ST. MARY'S SCHOOLS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIIL, Issue 2, 20 December 1878, Page 4

ST. MARY'S SCHOOLS.

ROYS SCHOOL. The prizes were distributed yesterday l)y Mr Curtis, M.H.8., tbe chair being taken by hia Worship the Mayor. Tho following is the prize list: — First Class : — Isfc prize, W. Reilly. Second Class :— lst prize, B. Frank; 2nd, A. Frank; 3rd, J. O'Conor; Third Class : —Ist prize, E. Fleming; 2nd, D. O'Ccnnell, 3rd, F James. Fourth Class :— lst prize; F. Pereira; 2nd, C. Redwortb ; 3rd, A. Leach. Fifth Class :— lst prize, A. Young; 2nd, T. Scott; 3rd, R. A. Trautvetter. Sixin Class :— Ist prize, John James; 2nd W. Borrows ; 3rd, H. Meikle. Christian Doctrine (presented by Rev. Father Garin) Ist prize, Reilly; 2nd, B. Frank. Map Drawing :— Ist prize, L. Allen, 2nd, L. Payne. Good Conduct, R. Ryan. Elocution; F.Hogg. Becitations "were then well and clearly given by two boys named Fleming and Hogg, oftcr which W. Keilly, on behalf of the school presented the master, Mr Kavanagh, with a handsome writing desk, accompanied by a flattering address, speaking in high terms of the kindly feeling entertained towards him by his pupils, to which Mr Knvanagh replied in suitable terms. Mr Curtis was very glad to bave another opportunity of distributing the prizes, and to observe how well the school was keeping together, although somewhat diminished in numbers owing to the recent changes. It was also gratifying to see the good feeling that existed between the pupils and teachers as evidenced by, the late presentation. He had listened to their recitations with much pleasure, and was glad ffeso s see an opportunity given to the boys of practising the art of public speaking. No doubt some of those now present would in their time take part in one way or another in public affairs, and they would always find it useful to be able to speak well. To-day tbey were expressing the thoughts of others, but some day they might require to give expression to their own thoughts in public, perhaps in Parliament, and then they would find how great was the advantage of being able to speak articulately and in clear language. GIRLS SCHOOLS. An adjournment was then made to the Girls' Schoolroom, which was tastefully decorated with flowers, evergreens, and illuminations. A well arranged programme consisting of selections of instrumental and vocal music, recitations, &c., was very creditably carried ,oufc by the young ladies attending the establishment. Among the principal performances we may mention the playing of sometimes five and sometimes ten performers on five pianos, tlie accuracy of the time thafc was kept speaking volumes for the excellence of the teaching. The prizes were then distributed by Mr Curtis as follows 2— ; ST. MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL. Good Conduct, Miss Lowe; Politeness, Miss Maber. First Class : — Reading, Miss E. Godfrey; Grammar and History, Miss Hollis; Geography, Miss Murray; Composition, Miss Murray; Arithmetic, Miss Hollis ; Writing, Miss Pratt; Writing Ornamental, Miss E Godfrey; French, Miss Hollisj Singing, Miss Pratt; Music, Miss Kennedy; Drawing, . Miss Wymond; Colouring and Illuminating, Miss Godfrey. Second Class: —Reading, Miss Elsie Wymond; Grammar, Miss Gowland; Geography, Miss Wymond; Arithmetic, Miss Gowland; French,- Mias "Wymond; Music, Miss Fanny Little wood; Drawing, Miss Hounsell. Third Class :— .Reading, Miss Broad; Arithmetic, Miss Kelly; Writing, Miss Tate; Music, Miss Martha Bolton. ST. MARY'S SELECT SCHOOL. Good Conduct, Miss Jessie Chuhbin. First Class :— Reading, Mias Newton; Grammar, Miss Mercer; History, Miss E. Pollock; Geography, Miss Pollock; Composition, Miss Dike; Arithmetic, Miss Pollock; Writing, Miss Gilbertson; Music, Missß. Newton; Colouring, Miss Mercer; Needlework, Miss Shiel. Second Class :— Reading, Miss Syme; Grammar and Writing, Miss Fear; Geography, Miss Chubbin; Composition, Miss McCarthy; Arinhmetic, Miss Mackay; Music, Miss Dike; Colouring, Mias Syme; French, Miss Mackay. Third Class: —Reading, Miss Emily Chubbin; Grammar, Miss Emily Chubbin; Arithmetic, Miss Beswick; Writing, Miss Salter; General Improvement, Miss Matilda Chubbin,' and Miss Fletcher. ST. MARY'S ORDINARY SCHOOL. Good Conduct; Ist prize, Fannie Weetman ; Good Conduct, 2nd prize, Ellen leather. First Class ':— Ist prize, Florence Batchelor, 2nd prize, Theresa Getting; 3rd prize, Mary Stevens. Second, Class .—-Ist prize, Mary Ann Farrell ; 2nd prize, Margaret Robinson ; 3rd prize, Esther Hingston. : Third' Class : — Ist prize, Nelly Girandon; 2nd prize, Bridget Hannagan; 3rd prize, Annie Red-: worth. Second Division. First Class:— -■ Ist prize, Katie Hunt; 2nd, Katie Parmenter-; 3rd, Sophia Perrin. Second Class :— lst prize, Katie Kiely; 2nd, Norah Fahey,

Third Class : — lst prize, Emma Frank; 2nd, Rose Kiely. Writing, Mary Hunts General Improvement, Ist, Mary Adams j 2nd, Alice Frank; 3rd, Alice Scott. Catechism, Matilda Hunt; Regular Attendance, Johannah Levy. Mr CtJMis said that, equally with himself, all the visitors raust have been much gratified -with their entertainment that afternoon, to which none could have listened without being convinced of the ability and carefulness of the teachers, and the assiduous and con*. scientious application of the pupils. Parents in Nelson must, he felt sure, feel deeply grateful for an institution that afforded such facilities for educat* ing theii children, and he was verysorry that anything had happened td decrease the numbers or lessen its usefulness. It was a matter for great regret that Government and Parliament had deprived this and other similar educational establishments of the 'advantages they bad hitherto enjoyed, but he hoped thalt the day was nofc far distant when the evil would be remedied. His Worship the Mayor expressed the great satisfaction he had derived from listening to such an entertainment as they had just been treated to, wbich reflected the greatest credit on both teachers and pupils. ; ' Mr Shephabd said thafc speaking as a member of the Education Board when he looked round and saw how St. Mary's schools were conducted, and considered at what cost of labor, thought, and money they had been brought to their present state of efficiency, he could not bufc feel a certain amount of shame thafc through ignorance and bigotry they had lost- one of the brightest ornaments of the educational system. He hoped, however, that through the endeavors of Mr Curtis and others these schools and others of a similar character would ere long be reconnected with the national system. Judge Broad only wished to sayia few words relative to the position of Catholics under the present Education laws. He wished to do this because both their position and tbeir desires were very much misunderstood by many people. The position was simply this. It waa a necessity ot the faith of every Catholic that his children must be taught religion and morality alotig with secular instruction. Now the existing State system was a purely secular system, and as such opposed to the conscientious convictions of Catholics. They could not, therefore, avail themselves of it. Yet taxes were taken from Catholic pockets to support this system, and nothing given in aid of schools tbey did approve. The Catholics in this respect were exactly in the position of the Protestant Dissenters some years ago io England, wbo were taxed to pay Church rates for the sapport of an Establishment whose doc-, trines they did hot agree witb. But tbe sense of justice in the English nation had been aroused, and Church rates were swept away, So he had fath iv tbe justice of tbe people of New Zealand, who would, sooner or later, do what was fair in the matter of education. Now, what did Catholics want ? The first answer was, tbey wanted nothing otber people could not get. They did not want to ba made an entity in the political system. Tbey were willing that the State ehould pay tbem only for secular results, that is, they offered tbe State a pound's woith for its pound. The whole present difficulty might be met by introducing as an auxiliary to the present schools & system of State inspection, n ad payment by results. They-fioold abolish tho word " Denominational," which seemed to frighten some people, and' call it the voluntary system, that would enahle any body of persons to establish' a school under the Act, which would bf inspected periodically by a Government official, who wouid have a fixed" Secular standard, and for such pupila only as reached that standard, would the Government pay anything. He wished to mention that only the other day, a gentleman of great repute and experience in tuition, a^PVptealant/ and 'hitherto a decided secularist, remarked to him, tbat he sawywitfr alarm a class of boys coming forward now- who seemed destitute of any _jeb_je of moral responsibility. Where parents could not, or would not, and the schoolmaster .wbb not allowed to, teach morality, it vdid not require a very wise man to' predict the result.

Io abort, Catholics did not deeire to take away secular schools from those who liked them, and believed in their efficients for promoting lbft public g6o*i j but tbey asked lo be treated with equal justice. They wanted lo " do to olhers as they would ihat others ehould do to them. 4 ' He would just add that to Nelson belobged the great credit of having, in her Proviuciel system of Education, provided a fair measure of justice for all alike. Enjoyable as life was in otber respects in Nelson, it waß especially so for the spirit of justice and charity apparently pervading all denominations. The Ely. A. M. GablS said thafc notwithstanding the disadvantages Hflder which they had been placed by recent legislation, he was pleased to say that the schools continued and deservedly so> to retain their high reputation, and that it was still acknowledged by Protestants that they couid coutinue to send their children to tbem without their religious teaching been in any way interfered with. He would take this opportunity of thanking Mr Curtis for the activity, tea], and perseverance with which he bad worked in reference to the educational question, and he bad great hopes that in a short time those efforts would be crowned with success. He had to express his regret that 1 GSIr Hodgson, who for many years bad conducted the examination of the Bcbools, was nofc present on this occasion, but he would have been so had not his duties called him to Takaka. This concluded tbe proceedings, and the visitors then adjourned to another room, where were exhibited some excellent drawings by some of the young ladies attending the schools, and also some very handsome specimens of needle and fancy work.