INVERCARGILL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 1, 5 January 1899, Page 24

INVERCARGILL.

ST. CATHARINE'S CONVENT. (Southland -A*i?/r.s.) Tie annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Convpnc School took place in s t. Joseph's School. A lar^e nun fc r of friends weiv present. The pupils gave a concert and sustained their hij,'h reputation m a creditable manner. A rliree-part song by Misses E. and M. Anthony, M. Armstrong, A. Taylor, L. Kirwan, and M. M'Keowu and a solo by Miss L\ Anthony deserve special mention. A piano solo, 'Crowning,' was gracefully ami brilliantly played by Mi&s Gudgeon. All present availed themselves of the opportunity to inspect the display of art and fancy work. A laige number of paintings were hung, and tfie great majority were, as in former years, of more than ordinary merit. Aiisa N. Creau is a pupil of considerable ability ; a pair of landscapes (Continental scenes) and two panels were the best of her exhibits, and were much admired tor their beauty and warm colouring. Miss D. Kingsland also is very skilful with her brush ; her painting of a clematis (from nature) in oils was exceedingly pretty. She showed, also, a study in trees that is worthy of mention.

A water colour representation of a farm scene by Miss M'Kenzie attracted attention, and was one of the prettiest pictures in the room. A specimen of Kensington painting, a spray of lilies entwined with a creeper, was shown by Miss Deegan. Miss M. Armstrong also hung a panel in the same work. A raised foxglove pant^^ 7 Miss M. Wheeler showed care and skill. In crayon drawing exhibits were shown by Misses Ward, Deegan, and M. Fraser. Miss M. Wheeler's drawing of two dogs was without doubt the most meritorious in the crayon class. The art work, as a whole, was highly creditable to the convent, and elicited unstinted admiration. lii fancy work many beautiful articles were exhibited, amongst them a music stool, by Miss K.Griffen, in arasene on plush, and one in arasene aud boadwork by Miss M. Deegan. A Spanish loungp, in woolwork and silk, by Miss J. Roche, would be a handsome adornment to any drawing-room. Cushions, excellent in design and workmanship, were shown by Misses Kingsland and E. Feldwick, and handsome footstools by Misses Shepherd and Crean. Three large mantel-drapes formed the centre of an admiring circle, and thoroughly deserved the position. In wood-carving, tables by Misses Gudgeon and Crean were neatly carved in handsome designs ; trays by Misses Armstrong and Ryati, and stools and photo frames by Miss Defgan showed skill and enre. The work of the pupils dit-plays care and attention in every detail, and efficient teaching on the part of the nuns. Following is the prize list : — Tex Medal Winnkuk or H'.»S. — Senior School: Religious knowledge (presented by Rev. Dean Burke), MUs R. Maher : good conduct, Miss E. Feldwick ; politeness Miss G. Wheeler ; attendance, Miss C. Sheehan. Class medals : Senior Grade B (dux), Miss Edith Feldwick; Intermediate Grade A, Miss M. Deegan; Intermediate Grade B. Miss C. Jones. Extra subjects : Painting (general), Miss Nora Crean; flower painting from nature, Miss D. Kingsland j music. Miss Kily Ward. Additional Phizes. — Art needlework. Miss Nora Crean ; plain needlework, Mi&s J. Roche : order and industry, Miss May ; special attention to Latin and French, Miss Ruby MGill ; honourable mention in clas«es of Senior School, Misses L. Kirwan, N. Crean, N. tthephi rd, M. Feldwick, M. M'Keown, K. Griffen, and E Ward ; fancy needlework, Misses M. Deegan, M. Armstrong, and D. Kingsland ; politene-s, Misses E. Fraser and M. M Kenzie. Junior School. — Junior Grade A, Molly Carr ; Junior Grade B, Minnie Collins ; politeness, Mary M'Donough; applic ition, Mary Prenderga&t ; music, Ethel Kinghland ; religious knowledge, Katie M-Grath. Kinderoarten Prizes. — Third year's course : Religious knowledge, Nelly Burke ; good conduct Janet Millar ; kindergarten drill, Muriel Bews ; reading and recitation, Lu^y Carr ; object lessons, Kathleen Collins ; general improvement, Maggie Howard ; arithmetic and drawing, Bertie Tiinpany. Second year's course : Reading and spelling, Freda Culling ; sewing, Eileen Mahoney : paper-folding, Teresa Howard ; cube-building, John Collins ; drawing, Marr Tiinpany. First year's course : Reading and spelling, Ruby Wright ; gift I, Vera Bews ; stick-laying, Harold Broad ; regular attendance, Fred Wood ; gift 11, Percy MLean ; obedience, Elsa Carr. The Very Rev. Dean Burke having distributed the prizes, said he was pleaded to be able to congratulate the teachers and children on the happy results of the year's work. Indeed, the nuns had spared no attention and pains, not only in bringing (he children on in their book-le&sonp, in painting, sinking and miihic. but also in improving and polishing their manners, carriage and habits — in teaching them regard for one another and respect for their elders ; in insisting on self-control, upon restraint of the tongue, and scrupulous avoidance in word and act of anything encroaching upon the requirements of propriety and modesty. The nuns have been endeavouring to impress upon the children cheerful affability and straightforward honesty, as well as that simplicity and quiet, unassuming dignity of bearing which mark so many of those young people who have gone through their hands. It is a ereat satisfaction to all interested in ther-e schools to know from the school reports and the word of those who observe the children, that the anxious care expended of them has had the desired results. Now, it is to be hoped that the children will not, during the holidays, put away in their own ho i es and in the homes ot those they may visit, the habits of belt control and the obliging, kindly ways impressed upon them during the scholastic year. Rudeness, incivility, illnature, giddy vulgarity would not he tolerated in these schools; neither should these faults be tound in the heedom and privacy of home. It goes without say ; ng that the first and most effective school for child-training is the home. If children were allowed to act in a rude, telf-wilied, oOonsive way in the bosom of their own families, they never would show that amiable disposition,

that courtesy, those engaging manners ia the outside world which would secure its re«peot. Did the faults referred to crop up at home and, like weeds even in well-hoed gardens, they were likely to crop up time after time, the parents, of whom he saw a good number pre3ent, would do well to regard it as their first duty to help the teachers in checking these undesirable manifestations. The minutely careful attention of the teachers, the goodwill of the pupils, and the co-operation of the parents, all combined, would result in making these children estimable members of the community ; such as are so many who have passed through these schooß In dismissing the children he wished them happy holidays and hoped to see them back towards the end of January hale, healthy and hearty, to begin another year's work equalling in success that so happily closing. MARIST BROTHERS' SCHOOL. The pupils of this school gave a varied entertainment in the I Theatre Royal on Wednesday, December 21. There was a packed house. The first part of the programme was of a miscellaneous i nature. A trio and chorus, ' The Echo, 1 by the pupils, opened the entertainment, and was rendered in good style. A recitation ' later*,' by Master James Collins, and another, 'Jimmy the Nurse' by Master James MXamara, were very well delivered. These two lads give promise of becoming elocutionists of hie-h ability. A son** in character, ' Black Tarf,' by Master James M'Grath, was wefl sung, and the singer was recalled. ' Poor Little Johnny ' was sung by Master Addelam in the character of a little bootblack. This little lad sang very well, and was also recalled. The trialogue ' The , Evil Adviser,' a piece with a moral, was clearly spoken and much enjoyed. The characters were taken by Masters S. M"Grath J ■ MNainara, and M. Horan. The dumbbell drill to music was gone through faultlessly by a squad of boys in a very pretty uniform, and was followed by some marching movements. The evolutions were so prettily performed that a recall was insisted upon, and the , marching movements were repeated. " Bismarck's German Band " | (Master T. Ward, drum-major) so satisfied the younger portion i of the audience (and the older portion as well) that it i was also recalled. The first part of the entertainment j concluded with Rossiter's grand recitative, aria, and chorus , ' Z.-landia,' sung by Mr. M. Hishon (a fine tenor singer) ! in very good style. The second part of the entertainment was a two-act drama entitled, ' The End of the Tether.' The characters were filled as follows .—Mr. Bland Sruyles, M. Wells ; Mr. Stephen G-earing, M. Stanton ; Mr. John Gearing. E. Griff en ; ' jukes'j ukes ' Ephraim CaJge, Bulford. B. Hargreaves ; Dr. Planus, J. M'Grath'Mr Fugg-les, N. Collins ; Tummy Dodd, E. Ward ; Mr. Drudge, f! Crawford ; Mr. Nibbs, J. Shepherd ; Mr. Fubbs, J. Collins. The characters were well placed and, in repeating their lines, the boys again gave evidence that they were thoroughly taught the art of speaking. They spoke distinctly and deliberately, and scarcely ever I slurred a syllable. In this respect their performance was much superior to that of adult amateurs that have been heard in the j Theatre. The boys also acted well aud exhibited a surprising con1 trol of gesture and facial expression. The drama went without a ! hitch, and the manner in which it was staged was extremely creditable, both to the pupils and to the teachers. Mr. E. Wright gave valuable assistance as maker-up. A strong orchestra, conducted by Mr. A. Ferguson, played selections before each part. The entertainment was wholly enjoyable, and the large audience frequently manifested its appreciation throughout the evening by heartily applauding. The proceeds are to be devoted to the boys" Prize and Library Fund.