ROSS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 37, 11 January 1895, Page 8

ROSS.

(Ross Advocate, December 22.) The concert by the pupils attending the 3t Patrick's Convent School came off on Wednesday evening laßt, and from every point of view was a marked success. The schoolroom, whtre the entertainment was held, was tastefully arranged for the occasion, and a temporary stage erected at one end. Over the platform the old Irish greeting, " Ont hundred thousand welcomes," waß very conspicuous, and set off the handsome appearance of the stage to no small extent. The entertainment opened with a well-executed chorus by the Singing Class, followed by an excellently rendered piano trio by Misses M. Davey, M. Moye and Mary Collins. " The Distant Chimes,'" a quartette by Misses Ellis, A. Gagliardi, A. Higgins, and E. Healy. was greatly appreciated, the blending of the four voices being admirable. Miss N. Deakin and N. Moye played an excellent little polka in good style. Misses A. Boyle, N. Boyle, and E. Healy sang the evergreen Irish ballad, "Erin the Tear," with much taste and expression. A piano duet by Miss M. Davey and Miss M'Key was very ably rendered for inch youthful musicians. The Singing Class here caused a fund of merriment by the rendition of a droll chorus entitled 11 The Crocodile." Misses Evans and Davey rendered admirably " The Spirit of the Ball," — a difficult though splendidly-written piece of music " I'm off to Philadelphia in the morning," a character song by Miss E. Healy, was one of tbe hits of the evening, and fairly brought down the house. The young lady " showldered " her bundle in real good style and the " O'Leary " of the song could not have had a more faithful representative. A piano duet by Misses Davey and M'Key, and a chorus by the Singing Class were quite on a par with previous efforts. Miss A. Ellis in her piano solo, " Killsrney " displayed an exquisite touch and a brilliancy of execution seldom

met with. This brought the first part of tbe entertainment to a close.

After a brief interval the lifting of the curtain revealed the opening scene of a very amusing little comedy, entitled " The red chignon." No less than six characters were represented. The piece went from start to finish without a bitch— a fact that deserves special mention, inasmuch that we have known many a juvenile production of a similar nature where the prompter's aid was painfully obvious. To particularise would indeed be difficult, all acting their parts and depositing themselves before the footlights with an efficiency that would do credit to professionals. The instrumental and vocal portion of tbe portion of the programme was then resumed, Song, " Flow on, thou shining river," by Misses M. Moye, Ellie Healy, N, Boyle, and E Sim was much appreciated. Miss E. Evans played a piano solo in excellent style ; the young lady is evidently a trained and capable pianist. An amusing duet by Misses E. Healy and N, Boyle was capitally rendered, and well received, A piano solo by Miss Ellis terminated the secjnd portion of the programme.

A comedy, entitled " The Hypochondriac," was then staged. As in the preceding piece, the portrayal of the various characters was well-sustained. We cannot pass by this piece without meting a word of praise to Master J. Moye. The little fellow was quite in his element in the role of an Irish farm hand ; his Dungarvan brogue was redolent of the " old sod.' We predict great things for Master James. A piano duet by Misses Evans and Ellis was admirably played, time and expression being carefully attended to. " Ten little nigger boys," a humorous negro meludy f iirly convulsed the audienceit is seldom that such youthful exponents of burnt cork are seen behind the footlights. This was one of the moßt successful items of tbe evening. The singing class brought the evening's entertainment to a close with " God defend New Zealand." The clear young voices of tbe children rang out lustily, reverberating through the whole building. We have never heard Bracken's beautiful national anthem to better advantage.

To sum up, we must compliment the Sisters and their pupils on the high standard of efficiency attained in all branches. The instrumental and vocal items were delivered with a result that speaks volumes for the care and attention bestowed by the teachers on their young charges.