ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL, GREYMOUTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXI, Issue 2, 8 January 1903, Page 27

ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL, GREYMOUTH.

The holding capacity of St. Patrick's large schoolroom was heavily taxed on the oocasion of the annual concert by the pupils of the Convent schools (aays the ' Grey River Argus '). The Sisters of Mercy are to be deservedly complimented on the high standard of merit that characterised the various numbers on the very excellent programme. The well-equipped stage presented a pleasing picture. and from the first rising to the final falling of the curtain the entertainment proceeded with sparkle and vivaoity that frequently doea not characterise the performances of ' grown-ups.' The audience was a thoroughly pleased and most enthusiastic one, and testified their approval by demands for recalls that were pleasantly and cheerfully conceded. Certainly the merits of the various iteraß were such aa amply justified the honors showered on the performers. The marches and action songs of the younger pupils were excellently rendered, the costumes were varied, bright and pleasing, the drill excellent, add the singing really good In the pretty action song, < The fancy ball,' the characters were represented by Misses Rita Harming, Pearl Hood, Kate McManua, Lena Higgins, Vera Hannan, Muriel Swan, May Kilgour, Theresa Mahoney Madge Mulgan, Mary Higgins, Inga Hannam, Gußßie Rogan, Mary Mahoney. * The march, ' The Gay Goblins,' was another taking number, the performers being the Misses M. Mulgan, I. Hannam, X GieskiDg, E. Whitaker, Masters T. Higgins, W. Rogan, and L. Moßrearty. The little mites thoroughly enjoyed their parts, and so too did the audience. The 'The umbrella drill' by the little Misses L. Higgins>, M. Higgins, M. Kilgour, T. Mahony, M. Mulgan, R Hannan, V. Hannan, G. Rogen, E. West, M. Warnes, and M. Mahoney was another pleasing item, as was also • The dolls,' by the liliputian Misses L. Higgins, P. Hood, E. West, W. Warneß, R. Hannan, V. Hannan, M. Kilgonr, T. Mahoney, M. E. McCarthy, A. Rogan K. MoManus, and M. Mahoney. The action song in charaoter of ' The witches,' enacted by the Misses P. Hood, K. McManus, M. Warnee, R. Hannan, B. West, V. Hancan, M. Swan, G. Rogan, and T. Mahoney, was also a pronounced success. The ' Buttercups and Daisies March ' of the older pupils was as pretty a pieceof stage action as was ever seen in Greymouth. The young ladies who took part were the Misses L. Cottle, B. Hannan, F. Shannahan, A. Hannan, M. Peterson, A. Bowman, G. Hannam, m! Clarke, R. Hannan, and L. Higgins. Sir little mites also took part and with a very pretty effect. The whole march had to be repeated, as had also all the marches and action songs. The instrumental selections were five in number and their execution was in every way in keeping with the convent's record for munical honors. The items were : — Solo on three pianos — ' Polieh Dance,' (Scharwenka No. 15), Misses J. O'Reilley, G, Hannam, E. Hannan ; duet and solo—' ' Invitation to the Waltz,' Misses E. Kemple, N. McDonnell, M. E. Noonan, N. O'Brien ; solo and duet (three pianos) — ' Mattei's Waltz,' Misses L. Cottle, A. Skoglund, N. McDonnell, M. Peterson, G. Hannam ;*s<lo on three pianos — ' Valse di Concert 1 (Wianawski), Misßes Skoglund, M. E. Noonan, E. Kemple ; solo on two pianos—^Fantasia Chromatica, (Bach), Misses N, McDonnell, E. Kemple.

The selection wag a musical gem and was brilliantly played. It formed the teßt piece in the recent musical examination in which these young ladies won the teachers' certificates of Trinity College. The seven vocal numbers thoroughly pleased the audience. Three ohoruses, ' The harvest moon ' ' Come rise with the lark ' and 'Home by the river,' were splendidly sung by the Binging oUss of 20 sweet and well trained young voices. In ' Slightly mix«d ' little Vera Hannan brought down the house, and in the vocal duet with Muriel Swan 'Kept in' a further big suooesa was scored. Both items were deservedly encored. ' The swallows,' a song tastefully and feelingly rang by Miss Eileen Hannan was the vocal gem of the concert. In response to the imperative encore she sang 1 Killarney ' with taste and expression . Another artistic success waa made in the vocal duet 'Tell me where do fairieß dwell' by Miss E. Hannan and L. Cottle. Their voices blended admirably. At the close of the concert Very Rev. Dean Carew thanked the audience for their attendance, and complimented the children on the ability whioh they had displayed. He also congratulated the Sisters and the children on the successful results of the year In practical music exams, there had been no failure, and in the school exams., conducted by the Government inspector, Mr H. Smith, all the pupils passed except two. The convent school, Brunnerton, was examined by the inspeotor last month, with the satisfactory result that all the children passed. The following is Mr Smith's report :—' This is a good school, and the teachers are to be complimented on the year's work. All the subjects of the syllabus have been attempted, and in several of theca, notably spelling, writing, and arithmetic, very good work has been done. The result should be gratifying to the managers of the school.'