ST. DOMINICK'S COLLEGE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue XXV, 24 December 1897, Page 25

ST. DOMINICK'S COLLEGE.

The annual exhibition of work of tlie students attending St. Dominick's College was held in St. Joseph's School yesterday afternoon, and attracted a numerous gathering- of visitors. The exhibition principally comprised a large collection of paintings executed in the studio of the college, and even the most cursory glance sufficed to convey the fact that the methods adopted to develop the artistic instincts of the students are based upon sound modern principles. The Dominican nuns apparently keep themselves well abreast of the times in the work to which they have devoted their lives — viz., the education of the young. New ideas which have found favour with the scholastic institutions of the old country are adopted, and, moreover, the college is well equipped in all accessories requisite for the carrying out of higher education. Eloquent testimony of the enterprise and enthusiasm of the nuns is afforded in the fact that they were the first to introduce the now widelypopular and justly-esteemed kindergarten system to Dunedin, and this department of their college is fully and most elaborately appointed. Another example of their progressive methods is afforded in the recent addition they have made to their curriculum of wood-carving, to which interesting and useful study a good deal of attention ha-, been paid of late in important educational institutions at Homo. The students apparently have taken a keen interest in the work, and have found an outlet for their artistic taste and

industry in the production of beautifully carved desks, caskets, panels, trays, cabinets, small tables, and ornamental work of every nescription. The college has enjoyed an enviable reputation during many years past for its successful teaching of painting and drawing, and this year's exhibition of work should gain for it further laurels. The examples of work are so numerous that anything like a detailed notice of them would be a well-nigh impossible task, for pictures meet the eye everywhere — on the walls, on stands, on easels, on glass. on mirrors, and on a variety of ornamental objects. A painting of Hall's Arm (West Coast Sounds) by Miss Liston attracted especial attention, the cloudy mountain tops, with mist hanging over the verdure-clad slopes, being depicted with exquisite effect. A panel in magnolias by Miss Rose Blaney should also be singled out as a particularly praiseworthy effort. Miss R. Cross (a medallist of the present year) displays marked talents in some landscapes and flowers from nature. Mrs. Palmer, of Otakia, has a striking picture entitled " The Slave Girl," the features being painted with skill and power ; while paintings in oils of two little girls and several landscapes from the brush of Miss Moloney afforded proof that that lady \ possesses other talents besides those relating to the musical art;. Other works worthy of notice are those shown by Miss Florita Kennedy (landscapes and flower studies), Miss Watt (Hampden), Miss Frew (Wingatui), Miss Knott (Mosgiel), Miss A. L. Herbert and Miss G. Lawrence. The college has lately secured for their studio a choice collection of casts from Paris, and numerous examples of drawings from these were also shown. Prominent amongst them were the drawings of Misses Gr. Hudson, G. O'Connell, J. Seelye, 0. Lawrence, and C. Cameron. The exhibition also included a great many specimens of Kensington embroidery, or painting upon silk and velvet, the shading being skilfully effected ; specimens of mountmellick work, drawn-thread work, new styles of embroidery, and panels woi*ked in silk. The work of Miss L. Cross, the medallist for the year, was of a nature that fully entitled her to the distinction she had gained. Miss Lake (winner of the medal for drawing from casts and from the round) shows a lily on panel, and Miss O'Leary a foxglove panel, while the work of Miss M. Brett and Miss K. Woods also deserves to be singled out, as are also a pansy ottoman by Miss Morkane, a handsome mantel drape by Miss Hilliard, and an ottoman by Miss Kerin. The wood carving appears to be so uniformly excellent that to particularise would be invidious, but a triple panel fire screen by Miss Hart was the subject of emphatic commendation by all present. The students of the college were dismissed for their summer vaction in the morning. Owing to an indisposition Bishop Verdon was unable to be present, but forwarded a message in which he declared his g-ratification at the solid progress made during the year. The following is the prize list :—: — Christian doctrine (silver medal). — Miss R. Woods ; hon. mention — Misse3 J. Connor, M. Kennedy, A. Freed, M. Meenan and N. O'Neill. Junior grade — Miss H. McKay ; hon. mention — Misses G. Meenan, A. Liston, F. Bernech, R. Petre, G. O'Connell and 0. Lawrence. Painting from nature (silver medal, gift of Mrs. Liston). — Miss R. Cross ; hon. mention — Miss A. Herbert. Drawing from cast (silver medal, gift of Mrs. Liston) — Miss A. Lake ; hon. mention — Misses G. Hudson, T. Seelye, G. O'Connell, 0. Lawrence and R. Holmes. Art needlework (silver medal). — Miss L. Cross. French conversation (silver medal). — Miss M. Kennedy ; hon. mention — Misses N. O'Neill, A. Freed and L. Herbert. Music. — Senior grade (silver medal, gift of Mr. Riedle, Dresden Company) — Miss F. Kennedy . intermediate grade (silver medal, gift of Mr. Riedle) — Miss E. Hart ; hon. mention — Misses A. Freed, A. Liston, I. Seeyle, G. O'Connell. Attendance (silver medal). — Miss M. Meenan : hon. mention — Mis B es A Meenan, E Robinson, A. Tu^--. 11. McKay, E. Freed, G. 0 Council and G. Wood. Calisthenics (silver medal). — Miss G. Larnach. Class medallists. — Intermediate 1 Grade B — Miss R. Petre: grade A — Miss E. Freed. Senior . Grade B — Miss A. Meenan ; grade A — Miss J. Connor (dux). Cours Supeneur (English literature and compositiou) — Miss L. Herbert ; lion, mention — Misses A. Herbert, F. Kennedy and A. Freed. Good conduct (prize presented by Mr. Shaw) — Miss N. O'Neill; hon. mention — Misses A. Herbert, A. Hilliard, A. Freed, T. Morkane, M. Kerin, M. Burn«, G. Larnach, R. Hegarty, M. Meenan, J. Connor. C. Wood, E. Freed, M. O'Leary, E. Patterson, A. Tugs, Connor and A. Meenan. Successes in various examinations. — Matriculation : Miss A. Freed. Harmony (Trinity College) : Senior pass — Misses A. Freed and M. Burke; intermediate pass — Misses B. Coughtrey, E. Freed, L. Remshardt, A. Meenan and F. Courtis : junior pass and honours — Misses A. Liston, I. Seelye and A. Coughtrey : junior pass — Misses A. Hilliard. A. Lake, R. Cross, M. O'Leary, E. Hart, E. Anthony, J. Griffen and W. Colehan ; juniors, honours — Misses G. O'Connell and G. Meenan. Wreath, awarded by the votes of the pupils amiability and good conduct — Nellie O'Neill. In the schools of the Dominican Nuns under Government inspection the work has been very satisfactory. The inspector's reports show a steady upward tendency. The results in St. Joseph's, Dunedin, and in the six branch schools throughout the province show the passes for 15 ( .)7 to average '.)."> per cent. — a record win h should be gratifying to both teachers and pupils. In each of these schools the inspectors expressed themselves- thoroughly sati.-fied with the work done. The following is the prize list : — JUNIOR SLHOOL. Junior grade. — Class A — T. Edmonds, arithemetic ; Amy Cutten, politeness and obedience i Hilda M'Kay, English and writing: Ethel Wood, music ; Amy M'Donald, good conduct, English, and arithmetic ; Lucy Freed, religious knowledge and English ; Maggie Collins, application ; Olive Geddcs, improvement in writing- : R.

Connor, spelling and reading ; N. Murray, catechism ; C. Heffernan attendance ; Ethel M'Donald, general improvement and reading. Kindergarten Preparatory.— Class A— Clara Hughes, music and reading ; Mary Murray, cathechism and singing ; Annie Rodgejs, geography and comprehension : Ruby Dawson, needlework (plain) • May Allen, drawing and model-making ; Nellie Smith, writing and neatness ; Madge M'Donald, attendance and arithmetic ; Minnie Power, recitation and drill ; Mary Murphy, general improvement Class B— Mina Ward, arithmetic ; Mary Callan. reading and politeness ; Lizzie Taylor, mental arithmetic ; May Smith, spelling ; Gertrude Petre, comprehension and general improvement ; Margaret Gawne, writing and singing : Mary A. Tobin, drawing and colouring ; Ethel Salmon, recitation ; Bertie Connor, catechism. Kindergarten. — First grade — Eric Spain, mosaic work • Dolores M'Donald, Parquetry papers; Mercedes M'Donald, straw work. Second Grade— Cassamund Spain, embroidery and gift 10 • Charlie Hill, mat embroidery and gift 14 ; Alfred Leatheby stick designing and gift 11 ; David Fraser, wood-making (staffs) and gift 7 ; Ethel Murray, mat-weaving and gift 4 ; Ivy M'Donald, perforating and gift 2 ; Mona Taylor, leatherette eewing. Third GradeJoe Salmon, pricking work ; Percy Coughlan, stick-laying • Ernest Salmon, number-building (slabs) ; Ally Coughlan, forming letters (paper) ; Molly Coughlan, gift 1 and counting ; Gertie Smith needle-threading ; Gabriella Spain, counting (beads) ; Jack Fulton' basket-making ; Joe Petre, building (cubes). '