SAINT MARY'S SCHOOLS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 300, 19 December 1877, Page 2

SAINT MARY'S SCHOOLS.

The annual presentation of prizes took place this afternoon. The proceedings commenced in the Girls' Schoolroom, which was gaily decorated for the occasion, by a number of piano performances, concerted singing, and recitations, after which Mr 0. Curtis said that he had been asked to present the prizes, and he felt a great deal of pleasure in complying with the reqnest, as he had always taken the strongest interest in these schools on account of the large amount of good they had done, and he hoped they might continue to prosper. He trusted that the change in the law would not have the effect of materially reducing the usefulness of such schools as the old established one of St. Mary's. He would now proceed to the pleasant task of distributing the prizes : — GIRLS' SCHOOL. ITuisr Division. Good Conduct prizes equal, awarded to Miss Ward and Miss Kate Hollis. Presented by Rev. Father Mahoney and the Hon. Mr Larnach. First Class— lst and 2nd prizes, equal, Miss Kate Hollis and Miss Bertha Newton ; 3rd Miss Katie Newton ; 4th Mias M. A. O'Connor. Second Class— Ist prize, presented by Hon. Mr Larnach, Mi3s Eliza Stephenson ; 2nd Miss Sarah Mercer ; 3rd, Isabella Sheppard; 4th, Mary Smallbone. Third Class— lst prize, presented by Hon. Mr Larnach. Miss Charlotte Sadd ; 2nd Miss Minnie Leech ; 3rd, Miss Margaret Newton. Fourth Class— Ist prize, presented by Hon. Mr Larnach, Miss Mary Tate ; 2nd, Miss Mary Right; 3rd, Miss Susan Birch. Second Division. Good Conduct, presented by the Hon Mr Larnach, Miss Maryßeardon. First Class— Ist prize, presented by Hon Mr Larnach, Miss Sarah Evans; 2nd, Jane Gilbertson; 3rd, Tereaa Mercer. Second Clasa— Ist prize, presented by Hou Mr Larnacb, Nelly Amos; 2nd, Emma Scott; 3rd, Martha King. Regular attendance, Sarah Scott. Third Division. First Class— lst prize, Alice Scott; 2nd> Miriam Levi. Second Class — Ist prizes Charlotte Barnett; 2nd, Annie Hunt. Extra. Prizes. Politeness, presented by P. R. Ward, Esq., Maria Pratt; Regular attendance, Ada Haynes; Reading, presented by P. R. Ward, Esq., Miss Bertha Newton; Writing, Miss Ward; ,'Arithmetic, Katie Hollis; Spelling, presented by His Honor Judge Broad, Bertha Newton; History, Katie Hollis; General application, Annie Gowland 1, Frances Fowler 2 ; General improvement, M. J. Thompson; Singing Maria Pratt; Music, presented by xVIr Hunt, Miss Ward 1, Miss Maria Pratt 2, Lily Miller 3; French, Bertha Newton; Plain needlework, Selina Kelly; Fancy work, M. J. Thompson I, Ada Tregea SECOND DIVISION. Politeness, Mary Robinson, presontod by Rev. A. M. Garin; Writing, Matilda Hunt. The Rev A. M. Garin, in addressing the pupils, desired to remind them that what they had learned within the last six months wa3 worth a great deal more than what grown up men and women might acquire in the same time. The latter might be lost, no matter what care might be taken of it, but those he was addressing could never lose what they had been taught if they took the slightest pains to retain it. He would strongly advise them to make the best use of what they had learned, and to remember that to them, as were his weapons to the soldier, it would always be available for their own defence or that of their country. He would take this opportunity of thanking Mr, Curtis for nis untiring exertions in tna direction of maintaining schools of that description, and he would alao desire to return his sincere thanks to the Hon. Mr Larnach, who, although a perfect stranger, had displayed his interest in the schools by the handsome present he had made to them. In conclusion he would advise those who had won prizes to continue to persevere in their efforts, and those who had not been so successful to strive for success with greater determination than ever. He wished them all a merry Christmas, and hoped they would thoroughly enjoy their holidays. Our reporter was compelled to leave before the distribution of the prizes to the boys, but the following list shows the prize receivers;— r