bnt they were always anxious to do their best. The Bey Brother returned thanks to all who bad given prises or contributed towards the prise-fund. Dr Stenhouse, he explained, bad been prevented from attending by an urgent call, bnt bad written a note, which the Bey Brother read, expressing his regret and sympathy. Dr Stenhouse had given the medal won by the dux of the school, Master A, J. Hall, and in his note expressed his pleasure at learning that the prise had been won by the son of a gentleman for whom he had a high respect. The Bishop then made the distribution.

On the conclusion of the ceremony his Lordship avddrersed the assemblage. He said he had >o congratulate the boys on the success of the year. The examinations had been entirely satisfactory. He had nothing for which to censure them. Their lessons bad been well learned and tbeir conduct satisfactory. This was very consoling. The tone of the school bespoke its progress, and etery thing from first to last was most creditable to the boys and their teachers. He would avail himself of the .opportunity to say a few words, as was usual for him. He was sorry that for many years he had bad to raise bis voice in protestation against injustice (hear, hear). It was no pleasure to him to stand on this platform for so many years. It was not gratifying for him to do so. He would prefer to express his gratitude for justice done by the Government. But he was not permitted to do this. Hitherto he had protested in vain, and he might perhaps do so for some time longer. But he had a duty to discharge. It was the duty of them all to try and provide the proper means of education, and next to demand their rights. They were tax-payeis ; they discharged their duty as oitizens ; they had a right to their share of the taxes. But no aid was given to them. They were told that the Government schools were »b open to them as to other people — but that was a sophism. They could not avail themselves of these schools without a betrayal of priociple. The Catholics of Ireland had been told that they had no right to complain of being compelled to pay tithes for the support of an. alien Church, btcause the churches in question were open to them. The same argument was now used here. They were told that the schools were open to them, but such was not the case unless they abandoned principle, and to do that they must be cowards and dastards. He raised bia voice in denunciation of this and protested against it. He claimed fair and honest treatment. Certain things were said with regard to their schools, concerning which he would say a few words. He had seen in one newspaper that a gentleman of education and high position had said that be would watch with interest the experiment of a Catholic College. What did he mean by an experiment I Catholic Colleges were as old as the Church. Catholic schools, Catholic education, bad begun at the institution of the Catholic Church. The experiment was 1800 years old. But he (the most rev speaker) would tell them what was an experiment. Godless education was so. It bad commenced less than a century ago. And what was the result? Let them look at the Etate of anarchy in France ; let them look at Italy. Even where America was concerned, no publication could be taken up in which dissatisfaction was not expressed at the moral daDgers that were apparent, and it was evident that a change mnst soon be made. There were, again, some people who said they sympathised with Catholics. Of what avail was their sympathy ? They were themselves the first to oppose Catholics, and they made use of illegitimate means to serve their political purposes. Their sympathy was not worth a brass farthing. X was a mere cant expression. Again, it was said that Catholic schools were not equal to Government schools. A certain gentleman bad made this statement, and bad giren an authority for it. He (the most rev speaker) had made inquiries, and had receive! a letter, in which the authority adduced denied that he had ever made such a statement, or anything like it. He (the speaker) bad thought it an extraordinary thing that any gentleman belonging to a teaching Order would admit that the schools of his Order could not sustain comparison with the Government sohools. The religious in question had

declared that he never made any nteh statement, and the results ol the Intermediate Examinations in Ireland proved that it wai moat unlikely ■he oonld bare made any inch statement. The moet rev ■peaker went on to explain the system of the Intermediate Bzaminatlotti io Ireland. There were two claaies of schools, he said—the one richly endowed, the other completely unendowed, and depending on their own resources. Bat, when brought into competition in the examinations alluded to, the pupils ol the unendowed schools, contrary to expectations, the pupils of the Catholic sohools, beat the pupils of the endowed, the Protestant sohools, all along the line Cloud applause). The Christian Brothers' sohools had taken a high plaoe in these competitive examinations. Was it likely, then, that a Christian Brother, sent out from Home to visit the sohools of bis Order here, and make a report to the General of his Order, would state thai he did not think that the Catholic sohools could compete with the Government schools t— But not only did they take our money, not only did they withhold from us any share of the taxes we paid ; they did nut hesitate to calumniate us, and to make false statements about us so as to damage our schools. He (the most rev speaker) ventilated these faots for the benefit of his own people. Some weak Catholics might be influenced by being continually told that they should not send their ohildren to Oatholio sohools, because they were not good. The Government schools had money, but money oonld nol make knowledge, and industry, and diligence. Money could give no help if it were not properly üßsd,if there were no knowledge and no teaching ability (applause). He (the speaker) could not refer to all the schools in Irelaod. He would take one school Man example —that of the Christian Brothers in North Biohmond street, Dublin, We had Christian Brothers here. They came from that school . their teaching was the same, and with equal means would produce equal results. The Bishop then read the following passage from an address delivered at the Richmond street school on Sunday, October 16, by the president, the Bey Brother Swan, in presence of Archbishop Walsh and a large assemblage of the olergy and laity, asf reported by the Weekly Freeman of October 22." I am happy to inform your Grace and this cultured assembly that the aspirations of our pupils have been more than realised, they have maintained the reputation of onr Oatholio schools, and I have much pleasure in adding that, as far an I know of their conduot and of their industry* they have proved themselves an honour to their religion and the! country (applause). At the Intermediate examinations last June they won no fewer than 22 Exhibitions and 16 other distinctions, and passed to the number of 126 (applause). I venture to say that these results place this school in the foremost plaoe among the Intermediate educational institutions of Ireland (applause). In mathematics, in drawing, and languages onr school stands in the very front rank, 13 maxima (the highest number obtainable; in Arithmetic, Algebra and Euclid no scholastic institution has equalled. I particularly desire to emphasise this because it has been stated that mathematics had been taught but very indifferently in Oatholio schools. We have first place in Junior Grade drawing. We have won the gold medal for highest plaoe in Modern Languages, which, as you know, includes French. German, Italian, and Celtic. We have likewise won two special prises for excellence in German composition, and the £10 Burke Memorial Prise. With regard to position, our pupils have attained the third and fifth; places on the Exhibition junior list among 120 competitors, and the first and third places on the preparatory Exhibition list among 87." His Lordship continued :— He had singled out the Christian Brothers, he said, because they had Christian Brothers here. It might be remarked that Oatholio pupils were first in Latin and Greek. It would be argued that they paid special attention to such studies, but what of mathematics or litera* ture 1 Well, they had also proved their superiority in mathematics and literature and modern languages. He would add a word respecting the Dominican nuns. They had come out with him 21 yean ago, and had schools here. They had come from Sion Hill, a convent of their Order, near Dublin. They were the same nuns ; they bad the same education, the same teaching, the same system, the same qualifications. The efficiency of their schools was well known. The highest priae in the Boyal University in Ireland, whioh might be called the blue ribbon of the University, was of considerable value, and was only accorded to great merit, The examination lot the

M.A. degree was a ver7 difficult one, bat that for the blue) ribbon exceeded it. So difficult was it that for five years no one had gained it. Tbe prize amounted to £300, and this year it was won by Miss Kate Murphy, a pupil of the Dominican, nans of Sion Hill (applause) . This young lady, with wbom he, the most rev speaker, was well acquainted, had beaten all competitors, including those from tbe richly endowed Government institutions. He had quoted this because he desired to show what the Catholic schools could do. Bat tbej must have talent to work upon. No one could teach a dunce. Tbey must have industry. No progress could be expected from an idler. Give them brains and diligence and see what they could do. While they were working for tbe good of the community false statements were made concerning them. This was calumnious and injurious, and ungenerous. Those who were guilty of this ought to be ashamed of themselves. If they had common decency they would not act in such a manner. He, the most rev speaker, was not speaking fur himself. He occupied a responsible position and had to guide and rule a large body of people — of citizens who were treated by the Government with injustice. They were working hard for the public good, and yet there were those who turned on them, and trampled upon them, and injured them (lond applause). He, the speaker, knew that there were many who sympathised with the Catholic people. He was obliged to all those whom he Baw present, and be tboaght he might, without presumption, claim that they had been gratified at what they bad witnessed, and were grateful to tbe Christian Brothers for tbe labour, tbe industry, and the talent witb which they had for so many years conducted their schools. The Bey Brother Hughes then addressed a few words to the parents present exhorting them to send their children regularly to ■chool. An experience of 37 years spent in teaching, he said, warned him there was no progress to be made without regular attendance, nothing but sickness Bbonld keep a boy away. The brigbtest and most talented of boys were ruined by irregularity. The Bay Brother also showed a framed return, which be had received from Ireland, of the results of the last Intermediate examinations, to which the Bishop had referred. The sum gained in exhibitions, premiums, and result fees, by the Richmond street school alone, he said, bad been £1124. Tbe finale, "We mast part," was then tunefully and harmoniously sang by the Young Oecili&ns and tbe company separated, three hearty cheers having been given for His Lordship the Bishop and as many for the Bey Brother Hughes. The following is the prize list : — Senior Seventh Grade. — Dux of school — A.rthur J. Hall (the «' M'Stravick." medal, presented by Dr 8 ten house). MathematicsMichael Hanrahan (gold medal, presented by Most Bey Dr Moran). Latin and French— Charles Wilkins (silver medal, presented by Rev Fai her Lynch). English language and composition — Thomas Husaey (silver medal, presented by Bey Father Lynch — Mr Biedle'a two silver medals not awarded). Seventh Grade— Latin— James Feeney. English— Joseph Bodgers. French— Bertie Evatt. Algebra— Gabriel Eatt. Arithmetic and geography — James Airey. Euclid and shorthand—Alf. Quelch. Junior Seventh Grade — Christian doctrine, Latin, and Arithmetic — Patrick O'Neill. French, English, and Beading — Edward Wilkins. Euclid — Job. a Drumm. Penmanship — Bichard Cotter. Latin (second) — William Brown. Diligence — Andrew Coatelloe. *« Progress — William Hegarty. Sixth Grade — Dux of Class— James Husaey (silver medal, presented by Bey Father Lynch). French — James Lis on, Charles Morkane (equal). Christian doctrine — Edgar Bush. English — Siepben Berueoh. Drawing — Alexan ier Cameron. Arihmetic — John' Wilkias and David (Jolumo (equal). Beading— Darnel Buckley.

French and Euclid— Henry Ward (second). Beet all round— Hugh Milee 1, Simon Miscall, 2. Home exercises— Thomas M*Dermott. Fif»h Grade— James O'Mahony 1, Wm M'Evoy 2. Arithmetic— W. Flynn 1. Writing— Wm Clarke 1, T. M'Cawe 2. Beading— John Creagh. Becitation — Edward Petre. Home exercises— Leo Beardon. Begular attendance— J. Hungerford, W. M'Millan, and V, Griffen, Uniform good conduct — H. Bossbotham, J. Fraser, and J, Knott. Most improvement — prize, A. Culling. Fourth Grade — Christian Doctrine— A. Connor 1, F. Murray 2. English deriratiod— X3. % Morlfane 1, J. Oallan 2. French— J. Whitty 1, P. M'Oaw 2. Beading and elocution— J. Callan 1, A. Connor 2, Geography— F. Murray 1, W. Banks 2. English— J. Whitty 1. History—J. Murray 1, A. Connor 2. Penmanship — J. Oleary 1, J. Callan 2, Drawing— J. Ward 1, B. Woods 2. Arithmetic— Pat Hartnett 1. A, Can 2- Special prizes : Begular attendance — N. Byan. Good conduct — Dan O'Neil. Home exercises— B. Woods. Highest marks — J. Whitty. Third Grid a— Christian doctrine— F. Millea 1, E. Casey 2. Beading and spelling— B. M'Qaillan 1, A. O'Connor 2. Arithmetic— B. Evatt 1, J. Bourke 2. Penmanship— F. Gaffaey 1, J. Scanlan 2. Geography— E . Littolff 1, B. Evatt 2. Grammar— &. M'Qaillan 1, H. M'Ginley 2. Good Conduct— E. Higgina. Home exercises —John M'Clean. Prizes and Subscription? to the prize fund were given by ther following persons :— Bev P. Murphy (16 vols.), Mr J. A. X. Biedto (2 silver medals), Mr Solomon (a guinea and a-half), Mr Liston, Mr H. Gourley, Mr Cotter (one guinea each"), Mr Tynan and Mr N, Smith (£1 each), Mr P. Hayman (silver medal, not awarded), Messrs Scoullar and Chisbolm (a nice writing desk). Contributions wera also received from Bey Father Hunt, Messrs Lawrence, Woods, Sergeant O'Neil, Eelegher, T. M. Carrol, Moynahan, J. J. Connor, Toomey, Moloney, tbe D.I. C , the Phoenix Company, Mrs Jackson, Misses Mulhollaud, Scollard, and Dwye r , Mrs Lennon, Captain Bernech, Mr Wilaon, Mr T. Power, Mr Grant (Palmeraton), and Mr i C. N. Baeyertz.