Te Aroha

New Zealand Tablet, 17 November 1910, Page 1901

Te Aroha

(From an occasional correspondent.) Notwithstanding the very inclement weather, there was a large attendance at the Te Aroha Convent High School on the occasion of the musical entertainment given by the pupils to celebrate the silver jubilee of the Sister Superior, Sister Mary Columba. The proceedings were in every sense most enjoyable and must have been particularly gratifying to the good Sisters of Mercy, as well as to the parents and friends of the pupils. The Rev. Father McGuinness, the parish priest of Te Aroha, on behalf of the parents, guardians, and friends of the pupils (people of all denominations), presented" Sister Mary Columba witn a purse of sovereigns, remarking that the money could not, of course, be used personally, but would go to further the cause of education, she loved so well. Accompanying the purse was a pretty silver cross, the gift of the Rev, Mother and Sisters. The addresses and presentations were greeted with enthusiasm. The Mayor (Mr. Somers) also made a very happy little speech of congratulation, and paid a high compliment to the work done by the school, especially in the music department. The following was the programme:Overture, 'Gloria from Twelfth Mass (Mozart), Misses McGruer (piano), King, Gavin, Wigg, Hopkins, Bovett, Masters Ashby, Lovegrovc, and O'Connor; jubilee chorus, pupils; pianoforte duet (two pianos). Misses McGruer (2), Hopkins, and Barnard ; comedy, ' Who Stole the Rabbit?' boy pupils; chorus, 'Erin the tear,' pupils; violin duet, ' Ave Maria ' (Gounod), Misses J. \Yigg and Hopkins; piano solo, 'Lied ohne worte' (Mendelssohn), Miss E. Johnson; song and dance, 'Gipsies,' pupils; piano solo, ' Valse Alsacienne ' (Holbrooke), Miss McGruer: 'The choristers' march,' orchestra; 'The tin whistle band,' boys; piano solo, ' Les papillons ' (Helmund), Misses Chalton and Hogan vocal duct, 'Night and morning.' Misses McGruer and Hopkins; Viennese dance, Misses I). Kecsing, McLean, and Master O'Connor; 'The fairies' festival,' junior pupils. The stage was tastefully decorated, and the dresses of the children were .singularly beautiful and appropriate. Amongst those present were a number of visiting Sisters from Auckland and Otahuhu, including the Rev. Mother of the Order.

The following is a complete list of the musical successes of the pupils of the Convent of Mercy for the current year : —Trinity College, London.MatriculationKathleen Marnell, Amelia Sullivan, A.T.C.L.. Practical higher grade —Maud McGruer. Advanced senior— Eva Johnson, Dulcie Chalton. Intermediate Ethel Hopkins. Junior—Ethel Hopkins (violin), Thomas Ashby (violin), Margaret Cronin. Preparatory Muriel Smith. Theory, intermediate honors —Maud McGruer, E. Hopkins. Associated Board. Higher division—Miriam Barnard. Lower division —Violet Lovegrove, Ruth Lovegrove, Jean Wigg (violin). Elementary— Doris Keesing, Doris McGlashan, Mabel Newsham. Primary Jessie McLean. Rudiments, honors—Amelia Sullivan, AiT.S.f/r Jpfiss—Mgpd MpClnjfT,