Concert at Arrowtown.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 52, 26 December 1901, Page 13

Concert at Arrowtown.

« Thk pupils of the Sisters of St. Joseph gave a most successful entertainment in the Athenssum Hall, Arrowtown, recently. The building was packed to the door, and the local newspaper stated that it was the beet children's entertainment ever given in the Wakatipu district From start to finish the ohildren displayed admirable aptitude in the interpretations of the different parts allotted to them, especially so in the drama entitled ' Trevellyn Hall.' Mr. L. H. Preston, Mayor of Arrowtown, addressed the audience before the curtain rose. He said he was sore they would go away delighted with the performance of the pupils. On previous occasions the listens had brought the ohildren to a high state of perfection, and he was sure tha pres<mt wonld be no exoeption to the rule. The Sisters had proved themselves capable teaohers in all depart m- nte of ednoation, and it was gratifying to know that parents had such advantages in their midst. Tbe following was the programme : — Overture, Misses Fittgibbon, Smith, Graham (pianos) E. and K. Treaoy (violins), and N. Baker (organ) ; norig, Miss M. Robertson ; action tong, junior class ; dialogue, Misses N. Sooles and M. Gray ' r quartette, Misses £„ H., and K. Treaoy, H. Roman*, and N. Baker ; song (in character), Master H. Treaoy ; d*noe, song and tableau, Misses H. Romans, B. Gray, J. Fitzgibbon, K. Coegrove, and E., X., and H. Treacy ; duet, Misses Treaoy (violin) and Fitxgibbon (piano) ; duet, Mies Duncan and Mr. J. C. M' Bride; recitation, Miss H. Romans : sontr, Miss Jopp ; song, Slits A. Cotter ; ' Young Scotland quadrilles.' Miut-es Fitcgibbon, M. Jopp, J. Bute], N. Biker (pi 1 not,), and E apd K. Tre»cy (violins); song, Mr. Tonkin; physical drill, Masters J. Kerin, J. Henderson, .J. Begbie, J. Cosgiovp, and J. Quinn ; song, Mr. J. C. M* Bride ; sons; sod dance, Mwsea Fitzgibbon, B. Treacy, D. Graham, K. Treaoy; B.43ray, H. Romans, and J. Cosgrove ; song, Miss Duncan ; song, Mr. 0. Robertson ; tambourine dance, Misses M. Quinn, B. Gray, E. Tobin, K. Cosgrove, M. Tobin, and E., X.. and H. Treacy ; pianoforte solo, Miss J. Fitegibbon ; song, Mr. F. Fraser. The following took part in the play : — Mieses D. Graham, J. Coegrove, B. Gaay. Treacy, E. Treaoy, L. Nolan, M. Jopp, H. Romans, H. Treacy, K. Cogrove, Masters W. Quinn and J. Kerin. In the drama— a heavy nndertaking for children — the performers were all letter-perfect, and they interpreted the parts wonderfully well. In fact, amateur adults oould not be expected to do better.

The Rev. Father O'Donnell took occasion to thank the performers for thtir assistance and the public for their patronage. Ho was sure they would all agree with him when he said the performance of the ohildren was a meritorious one and one that reflected the greatest credit on the teaching abilities of the Sisters. He might mention .that since the Catholic schools had been inspected by Government inspectors the percentage of passes was equal to those of public schools, and under the circumstances he wu sure that every right-tbicking man must be of the same opinion as himself that State aid should be given to Catholic schools. Besides receiving a sound education, the children were accomplished in other reppects, and under the circumstances he thought State aid should be given.

The Arrow Brass Band kindly played several selections prior to the entertainment.