ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL, PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXV, Issue 34, 31 December 1897, Page 5

ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL, PALMERSTON NORTH.

{Manaioatv, Times.)

The entertainment given last night in the Theatre Royal by the children of St. Patrick's School was largely attended and was most successful. All of the items on the programme were contributed by the juveniles, who deserve every praise for the manner in which they performed their parts. The children, the majority of whom were attired in white dresses and red sashes, were grouped on the stage, and the choruses which were sung by them, were especially well rendered. The tableaux were excellently produced and created loud applause. The scenes were well worked out, and splendidly pourtrayed. Under the effects of the red magnesium light, manipulated by Father Patterson, the characters in the tableaux looked extremely like wax figures. The programme (each item of which was distinctly announced by Master Ryan) was as follows :—Pianoforte duet, Misses Campion and Hodgins ; chorus and dance, " Gathering violets," children ; recitation, " Niggardly Nigger," Master M. Walsh ; tableau, " Little Jim,"' with recitation by Master Hodgins ; duet, " Friendship," Misses McGrath ; song, " Sunshine," Miss Lily Aisher ; recitation, " Pat and the dentist," Master Carmody ; pianoforte solo. " Sonata," Miss Campion ; chorus, " Come to the woodlands," children ; tableau, ''Rock of Ages" ; recitation, " The sailor boy's dream," Master Ryan ; song and fairy dance, children ; recitation, " A Christmas story," Miss Carmody ; song (in character) " Down by the Swanee river," boys ; chorus, " King Christmas," children — Master McGarth as " Father Christmas," ; tableau, " The stable at Bethlehem " ; chorus, " God defend New Zealand." The various characters in the tableaux were filled as follows :—": — " Little Jim."— Collier's wife, Miss Mullins ; angels, Misses Mary Oakley and Brophy ; collier, Mr. Murphy ; child, Master Hing. " Rock of Ages." — Angels, Misses Mary Oakley and Mullins ; Rock of Ages, Miss Brophy. •' Stable at Bethlehem." — St. Joseph, Mr. Murphy ; virgin, Miss Mary Oakley ; angels, Misses Brophy and McGrath. The accompaniments were admirably played by Miss Campion. Miss Brandon ably assisted in the whole performance, and Miss Dixon had charge of the tableaux.

At the termination of the programme the Rev. Father Patterson spoke in complimentary terms of the excellent behaviour of the children throughout the year. He said they had given every attention to their work and had always endeavoured to obey the Sisters. To their attention to the instructions given was due the undoubted success of the evening, and he was sure that they had earned the prizes which they were going to receive. He then thanked the audience for their patronage and concluded by calling on the children to give them three hearty cheers.

The presentation of prizes was then proceeded with. The Mayor (who on appearing on the stage in company with the Mayoress, was loudly applauded) stated that it gave him the greatest pleasure to be there to present the prizes, and he thanked the Rev. Father Patterson for the invitation. He thought there was no prettier picture, than the children grouped on the stage waiting for their well-earned prizes, and he was glad to learn that the prizes were so awarded that every child obtained one. He stated that Father Patterson's system of prize distribution, viz., giving a prize to each child in school, was a commendable one, and he would like toisee it carried out in all State schools in Palmerston.

The prizes were then distributed as follows by the Mayor :—: — Silver medal presented by Rev. F. Patterson for Christian doctrine, Mary McWilliams ; silver medal presented by Rev. F. Patterson for good conduct, Charles Hing ; silver medal presented by Mr. White, of Wellington, for good conduct, Annie Kehir. Prizes were handed to Annie Aisher, Mary Hodgins, Mabel Greaney, Marion Clifford, Elizabeth Roberts, Martin Walsh. Peter Walsh, Herbert Moles, William Rapley, Mary McDonald, Susan Mullins, Kate McGarth, Ruby Wiltshire, Ella Spillane, Francis Ryan, Thomas Hodgins, Cornelius McGarth, Cameron Campion, Teresa Brophy, Ella Chitham, Teresa Sievers, Mary Sullivan, Cecilia Rush, Elizabeth Walshe, Mary Hickey, Lynda Moles, Violet McGarth, Maggie Greaney, Clare Campion, John Ryan, William Mulligan, Maggie Minogue, Elizabeth

Hing, Bessie Mullans, Lottie "Wiltshire, Annie McDonald, Jessie Rapeley, Nellie Me Williams, Evelyn Rawlins, Lizzie Walshe, Eva Wiltshire, Kate Hickey. Johanna Sullivan, Ethel Hing, Kate Hoppy. Cissy Moore, Alice Spillano, Charles Hodgins, Robert Sievert, Patrick Sweeney, Edward Holly, Edward Wiltshire, John Spillane, Veronica McDowall, Mary Bresnan, Rose Walsh, Annie Drysdale, Lillie Hart, Lizzie Gibson, Lizzie Mulligan, Frederick Hickey, George McAlistcr, Frederick Aisher, John Rush, William Ryan, Bernard Ryan, Richard Holley, Cecil Larsen, William Larsen, Claude Oakley, Maurice Spillane, William Hill, Muriel Hodgins, Lydia Wiltshire, Mary Mullans, Marjory Campion, Lina Hill, Bessie Hart, Maggie Hing, Bella Spillane, Ivy Chitham, Annie Ford, Cissy Goff.

A Christmas tree laden with numerous articles was then brought on the stage by Mr Murphy dressed up as " Father Christmas," which were distributed among 1 the children, after which the little ones were provided with refreshments by Father Patterson. The Sisters deserve every praise for the excellence of the examination.

The dance which was held during the latter part of the evening was largely attended by adults, and proved most enjoyable. The duties of M.C. were carried out by Mr. I Fake, and suitable music was provided by Mr. P. Tombs.