SCHOOL VACATIONS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 2, 12 January 1899, Page 28

SCHOOL VACATIONS.

HAWEUX. XT. .lObEl'llV SCHOOL. All concerned in last night's concert the Hainra Star of December Hi) are to be complimented on the unqualified sucjc-s attained. The attendance was large— Opera House being full — the programme was good right through, and the surroundings bright and attractive in the extreme. The Mayor (Mr. C. C. Major) presided There was a long Hit of items, but want of space forbids dealin"- at length wnh it, but .-p -.iking generally thu Sifters as well as the^youthful performers have reas n to hel proud of the impression created by their efforts, which gave evidence on every hand of caietul and intelligent tuujo'i. Features of the evening were club and dumbell exercises by tin- junior boys and girls and iris drill by the senior girls Vocil solo-, were given nicely by Misses Gertio O'Connor, K. Whittaker. Ethel Clout, and Milner, whilst songs and choruses and <iiu is by the senior girls were a treat to listen to. The instrumental niu-ic. a-, usual, was good, although there were rather many of this chss. Those who contributed items were:-Mi,sc 8 W..U. and N. Cornell A E and K.Whittaker L and M. Morrissey, A. and (!. Gomer, M. Condon, J. Anderson, E. Georg". E. Graham, V. Ogdcn. and Masters L. Whittaker, A. Lucas and B. Cummins. The second part was devoted to a pliy entitled 'Gutter Grey's I e"acv ' in which the following took part: — Misses lima Cosvern, Kate Whittaker, Nellie Connell. Ethel Graham, Gertie O'Connor, Ethel Saunder?.' Alison Gomer, Ethel Clout. The play was highly appreciated, and Miss Ethel Clout's delineation of ' Biddy Bobbins' was amusing to a degree. At the conclusion of the concert, V ather Power briefly addressed those present. In the course of his remarks he said . — On occasions of this kind, it is the privilege of the one who occupies the position which I occupy this evening, to give to our patrons and to those also who do not understand our views, a reason for the faith that is in us a reason to show we are doing a work of absolute necessity— of absolute necessity to the individual and to the State when we build up Christian schools. The length of the programme prevents mv following the usual course this evening. However, the very existence of our school is in itself a most eloquent speech, for does it not suggest the many and great sacrifices made in this town durin°- the past fourteen years on behalf of the Divine work of Christian education, financial sacrifices on the part of the Catholic ueODles sacrifices of health, of energies, and of life on the part of the devoted teacher.-, and sacrifices many and continuous on the nart of my venerated friend and predecessor, who gave all his time and his lost penny to put up trrand building- and to protect beneath their shelter the lambs ot Hi, Master. Hawera Convent School! Monument of many sacrifices I You are the embodiment of your founders' linn conviction that Christian teaching is nece-sary tor the preservation of the Chiistian religion of the Christian lite. Faithful through years ot tral, may you be in the brighter eia that is dawning, the nursing mother ot many generations who will •irise and call you bles.-ed. That tin- wish may be fulfilled continue In a sphere widening with the matuial progress ot the town the God-o-iven and God-like work jou have be. n doing. And what a work"' Yours it is to mould the pla-nc mind and heart ot youth : voura'to tempt youth's regal wing- flight* of unimagined glory. Sordid aims would cramp and narrow the budding mind : e.rihiy and debasing pleasures would rob the heart ot true enjoyment. The life of your protege -> is not material bread . their joy not in palaces nor on thrones. T.,e ardent yearning of their a-pmng souls bidvou launch them torfh upon the boundless deep that they may sail on and on until they re, t them in the bosom of God. Hawera Convent School ! Behold then your woik. it is a gigantic work. But have no fear. God is with you, and there are hundreds, perhapthousands in this di-irict watching to applaud you. Yuur ch'loren have "-one forth from you. and they have not had much to unlearn. And all who know them call a own bie-Miigs upon you. for they arc confident that, though all el-e -hould tail you can still send forth into the world young ladie- who will be treasures ol modesty, ot virtue and of every womanly grace. As for us, Catholics and nonCatholic- who -upport the Convent school, we proclaim once more

in a loud voice that we are Cnristians. living in a Christian country, and under a Christian Government, and we claim the right to be allowed to bring up our children in a Christian m tnoer, in Christian principles, und under Olmstiiu teacher*, without being fined as thongh we were convicted enemies of the State engaged in practices dangerous to the community. Mr. Major, before reading the list of prizes, spoke briefly, endorsing the lofty and eloquent sentiments of Father Power, e«p cially all that had been said in reference to th-'ir late rector Father Mulvihill. He aNo mentioned the significant fact that only , four children out of the whole school had failed at Mr. V. Bindon'a examination. The pri/,e-list was th»n read as follows :— Politeness and amiability (awarded by votes of pupils) . Winnie Connell. (rood conduct : Eileen Wnituiker, Rupert Utker. Next in merit: Winnie Connell, Eva George, lluth Nicholson. Ethel Saunders, Maggie Morrissey, Gertie Connell, Nellie 'farraut, Mary Cond m, Nellie Suttnn. and Gertie O'Co-in-ir. Regular attendance- Alfred Lucas. Singing: Ethel Clout. Sewing ■ senior division, Era George ; junior divi-ion. Violet O^den. Mwe : senior division, Winnie Connell 1, Leo WnittaAer 2: j.un'or divi.-ion, Gertie Connell 1, Ida Anderson 2 The following prize list his been made from the marks given by Mr. Buidon. n -pi'ctor of schools — Stand, nd (> lluia Cowern 1, Frances E«pigne 2, Leo Whittaker :>. ht in laid ."> • Ruth Ni'-holson 1, Alison Gomer 2, Ethel Clout H S-andard I Maggie Morrissey 1, Percy O'Connor 2, Nellie Sutton and Agnes Colmau :; Standard :$ ■ Gladys Gomer 1, Nellie Tarrant 2. EiU Wortley :>. Standard 2 : Noruian Rauch and Charles Downey 1. Alfred Lucas 2, John Malone 3. Standard 2: Violet Ogden 1. Ida Anderton and Jane Curtayne 2, Norah Condon 3.