TEMUKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 31, 27 November 1896, Page 28

TEMUKA.

\A\l AT, l.N'l I.KTAIXMi:vr Ol' THi; PUPILS Ol ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL, X ERR\ TOWN. Onci: more the great c\ent ot the year — the annual entertainment by the pupils of the Sisters ot St. Joseph Convent school at Keirytown — has passed, and the occasion must have been a most gratifying one to the teachers. The schoolroom, which was nicely lighted up. was crowded, many coming from long distances to be present. The foot ot the stage was artistically decorated with flow ers. The Rev. Father Fau\ el was not well enough to venture out. but the ltev. Father Le Mcnant was present, as was also Rev. Father Lewis, of Timaru. The programme wa> opened by Misses Sullivan and Brosnan, who were very successful with the overture " Heather Bells." The pupils followed with the chorus "The cows are in the corn,'" and they were successful beyond expectation. The harmony was excellent. Miss Sullivan recehed several bouquets of flowers for her solo, " Believe me, if all those endearing young charms," and then came the principal item of the programme, th e

drama. ''The Peasant Queen." Space will not permit of my givingthe plot, but Miss Stack, in the part of Bettina (servant to Madame Boncceur) was simply inimitable, while Miss Nellie Fleminpr. as Madame Migrnago (the village busybody) could not ha\e been eclipsed for "tongue propensities.' The character of Ma lame Boncoeur was taken in a very becoming manner by Mis-, ]). Bro-man. Miss D. Hoare's impersonation ot the Counters de Belleville was full of grace, as was also Miss ,]. Biosn.m s playmu ot the part ot Adele (granddaughter ot Madame Bonctuur. he French peasant girls were well sustainel b\ Misses Maud A. Council. Day. Coughlan j Sullivan. M. and J. Hoare. J. Scannell. A. Hoare and A. Counihin ] The piece went off without a hitch, the testive dance being much admired. Three little boys. Masters Sullivan. Fitzgerald, and Driscoll did credit to their teachers with a piano trio "West end polka," which was followed by the duet, " The minute gun at sea. In this the Misses Coughlan were really delightful. A vociferous encore and a shower of bouquets were the deserved sequel. Masters ' Scannell and Driscoll were "all there in the dialogue. •• The rival orators," the funny points being well brought out. The solo. '" Three leaves ot shamrock. ' secured for Miss Urosnan a recall and ' a profusion of flowers. Two mites. Misses Fit/gerald and Driscoll. rendered a piano duet. "Tripping thro' the meadows." v\ a manner which would have done credit to much older perform"! s. A \ery pleasing item was the duet. •■ Huntingftower. ' by Master 1). Brosnan and Miss J. Hoare. This was also heartily encored. An item which displayel an immense amount of tuition was the "Flag drill." by the junior pupils. The time kept by the children was really wonderful. The second part of the programme was opened with an overture (violin and piano) by Mr. It. and Misses Hoare. which was exceedingly tastefully given. This was followed by the cantata "The queen of the seasons." by the junior pupils. The working -up of the piece was simply marvellous. The chorus of " Roses, lilies, molets, and daisies, fairies in the forest." was very sweetly given, while the acting throughout was most graceful. Miss Maggie Hoare was chosen queen, and she wore a very fitting attire. Her chief confidante. MissM. Lynch, spoke with great eloquence. Miss J. Hoare was "Spring"; Mi*s A. Hoare. "Summer"; Miss E. Fleming. '• Autumn " ; Miss J. Kelly. " Winter " ; Miss Ettie Connell, " Silverwing 1 fairy." The dres»es were gorgeous, and everything went like clock-work. The dialogue, "Good old times," was spoken with unction by Masters Fitzgerald. Sullivan, and Breen, and Misses Coughlan and Driscoll. Miss Driscoll, who is just a mite, made up very ''grandmotherly. 1 ' Nothing more real could be desired. Master D. Brosnan secured an encore and an abundance ot flowers for his rendering of " Off to Coolgardie," and responded with the last verse. The song and dance, " Birdie's ball," by the junior pupils, was charming ; and the piano duet. " A home flower." by Misses E. and L. Driscoll. two very little girls, was loudly applauded. The Sisters of St

Joseph may well feel proud of their young pupils. An item which was well performed was the song and tahli tut.r ■• Six young- maids of of Lea," the Midden change of the beautiful faces to such horrid appearances was very fairy-like, and the expressions could not have been surpassed. Miss Coughlan, who is very popular for her unostentatious and pleasing style, received warm applause for her vocal solo • The Isle of Beauty " and Mi^es Stack and O'Driscoll were amu-mu in the dialogue " Towzer and Topsy." Miss Brosnan sang- " shells ot the Ocean ' very nicely, as also did the Misses Coughlan the duet • Lifes young dream is o'er." A nigger farce by Masters Driscoll and Sullivan created roars of laugher, and the chorus '•Oastk's in the Air" brought one of the best entertainments ever hi Id m Kerry town to an end. The Sisters of St. Joseph are to be complimented upon the near approach to perfection displayed by their pupils. All the dresses for the different pieces were beautiful and appropriate. Mi^s Debbie Hoare played the accompaniments throughout the evening in her brilliant and artistic style.