ST. DOMINIC'S COLLEGE, DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 52, 26 December 1901, Page 3

ST. DOMINIC'S COLLEGE, DUNEDIN.

The annual entertainment by, and distribution of prizes to the pupils of St. Dominic's College took place in the new cloister of the Priory on Wednesday night in the presence of a large number of parents of the children. Among those present were the Very Rev. Mgr. O'Ltary, and Rev. Fathers Murphy, Coffey, Cleary, O'Malley, Head en and O'Reilly.

The entertainment opened with a chorus nicely given by the kindergarten olass. This was followed by another ohoruß, 'The ■wallow,' contributed by the pupils of the college. A very fine item was a piano selection (three pianos) by Micses Collins, Gawne, and Callan. A violin quartette, a selection from Wagner's * Flying Dutchman, 1 by Mieses V. Thompgon. L. Freed, M. Paton, H. McKay grave an opportunity to the audience to judge of the very high standard of the vatied musical education imparted at the college. Miss G. Meenan saner with tatte and expression a song- by Rubenatein. A duet by Sohnloff on three pianos by Misses Carey, Clark, Montague, Jack man, King, and Sweeney was played with an artistic finish which was much appreciated by the audience. An item which attracted much attention was a French dialogue taken part in by Misses Seelye, Meenan, Thompson, and Byrne. The piece was given with a vivaoity, and a knowledge of the pronounciation of the French language that reflects much credit on the performers and their teachers. Gounod's Serenade arranged for h-irp, violin and piano was well executed by Minses H* lps, Toompson, and Paton. Miss Dunnmuir has a well trained voice which whs heard to considerable advantage in 'At my window.' Miss M Pnton gave a piano solo which was distinguished for brilliancy ot execution, good touch, and expression. Moore's melodious ' Coulin," with harp ( Miss Helps) and piano (Miss M. Paton) accompaniment, given by Misses Larnach, Meenan, Anthoi y and Greaves, was suntf in a finished manner. A well-played duet by Misses Paton and Courtis brought the entertainment to a close. The accompaniments during the evening wore played by Misses G. Larnach, M. Paton, and M. Carey.

At intervals during the pprogram«m m« the prizes were presented by the Rev. Father Murphy, who was assisted by the Rev. Mother Prioress. The wreath for amiability wa» given by the votes of the pupils to Misa F. MoCluhkey. Miss T. Kilmartin secured a gold medal aB dux of the school. At the conolusion of the entertainment Rev. Father Murphy

paid he had ro apologise for the absence of his Lordship Biehop Verdon, who, to bis great regret regret, was unable to be present. This was to be regretted, as no oie took a greater interest in educational matters than his Lordship. Father Murphy then read the annual report, which was as follows :—: —

' This year has been characterised by exceptional diligence on the part of the pupils : we have rarely seen each enthusiasm for study. As a consequence, in the examination just held of class subjects it was in several cases difficult to discover the best, many papers falling short of the maximum by very few marks. Aa another natural consequence of this love of study the conduct of the students has rendered oar task easy and pleasant. There has not: been one troublesome girl in the school. Respect, docility, and polite demeanor have been the prevailing tone throughout. About 40 pupil* have gone through the musical examinations of the Royal Academy and Trinity College, London, with grati f yiog snocess. In the art studio the work done has been also exoellent. Indeed, the marked ability we have found among the student" in the various branches gives promise of brilliant successes in the future.' The report, said Father Murphy, was short, but it was certainly gratifying to the pupils and pleasant to the parents of the children and others interested in the college. It was not necessary for him to speak of the secular work of the college, as others more competent had pronounced on that, and their opinion was very satisfactory. One thing he wished to emphasise, the one thing that was brought prominently before all in the report, and that was the excellent conduct of the pupils during the yeir. This should bring j^y to every parent who had the hapuineea of having a chilrt trained in that excellent institution. It was the duty of the parent to educate the child and prepare it for the battle of life, and more especially to see to its religious training, for a parent who neglected this duty betrayed the trust imposed on him by the Creator. When a child had been given the necessary training to take it through life, and had also received the instruction necessary for its First Communion, then was the time for the parent to see if it had any ability that would be likely to show clearly its path in life, and if the parent had the means at his disposal he should give the child a higher education bo as to develop whatever talents God had given it. Only then would the parents have discharged their duties properly. When children were sent to an institution such an St. Dominic's College the opportunities were given them to bring out those qualities which would enable them later on to find out what position in life they were best suited for. This waß a grand thing for the child, who would thus be free to make its own selection. It would not fall to the lot of many of those children to follow in the footsteps of their teaohers ; but there were many other positions in life of great importance for young ladies, for it was said that the hand which rooked the cradle was that which ruled the world. This being so, the fact of educating a child was an important one, for the hand that waa to rule the world must be gentle yet firm. This accomplishment was to be got only by a good and thorough religious education. The children in that institution had the example of their teachers always before them — the very air resounded with the praises of God — and if they did not fully realise the advantages at their disposal the day would come when, with more mature mindf, they would reflect upon the good and s-nntly lives led by their teachers, and would try to emulate them. It was a great happiness for those children who were placed under the charge of the Sisters of St. Dominic, or, as they were called in the early days of the Order, 'The Militia of Christ.' For nearly 800 years they had done great work, and had met with many crosses but they overcame them all, and to-day they had the satisfaction that there are very few parts of the world where they had not established themselves and brought forth fruit worthy of St. Dominic and spouses of Christ. The following is the prize list :—: — SENIOR SCHOOL. Christian Doctrine. — Senior division : Silver medal, Miss T. Kilmartin ; hon. mention, A. Plunkett, M. Byrne, N. Kelly, M. Herlihy, F. MClu«key. Christian doctr.ne — Junior division: Silver medal, Mi-s Minnie Collins ; hon. mention, W. Power, M. Tobin, M. Murray. M. M Ponald, M Sullivan. CI»S9 Prizes — Class B (intermediate grade)) : Silver medallist, Miss W. Power ; arithmetic, Mis-s Minnie Collins ; French, MiBS Mary Tobin ; Latin, M^s M. Smellie. Cla^s A (intermediate grade) : Silver medallist, Miss H. Sweeney : arithmetic. Miss K. Byrne ; French, Miss Maud Collins ; Latin Miss E. Wood. Class B (senior grade, civil service) : Silver medallist. Miss N. Kelly ; arithmetic, Miss M. Herlihy ; algebra, Miss H. M'Kay ; Latin, Miss H. M'Kay; French, Miss N. Kelly. Class A (senior grade, matriculation class): Gold medallist (dux), Mips T. Kilmartin ; arithmetic, Miss J. Kelman ; algebra, Miss A. Plunkett ; French (silver medal), Miss H. MKay ; excellence in literary style (won at a special concursus), Miss G. Wood. Art Needlework — Silver medal, Miss M. Brennan ; hon. mention— Misses Maud Collins, F. Clarke, M O'Rourke. W. Power, H. M'Kay. A. M'Dougall, A. Cutten. Mountmellick and drawn-thread work : Prize, Miss A. M'Poti^all ; hon. mention — J. Kelman, M. Tobin, F. M Cluskey, M. M'Donald, C. Heffernan, M. Murray, N. O'Sullivan, M. Graham, M. Jaekman, and M. Smellie. Painting from the cast : Silver medal, Miss J. Kelman ; water-color painting, Miss A. Cutten; mapping, Mins A. M'Dougall; penmanship, Miss M. O'Rourke ; calisthenics — Miss F. Clarke and R. Rossiter ; hon. mention — Misses J. Kelman, M. Jaekman, M. Walshe, K. Bryne, H. Sweeney, A. M Dougall, M. O'Rourke, and M. Herlihey. Excellence in class work, Miss M. Byrne ; attendance — Mixseß H. M'Kay, J. Millar ; wood carving, Mins F. M'Cluskey ; out-door games, Miss >■ . Clarke ; politeness, Miss M. Cutten ; good conduct (silver medal), Miss Maud Collins. Wreath (awarded by the vote of the pupils for amiability), Miss Fanny McCluskey.

School of Music prizes (awarded for honors in the Royal Academy and T/inity CoUega of Music)— Royal Academy : Pianoforte (honors)— Local centre, silver medal, Miss M. Carey ; distinction— higher grade, silver medal, Miss M. Jackman, Miss M. Montague ; elementary grade, Miss A. Gilray. Harmony: Higher grade, silver medal, Miss M. Paton ; lower grade, Miss M. Jaokman, Mien J. Krlman, Miss I. Edmonds. Trinity College : Pianoforte (honorsSenior grade, Miss J. Griffen ; intermediate grade, Miss M. King ; junior grade (silver medal), Miss Minnie Collins, Mish M. Gawne. Violin (honors)— Junior grade (silver medal), Miss V. Thompson. JUNIOR SCHOOL. Christian doctrine— X. Collinß. English : Class A— Frances Byrne ; Class B. — Audrey Riohardson. Arithmetic : Class A Kathleen Collins ; Class B— Gladys Fuller. Writing, Bella Laffey ; general information, Ivy Campbell ; needlework, Mary Walshe ; calisthenics, Mary Walshe ; violin, Kitty Byrne ; order and neatness, Hilda Fuller ; politeness and deportment, Rachel Johnston ; attention toolass work, Ethel Trower ; general improvement, Dolores M' Donald; good conduct, Mary Walshe. Kindergarten.— Reading, spelling, and music, Jessie Fuller; spelling and arithmetic, Patricia Toomey ; catechism and arithmetic, Ha Henderson ; drill, Phillis Crombie ; application, Ivy M'Donnell ; basket-weaving, Helena Moloney ; politeness, Gabrielle Spain ; attention to music and drawing, Bessie Laffey ; good conduct, Marion Taylor ; reading, Mona Thrustan ; deportment, Molly Coughlan ; weaving, Ellie Coughlan ; reading. Olive Jolly ; deportment, Mabel Yardley ; mental arithmetic, Willie Gawne ; singing, Aureen Campbell ; kindergarten work, Myrtle Creighton ; attendance, Evelyn Barry ; improvement, Florrie Cant well ; counting, Bertie Cantwell ; amiability, Ro* Murphy ; counting, Hyacinth Toomey ; gentleness, Ivy Moore ; progress, Lalor Shiel ; boxjiaking, Edward Sandyß ; singing, Gwyneth Richardson ; attendance, Bella Collins ; singing, Nora M'Mahon , catechism, Arthur Hesford ; perforated work, Eileen Collins ; modelling in clay, Kathleen Coughlan ; amiability, Kathleen Coughlan. A list of the pupils who passed in the musical examinations held during the year by Trinity College, and the Associated Board of the Royal College and Academy of Music, appeared in the N.Z. Tablet of December 12. DISPLAY OP WORK. During the day a large number of parents and friends of the pupils visited the Priory for the purpose of inspecting the fine display of art work shown in the study hall. Perhaps never before was the exhibition of such a varied character, nor had it reached so high a standard of excellence. The exhibits inoluded paintings in oils, water colors, crayon drawings, specimens of wood oarving, and an endless variety of art needlework, the latter being especially noticeable for exquisite finish, originality of design, and harmonious blending of colours. In landscapes in oils there was shown some fine work from the brushes of Mrs. Millen, Misses Larnacb, Walsh, Yannini, Guffie, and Mrs. Hudson, the two last named exhibitors showing admirable studies in perspective. In addition to a pretty water-color landscape Miss A. (Jutten had some very goi.d work in oils. Miss McGregor's Highland scene is worthy of special mention as among some of the be^t shown. Among other exhibits Miss M Brennan had a painted mirror which was a veiy creditable piece of work. Of tho panel* —^tnaies in flowers and birds — the m«>bt noticeable were thone by Mits A. Cutten. Miss Larnncb, and Mihh Courtis. Aliases Brennan, Courtis, Collins (2), Kelrnan, Graham, and McDougall hwl Home excellent examples of crayon work Miss J. Keim m i-huwed s-jine nice pptcimens of ptsrel drawing. In mapping th* principal exhibitors were Missis M. Herlihy, McDougall, and Mary Byrne. In rawed plush and arrasene work Misa Maggie Collins had a fine panel, MiBS Betts being also an exhibitor. Two screens in anasene were shown by Misses Hilda McKay ani Maggie Brennan, and music ottomans by Misses McCluskey and McDougall. Miss Winnie Power had a green plush manteldrape. There were some very artistic examples of ribbon work by Misses L*ruach and Guffie, panels in Frei.ch embroidery by Misses Guflie, Carroll, and Nichol, a panel of trellis work by Mit-s Freda Clark, cushioi h by Misses Roseiter and Margaret Brennau. The exhibits of point and Honiton lacea by Misses J. Knlman, Maud Collins, and an extern pupil were greatly admired. Iv drawn thread and Mountmellick work the exhibitors were Misses A. McDougall, M. Tobin, and C. Heffernan. In wood carving, a new branch of education at the college, some admirable examples of this art were shown, all of which were from original designs by the Sister in charge of this department. Among the exhibitors w«re Misses F. McCluskey, McDougal, O'Rourke, and M. Collins In the kindergarren section some very interesting specimens of work were on view, among these being modelling in clay, basket weaving, and straw plaiting Patricia Toomey, Jessie Fuller and N. Thrustan had bouie nice .Uuminated texts.