UP-TO-DATE TEACHING.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 33, 18 December 1896, Page 18

UP-TO-DATE TEACHING.

fN our article of last week we incidentally referred to the necessity of up-to-date teaching in our parochial schools. Successful result in Board inspection is a sine qua non for any redress of our educational grievance. We must show satisfactory progress or vainly hope for State grant-in-aid. The art of teaching has undoubtedly progressed in modern times. Old methods, in which cram largely figured, are wisely discarded in favour of methods which are better fitted to train the mind and develop character. Parents become every year more exacting. Nothing will satisfy them but really firstclass instruction in secular matters. Those who give the minimum of pecuniary aid to the Catholic school not unfrequently exact the maximum of good result. It is so in New Zealand, and current writers tell us it is so in America and in Europe. This exaction is disheartening, but we must accept facts. If the children of the Church are to be saved not only must schools be provided, but appliances and methods of teaching must be of the first order. The temptation to send children to the well equipped and well manned State schools is very great. Whatever be the sacrifice the Catholic school must be well abreast of its secular neighbours. Heroic devotion to duty on the part of our teachers makes up for much, but the good teacher is heavily handicapped by the absence of proper appliances. Our schools should be well furnished and well arranged with a view to health and study. The annual reports of inspectors in various places in the colonies show that some teachers obstinately cling to effete methods. The advance of Catholic education requires that the teachers should progress with the age. This is fully recognised in the United States. There " Teachers' Institutes " are common throughout the country. Teachers meet periodically, discuss new methods, compare experiences, and keep themselves in touch with contemporary thought and action. The value of pedagogics is fully recognised, not only by the State school teachers but by Catholic teachers, lay and religious. About 1,000,000 children attend Catholic parochial schools in the United States. Most of the teachers are religious, and in America women as teachers, outnumber men. Over J3OOO nuns attended the Teachers* Institutes, founded and fostered by the bishops, during the school year 95-96. Institute work has been taken up warmly, and increased activity on the part of teachers will mean increased progress on tbe part of those taught. What is possible in America should soon he possible in these colonies. Anyhow, in this book age it is not difficult to learn what, in science and art, is done in every land. The well-trained and zealous teacher can, with little difficulty, be up-to-date in his important work. Of course progress in effective teaching supposes care in the selection and training of teachers.

Nkxt week we shall publish a special Christmas number containing a large quantity of extra reading matter. A feature of the number will be a sketch of the history and development of St. Dominic's Priory and College, Dunedin, with a full account of the work done by that admirable institution. The sketch will be illustrated by views of the convent, exterior and interior, and of the recreation grounds, etc. We would draw the attention of our local readers to the grand entertainment, particulars of which appear in our advertising columns, to be given on Friday evening in the Princess Theatre by pupils of the Dominican Nun?. It is scarcely necessary for us to commend this entertainment. The Dominican Nuns have established a reputation of their own in the way of training pupils for entertainments, and Catholics and the public generally have learned to take for granted that a high standard of excellence will be attained. The performance this year promises, if possible to eclipse all previous efforts. It takes the form of a " Picture concert," a form of entertainment which, so far as we know, haa never before been presented to a Dunedin audience. We shall not attempt to anticipate the performance by explaining what a " Picture concert' is, but we advise our readers to go and see for themselves and they can accept our assuranoe that there is a great treat in Rtore for them. A lecturette will be given explanatory of the "living pictures," and the important and responsible duty of delivering it will be discharged by one of the young pupils themselves. Altogether the entertainment promises to be a most interesting, novel, and enjoyable one. The good nuns, by their lives of self-sacrificing

devotion,have won a warm place in the hearts of Dunedin Catholics and for this reason, as well as on account of the exceptional merits of the performance, we are safe in predicting a crowded house for Friday night. The result of the Christmas Competition for our young readers will be announced in our issue of next week. We shall endeavour to forward the prizes to the successful competitors so as to reach them in time for Christmas. We learn from a cablegram in the daily papers that the Pope has granted an audience to his Grace Archbishop Redwood. On Sunday afternoon his Lordship Right Rev. Dr. Lenihan unveiled the monument erected in the prettily situated Roman Catholic Cemetery at Panmure to commemorate the late lamented and much esteemed Brother Joseph. At two o'clock a very imposing rorti-fff, consisting of drags and private vehicles of all descriptions, containing friends and admirers of the deceased, proceeded from the Marist Brothers' school in Hobson street to pay the last tribute of respect to one who laboured so generously for them. The ceremony of unveiling at the grave was very impressive. His Lordship the Bishop officiated in his episcopal robes, assisted by Drs. MrDonald and Egan, Fathers Buckley and Croke, and attended by acolytes. After reading the edifying and beautiful service for the dead, hia Lordship delivered an eloquent eulogium of the Marist Brothers, in which he spoke of the educational work they are doing in New Zealand and the colonies, and paid a deserved tribute to the memory of Brother Joseph, who was L so conspicuous -an ornament of that great Order. After the ceremony, Dr. McDonald welcomed the Bishop to Panmure, adding that this was his Lordship's third appearance in his episcopaljcapacity, his former visits being to the Sisters of the Poor and the orphans, over Jwhom he watched with paternal care. Dr. McDonald congratulated the Brothers and their friends in Christchurch, Napier and Auckland, Mr. Michael Sheehan (to whose indefatigable exertions the success of the undertaking is largely due) and the sculptors, Messrs Bouskill and McNab, who carried out the design. The monument is in the shape of an ancient Celtic cross, made of pure marble, and resting on a solid pedestal of ;he same stone, and bears the inscription :: — •' Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of Rev. Brother Joseph Francis Xavier Born Sydney, New South Wales, April 26, 1 850. Entered Society of Marist Brothers |May 24. 1873. Died December 18, 1895. R.I.P. They that are learned shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that instruct many unto justice as stars for all eternity. — This monument has been erected in loving memory of Brother Joseph by his numerous friends in Auckland. Napier and Chrihtchurch." After the ceremony Dr. McDonald entertained the large number of 300 at luncheon. " His last words were not to forget the drivers. — Auckland Star, December 7. We have just received a copy of the •■ Dominican Star," which is announced to be a " Folio of Facts relating to Literature and the Arts."' Under this decidedly comprehensive title the good nuns of St. Dominic's have issued what is really a neat and tasteful prospectus of the convent college. The " Star "is written in such a bright and pleasant style that even the " folio of facts " is made intensely interesting, and a reader finds himself, whether he will or no, constrained to read it eagerly to the end. Accompanying the letterpress are four beautifully executed $views, representing the exterior of the priory and college, the study hall, the studio and the recreation grounds. The " Star "is characterised throughout by sound judgment in the selection of facts and a finished literary style in the expression of them, and we feel sure its wide circulation will produce good fruit. We should add that the get-up of the '• Folio " is all that could be desired, and great credit is due to Messrs. Jolly, Connor and Co. for the admirable way in which the work has been turned out. On Wednesday the 12th inst, a very buccessful concert was held at Groyinouth in aid of the building fund of the Catholic Church} We are indebted to the Wrcldy Argus for th« following account of the performance : There was a very good house at the Public Hall on Wednesday when the concert in aid of the Catholic Church Building Fund took place, and judging from the unstinted applause that greeted the various performers, the audience greatly appreciated their efforts. During the interval, Mr. Guthrie, informed the assembly that the proceeds were to be devoted with moneys already in hand to the completion of the Greymouth Catholic Church, which is in an unfinished state. He also announced that the concert would be reproduced at an early date at the hospital, when the patients will most certainly spend a very enjoyable evening, that is if they have any appreciation of vocal and instrumental music. The reappearance on a Greymouth stage after a lengthy absence of Miss Bessie Martin was an unexpected pleasure, and she fully satisfied her hearers that her voice has lost none of its original sweetness,

but has rather improved, especially in range and cultivation. Her rendering of " Poor Wandering One " and " Killarney" were real gems of artistic vocalism. Miss Boon made her first appearance before a Greymouth audience in " Whisper and I Shall Hear," and was heartily encored for a fine effort. She possesses an exceptionally clear voice with a large range. Mr. T. O. Martin took immensely in his comic songs, as also did Mr. G. T. Moss, both of whom had to respond to loud encores. '• Come where the lilies bloom." a quartette by Misses Martin and Ashton and Messrs. Guthrie and Gillies had to be repeated. Mr. Steele sang " The garden of sleep," and gave a very amusing recitation, the latter being particularly good. Duets were sung by Misses Dupre and Ashton (' Nocturne ") and Miss Martin and Mr. Gillies (" Maying"). Miss Hogg sang "Who is Sylvia," and Miss Griffen " Forget." Mr. Guthrie had to respond for his rendering of " Should wild winds blow," which was ably given. The Catholic Brass Band played a selection from " Lucretia Borgia," and four of their number —Messrs. Phillips, Deere, Gandle and Hannan —played "The village chimes" in a manner that reflected the highest credit on themselves as well as their bandmaster, Mr. A. G. Ashton, who has produced a fine lot of players from what was practically raw material. If this can be taken as a criterion of the capabilities of the West Coast bands, the proposed contest, which will probably take place in March next, should be an unqualified success and meet with general patronage, which we hope will be the case. Taken all through the concert was an unqualified success. At the recent meeting of the Irish bishops the following deliverance was adopted with reference to a marriage with deceased wife's sister : The archbishops and bishops of Ireland, having considered the Bill which was brought before Parliament at the last session in reference to marriage with a deceased wife's sister, beg to request that the Irish Catholic peers in the House of Lords, and the Catholic Members of Parliament, and Members representing Catholic constituencies in the House of Commons, will give their most strenuous opposition at all future stages to that measure, which would set the law of the land in opposition to the ecclesiastical law, and legalise what is now an invalidating impediment to the sacrament of Matrimony, t Michael Card. Logue (chairman), f Francis J. MacCormack, Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh, f John Healy, Bishop of Clonfert (secretaries to the meeting). With reference to his recent letter on the issues of the political campaign in America which occasioned considerable comment, Archbishop Ireland has made the following explanation :—": —" I was asked by a number of citizens of St Paul to give my views on the present political crisis, and I have done so. There may be criticisms put upon a churchman for entering into a political controversy. I do not believe in a minister entering into mere politics as such ; but there are times and questions which rise above that and become matters of patriotism and morality, and we have a right to speak of them as citizens. What I would say in an interview or in a letter I would not say in the pulpit, and 1 1would not permit any minister under my control to speak from the pulpit upon them. So what I have said is as a private citizen who has the interest of his country at heart." THe annual sports meeting of the Victorian Amateur Athletic Association and the Amateur Cycling Association took place at the St. Kilda Cricket Ground on Saturday, November 14. The most interesting feature of the proceedings was the first appearance in Melbourne of M. M. Roseingrave, the Irish athlete, who holds the world's record in several departments of athletics. Roseingrave won the 120 yds. hurdle championship in l(i l-ssec, a Victorian record —l 7 2-ssec. —being the best previously. He also won the long jump championship of Victoria with 22ft. Bin., against C. H. Watson, 21ft. lin. ; and J. D. Bevan, 20ft. 3Jin. In the pole jump championship, Roseingrave was the only competitor, and he took the prize with a jump of (.)ft. OJin. At the amateur championship gathering held in Sydney on Eight Hours Day, Roseingrave, who had only recently arrived from Ireland, broke all previous long jumping records by clearing 23ft. 7]in. The record up till the performance of this feat was 22ft. G]in., jumped by both C. S. Reber, of America, and C. B. Fry, of England. Roseingrave's previous record was made in Gort, County Galway, where he jumped 23t't sin., beating the famous Pat Davin by 3 inches. Roseingrave also holds the hop, step and jump record for Ireland, having covered 50ft. lin. These performances furnish striking evidence of Ireland's supremacy in the athletic world.