ST. MARY'S SCHOOLS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 291, 19 December 1879, Page 2

ST. MARY'S SCHOOLS.

Yesterday was prize day at these schools, where the proceedings commenced at one o'clock in the Boys' Schoolroom, his Worship the Mayor presiding. After recitations by some of the boys the Rev. Father Mahoney on behalf of tbe pupils thanked those who had so liberally presented prizes. — The Rev. A. M. Garin said that, seeing that State aid had been withdrawn, he hoped the results achieved would be considered satisfactory. For his part he thought that the examination showed that a large amount of work bad been done by both pupils and teachers. The Chairman then proceeded to distribute the prizes as follows : — BOYS' SCHOOL. Christian Doctrine— Ist class, Daniel O'Conncli (presented hy Father Garin) ; 2nd, Bernard Frank ; 3rd, William Calloette ; 4th! Wilfred Frank. Good Conduct — Ist prize, Bernard Frank (presented by Father Mahoney); 2nd, Edw. Wainhouse (presented hy Mr. A. M'Gea). Euclid— John Adams (presented by Judge Broad). Elocution— lst prize, Adolph Frank (presented by Mr Kavanagh) ; 2nd, Ernest Fleming ; 3rd, Francis Perera. Book-keeping— Leonard Allen, Map Draw ing— lst prize, Leonard Allen ; 2nd, Louis Carmine (presented by Mrs Kavanah); 3rd, John Kirwan. Geography (Political)— lst prize, Jeremiah O'Connor 2nd, John Everett, (PhysicalFrancis James. These three pri.es were pesented by Mr P. Topliss. History — William Higgins. Grammar— Ist prize, Jeremiah O'Connor; 2nd, William Slattery ; 3rd, John William Bourke. Arithmetic— lst class, Adolph Frank (presen.d by Mr P. Topliss); 2nd, Arthur Leech ; 3rd, John Bray. (Mental)— Leonard Allen. Reading— Ist prize, Jereaiiah O'Connor; 2nd class, Edward Wain house (presented by Mr P. Topliss) ; 3rd, Wm. Woodward; 4th, Wm. Borrough ; sth, John Hunt and Antonio West. Writing— Ist class, Leonard Allen; 2nd J. Wainhouse ; 3rd, John Kirwan. ' Tables— James Hart, 2nd class. Spelling— Ist class, Francis James (presented by Mr P. Topliss). GIRLS' SCHOOL. An adjournment was then made to the newly erected High School— a comn_odi6us building completed about a year ago— where the tables, with the numerous prizes arranged

on it, was placed at one end, the pupils being seated at the other on a platform, at the foot of which seven pianos and a harmonium were placed, all of which were brought into use in rirrying out the programme, which will ba found below. On either side of the room seats were placed for the visitors, of whom tbere were a large number. About three o'clock the performances commenced, in accordance with the following PROGRAMME. (1) Piano fo: 7e—Overture to Zampa (Herald), Duet oh tbree Piabos by Misses Bolton, Kennedy, Hollis, Hohhsellj Wyrhoiid, and Pratt. (2) Vocal Duet—"Come with tb^ Lute to the Fountain," by Misses Broad and Elsie Edwards. (3) French Recitation—" La JeUne avedgle aSa Mere." Miss Hollis. (4) Pianofo. ,c—" La Yoix dv Ciel," (Neldy) Solo on five Pianos, by Misses Boltoil, Kennedy, Hollis, Hounsell, and Prat.. (5) Vocal j Chorus—'* The Music of the Birds," (Glover) I by the Young Lady Pupils, (fi) English Recitatiofe4|" Davids Lament," ( Willis) Miss Lucy Edwards. (7) Piano, Solo—"Fairy Whispers," (Harrison) on seven Pianos and one Harmonium, by Misses Kenncly, Hollis, Pratt, Wymond, Hounsell, Kelly. Symes; Harmonium, Miss Bolton. (S) Vocal Chorus— "Pussy's Tea Pa .y, (Lyons) by Juvenile Pupils. (9) French Recitation—" Joan d' Arc,'' by Miss Everett. (10) Vocal Duet— " Hark, 'tis the Goat Bells " by Misses Pratt and Boi*- .n. (11) Pianoforte Trio—by nine young ladies on thre . Pianos : Misses Broad, Duff, Kelly, Litobschandel, R. Lit.hschandel. Schiels, Deane, Perrin, and Nathan. (12) Vocal Choids-" The Soft Winds," by the Young Lady Pupils. (13) Pianofo Te— "Gloria," (Mozart) by eleven young ladies on five Pianos and one Harmonium : Misses Kennedy, Hollis, Prat., Wymond, Hounsell, Kelly, Symes, Duff, Broad, and M'Carthy; Harmonium by Miss Bolton. (14) French Song—" Elle a fuit vers lex Cieux," by Young Lady Tupils. (15) Pianoforte—" Invitation to the Waltz," (Weber) by six young ladies on three Pianos : Misses Bolton, Kennedy, Hollis, Pratt, Hounsell, and Kelly. (16) Holiday Duet. ! The pianoforte performances by a number of players at once were remarkably clever, aud afforded evidence of teaching of the most thorough character, the ex-culion in some instances being brilliant, and the time, in all, perfect, although, even with so many instruments, there was no conductor. Iv the singing, too, were discernible signs of the most careful ti'Uion and persevering practice, some of the voices being well worthy of cultivation. One of the most amusing, and at the same time creditably performed items on tbe programme was the chorus " Pussy's Tea Party," sung by about a dozen smiling little kittens, who seemed to thorougbly enjoy the fun. The recitations were somewhat wanting in expression, and partook too much of the character of a race against time, but this perhaps was attributable to nervousness on the part of tt_e reciters. At the request of those present, the Gloria, which really was a splendid performance, waa repeated at the close of the programme, after which His Worhip proceeded to deliver THE PRIZES. St. Mary's High Sokaol. Good Conduct, prize awarded to Miss Low; Politeness (both prizes presented by Mrs Ren wick), Miss Syme. ? First Class —Scripture and Cb-istiah Docfclne (presented by Rev F. Garin), Miss K Hollis; Universal History (presented by Judge Broad), Miss Hollis; English Composition, competitive, (presented by Judge Broad), Ist prize Miss Hollis ; 2nd (gained by Select School), Miss R. Frank; Grammar Analysis, Miss Everett; Geography, Miss Low; Use of Globes and Astronomy, Miss Hounsell ; Botany, Miss Lucy Edwards ; Arithmetic and Book-keeping, Miss Hollis; 2nd, Arithmetic, Miss Low; Map Drawing, Miss Hounsell; French, Ist, Miss HoUis; 2nd, Miss Everett; Drawing, Miss Hounsell; Painting and Illuminating, Miss Edwr-ds ; Music, Miss Kennedy; Writing, Miss E. Wymond; Recitation, Miss Lucy Edwards ; Regular Attendance, Miss E. Wymond. SECOND Class —Cb^istiojo. Doctrine, Miss Crozey Schiels ; Histo.,', Miss M. Syme ; Composition, Miss Gougb; Grammar and / nalysis, Miss E. Ward; Geography and Use of Globes, Miss K. O'Connor ; Reading (presented by Mr Kavanagh), Miss Kelly; French, Miss Martha Bolton; Drawing, 2nd prize, Miss Gougb; Music, Miss M. Bolton; Paintand Hluminating, Miss E. Ward. Thibd Class—Good Conduct, and Politeness, Miss Sophia Duff; Christian Doctrine, Miss Broad; English History,. Miss Maude Nathan; Composition and Arithmetic, Miss Broad; Grammar, Miss Duff; Reading, Miss Maude Nathan; Geography, Miss R. Lichtscbeindl; Writing, Miss Elsie Edwards; Frencb, Miss Broad; Music, Ist, Miss KeUy; General Improvement, Miss Deane ; Music, 2nd, Miss Lichtscheindl; Singing, Ist, Miss M. Bolton; 2nd, Miss E. Edwr ds; Needlework, Miss Kennedy. St. Mary's Select School. Fibst Class—Good Conduct (presented by Rev F. Mahoney), Miss A. O'Brien; Gram-

tnar and Ann.lv. is. Miss I_. Frank : Geography. Miss K. Corrigan ; History. Miss A. M'Cartby : Reading, Miss "Mr.... liy : Arithmetic, Miss li. Frank : AY riling.* Miss T. Getting: Music. Miss A. M'Caithy; Illuminating-, Miss Frar.k. Second Class— Geography. Miss M. Robinson : Grammar, Miss M. Kells : History, Miss Kells; Arithmetic. Miss M. Hunt: Reading. Miss Sarah Levi : "Writing. Miss M. Hunt. Third Class — Geography. Miss Lilly Frank : Grammar, Miss Mary M'Gee •. Iteading, Miss A. Pratt; Arithmetic, Miss 11. Salter ; "Writing, Miss Sophia Levi. Fourth Class- Geography, Miss Amy Pratt: Grammar, Miss Lilly Hart : Rending and "Writing, Miss Alice' M'Gee: General Improvement. Misses Leech and S. Perrin ; Needlework, Miss Kells. St. Mary's Parish School. Christian Doctrine and Sacred History. Elizabeth Rice: Good Cond tut. Ist. Johanna Leary ; 2nd. ..Hen (.heather : Politeness, Mary Reardon. First Class — Ist piize. Mary Adams; 2nd, Mary Farrel ; 3rd. Sarah Scott. Second Class — Ist prize. Jane Perera : 2nd, Emma Scott ; :inl. Geo. gina Corrigan : Eegular Attendance. Camelia Trautvetter. Third Class — Ist prize. Katie Hunt: _n.l. M. Levi: Srd. Alice Scott. Fourth Class — Ist prize, Annie Hunt : 2nd. Eliza James : I.rrl. Alice Reardon. In presenting the prize, for English composition Judge Broad said that the competitors labored under two serious disadvantages, namely, a very short notice, nnd a .difficult ■übject, the latter being the " Vse and abuse of Fashion." Notwithstanding these disadvantages, he was bound to say the whole of tbe twelve essays were highly creditable. To write English correctly was not so easy as might be expected, indeed, he had seen public documents written by graduates of English Universities in which the English was of the most slipshod character. He did not know who were the winners of the prizes at the time of awarding them, but the motoes of the two winners were" Honi soit quimalypevse," and v A Rose between two thorns." [The names of the winners are included in the foregoing list.] The prizes being distributed, the Mayor thanked the young ladies for the musical treat they had given their visitors, and expressed his satisfaction at the progress they had made. Father Mahonet said that these schools were laboring under a great disadvantage on account of tbe marked difference in the treatment accorded to them and to the public schools, and yet, notwithstanding the refusal on the part of the Legislature to subsidise them, they were able, not only to keep up with, but to ontstrip the other schools. The Catholics in Nelson were but a small portion of the population, and were principally of the laboring class, and yet they willingly paid.their shilling a week, which was supplemented by Father Garin. He was glad to see Mr Acton Adams present, as he would be able to report in the House the success that had attended these schools. He complained tbat it was unfair to call that a national system of education, wbich excluded at least 70,000 of the population. Tbere was £340,000 expended on State education in New Zealand, towards which the Catholics contributed £30,000, from wbich they derived no benefit whatever. He advocated strongly the system of payment by results. Although St. Mary's schools had been established so long, and had educated so many children of all denominations, there never bad been aDy complaint of an attempt on the part of the teachers to proselytize pupils. The Rev. Father Gahix commenced by drawing a comparison between St. Mary's schools and the voyage of a ship, and spok e of aU the vicissitudes they had passed through, now encountering stormy weather and at other times sailing along with a fa : r wind, and then went on to say .--"But last year a warning, similar to one of Captain Edwin's, came to our ears—' Bad weather approaching, watch barometer, any direction from north to south, from east to west, further fall of glass.' True to indications the black clouds seen gathered, chc storm broke over our heads, the Government withdrew the grant which supported our schools, depriving our vessel oi those provisions to whicb we had been accustomed for 1 1 years, v and now Catholic parents cannot any more Bend their children free to sbhool, but have to pay weekly fees; but as we had been used to bad weather in previous years, we have made up our minds to steer our vesel against the wind, and so we are saililng now until a more favorable wind arises, but we have confidence that we shall not wreck. What a painful position ! We have to pay, by the common tax that we pay to the Government, to contribute to the support of ' Godless schools which we cannot use. We ! are told that this new system is a national system, but. this is an illusion. Such a system may be called national, but as long as the whole of the nation does not approve of it it is not national. There are several sections of the nation which are against this" system, without speaking of the Jews. It is evident that the Church, of Englaud, which forms a large section of 'the nation, and the Roman Catholics are opposed to that system, therefore it is not national. It the Government wanted a truly national system, let them pay by results every established school. By this plan every school will be at libery to teach anything which suits tbeir own principles, provided they give secular instruction to the satisfaction of a Government Inspector. What does it matter if, besides secular instruction, something else is taught them. Surely they could be taught singing, drawing, foreign languages, even walking on stilts, or making evolutions on tbe trapeze, and why should they not be taught that there is a God, that they must keep H. 3 commandments,love Him. aad thereby ohtaiu neaven ? So I say, let the Government pay by results, and then every section of the nation will approve such a system ; and then, and not until then, the system wiil be really national. Mr Acton Adams, on being called upon to speak, said that he was much obliged to Father Garin for his invitation to be present at an event which had aiforded him a great deal of pleasure. That was not the time or glace to discuss the general question of education, which had been referred to during tbe proceedings as inflicting an injustice npon tbe Catholics, but he would point out that thfc establishment of any general broad princ_l>le was bound to inflict injustice in particular cases. He sympathised with those who suffered, but believed there were good reasons for the present system. The people cine© direct taxation had been introduced were now beginning to look about them to see how the expenditure was to be reduced, and he believed that a limit would soon be pnt to free education, and that it would be confined to reading, writing, and arithmetic, and then the Catholic-, conld pick up the children at the stage of education at which the Government had left them, and give tbem a further education. He was very gratified to see the extent aud thoroughness Of tbe education imparted at these schools, aad hoped that the pupils would turn out a credit to Nelsou. A vote of thanks was then passed to the Mayor, and the proceedings terminated with the National Anthem, after which the visitors adjourned to another of tbe Schoolrooms, and inspected the beautiful specimens ol drawing, needlework, and illuminations Whiti. w§js (bere exhibited.

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