MASTERTON

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXV, Issue 37, 12 September 1907, Page 23

MASTERTON

(B'rom our own correspondent.) j September 4. j The usual meeting of 'St. Patrick's branch of the H.A.C.B. Society was held last evening. The president Bro,- H. O'Leary) .occupied .the chair. Two new mem,bers were initiated. .The trustees were empowered to; .invest another £100 of the" branch funds 'now lying ali .the Bank.. It was decided to hold a social evening 1 on the next meeting night. : The results of the annual - examinations of the Royal Academy of Music and -Royal College of Music," Dondon, are just to ,hia,nd.. m The following pupils of St. Bride's Convent were amongst the successful candidates :— Vera C. Edwards, 91 ; M. Collins, 88 ; M. Boustead,- 87 ; Phyllis ■ Hanify, 84 ; Kate Hollo way,' -80 ; M. K^lliher, '80. One of the most successful social gatherings held here for some time took place on Thursday evenin^, in the Foresters- Hall, under the auspices of the Garryowen Hockey Club. An excellent supper was provided by. the ladies' committee. At a suitable interval, the

Very Rev. Dean McKenna - presented- the trophies won by members during the season. The medals were presented as follow :— Best back, Miss M. Collins ;. .best forward, Miss K. O'Leary ; most improved player, Miss R. Chapman ; member most regular in attendance .at practice, Miss K. O'Leary. A word of praise" is dap to . the secretaries, Misses M. Stempa,, and M. Hourt gan, for the -excellence of the arrangements.,- thus contributing essentially to the enjoyableness of the ' function. • ■ Some months ago the -Sisters of St. Bride/s Con> vent celebrated the centenary of -the Order "of St. Brig id, "and it was then decided that the important occasion should be marked in a more tangible way at a later period. The Mother Superior— an enthusiast in art matters— thought that- the erection .of -appropriate statuary in the beautiful gtounds of the convent would be ,an excellent idea, and .it* was resolved to adopt this course. Two statues were purchased— both from Antwerp— one. of which will be erected outside, -while the other will stand in a prominent position in the hall of the convent, where some artistic •. works in, canvas and terra cotta are already to be found. The statue, which is to be placed in the grounds, is a representation of the -Immaculate Conception. It,, is made of double-HDaked terra cotta, a -material specially adapted to withstand, atmospheric influencrs. -TJie- star tue, is pure, white,- and; -stands nearly' six feeX high. The other statue shows "St. Michael- /slaying' the drag-, on. The material used in the. statue is" also' terra cotta, but of less resistive nature, and .the figure's are picked .out in beautiful colors. The two statues are a decided acquisition to -the important -collection of art works which the convent- possesses.- Another .- valuable addition is • a representation of "Raphael's "famous - ' Madonna,' painted on tapestry. This came- -from- Rome, and is by a celebrated Italian artist." % - -