NEW PLYMOUTH CONVENT SCHOOLS. (Taranaki Herald, December 14.)

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 37, 11 January 1895, Page 23

NEW PLYMOUTH CONVENT SCHOOLS. (Taranaki Herald, December 14.)

Tbe scholars attending the Convent School, conducted by the Religious Order of Notre Dame des Missions at the Monastery of the Presentation, broke up for the midsummer vacation on Thursday,

The closing day of the term is always a pleasant one to attend, for while the visitor ia afforded an opportunity of seeing the handsome

display of work done by the pupils during the year, the kind reception by the Sisters adds to the appreciation of the programme: placed before tbtm. In previous years we have given both teachers and Bcholars credit for the work ihown at the annual exhibition, and the encomiums then passed may well apply to the present occasion, for the display is an excellent one. That the pupils have been assiduous during the year preparing this exhibition of work may be judged by the articles shown. There is the usual picture gallery- — paintings in oil and crayon drawings, a display of fancy worn, all of which, whilst rtflecting upon the diligence of the scholars, bsara evidence of the painstaking tuition of the Sisters.

At about half-past two a large company assembled in the schoolroom of the Convent, when a concert waa given by the young lady pupils, of which the following is the programme :— Duet (3 pianos and organ), "Tancredi/'piacos^Misses Kennedy, Moore, Bayly, Searle Stockman, and Bunbury, organ, Miss Ryan ; song and chorus, •' Merry Belle," pupils of the senior class ; solo (3 pianos, 2 violins, and organ), " Beautiful Summer Evening," pianos, Misses Ethel

Oldfield, Bunbury, and Stockman, Ist violin, Miss Ryan, 2nd violin, Miss Moore, organ, Miss Kennedy ; song (vocal), " The Blind Girl to her Harp, Miss Kennedy ; piano, violin, and organ acompaniments, ••Fan Drill," junior pupils ; duet (vocnl), " Where shall we find our Home?" Misses J. Cottier and Kennedy ; solo (2 violins), " The Last Rose of Summer, Misses Ryan; song and chorus (pianoand violia), 11 Maids of the Greenwood," pupils of the senior class (violin obbligato, Miasßyan) ; duet (3 pianos, 2 violins, and organ), " Home Treasures," pianos, Misses Btockman, Gathrie, Lucas, Blea/el, Francis, and Collins, Ist violin, Miss Ryan ; 2nd violin, Miss Moore ; organ, Miss Kennedy ; solo (vocal), "The Cricket on the Hearth," MissG. Lawson.

At the termination of the concert the young ladies performed the following petit drama, " Isabel de Lisle, or tha Fruits of Pride '' : — Baronesa de Lisle, Miss Jessie Cotter ; Isabel de Lisle, Miss Eva Oldfield ; Walter de Lisle, Miss Lilly Richards ; Thoresby (a niece to the Baronesa de Lisle), Miss Ethel Oldfield ; Earl Beauville (guardian to the de Lislee) Miss J. Fraser ; Reginald (his son) Miss F. Parkes ; Father Gerard (a priest), Miss J. Moore ; Father Campion (a priest), Miss Edith Bunbury ; Rose (a tenant of the Baroness de Lis'e, afterwards a nun), Miss Lilly Bunbury ; Lady Constance Beauville (daughter of the Ear), afterwards Dachess of Bertram) Miss Kennedy ; Children of the Duchess, Misses G. Martelli red L. Collins ; pages of the de Lisle Couit, Misses N. Kennedy and ,|ty Cotter ; Lord Clinton, Miss Byaa.

At the termination of the pieces (Mr E. M. Smith, M.H R.,) who presided, said it afforded him very great pleasure to be present again at one of their annual entertainments. He unfortunately was not able to be there at its commencement, having to attend the

funeral of a brave warrior, whom they bad interred that day, and the present happy seen? of children in the height of health and happiness formed a striking contrast to what he had such a short time before witnessed. He could only congratnlate the children on the successful manner inwhich they had gone through the programme that day, and on the work they had exhibited, all of which also showed evidence of the careful training and tuition on the part of the ladies of the Convent. Ha concluded by thanking the ladies of the Convent on behalf of those present for the pleasant afternoon entertainment.