AUOKLAND.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 36, 5 January 1894, Page 23

AUOKLAND.

(IT.Z. Herald, December 20.) Yesterday afternoon the •• breaking up " of St Francis de Sale*' High School took place, and presentation of prizes. There wm a large gathering of pupils and their parents and friends, the school, room being crowded. His Lordship Bishop Luck presided, and was accompanied by the Bey Father Hackett, Dr Egan, and Father Hickson, S.M., of Wellington, on a visit to Auckland to bii father. Inspector Hickson. The schoolroom was gaily decorated across the platform, and overhead was the legend " A Merry Christmas," flanked by two Union Jacks, while in the centre was a green fla* with a harp. The prizes, some of which were of a very handsome and laiUble character, were presented to the pupils by his Lordship Bishop Look. In doing so he took occasion to refer to the highly satisfactory condttion of the High school, which did credit to the Sisters of Meroy In the forenoon he had presented the prizes at St Joseph's Girls school, where the plain essentials of education were tanght, but her* they were taught in addition, accomplishments. They did not wish the children to be taught simply "ologies," but to obtain with a good education, also that religious training and that fear of God which was the basis of all right living. He had hoped to have had the High school inspected by a Government inspector, but the learned members of the Eduction Board, though the Act was framed to provide for the examination of private schools, did not see their way clear to grant the permission applied for, and as sach examination was optional, nothing further could be done just then. He hoped yet to secure Government inspection of the Catholic schools Taey were now about to enjoy their holidays, and he hoped they would have a merry Christmas, and come back to their school duties with renewed health and vigour. Mr Rogan, ex-judge of the Native Lands Court, said a faw words speaking from his own experience of his children in the school aud their progress in it, of his personal satisfaction therewith. After the " breaking-up » the visitors inspected the work of the pupils, which consisted of ma FP ing, illumination, drawing embroidery, fancy work, applique work, mantel drapes, cushions lace work, and fancy and pla.n se -ring, etc. Some of the work was highly artistic, and the mapping was also very good. The annual exhibition and distribution of prizei in connection with St Mary's Convent High School, Ponsonby, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, took place in the echoolroom of the convent There was a large attendance of parents and friends of the pupil*.* and of the young lady scholars. The Right Rev Dr Luck, presided over the proceedings, and a number of tbe other local cleray including the Rev Dr Egan, Fathers Gillan, and Hickson Cot Wellington;, were also present. The convent Bchool was in the best of order, and those present were extremely pleased with the fine exhibition of fancy work and drawings, aod with the evidence of most carefnl tuition on the part of the Sisters. St Mary's High School possesses a deservedly high reputation as an educational establishment, and both Catholic and Protestant young ladies have for many years received their education within iti walls. As a proof of the successful teaching of the Bisten and their assistants, it may be mentioned that at the last annual examination of the school, held in November, not one child out of the whole school failed to pass. There are at present about 55 children in the school (Thames Star, December 19.) The breaking-up of the Convent High school for tbe Christmas holidays and the annual distribution of prizes took place yesterday in the presence of a number of parents and friends. The Sisters of Mercy have every reason to feel proud of their effort* during the past year, especially in the matter of fancy work. A number of beautiful articles— the work of scholars— were exhibited, and were very much admired. Previons to the school dismissing Father O'Reilly in a few well-chosen words expressed his pleasure at being present that afternoon. He also referred in eulogistic terms to the progress the school had maie during the year, the splendid work accomplished being an evidence of the care that mast have been bestowed by the good Sisters, and the attentivenea to itudie* that

mast have been given by the scholars. In conclusion, he hoped that they would all enjoy tbe holidays thoroughly.