ST MARYS SCHOOLS, NELSON. (Colonist, December 20.)

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 37, 11 January 1895, Page 21

ST MARYS SCHOOLS, NELSON. (Colonist, December 20.)

The annual distribution of prizes to the girla attending the Sacred Heart High School and the Select School connected with the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception, took place in the large room of the Girls' Orphaaage building yesterday, when the awards were presented by his Worship the Mayor. Prior to the proceedings in connection with the priza giving many of the visit, rs inspected some of the work done by the pupils during the year, which wai exhibited in one of the rooms of the convent, and included beautifal fancy work of many kinds, m well as plain sewing, and the verdict of the ladies who inspected this work was that it was all very good. Then, too, there were drawings and paintings, and last, but not least, a table full of exercise end writing books, which not only bore close inapec ion, but elicited unfeigned admiration. Some specimens of illuminated writing were also good. The room selected for the proceedings connected more especially with prize day was very eff ctively decorated. On a raised platform were seated the girls, many of whom appeared in white frock 3 with saßhes of cardinal, dark or light blue, and the happy lookicg girls presented a spectacle that would have gratified even stony hearts had there been any present. Bejween the audience and the pupils a number of piano? were ranged on either side of the room, and these with other musical instruments, including violins and a harp, indicated what was shortly to follow.

On the visitors assembling, the Very Rev Father Mahoney siid be was glad to welcome tbem all once more, and that he was gratified that his Worship the Mayor, Mr Trask, waa present to perform his first public duty after bia installation, which tojk place at noon (applause). He then intimated that the pupils had prepared a programme of music and recitations for their enjoymoDt, which would next be presented.

This commenced with an overture, " Uahph of Bagdad," on five pianos and a harmonium. An instrumental quartet, " Bohemian Girl,' the instruments being pianoforte, harmonium, harp, and violin a merits special mention, and other compositions were played on a number of pianofortes and other instruments, amongst the number being tbe " Gloria " from Mozart's Twelfth Mass. Miss Florrie Price sang "The old thorn tree " very well, and the songs and choruses were all well received. Miss Flossie Pratt's recitation was excellent and so was Miss May McMahon's. " The golden bouquet," a recital tion by some fourteen little girle, each of whom spoke as an individual flower of tho bouquet, was very effective, and the whole performanca waa heartily enjoyed.

The Very Rev Father Mahoney then expre 8 8ed thanka to those who had given prizes for competition, and intimated that the boys would receive their pri^s to-day, and the girls a little later-abont three o'clock probably. He then called on the Mayor to distribute the prizes.

His Worship, addressing the reverend Father, the reverend Lady Superior, and the ladies, gentlemen, and children present, said their worthy pastor had said he would like to see him (Mr Trask) attending those gatherings for another five years, and he could assure them that no-hing would give him greater pleasure than to be there for another twenty-five years if ho were spared-not in bis official capacity but he would always be pleased to come and see the prizes distributed at St Mary's. He had taken great interest in those schools for many years-for years before Father Garin departed, and he always felt he had Pomething to do once a year in visiting thode schools. For tbe last four years it had afforded him great pleasure to present the prizis, and he w ( uid have been pleased if the opportunities had only enabled him to know how well the children were taught to sine recite and play, and to witless the healthy and excellent appearance of the children. All this was. a great credit to the teachers-to th« Lidy Super.or and the Sisters, and to the Mothers. He could not wish to see a better sghtthan the happy and well looking children He heartily wished the Bchool success, and hoped the children would enjoy their holidays, and return in full vigour and strength with their minds well balanced, and that during their holidays they would obey their parents. Four years ago bis first official duty was to present the pnzas at that school, and on that day he was p 3 iforming his fi-rt public action since his reinatalment. He congratulated all connested with the schools on the success of the past, and the way in which the children ware taught (applause).