THE CONVENT SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8005, 16 December 1905, Page 3

THE CONVENT SCHOOLS.

ANNTAL DISPLAY OF WORK. On Thursday, morning we were privileged—by the kindness of the Rovereml Mother ami Sisters—to obtain an early nml uninterrupted view, of the work •done during the year 'by the pupils of St. Joseph's School iind the Sncvwl Iloart High Schools. Accustomed, as most people are, to the very high standard of excellence attained at these institutions, then, was a surpriso in store, for the nmnj ilifterent articles displayed were pi remarkable nwrit. showing not only i-ensftlernilile! skill-on the part of tho pupils, 'but also* that the Sisters who imparted the instruction are as clever at teaching as in the creation and execution of beautiful designs in fancywork. ','lhe fancy needlework occupied tho bulk of the space at tho disposal of 'the classes, and 'here were gathered such specimens as defy description. Wo may. jnention a prwtty fender stool, the work of Miss J. 1* itftgeraW, a chaste design in uppliqiio work. Xear tiho main entrance was Miss Malvel Clarke's beautifully embroidered Mountmelllck work and Argentine silk lace, whilst Uho favouritp "willow pattern ' embroidered on silk by the same pupil was not the least attractive portion of the exhibition. Miss Pipe showed an elaborately "worked table-centre, with Ilrazillan point lace. A rifobonwork table-centre, worked jby Miss JCellie Hoflmes, .was also:a fine'exMh}it. A Mountmellick afternoon teacloth and somo hand-made point lace, by th# same young lady, were splendid specimens.! Prawn-thread J work had Its exponents Jin ihe Misses Ivy Street, Nellie Holmes, and Stella Julian, whose specimens were a credit, and another interesting exhibition in ttliis department was from native children t educated at a convent school 'in India. Limerick lace cushions, bead-work! cushions, orasene and painted cushions ,by some of the elder, pupils made a collection that will probably not be equalled in New Plymouth for another year at least. The most successful .. in needlework and fancywork were Misses Alice Hutchison, Nelli* Holmes, Nora Walsh, Katie King, and these also figured high in remarks for painting. The carving specimens on (view were of a very high order of merit. Miss May Curtis showed'\a iV Kitim"ife|ther's clock': with panels in relief, and Miss Ivy Curtis a beautifully carved side ■loard In natural wood, against a dark-stained sideboard on which the carving «.was dene by. Miss Moore. Chip-carving Jwas another department In which several pupils excel- i led, ihe best work being shown by Misses Nellie (a carved stool), Mary Calgher, Katie King, ' nid Julia Fitzgerald (carved tables) ' I'yrography, I generally known as 1 "poker-work," was} represented by Miss May Curtis' fire screen, a neat design showing swans and rushes in

a pond, and one oi) two others b> the same pupil. The visitors who attended later had nothing but praise for the painting, some of the black and while studies being excellent Miss Whitton also exhibited a farm scene and a seascape in colours, and Miss Ivy Curtis') flower studies on panels were also a special feature. Miss Katie King a fine picture of ''ltainibow "(Falls, Kelson," and Miss Hutchison's essays were con-. KidereiJ am,on(gSt) best shown. The kindergarten classes sent up «, nice collection of worked handkerchief satchets,|| pot-covers, traycloths, and pillow-shams, besides some pretty cross-stitch, and St. Joseph's School exhibited plain sewing of various kinds, • PRESENTATION OF rRTZJES. rCI'ILS' CONCERT, St. Joseph's Schoolroom was well filled in the afternoon,. ;whvn" tho Convent pupils gave their concert. Tho stage was prettily ar•angod, and decorahd with native foliage and flowers. It is difficult to particularise any item, but it is safe, i>erhaps, to say that Mabel Clarke's singing of "The Exile's Return," tho Instrumental work, and little Celia Callaghan's recitati«;rv "Selling l'olls," and tliefciction songs were th* most popular it«n«.

Pianoforte solos, duets, and trios, a violin vjunridte, rainbow drill bv a troupe of girl pupils, recitations, action songs, choruses, nnil dialogues made up a most interesting programme, tin] efforts ol the pupils being heartily applauded.

Ills Worship the Mayor, addressing the gathering, highly !eulogised the excellent./system of instruction nt tho Catholic schools, and said he would always use his lendeavours to havo the same high technical education included in the (ordinary educational syllabus, i i "Mr E. M. Smith. M.H.U., proudly :laimcd that tho education imparted at these schools was second to none in the colony, and even when technical education was instituted in our public schools it,would take a long time for us to "get upsides" with h • Roman Catholic education. The Reverend I Mother and Sisters wore doing good work, awl were deserving )i every encouragement. The prizes were distributed at the close of the concert.