CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' SCHOOL, DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Tablet, 26 December 1912, Page 17

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' SCHOOL, DUNEDIN.

j The annual entertainment by the pupils of the Christian Brothers' School was given in His Majesty's Theatre on Wednesday evening in the presence of a crowded audience, including Rev. Father Coffey, Adm., and a number of local and visiting clergy. Considering the high degree of excellence attained by these entertainments in the past, it is highly creditable to Rev. Brother Moore, who arranged the programme, that this one was well up to the standard of the best of former years. As a dramatic, vocal, and gymnastic display it gave the parents and friends of the pupils a good idea of the all-round education imparted by the Christian Brothers, . whose reputation as educators is not confined to the British Empire, but extends far beyond it. The first part opened with an Irish fantasia by an efficient orchestra under the direction of Mr. J'. C. Easton, Mr. J. A. Wallace being leader. Then followed an adaptation of Moliere's comedy, ' The Miser,' in which tne cast of characters was as follows: Harpagon (the miser), Master J. McCarthy; Lafleche (valet), Master W. Gleeson; CTeante (son of Harpagon), Master H. O'Neill; Polyander (son of Harpagon), Master C. Woods; Anselm (a rich notary), Master 0. Hastings; Orantes (neighbor of Harpagon), Master P. O'Connor; Lapierre (steward of Harpagon), Master A. Tai*leton; Maitre Jacques (cook and coachman), Master J. Newman; a commissary, Master E. Pollock; Lamerluche, Master W. Creed; Brindevoine, Master G. Brooks; Antoine, Master C. Dawson. The boys were letter perfect, and sustained their parts in a very creditable manner. The acting was consistently good throughout, and, while all did well, it is not out of place to give a special word of praise to Master J. McCarthy, who displayed more than ordinary ability in his portrayal of the title role. The next item, a Highland fling by Master Colin McKenzie, was neatly done, and was deservedly encored. The figure marching display, with a grand inarch (Baldwin Commandery) by .the orchestra, given by the junior pupils, was one of the most popular items on the programme, and was received with rounH after round of applause. The inarching and intricate evolutions of the boys were most interesting, and were carried out without a hitch from start to finish. The item was full of life and color, and made a fitting conclusion to the first part of the programme. The second part opened with an orchestral selection, ' Rosamund,' followed by the bracketed items, ' O holy night' and ' Hail smiling morn ' by the school choir under the conductorship of Mr. P. Keligher, who is to be complimented on the manner in which the boys acquitted themselves. Master Stanley Marlow scored a distinct success in Bracken's ' Not understood,' his enunciation and conception of the dramatic requirements being very good. The inevitable encore followed. Master D. McKenzie gave a finished example of Irish step dancing, which greatly pleased the audience, who recalled him. Master W. Gleeson contributed a very pleasing rendering of 'ln my garden,' and was deservedly encored, a similar compliment being paid Master A. Tarleton for his pretty solo, 'The swallows.' A male quartet, consisting of Messrs. F., D., and J. Fogarty, J. Tarleton, T. Hughes, J. Stapleton, D. Murphy, and P. Keligher, gave a finished rendering ot ' The chapel,' and were deservedly applauded. The juniors contributed a chorus, ' Our sports,' and the class gave an exhibition of Indian club swinging which was very neatly done. The gymnastic exhibitions, interspersed with very clever acrobatic feats, by the senior and junior pupils under the direction of Mr. J>. Kilmartin, were very fine performances, and elicited warm applause. These, with the other exercises, showed that the physical training of the pupils receives special attention from the Christian Brothers. A chorus, ' The meeting of the waters,' followed by God save the King,' brought what was a most enjoyable entertainment to a close. The accompaniments during the evening were capably played by Miss C. Hughes. DISTRIBUTION' OF PRIZES. The prizes were distributed at the school on Thursday morning, his Lordship Bishop Verdon presiding.

Among those present were the Rev. - Father Coffey, Adin., and Rev. Fathers; Corcoran, Buckley, and D. O'Neill. Prior to the reading of the annual report by the Superior, Rev. Brother O'Donoghue, the pupils repeated some of the vocal items given at the entertainment the previous evening. '. Rev. Brother Moore conducted, .and Miss C. Hughes played the accompaniments. The following, was the annual report: ' It is gratifying to be in a position to state that our labors have been productive of very satisfactory results. The general conduct of the boys has been excellent, while the average attendance has been eminently satisfactory. In fact the rooms are so congested that the work has been seriously hampered through inadequate accommodation. ; But I f eel. confident that this disability will soon be removed by the erection of a well-equipped educational establishment, compatible with the requirements of the Catholics of Dunedin. We feel convinced that there can be no real morality without religion, and that a mere intellectual enlightenment is not sufficient to constitute a complete education if it be not permeated and enlivened by religion, hence we have considered it our paramount duty to instil into the minds of those entrusted to our care principles of religion and Christian piety. It is only from those who combine intellectual development with strict attention to religious duties that civil society may confidently hope to see honest citizens arise, whose wisdom, prudence, and piety will contribute to the social order and the tranquillity of domestic life. Yet, this attention to Catholic education has not in the least impeded the progress of our pupils in secular knowledge,' which is evident from the high standard of proficiency they have attained. Turning to the consideration of public examinations, it is gratifying to find that the results have been of a most satisfactory character, though we by no means wish that these should be taken as the sole criterion of the work accomplished. Athol Clements, Michael McKeefry, and Frank De Largey passed matriculation examination, while A. Clements, E. Fitzgibbou, and M. Lawless passed civil service. Recently H. Carter won a two-guinea prize, awarded to the best essay on the "Winter Show," and. a certificate for an essay on The Future Prospects of Dunedin as a Manufacturing Centre." Whilst catering for the mental and moral culture of our pupils, we have not forgotten the important side of physical training. In the great struggle for intellectual supremacy inis is too often lost sight of, to the serious detriment of students. In this department we have provided our pupils with a systematic course of training, the exercises being arranged to suit the different ages of our boys and are of a most varied and attractive character. In addition to this regular course of physical training at, the gymnasium attached to the school, we form during the summer months, junior and senior teams for cricket, and in the winter, corresponding teams for football. In these games our boys have maintained, on many a hard-fought field during the year, their claim to a foremost position among the schools of Dunedin. Our school, we claim, supplies all that is essential for the moral, intellectual, and physical education of our boys, without withdrawing them from the influence of those great natural forces epitomized in the mother's "gentle sway" and the father's "kindly rule"— which operate so powerfully in the early formation of mind and character. In conclusion, we beg to tender to your Lordship and the priests and people of Dunedin our most sincere thanks for the unfailing kindness that; has been so freely extended to us and we shall endeavor to merit a continuance of it by our earnest and loyal efforts in the great cause of Catholic education.'

At the conclusion of the reading of the report his Lordship the Bishop said it gave him very great pleasure to assist at the distribution of prizes. He heartily congratulated the boys who were to receive prizes, as it would encourage them to make renewed efforts in the future. All could not be successful, and those that were disappointed should not; be discouraged for they might succeed admirably later on. He also congratulated the boys on the success ,of their breakingup entertainment the previous evening. The programme had been admirably arranged so as to show the varied

nature of the training received by the pupils. From the report just read by the Rev. Superior he was pleased to hear that the conduct of the boys during the* year had been excellent, and the attendance, satisfactory. The pupils had endeavored to correspond with the efforts of their teachers, had been diligent in their studies, and tried to do their duty. They should be grateful' to the earnest self-sacrificing Brothers, who were doing their utmost to prepare them for the great battle of life. During the past forty years the Brothers had labored here -frith eminent success, and many of their pupils now occupied prominent positions, and were highly esteemed by their fellow-men. His Lordship expressed his regret that the school-building was not what it ought to be, but it was intended to erect a suitable building next year, and he trusted it would be a credit to the city of Dunedin. The Christian Brothers are famous all over the world as educationists, and many of their scholars have succeeded in gaining valuable prizes at public competitions. In their schools the pupils had the advantage of receiving, along with a good secular training, a thorough, sound religious education. They were taught their duty to God, to their neighbor, and to themselves, and to be good and faithful citizens, and patriotic subjects of the King. In preparing themselves for the battle of life, they should remember that they were made for something higher than this world, that God had made them for Himself, to be happy with Him for all eternity. They had worked hard during the year, and now, he trusted, they would have an enjoyable vacation. In conclusion, his Lordship wished them a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. The following is the prize list: Matriculation and Civil Service. Division A: Dux, Harold Carter; mathematics, Joseph Newman; English, Cyril Hastings; Latin and French, H. Carter; history and geography, H. Carter; elocution, John McCarthy. Division B: Dux, Stanley Marlow; Latin and French, Hugh O’Neill; English, Vincent Shiel; geography and history, Tasman O’Brien and John O’Brien; mathematics, S. Marlow; agriculture, William Fouhy; Christian doctrine, Hugh O’Neill; dictation, Leo Marlow.

Preparatory Matriculation and Civil Service.— Dux, Gerald Thompson; Christian doctrine, Eugene Pollock; Latin, G. Thompson; English, E. Pollock; French, James Fenton; history, Charles Tylee; arith-. metic, J. Fenton and Arthur Albertson; algebra, G. Thompson; geometry, Thos. Hally and John Walsh; geography, W. Gallery and Alphonsus Tarleton; writing, Cedric Dawson. Special prizes: Best all-round cricketer, John McCarthy; hand-ball — Joseph Newman, juniors C. Tylee; singing, Alphonsus Tarleton.

Standard Vl.—Chas. Woods 1 (dux and religious knowledge), Ivor Clements 2 (English), Cecil Dwyer 3 (English history), Jas. Dunne (mathematics), Ronald Marlow (geography), Ed. O’Reilly (composition), Geo. Brookes (reading), Jas. Lennon , (recitation), John Horan (dictation), Peter \McKeefry (Irish history), W. Gleeson (singing). Standard V. —C. Rogan (dux) 1, Wm. Orange (spelling) 2, H. Fogarty (mathematics) 3, A. Gawne (English history), E. Fogarty (geography), A. Robertson (Irish history), J. Lyng (religious knowledge), W. Creed (reading), G. Shiel (recitation). Standard IV.—Places in order of merit: J. Miller, K. Thompson, F. Dawson, J. Rowe, E. Burden, P.

Walsh, F. Valenski and 18. Vallis (equal), M, Fenton,' H. , McEarney, A. Gray. Special prises: ; Christian doctrine, Paul Simmons; arithmetic, Fred. Carter; English, Bernard Callaghan; geography, T. Phelan; reading, F. Donnelly; writing, E. McElroycomposition, Thos. O’Meara; spelling, Jas. Dunne; home work. Con. Collins; silver medal for handball, F. Donnelly. Standard lll. Places in order j of merit: L. Walsh, F. Sligo, J. Laffey, R. Culling, F. Moloney,. Geo. Donnelly, G. Shiel, F. McElfoy, D. Moloney, A. McCleary. Special prizes: Christian doctrine, G. Rackley; arithmetic, J. Drumm; spelling, Wm. Pledger; geography, C. Horsfall; grammar, A. Roughan; writing, Len Fogarty; reading, Geo. Laffey; poetry, John” Sheehy; silver medal for handball, Geo. Donnelly. Other prizes: A. Hughes, V. McDonald, F. O’Connell, B. Hanna, J. Lettoof, H. Temple. . , Standard lI.—M. Lyng', 1, M. Wakelin'2, J M. O’Meara 3, H. Cullen 4, J. Thompson 5. . Standard I. — Sheehy 1, H. McDonald 2, R. Wright 3, W. Brown 4.