WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 35, 29 December 1893, Page 18

WELLINGTON.

(From our own Correspondent.)

At the annual distribution of prises at the St Joseph's School, New* town, on tht 12th inst, after the excellent report of the inspector, Bey Father Goggan, that, out of 173 names on the roll, 133 were presented for examination, with the result that 123 were successful, giving a total of 92 4 per cent of passes, His Once the Archbishop, who presided, congratulated all concerned on the result of the ex* aminationc, and also said : " The people in New Z Aland ought to be proud of their children, because they would bars to go far to find such healthful specimens of the rising generation. He could not, in contrasting them with the childrea of America, belp thinking of their superiority ; and he did not say this in any boastful spirit. It was our own fault if we did not torn out a race of men and women equal to any on the face of the earth." The Te Aro Content schools held theii annual entertainment and distribution of prizes on Thursday , 14 tb inst. His Grice the Arch* bishop presided, there being also present the Very Bey Father Devoy and Dr Witters (Rector of St Patrick's College), who baying just returned from bis trip to Europe, was most warmly received on entering the school. An excellent programme of tongr, part songs and recitations was gone tbrougb, at the conclusion of which the report of the inspector, Bey Fathtr Goggan, was delivered, aad was highly favourable. His Grace spoke in terms of praise of the entertainment which they had just heard, and congratulated the pupils on the educational result, but condemned the action of those parent*

who failed to send their obildren regularly to school The Bey father Devoy having highly complimented tbe good Sisters on their energy and capacity, his Grace distributed tbe prises and the school was dismissed. The Lower Hutt Convent school held its annual entertainment in the Oddfellows' Hall of tbat town on the 13tb inst, the Mayor W. A. Fitsherbert, Bsq, presiding. The Archbishop was amongst those present. The programme consisted of a pianoforte duet, voo»l duets, choruses, and an operetta. Tbe applause was unstinted. His Worship spoke in words of ligh praise of the performance and of the training of tbe Sisters. Tbe Archbishop thanked the Mayor for presiding, the Sisters and tbe children for their excellent entertainment. Father Lane, P.P., spoke a few happy words, and the Bey Father Patterson delighted tbe audience with a piano solo, " Airs of all nations." After the distribution of prises tbe singing of tbe National Anthem brought the proceedings to a fitting termination. 8t Francis Xavier's Academy for yonng ladies was dosed for the holidays on the 15th inst. The prise list is very extensive. It is evident tbat this institution, owing, no donbl, to its admirable management and curriculum, is growing year by year in popular favour. Two distinguished gentlemen have arrived in Wellington in the persons of the Vary Bey Brother Tbeophane, Superior-General of the Marist Brothers, and tbe Bey Brother Procope, assistant Superior-Gene-ral, from tbe head quarters of the Order, in France. Their intention is to make a tour of inspection of the Marist schools in the colonies and after finishing in New Z -aland they proceed to the S)uth Sea Islands* On Wednesday last these gentlemen were presented with a beautiful illn minated address by tbe members of the Order in New Zealand, at present in retreat in Wellington. Tbe work of preparing the addross was entrusted to the Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Timaru, and the illuminating andengrossing were beautifully executed. This presentation took place at 3 p.m. At 8 o'clock in tbe evening the Marist Brothers' school was the scene of another very peasant re-union, the distinguished gentlemen being present by invitation to receive an address from the old boys, of the Wellington institution. Tbe spacious school halh prettily decorated for tbe occasion, was orowded. Mr W. Naughton, chairman, welcomed the visitors in the name of the old boys, and Mr Boss rend the address. Tbe Bey Brother Procope responded in a very fine speech, giving some details of the origin, work and standing of the Order. Tbe Very Bey Father Devoy welcomed tbe visitors on behalf of the Archbishop anl clergy in a happy, characteristic speech. Then followed a short entertainment in which the talented members of the old boys took part At tbe conclusion an adjournment was made for refreshment provided by Brother Mark, whose health was proposed by Mr S. Boas and responded to enthusiastically. The children of 8t Joseph's Orphanage were treated to a picnic to Lowry Bay on Tuesday last by Mr Palmer, builder and contractor, through whose kindness tbe steamer Duoo was specially chartered for tbe occasion. The picnic party was accompanied by the Bey Father Dawson, Adtn., and Father Power, several of the Sisters of Mercy, and Messrs Palmer, Se^rief and Davis. On arriving at tbeir destination various games were indulged in and a good luncheon was partaken of, and after spending a happy day tbe little ones returned to town in the steamer at 7.45.