HOKITIKA.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 43, 23 October 1902, Page 5

HOKITIKA.

(From an occasional correspondent.)

October 16. The muoh-talked-of and long-expected fancy fair and art union In connection with St. Mary's School building fund eventuated on Tuesday and Wednesday last. The fair was a great success, and far exceeded the expectations of the good Sisters of St. Columbkille's Convent, who first suggested such a means of raising funds for the building. His Worship the Mayor, Mr H. L. Miohel, in a few well-chosen words, opened the fair on Tuesday evening. In the course of his remarks, the Mayor, who is a member of the Westland Education Board, spoke of the efficient work done by the good Sisters in the oause of secular education. He also spoke of the extra tax imposed upon Catholicß throughout the Colony by building and supporting their own schools, and he said he considered it was the duty of all Catholics and non-Catholics to assist in a work of the present kind. He recognised what a great saving to the State the Catholic schools were, because if all Catholic schools were closed and the children sent off to the State schools (where they had every right to attend if they so desired), the Colony would have to supply extra school accommodation and extra teachers to cope with the demand. It is a pity the Colony has not a fair share of broad-minded and honest-dealing members of Mr Michel's stamp amongst its representatives in Parliament, and then we would not be so heavily burdened with the double tax of supporting the State schools and preserving the knowledge and fear of God in the hearts of our children by building our own schools without State aid. Each evening the new building, which was the subject of many complimentary remarks, and an eye-opener to those who had not the privilege of seeing it before, waß crowded with many eager and willing workers and spenders, and was a Bcene of bußy and good-humored bustle. On Wednesday evening the art union, for which tickets had been disposed of throughout the Colony, was drawn in the presence of a committee of gentlemen, consisting of Messrs D. J. Evans, J. Lloyd, J. Brocklehurat, Very Rev. Dean Martin, Rev. Fathers Malone and O'Connor, and several gentlemen of the congregation. The winning numbers have been published in the local papers, and are also published in this issue of the Tablet. The fair was pleasantly interspersed on both evenings by instrumental and vocal items by several local amateurs. The stalls, representing England, Scotland, and Ireland, were Bresided8 resided over by Mesdames C. Malfroy and D. Toomey, and the [ißses Dwan, Miller, McGuigan, Bourke, and Foster, assisted by an army of willing assistants. The refreshment stall was in the care-

ful hands of Meedames Coltman and Toomey and the Misses Ward and Murphy, who were also assisted by willing helpers. The fish pond and fairy tree were under the care of Masters Daly, Coltman, Miller, and Green, who proved themselves worthy disciples of Izaao Walton, as every oast of their line brought forth a prize. The financial result of the fair will total about £120, which means that the school will be opened after the Christmas holidays free of debt. Rev. Father Malone thanked all who had so kindly assisted at the fair and art union, and made the undertaking suoh a pronounced success, remarking in the course of a short address that he had never before seen so many cheerful and willing givers. The following convent pupils passed the practical musioal examination held in connection with Trinity College, London, by Mr A. Mietowßki at Hokitika on Tuesday, 14th inst. Seventeen . were presented, and all of them were successful : — Senior passMargaret Cunningham (violin), Ruby Burns (violin), Statia Murphy (piano), Aileen Daly (piano). Intermediate pass— Annie Coltman (piano), Christina Eriokson (piano), Nellie Kidd (piano), Annie McDonald (piano), Maude Wilson (piano). Junior honors— Una Sullivan (piano). Junior pass— lvy Cullen (piano), Nora Moye, Robs, (piano), Sheila McDonald (violin). Preparatory divisionMay Sullivan, specially commended, (violin), Pearl Dowell (piano), Margaret Hatch, Rimu (piano), Frank Denia, Ross (piano). The following is the result of the theory examinations held at St. Columbkille's Convent in June last in connection with Trinity College, London :— Senior division (pass section)— Eva Murphy, Kumara 92, Margaret Cunningham, Hokitika 87. Intermediate division (honors section) — Nora Crowley, Hokitika, 87 ; Annie McDonald, Hokitika, 75. Intermediate division (pass section) — Maude Wilson, Hokitika, 97 ; Nora Moye, Roes, 96 ; Christina Erickson, Hokitika, 87 ; Aileen Daly, do., 83 ; Mary A. Johnson, do., 66 ; Nellie Kidd, do., 63. Junior division (honors section)— Elsie Kidd, Hokitika, 60. Junior division (pasß section) —Pearl Dowell, Hokitika, 96 ; Annie Woolhouse, Robs, 90 ; Margaret Hatch, Rimu, 82 ; Marie Padrazzi, Roes, 72.