TOMINICAN CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL, DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIII, Issue 35, 27 December 1895, Page 4

TOMINICAN CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL, DUNEDIN .

(By a special reporter.)

On Wed 0 eld ay afternoon, the 18th inst, the distribution of prizes to the pupils of tha Dominican Convent High School, prior to their separating for their Ohris'mas holidays, took place in St Joseph's Schoolroom in Dowling street. A large number of ladies and gentle* men assembled on tbe interesting occasion, among the number present being tbe Very Rev Father Lynch, administrator, the Very Rev Father Ginaty 'of Mount Magdala), the Rev Father Howard, and the Rev Fa her Murphy, Dr Coughtrey, Messrs John Carroll, James Liston, Peter M'Ardle, F. W. Petre, Douglas Larnacb, and J. A. X. Beidlc: Upon the walls of the room were hang examples of painting aod other work done by the pupils during the year, and tbe plain and fancy needlework was also shown in the room; Tbe visitors bad an opportunity during tbe afternoon of inspecting this work and from oue and all there was nothing but words of praise and expressions of surprise heard concerning it. The landscape painting from the brushes of Mies M. Gudpeon, Miss Kate Lynch, Miss Maud Listen, and others wLose work was of a less pretentious character extorted much favourable comment from tho lips of competent judges. Of the needlework there was a large display. Bvery kind of fancy* woik was represented, and tbe whole of it was noticeably good in regard to its execution. Many of the articles were of an elaborate description, and among these may be mentioned a drawing room ehnir in plueb, skilfully worked in fllOßelle by Miss Donnelly ; a lady's obair in arraecenes on plush, tbe working of which was very creditable to Miss Hille ; a Spanish lounge in which a " Lily of tbe

Nile " design had been "cleverly represented by Miss Heenan, and a pair of occasional chairs, the design of whicb comprised ok-ef • datsiei and Japanese lilies, the working in this instance being executed by Miss da Beer, and, like tbe other examples, showing the influence of careful instruction. Misses E. Hille, N. O'Neill, A. Freed, and Alice Meenan bad worked various designs on plush and satin as fire* screens. Tbe names of Misses M. Burns, Heenan and Hnngerford were attached to panels worked either in the design of foxglove and Canterbury bells on plnsh or in tbe design of asters on satin ; and there were ottomans in appiliqne floral designs executed by Misses B. Hart and B. Hille. In all the above-mentioned cases the work was of a highly satisfactory and ind.ed remarkably clever description, bnt that remark may be fairly applied to all the examples which were displayed of the results of the pupils industrious! efforts with the needle. Besides tbe work which has been already ennumerated there were campstools, worked in poppies onplneh by Miss O'Driscoll ; piano drapes and table centres in Alhambra work and French embroidery by Misses Gudgeon, L. Cross and Oissia Woods j a variety of fancy cushions by Misses Wood, Howell, Bain, Brookes, B. Hille, Garr and GuineßS ; a very choice mantel drape, applique in poonah with side drapes by Miss K. Lynch ; a mantel drape in a papinacea design by Miss O'Eane ; and brackets and satcbets in great variety worked by Misses Price, Brett, Howell, and Hilliard. Then there was an admirable collection of Mountmellick work, comprising afternoon tea cloths, pillow cases, toilet cloths, and other such articles, by the Misses Wood, Hille, Blaney, Lynch, Delaney, Donnelly, Gudgeon, Lawrence, Heenan, Garr, and N. Martin, and some very fine drawn thread work by Misses Nellie Martin, Bttie Bain, Ethel Freed, and others. Tbe plain sewing, consisting of useful articles of underclothing, was beautifinlly worked and extensively admired. Besides all this there was abundant proof offered, by a tempting display of eatables shown on a neatly set table, tbat many of the pupils, besides possessing all tbe drawing-room accomplishments, are also thoroughly well veried in the art of cookery. From the Eindergarten branch of the school there were exhibited specimens of children's work showing embroidery, colouring, drawing, paper cutting and folding, pricking work, braiding, interlacing, modelling in day, mat weaving, mosaic tile work, Btick laying, beading, boose building, and leatherette work, including wall pockets, bouquet holders, book markers, watch pockets, photo frames, napkin rings, brackets, dolls' houses, and furniture.

Prior to tbe distribution of tbe prizes an entertainment wai given by the pupils, whose performance of their respaotire shares in it Bhowed once again how thorough must be tbe training imparted within the school of the Sisters, The progamme was an ambitions one, but the performers made comparatively light of the difficulties it presented, and all deserved tbe plaudits which the various items evoked. Taking tbe little ones first, the kindergarten drill, an interesting item, was well executed by tbe children engaged in it, and a gipsy Bong and dance by eigbt children, wbo were dressed in costumes such as gipsies are supposed to wear, and who carried either a tambourine or a triangle or castanets, was given without a mistake of any kind, a special word of praise being due, however, to the two little girls who contributed a recitation in connection with the item. The expressive singirig of " Tbe harp that once thro* Tara's halls," by a cborus of freeh young voices was much enjoyed, and a glee " Here io cool grot," by Misses Miscall, G. Larnacb, Dawson, Robinson, L. Cross, Maggie O'Driscoll, and M. Blaney also afforded unqualified pleasure. In Miss Miscall, who gave a vocal solo, rendering Piccolo, mini's la'ett song, " O Maris Stella," tbe school has a young vocaliit whose sweet end pare soprano was beard to ch aiming advantage, and wbo bids fair to do great credit in the future to an institution which has in the past produced many vocalists of a high order. A duet, in which Mise Miscall was joined by Miss Maggie O'Driscoll, tbe song being Jude's " Memories of home," was delightfully rendered, the voices blending charmingly. The instrumental items were also exceedingly good. Mies Maggie Gudgeon proved herself to be a pianiste of considerable promise by her playing of Deissell's " Coneolation." The pianoforte dnet, by eigbt performers — Misses E. and N. Marron, O. Wooks, L. Cross, A. and E. Freed, and M. and A. Meenan, who played a selection of airs from " Faust "—was a capital item, which reflected credit alike on the performers and on their teachers, and a pianoforte duo de concrrti on four pianos, by Misses Gudgeon, S. and N. Hall, B. Lawrence, Delany, Liston, Burke, and Bcanlon, who played Aecher's " Concor* dantia " — a piece which ia believed to have never been previously played in the Coleny, and which tbe nnna, at tbe cost of a good deal of trouble, procured from Great Britain— was one of tbe gems of a programme in which every item was remarkably well rendered. The importance of a knowledge of modem languages is coming to be more and more recognised by tbe public at large, and that tbe teachiDg staff of the Domiocian Convent are fnlly alive to its value is manifested in the fact tbat great pains are taken to instruct pupils n Bach languages as French, German, and Italian, Recitations of these items were included in tbe programme, and, though to many in the audience this part of tbe entertainment may have been " all Greek," it could not escape the attention of any present tbat the

yoong ladies spoke their lines intelligently, and with an evident appreciation of their meaning, and to those who were qualified to express an opinion it was a matter for gratification that there were to be observed a correctness of pronunciation, and an appropriateness of emphasis, while no one could possibly help admiring the facility with which the ugly-looking polysyllabic Teuton works were spoken by the pupils who gave the German recitations. These latter were Messrs Remshirdt, Nettie de Beer, L. Remshardt and G. Larnach ; a scene from Molieiea comedy, " Les femmes savantee," was rendered by Misses O'Neill, M. Gudgeon, Miscall, and N. O'Neill ; and the Italian recitation was given by Miss Miscall. There was also an English recitation, the reciter being Miss Isabel Seelye, and it was matter for general comment that " The rationalistic chicken," which was the name of the poem she gave, was admirably rendered in every respect. Tbe programme being exhausted, the successful pupils were called op to receive their prizes, the balk of which were distributed by Father Lynch. The following ig th» list of merit :— BKNIOB SCHOOL. Christian doctrine— Silver medal, Maria M'Oarthy ; prize, Katie Woods ; honourable mention, M Gudgeon, X Donnelly, M O'Driecoll, T Morkane, M Scanlan, M Delaney, M Bradley, M Blaney, N O'Neill, B Hungerford, M Walls, M Miscall, A and B Freed, A Meenan, M Meenan ; second prize, M Ross ; honourable mention, T. Connor, M Flanagan, M and Margaret M'Ardle. English history— Hannah Price. Pedagogics— Tessie Morkane (Father Lynch's priz3) ; honourable mention, Misses W. Blaney, Freed, Garr, Burns, Grealish, Bobinson, O'Driscoll, Bradley, N Scanlao. Botany— N O'Neill (Father Howard's priz ),N De Beer, Blaney, Delaney 5 honourable mention, Misses Burns, Bemßhardt, X Woods, Garr. Freehand drawing— Annie Garr. Penmanship— X Donnelly aud M Grealish ; honourable mention, Misses Litton and Cross.

Needlework— Plain work— Tessie Connor ; hon< urable mention M Meenan. Art needlework— X Donnelly, M Meenan, E Hille • honourable mention, Misses De Beer, A Meenan, L Cross, E Hart, R Bain, L Howell, N O'Neill, M Brooks, Guinnes?, Hungerford O'Kane. Mountmellick work— J Wood ; honourable mention, Misses Donnelly, O'Kane, Gudgeon, Martin, Margaret Hetnan, M Blaney. Mending and darning— M Burns ; honourable mention, Misses Hart, G Lsircacb, Donnelly, Delaney, O'Kane, A Freed, MOartbv Hille. German— lda Remshardt and Nettie De Beer; houourable mention, L Remshardt Cooking and domestic economy— X Wools (Father Howard's prize), M O'Driscoll, J Wood, M Gudgeon, E Hart, A O'Kane, L Herbert, G Larnach, M Miscall. Music— Piano— Senior grale— Silver Meial, M Gudgeon (Mr Riedle's prze) ; honourable m«nti m, N Hall. Intermediate grade —Misses Scanlon, Delaney, Burk, M Wooda, M Liston, Lawrence. Junior Grade— N Ma-tin, L. Cross, A Freed, M Meenan. Primary grade— l Seelye, G O'Connell, A Meenan, B Freed. Violin, M Woods. Singing— M Miscall (Father Murphy'a prize) ; honourable mention, I Remshardt, M O'Driscoll, H Robinson, L Dawson, L Cross, Q Larnach. Class Singing— Prize, Gladya Laruach. Painting ani drawing— Plating in oila-Piize, M Gudgeon (Father Howard's priz^) ; hoaoarabla mention, Misses Liston, Dickinson, Donnelly, O'Kane, Hart, Hille, L*wrcmce, O Driscoll. Model drawi g— Prize, M Gudgeon ; honourable mention, Misses Garr, Liston, Hille. Drawing — J Wood ; honourable mention, Misses Garr G O'Oonnell, L Herbert, M Moikane. ' Order— Misses I Remßbardt, X Donnelly, Grealish, O'Uriscoll Morkane, Br-tdley, Delaney, Freed, L Remshardt, Brookep, N Maitin' E Freed, T Connor, M Brett. Politeness— Misses I Remahardt, Lisbon, G Larnach, Seeylc, N de Beer. Calisthenics and deportment— M (Father Murphy's priz:) ; hon mention, E Lawrence.

Attendance — A Meenan. Punctuality— Misses Walls (Mr Solomon's prize), Miscall, Bradley, Burns, Morkane, Blaney, Hungerford, M and Margaret Heenan, Hart, 0 Wood, L Cross, Herbert, X Woods, G Luroach, M Meenan, A Meenan, N Martin, N de Beer, M Flanagan, T Connor, C Woods. Diligence— Mary,Heeuan. CLASS PBIZEB, Class B (intermediate grade)— Silver medallist, May Flanaghan. Class A (Intermediate grade)— Silver medalist, Mary Meenan. Class B (civil service)- Silver medalist, Nellie Scanlon. Class A (matriculation) -Gold medalist and dox of the school. Mary Walls. Good condnct— D. Delaney (nun's prize) ; hon, mention, Misses Walls, Remshardt, Donnelly, McCarthy, Bradley, N Scanlon, M Grealish, M Brookes, J Connor. Wreath, awarded by the votes of the pupils for amiability and good conduct.— Kate Donnelly (Mrs Liston's prize). JUNIOR SCHOOL. Christian Doctrine— Prize, Gerty Meenan ; hon mention, Q G'Oonnell, F Bernech, N Lavery, L Lavery, E Oahill. English, Class B, Nora Lavery ; Class A, Molly Cuttaa. Arithmetic— Clasß B, L Lavery ; Class A, F Bernech. French— Priz a , Molly Outten. Writing— Prize, Josephine Griff en. Needlework— Prize, Florry Dawson. General information— Prize, Amy Outran. Good conduct— G O'Oonnell (prize) E Oahill, I Bdmondf, G Pollock, M and A Outten. General improvement— lda Edmonds, Diligence— Gerty Pollock. MEDALLISTS OF 1894. £ax ... ... Maria M'Oarthy. Class V ... ... Mary Bradley. C ass IV ... ... Maggie O'Driscoll. Class 111 ... ... Maggie M'Ardle. Excellence in music— Misses O'Reilly and M Gudgeon.

SUCCBBB IN YABIOUS EXAMINATIONS. Matriculation (1894)— Misses M M'Oartby, S Hall, and M O'Neill. Juaior Civil Service (1895)— Misses M Walls, I Bemshardf, and J Connor. Harmony (Trinity College exams)— Junior grade (pass)— Missel Margaret and Mary M'Ardle, L Remahardt, L Cross, M Merman, M Woods, A Dickenson, M Blaney, O. Wood, G O'Oonnell. Janior grade (honours) — Misses Margaret M'Ardle, M Blaney, A DickensoD. Intermediate gride (pass)— Misses M O'Reilly, M Miscall, A Fieed. Intermediate (honours) — M'saes M O'Reilly and M Miscall. KINDEUGABTEN. Preparatory class A-Apphcation, Hilda M'Kay ; arithmetic, Allie Connor ; plain needlework, Lucy Freed ; catechism, Bosie Rossiter ; menal arithmetic, Ethel Wood ; spelling, Kathleen Mooney ; general improvement Marg«ret Collins. Preparatory class B— Singing, Bthel M'Donald ; catechism, Kathleen Connor; French, Norah Murray; spelling, Cissy Htffernan ; arithmetic, Mary O'Ronrke. Kindergatten class (third grade)— Word-building, May Allen ; recitation, Flossy Smith ; pricking woik, Nina Heatley ; embroidery, Nora M'Carthy ; colouriug, Maggie Black ; card-sewing, Nellie Livery ; mat-weaviag, Mary GtlligAa ; mosaic tile work, Madge % M'Donald; fi^urt -laying, Mary Carter; paper-folding, Mary* Murphy ; paper-plaiting, Mary A. Tobin ; drawing, Clara Hogbes ; sick-Uying, Wiaaie Power; embroidery pictures, Nellie timith ; picture-pertoratiug, Annie Bodgers ; beading, Mary Callan ; counting, Maiy Smith ; forms, Doris Benjamin ; colours, Margaret Gawne ; marcting, Jessie Guinness; bncklayiDg, Oberon Carter; stick-designing, Robert Lavery. Medals were presenei by Very Rev P. Lynch, Mr J. A. X. Riedle (Dresdwn Company), Mr A. J Shaw, and Mr Solomon ; book prizes by Re? P. Murphy, Rev M. Howard, Mrs Listorj, and Mr J. Connor. All the priae-takers were cordially applauded ai they advanced to receive the awards of merit, a special ovation being reserved for

the dux of the ■chool, for the winner of the prise for darning and mending, and particularly for the yonng lady who, by the votea of her companions had been declared to be the most amiable pupil in the Bchool. Father Lynch, who had acted as scrutineer, mentioned that a large number of pupils vo'ed, and that the selection of Miss Donnelly In the honour of receiving the wraath was practically ananimoK.

The distribution of the prises being over, the Very Bey Father Lynch gaiti —

" My dear children, — An entertainment of a high order of merit has been gr^en to-day. We cannot but feel gratified. You have rendered exquisita music. The old traditional excellence of the Dominican Musical School has been well maintained. lam inclined to think ix-9 udents have no reason to be asbß»ed of present pupils ; and furthermore I sm icclined to think if representatives from the Sion Alma Mater at Home were to compete with the youag lad its taught in this ladies 1 college at the Antipodes, New Zealand wonld not fare very btdly in the contest. The break-up of a school is always a joyouß ecene. Bright happy faces, delightful music, ohoice elocution, beautiful work of every pattern— all add to the enjoyment of the " day before the holidays." It may seem unkind to mingle ■orrow with joy, bat I cannot help saying that to-day I heard distinctly a'l through your music a note which I sever heard before in this hall— a note of sadness. It was not a jarring note. By any meant. It was a note of fond regret and filial sorrow that lam tare was ex perienced by many in thia room. We m tsa the Father whom oar fellow-citizens admired and we loved. On a day like this the kind words of genuine praise and wise counsel, which, for a qaarter of a centnry, encouraged a devoted band of teachers, are sadly missed. Ton know I refer to oar late beloved Biihop, Dr Moran. We all ardently desired that he might be spared to join nex* February in the celebration of the silver jubilee of this school. The Almighty willed otherwise and we mast let memory of bis dear face stand for actual pretence. From habit and well grounded confidence in his wisdom I almost unconsciously on these occasions try to imagine what he would say were he addressing you. He would, lam sure, say to-day words of sinoerest congratulation and hearty encouragement. He would urge you to spend the time of vacation in a thoroughly enjoyable but truly ladylike manner. He would warn you against the boiaterousness and "new woman" tendency of the fin desiecle giil. He would exhort you to cultivate obedience, and industry and economy, in your homes— to be a help and solace to your good parents. He would to-day tell his people to remember the great work done for education by the Dominican Nans in Dunedin during the past twanty-flve years and he would ask old pupils to form with new in worthilycelebratiug the coming event. I feebly re-echo his words and bid you to be true to the tradi ioaa of this school. The ladies who have been trained in these halls are remarkable in social life for refinement and culture. Here the whole child is sent togchool. The Dominican Nuns have brought to the anhpodes the Bystem which, in its application, has put them in th* forefront of c lucational institutes at Home. The very last miil brougu ne va that Miss Ka hleen Murphy, who from first to last has been a pupil of the Bisters in religion of your nunf, has obtained a junior fellowship of the Royal Univeisity of Iroland. O her pupils of the Ladies' University College, founded by Archbishop Wa sh and conducted by the Dominican Nuns, obtained very high honours. Want the Dominican Nuns are doing at Home the Dominican Nuns are doing here. 'Tis true they have not in this colony the sama educational oopor. unities, but the same training of mind and heirt is sedulously imparted Now, children, I have made a longer speed than I at first intended . I offer you hearty thanks on behalf of tha audience fur your delightful entertainment. Enjoy your vacation, come back in full numbers, and work bard to make the Silver Jubilee Yjar a record year for industry and ladylike conduct. ADDBESS BY FATHKB QINATT, S.M, The Very Bey Father Ginaty, S.M., who was then invited to address tbe gathering said, he had little thought at that time on the previous day, when tbe Eotomahana was steaming into Danedia, and he was admiring tbe sunny slopes with their snug cottages and nice mansions, that there was such a treat in store for him as he bad just enjoyed. It bad been a special treat to him for the reason that for a nnmber of years the special duries which he bad to discharge in connection with tbe Mouut Magdala Asylum had taken him a great deal away from home and consequently he had almost always been absent at the time of the break-up of the schools in Chrißtchurch, and therefore he had not. had the opportunity of listening to anything similar to what be had heard that afterneon. Even if he were inclined to criticise, he thought he expressed the feelings of all who were preB*nt when be said that from the drill of the kindagarttn to all the recitatious in Knghsh, German, French and Italian — he had almost s*id Irish too — everything would b;ffli critichm. As he eaid, be bad little thought tbere was such a treal iv store, and be was grateful to the parish priest and administrator, under whose festering care he bad placed himself on .he previous evening, and through whase kindness it was that he came'

to take part in tbe proceedings of that afternoon. He waa grateful to Fatber Lynch, and he need herdly say that he more than endorsed all that tbe Father had saidj.respectin^ the Dominican Nuns who were engaged in conducting that establishment (applause). Then his memory went b*ck, for be could claim intimate relations with tbe daughters of St Dominic tinker whose care h« had had the good fortune to have a sister of bis own placed for education, and ahe had received the education which bad fitted the Dominican Nuns to choose the life recommended in tbe tenth chapter and fortysecond verse of St Luke : " Mary hath chosen the best path which shall not be taken away from her." He had always r cognised the superior nature of tbe education which was imparted not only at the particular convent on the banks of the Boyue referred to but also in all tbe institutions which were elsewhere under the care of the daughters of St Djminic. Hi trusted that every child from the youngest to the oldest would take deeply to heart what Father Lynch bad said, recalling|the sentiments of their beloved Bishop. He had no doubt that Fatber Lynch had said exactly what the Biehop would have said or a great deal of it. He might be permitted to remind the children that they wera to return at the beginning of the year with fresa courage and fresh determination, and he would aek them to come back with a priz). Tbe prize be alluded to was a price they might be proud of. The prizj he asked them each to bring back waa a fresh pupil. Let eaci pupil, aa ahe returned, lead by tbe band a fresh pupil who should participate in the benefits of the education of that institution (laughter and applause).

This conoluded the formal proceedings, and tie viaitora then took advantage oi the opportunity to examine the works of art and ipeoi* mena of needlework that wera Bet oat for their inspection,