DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AT THE CONVENT, WELLINGTON.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4604, 22 December 1875, Page 2

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES AT THE CONVENT, WELLINGTON.

Two very pleasant hours were spent yesterday morning at the Convent of Mercy in this city, where, in the presence of a large and distinguished attendance, the well-earned premiums of the last scholastic year were distributed to the successful pupils by Dr. Redwood, Roman Catholic Bishop of Wellington. Tho school-room, though too small for the number of students and spectators, was tastefully decorated for the occasion. On one side was offered an exhibition of plain and fancy work, paper flowers, drawings, and other embellishments —the varied result of the children’s industry and skill throughout the year ; and, on the other side, the students themselves, with their snow white dresses, bright ribbons, and happy faces, formed a still more attractive part of the scene. A throne was erected for the Bishop, on whose right and left sat the other members of the clergy, while on a table in front there was a shining array of handsome premiums anxiously gazed at by

the young. The proceedings opened by a harmonium chorus, “ Gaily, gaily,” sung by all the young ladies with good effect. Then came a great variety of songs, duetts, solos, quartettes, and other performances, vocal and instrumental, relieved by recitations and dialogues. When all acquitted themselves of their parts so ably, it would be invidious to make distinctions. After the presentation of the premiums in the shape of books and other articles, his Lordship laid two graceful crowns of white flowers on the brow of two young ladies who had been awarded them for their amiable conduct by the votes of then- fellow pupils. The Bishop then said that he felt unqualified satisfaction in presiding at so interesting a ceremony. He complimented the successful, encouraged them whose undeniable merits had not as yet met with equal success, and paid a high tribute to the ability, persevering devotedness, and unwearied zeal of the good sisters in their arduous task of instructing and educating the young. He hoped such a school would have the cordial support of parents of all classes. He was struck with the unaffected, happy, ingenious, modest, and natural behavior of the pupils. He told them to do honor ■in their holidays to the school from which they came, reminding them that virtue knows no vacation) it must attend them hourly from the cradle to the grave. He earnestly exhorted them to keep three good companions with them throughout the dangerous time of vacation. These were innocence, Christian modesty, and obedience : innocence for the heart, modesty for the outward person, and obedience to their parents and superiors. With these three guides and friends they would not stray from the right path, and after a period of happy relaxation they would return, such of them as were to return,to then* Alina with new courage to begin another year of study and virtue, to prepare them for the battle of life, and the victory which never ends. In conclusion, he begged upon them, and upon their parents anddevoted teachers, the copious blessings of Heaven.