INVERCARGILL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 34, 31 December 1897, Page 3

INVERCARGILL.

As a termination to the scholastic year the pupils of the convent schools gave a pupils concert in the theatre on December 8. The Local Time* refers to it thus :—: — The pupils of the Dominican Convent gave a concert in the bheatre yesterday evening. The house was packed to the doors iownstairs, and the circle was filled as it seldom is. The young people were assisted by the well-known singers Misses K. Kirwan, Morrison, C. and E. Anthony, and Kitty Blaney. The programme was an excellent one and the performers did their tasks almost to perfection. Some of those who took part were the tiniest and daintiest atoms imaginable. Others were but little older ; and there were finally the more advanced girls who had the confidence of experience. The concert furnished a lesson in the results that may be achieved by skilful and laborious training. Every act bore evidence of habitual discipline and of gentle but firm command. Another feature was the artlessness and simplicity of each child, from the oldest to the youngest. The absence of affectation is as grateful as it is rare, and for that reason the behaviour of these little people was charming and delightful. The curtain having been drawn the stage was discovered with the convent pupils beautifully dressed standing in ranks. They sang in chorus " Let Erin remember," with first and second parts. A pianoforte duet was played with great skill and with true sure touch by Misses Northcote, Ward, Taylor, and M'Keown. The last three young ladies each at a separate piano also were responsible for a solo " Gigue " so much to the mind of the audience that in response to a recall the final movement was repeated. These young ladies are very accomplished musicians and play with a freedom and certainty that speaks volumes for their teaching. A juvenile duet, " The meeting of the waters " on three pianos by six white-clad little maidens was an example of music in its earlier stages that carried the hearers away through sympathy and remembrances of not unforgotten days in their own past. A suite of waltzes was neatly and tunefully played by Misses Feldwick, Kingsland, Taylor, G. and N. Wheeler, and M. Armstrong. Misses E. Kingsland, M. Carr, and M'Alister rendered the favourite piano solos " Alice " tabtefully and cleverly, indeed wonderfully, considering their extreme youth. The other items in which the pupils took part were " Rom berg's toy symphony" and operetta " Vingt-et-un " with tahlean vivants. The former is a sparkling, airy creation in which the calls and songs of birds are represented. The notes of the nightingale, quail, cuckoo, and corncraks were all heard, and with the assistance of piano, strings, drums, and bells the piece went splendidly, and was something of a sort decidedly new to theatre-goers. The operetta was also performed with marked success and the speakers had their lines well by heart. Advantage was taken of the opportunity to bring in skirt dancing by some of the senior girls and figure marching by a host of diminutive fairies, the picturesque effect of which was heightened by the judicious use of the limelights. Miss K. Kirwan was warmly applauded for her rendering of " The dear home land." Misses C. and E. Anthony sang the duet "Nocturne " with appreciative expression, and were heartily applauded. Miss Kitty Blaney was down on the programme for " Life's lullaby " and •' Call me back," but sang both so exquisitely that the audience would take no refusals. As encores she sang "Going to Kildare" and "Two's company " ; two songs with a dash of merriment in them that Miss Blaney treated admirably. Miss Morrison had also two songs opposite her name and was, as is her wont, very happy with both, In the first instance Miss Morrison bowed her acknowledgments, but on the second occasion sang " Ben Bolt " as an encore. Miss M. Gudgeon played a pianoforte solo, " Polish National dance," with spirit and superior execution. The same lady, together with Miss Morrison, were of great assitance as accompanists. On the occasion of the distribution of prizes on -December 20 the pupils repeated the principal items of this concert in St. Jsseph's Schoolroom for the entertainment of their parents and friends. So large a number of them were present that the hall was crowded, those who came late finding themselves compelled to stand. Among those present were many non-Catholic patrons of the institution. The Southland News, referring to the performance of the children, says :—": — " The programme was a varied one, and whether vocal, instrumental or elocutionary the different numbers were performed admirably, and with evident pleasure to the audience, who bestowed lavish applause during the afternoon." The following is the prize list :— Kindergarten — Arithmetic, Minnie Collins ; writing and spelling, Sarah Monaghan ; reading, Lizzie Finnerty ; writing, Janet Millar ; reading and arithmetic, Lucy Carr ; attendance, Cissy Barry ; catechism, Frances Byrne ; reading, Kathleen Collins ; arithmetic, Muriel Bews ; spelling and writing, Bertie Timpany ; arithmetic and drill, Leo Cavanagh ; reading and kindergarten

drawing, James Monaghan ; spelling, Walter Monaghan ; counting and tables, Kitty Byrne ; ring-laying and counting. Eileen Mahoney ; stick-laying, Maggie Monaghan ; building (cubes). John Collins. Upper School — Religious knowledge : Ist., R. Maher ; hon. mention, A. and K. Macdonnell, E. Feldwick, R. Creen, J. Griffen, J. Roche. M. McKeown ; 2nd., C. Sheehan 5 hon. mention, Carr and N. Barry. Senior English — Grade A, K. Murphy; do B, Ist., R. Maher ; 2nd., K. Macdonnell ; intermediate (Mrs. Northcote's prize), J. Griffon. English history : May Malone. Composition : E. Northcote. Elementary Science (Mr. Northcote's prize) : B. Wallace and K. Macionnell. French — Intermediate A: F. Feldwick ; do B : Ist., L. Kirwan ; 2nd., L. Hishon. Writing : K. Macdonnell. General improvement : Armstrong, Roche and Affleck. Music — Intermediate grade : A. Taylor ; hon. mention : E. Feldwick, M. and G. Wheeler, M. Armstrong ; junior grade : E. Ward ; hon. mention : E. Northcote, M. McKeown, A. and K. McDonnell, B. Wallace, E. Fraser, L. Hishon, C. Sheehan ; primary grade : Molly Carr ; hon. mention : M. Collins, C. Morton, E. Kingsland, J. Millar. Harmony — Intermediate grade : E. Feldwick ; junior grade : M, Feldwick. Singing : E. Anthony ; class singing : M. McKeown.

Drawing from the cast : K. Murphy ; painting from nature : Miss Waterston ; hon. mention : B. Wallace, E. Northcote, May Malone ; flowers and figures in oils : Daisy Kingsland ; oil painting : Eva Northcote ; freehand drawing : Angela Wills ; needlework (plain) : A. Macdonell ; art needlework : N. Crean ; hon. mention : E. Feldwick, A. and K. Macdonell, Wallace, Malone, L. Eirwan, L. Walsh and J. Roche.

Junior School— Class A : English, Miss Ward ; arithmetic (Mr. Northcote's prize), L. Walsh ; composition, N. Barry. Class B : English, Miss McGrath ; arithmetic, M. McDonough ; writing, B. Kingsland ; good conduct, B. Willis ; attendance, Lizzie Walsh.

Prizes awarded by the votes of her companions to the most obedient and amiable girl — Nora Crean. Certificates for harmony from Trinty College, London, were awarded — Intermediate grade : Miss E. FeHwick and Miss Dickenson ; junior honours : Miss R. Maher ; junior pass : Misses M. McKeown, M. Feldwick, Eva Northcote, Nellie Shepherd, E. Ward.

The Very Rev. Dean Burke having distributed the prizes and called attention to the excellence of the school reports for the year, said that, as there was so Jarge a number of parents, friends, and grown people in the hall, some words on the work done by this nstitution, that is, on education and Christian culture, would be appropriate at present. He then pointed out what true culture was — the development of all the faculties in conformity with the requirements of man's work in this world, and the eternal purpose for which God had created him. He pointed out that there was such, a thing as false culture, inferior, lop-sided culture ; that one capacity might be cultivated at the expense of others — the intellect, for example, at the cost of heart and affections of will. External polish was consistent with much real internal rudeness. The memory might be stored with all sorts of information, the deportment receive a certain polish, without any effort to render the conscience more tender as to the ethical value of laws and actions, the heart more elevated and the will more disciplined to obedience and self-government. He called attention to the historical facts — that though Greece and Ro>ne were highly cultured in some senses of the word, still the polite culture of classical antiquity was false, inferior, deficient in any true moral training, and in any religious basis. The whole system of civil and political life, of social duties, of family relations was based on selfishness and me c utilitarianism. And so those peoples came to deoay, as will any non-Christian people. Reason and history of nations tell that Christian culture alone is the only sure and certiia exponent of all true moral culture, and the only inexhaustible source of genuine, permanent happiness and progress. The speaker pointed out the new transforming principles, sanctions, and typos for imitation, which Christianity introduced into heathen sojiety, and which gave a new value and sanctity to human life ; protected children and women ; elevated and finally emancipated the slave classes ; suppressed barbarous games; created vast and multifirious organisations of philanthropy, never paralleled or approached amid non-Christian civilisations ; ennobled men's tastes and purified their habits and character. He showed how the Christian Church took in hand the wild young nations of the West, and, one by one. they took their place as organised states on the stage of history. Under Christian teaching their personal, family, civil and political life improved, they received correct views of right and ord^r and human obligations : their language became written languages ; new literatures arose and a new accidental civilisation was contracted, to which modern civilised states are indebted for the best of all they possess. In fact, regarding our civilised life at present from whatever side we please, we everywhere come in contact with Christianity as the great power which created, supports, and preserves it. Even the pantheist Fichts felt bound to acknowledge that, " We and our whole age are rooted in the soil of Christianity and have sprung from it ; it has exercised its influence in the most manifold ways on the whole of our culture, and we should be absolutely nothing at all that which we are, if this mighty power had not preceded us." He concluded that, considering the inner nature and scope of both true culture and our religion are closely united, indeed, and considering both historically, it was evident that Christianity is the best exponent and most fertile source of the other, and consequently of the happiness, preservation, and genuine progress of any people ; hence wisely do we, who maintain Christian education and Christian culture, keep to " the old p;iths, which is the good way, and walk in it." He was glad to be able to say that, judging from the reports before him and from his own personal acquaintance with thd children of these schools, they had done well indeed this year, in matters of learning, manners and conduct and religious observance. The schools and the good teachers deserved the favour and applause of every intelligent man and refined woman.

The Hon. Mr. Ward said he could nut abstain from rising to express his pleasure at being present and to convey the thanks of the large audience to the good nuns and the children for the beauti-

ful entertainment which they had just witnessed. He wag particularly struck by the excellence of the music and the singing. Evidently the nuns were careful and thorough teachers and evidently, too, seeing the success they had attained with the children, there must be excellent material to work upon. The results of this year'st work augured well for the future of Catholic education in this pros vince of Southland. He wished the children a happy vacation with much health and strength to enjoy it. He also sincerely hoped that the Lady Superior and the other nuns would enjoy their time of rest, and that nothing would happen to bring the least sadness near them.

Mr. C. Northcote said he was proud to be present to second Mr. Ward's vote of thanks. He took an interest in this school ; he had been present at previous distributions and observed the increasing excellence to which the children were rising year by year. There could be no one who appreciated gentleness and refinement combined with mental and artistic attainments, and who witnessed the work done here by the nuns, but shoull be ready with his whole heart to speak to them words of encouragement and of them words of praise and commendation. He had little hesitation in saying this vote of thanks would be carried with heartiest applause and with the desire that both nuns and children should have cheerful, pleasant holidays.

The audience were then invited to visit the study hall of St. Catherine's, where the plain and art needlework, and the drawings and paintings were on view. Plain needlework done by A. Macdonell, E. Feldwiok, K. Macdonell, N. Crean and M. Wheeler deservedly attracted the attention of the mothers present. The art needlework in the shape of screens, lounges, cushions, duet-stools, mantel-drapes, panels, cosies, table-centres and footstools by Misses Gavin, Crean, Feldwick, Macdonell, Wallace, Malone, Kirwin, Walsh, Roche, Kingsland, Fraser, Sheehan, Griffin, Armstrong, Hishon, Wheeler, Ward and Northcote — so lavishly and gayly ornamenting the tables up and down the hall — were ample evidence that the homes of these young ladies shall be charming indeed. A variety of drawn-thread and Mountmellick work, now much in use, received very considerable attention during the year from most of the pupils. Groups of ladies were seen expressing much admiration of the specimens exhibited. The walls were hung with drawings and paintings representing human forms, animals, flowers, landscapes, and groups of objects from life, from the cast and from nature. Miss Waterston's brush deftly brought out from life " Carlo " — a favourite dog of hers. The Chef d' oevre of the pictorial exhibition was the same young lady's eastern scene " Moonlight on the Nile." Another young lady, Miss Kingsland, who has a cunning brush and a great aptitude in every branch of this art, accomplished during the year some landscapes in water-colours and flowers and figures in oils. Eva Northcote's panels showing lilies and peony roses were very realistic. Miss Watson was successful in her reproduction of " The Favourites." Her landscape " Thuringia " also deserved notice. Bessie Wallace showed flowers from nature — very true and natural. A young lady of evidently much taste and ability is Nora Crean Her studies in flowers on panels should not go without special mention. Miss McLeod's "Kittens" and a dog from Landseer were very true copies. Landseer had another admirer in Elsie Fraser who copied fairly well some of his characteristic dogs. We have referred only to a few of the specimens of the art department of this school — a department which clearly raeeived much attention from the teachers and shows much study, heartiness and application on the part of the pupils. Inspection alone could give an idea of the quantity and quality of the work accomplished.