Archdiocese of Wellington.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 33, 18 December 1896, Page 25

Archdiocese of Wellington.

(From our own Correspondent.)

December 12, 1896. The Rev. Dr. Kennedy of the Ecclesiastical Seminary, Meanee, was in Wellington last week, on his way to spend a holiday in Christchurch. During his stay here he was the guest of the Very Rev. Father Devoy at the presbytery, Boulcott street. Dr. Kennedy preached on Sunday evening in St. Joseph's Church, Buckle street, when there was a very large congregation present. Mr. Thomas Dwan, who left here on a trip to the United States and Europe some months ago, returned during the week, looking all the better for his travels. He had a royal time of it in the States, but when he arrived in New York and looked across the Herring-pond, and saw the angry and uninviting aspect of the Atlantic he decided not to proceed further, and returned to the sunny isles of the South. A meeting of ladies and gentlemen interested in the annual schools' picnic, was held in St. Patrick's Hall on Sunday afternoon, the Very Rev. Father Devoy presiding. It was decided to hold the outing at Father Lane's grounds, Lower Hutt, on Boxing Day. Committees were formed to make the necessary arrangements and draw up a programme of sports. Considering the enthusiastic manner in which the matter has always been taken up here, the success of the outing is assured provided the clerk of the weather is in a happy mood.

ST. MARY'S CONVENT.

There was a crowded audience in the classroom of St. Mary's Convent, Hill street, on Monday evening, when the annual distribution of prizes to the pupils attending the Convent High School took place. The room was tastefully arranged for the occasion, the pupils taking their place on a temporary stage at one end. The front of the stage was nicely set off with art muslin decorated with white flowers, ivy leaves and other foliage. Among those present by invitation besides the friends and relatives of the pupils were the Very Rev. Father Devoy, V.G., the Very Rev. Dr. Watters, rector of St. Patrick"® College, the Rev. Father O'Meara, etc. A fine programme of vocal and instrumental music was performed by the pupils in the usual finished style for which they are distinguished. As is well known the pupils have attained much distinction, year after year, in the examinations conducted under the auspices of the London Trinity College and School of Music, so that if they excelled in the concert it was only what was to be expected. Besides the vocal and instrumental selections which made up the programme, Miss M. Putnam grave a good recitation in French entitled " L'Aveugle et le paralytique." The following was the programme : — Piano duet, " Sclavonic dances," Misses Long and Blake ; vocal duet. " The flight of the swallows." Misses Long and Driscoll ; piano solo. lt Norwegian bridal march," Miss Waldegrave ■ song. '• The Last Muster,' Miss Shapter ; piano duet, " Danses Espagnoles." Misses Falconer and M. Brady ; song, Braga's " Serenade " Miss Smith (violin obligate Miss E. Hennah) ; piano solo, " Nordische Tanze." Miss Long ; violin solo, Miss E. Hennah ; song, '• Solvejga song," Miss Long; solo and chorus, '• Casta Diva," Miss Stevens; piano duet. " Valse Brillante " (two pianos), Misses Beck and Coupland, Sullivan and Reilly. At the conclusion of the entertainment the Very Rev. Father Devoy, who presented the prizes, complimented the pupils and the good Sifters on the excellence of the programme, and regretted that his Grace Archbishop Redwood was not present. He had been informed by the Rev Mother that the result of the examination of the school had been highly satisfactory, which was what was only to be expected, considering the care and attention bestowed on the training of the children by the good Sisters. No doubt when the pupils went home for the holidays their parents would notice the progress they had made during the year, and they would then be able to appreciate the labour of the Sisters on behalf of the pupils. The Sisters did not work for any reward, save the satisfaction they felt at doing good. They worked for a high, a holy and a noble end and their labours had been marked by great success. The primary schools taught by the Sisters in various parts of the Colony were doing »ood work, and when these schools were submitted to Government examination, they were found to be up to the standard of the State schools and many of them over it. He then referred to the great success of the convent pupils at the musical examinations, and hoped they would enjoy their holidays and come back with renewed vigour to their studies. The following is the prize list: — Good Conduct. — Prize medal (presented by Mr. Kohn), Miss Smith. English Composition. — Prize medal (presented by His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Redwood), Miss Waldegrave. Christian Doctrine : Senior Division. — Prize medal Miss Achison ; equal in merit, Miss Sullivan, ' Sinking : Senior Division. — Miss Stevens ; junior division Miss Smith. ' Music— Piano : First class, Miss Blake ; second class, Miss Waldegrave ; execution from memory, Miss Long, third class Miss M. Brady ; fourth class, Miss Reilly ; fifth class, Miss McClean • sixth class, Miss Dennehy. ' Needlework, plain and ornamental. — (Gift of Mr. Corrigan) Mibs E. Hennah ; lace work, Miss E. Sheridan. ' CLASS PRIZES. Matriculation Class.— Mathematics, Miss Y. McLaughlin. Civil Service Class. — En»li«*h composition for highest marks in class work during the year. Miss Achison ; equal in merit, Miss

Smith ; English language, Miss M. Brady ; French language, Miss M. Brady ; geography, Miss M. Brady ; mathematics, Miss M. Waldegrave ; English literature and authors, Miss Achison ; English history, Miss Achison ; Latin, Miss M. Putman ; diligence for highest marks in class work, Miss A. Williams ; writing, Miss B. Fennell. VII. Class. — English grammar, Miss Falconer : arithmetic Miss Falconer ; Latin, Miss M. Brady : Euclid, Miss M. Brady ; French, Miss C. Coupland ; algebra, Miss C. Coupland ; writing, Miss Condon ; geography, Miss Condon. VI. Class. — English grammar and composition, Miss A. O'Sullivan; English authors, Miss A. O' Sullivan ; reading and recitation, Miss A. O'Sullivan ; history, Miss A. O'Sullivan ; arithmetic, Miss J. O'Galligan ; highest marks in class work, Miss J. O'Galligan ; algebra, Miss Shapter ; geography, Miss Shapter ; French, first division, Miss R. Sheridan ; second division, Miss N. Casey. V. Class. — Christian doctrine, Miss Dennehy ; equal in merit, Miss Devine ; arithmetic, mental and slate work. Miss B. Putnam ; geography and history, Miss Dennehy ; English authors, Miss Gamble ; English grammar and composition. Miss Gamble ; reading and recitation, Miss Gamble ; French. Miss Gamble. IV. Class. — Christian doctrine, Miss C. Reilly : arithmetic, Miss C. Reilly ; geography and history. Miss C. Reilly ; English grammar and composition, Miss M. Coupland ; reading and recitation. Miss Whitaker. 111. Class. — Arithmetic, Miss O'Leary ; grammar. Miss O'Leary: geography, Miss O'Leary ; reading and recitation, Miss E. Truman ; drawing, Miss T. Sheridan. 11. Class — Arithmetic, Miss Ward ; geography, Miss Ward ; grammar, Miss Ward ; reading and recitation, Miss Laing ; equal in merit, Miss Boyd. I. Class. — Arithmetic, Miss Vaney ; reading and recitation. Miss Henry. Infant class. — Arithmetic, M. Duignan ; reading and spelling, M. Ward. A meeting of ladies and gentlemen composing the committee of the late bazaar was held in the convent, Hill street, on Tuesday evening, when a report and balance sheet were submitted and approved. The total receipts amounted to £714 odd, and the expenditure to £114, leaving a credit balance of £600, which was an extremely satisfactory result, and speaks well for the energy and generosity of the committee and the stall-holders. A special vote of thanks was passed by the meeting to Mr. T. Davis, the secretary, to whom, in a great measure, the success of the undertaking was due. The musical entertainment at the Exhibition on Tuesday night was provided by the convent pupils, and a very enjoyable concert it proved to be. Not only did it include music of a high class, admirably interpreted, but it had also the merit of not being too long, for brevity is a feature which is very often absent from musical performances, and consequently when they last more than a couple of hours they drag towards the conclusion. Short and sweet is a good motto, even when it is a question of a good concert. The solo and chorus singing was excellent, every vocal item being redemanded I and enthusiastically applauded. As the holidays are now drawing nigh, it is hardly to be expected that the convent pupils will be able to give another concert, but should it be possible for them to do so. I am sure they would be very much appreciated. The annual Retreat of the clergy of the diocese will commence about the 20th January, and will be conducted by the Very Rev. Father Cummings, Christchurch. The following are the officers of the ladies' branch of the Te Aro St. Vincent de Paul Society for the ensuing year : — President, Mrs. Holt ; vice-president. Mrs. Black ; treasurer. Miss North : secretary, Mrs. Gamble. The work of enlarging and renovating St. Mary of the Angels' Church is proceeding satisfactorily but slowly. At first it was expected the work would be completed about the end of the year, but in consequence of the nature of the alterations and the limited space at the disposal of the contractor, these expectations will not be fulfilled, and it will be fully the middle of February before the altarations will be finished. The opening ceremony will take place about the end of February, and will be performed by the Right Rev. Dr. Grimes, Bishop of Christchurch. The breaking-up in connection with the Dixon street schools, conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, will take place on Tuesday, and the annual distribution of prizes at the Marist Brothers' School will be on Monday evening. The Revs. John O'Connell (Christchurch). Patrick Fay (Leeston). and Hugh McDonnell (Greymouth) were ordained sub-deacons at Meanee on Sunday week. On Monday week the Rev. Hugh McDonnell was raised to the deaconship. They have been all educated at St. Patrick's College.