ST. MARY'S SCHOOL.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 224, 18 December 1897, Page 3

ST. MARY'S SCHOOL.

DISTRIBUTION OP PRIZES. Tun usual distribution of prizes to the scholars attending the young ladies school conducted I y the disiers of St. Miry's Monastery, Hamilton, look phce on Thursday. As is customary be for? the distribution, the scholars gave a few musical selections, action songs, reci tatious and dialogues. The first item on the programme was the duet " Fairy Queen, - ' played ou three pianos and harmonium by seven of the pupils. This pitce whs rendered in very good time " The Silent Teacher " was suug by the senior pupils in a very pleasing manner. The recitation " Santa Claus " wis very well given by Miss Fairweather. *' Al ce," played by ihe Misses Bastings, Fairweather and Cahill, was psrhaps the best instrumental performance of the afternoon. Miss Bastings gave the ♦' Hind Girl To Her Hup" very nicHy ; this young lady promises to develop into a capable sougstress. The recitation, " A City Tale," was really very well rendered by Miss C. Holloway. The action song "The Duncea " by the junior pupils, each wearing caps of different colours of the shape made familiar by many an old engraving. The bending of their heads in concert had a very funny effect. A dialogue, " All Nations," by eight young ladies, each representing a nationality and carrying an appropriate flag, was both picturesque and interesting. P'ach delivered a short address, setting forth the virtues of the nation she represented for the time beinz. These were generally very well delivered. His Worship the Mayor then handed the following prizes to the scholars, and addressed a few kindly words to each recipient : Good Conduct. Boarders: Miss Annie Casey, presented by Mr and Mrs McMurray. Day pupils : Miss E leen Cussen, presented by Mr Howden j Christian doctrine, Miss Maggie Clarkin. Standard Vll.—Arithmetic and algebra : Ist priz', Miss Bastings, presented I y Mr Fitzpatrick, Ngaruawahia. Bookkeeping and home lessons: 1-t prize, Miss Lily Ryan. Grammar and linear drawing: Ist prize. Miss Mary Cussen. Physical geography and science: Ist prize, Miss Laura Cn-sen. Englsh Ir'story and chronology: Ist prize, Mia? Mary Cussen Application : Miss Fitz patrick. Ornamental writing and composition : 2nd prize, Miss Laura Cussen. Standard VI. Home lessons and memory work : Ist prize, Miss Cahill. Arithmetic and grammar: Ist prize. Miss Aileen Cussen. Ornamental writing and Euglish history : Ist prize, M'ss Cahill. English composition and French : Ist prize, Miss Raymond. "Writing anil composition : 2nd prize, Mss Maggio Clarkin. Standard IV.—Application and perseverance : Miss Annie Casey. Arihmetic : Ist prize, Miss Cla-a Holloway. Grammar and writing: Ist prize, Miss Aileen Cahill. Reading and comprehension : Ist prze, Miss Fa:rweather. Home lessons : Ist prize, Miss Annie Ca?ey. Readiug and letter writing : Miss Vera Hay. Home lessons": 2nd prize, Mi»s von Stunner. Geography and English history : Miss Cla r a Holloway. Mental arithmetic and linear drawing : Miss Aileen Cahill. Christian doctrine : 2nd prize, Miss Fairweather. Writing anl composition : Miss von Stunner. Politeness and application : Miss Vera Hay. Standard lll.—Singing and plain sewing : 2nd prize, Mi-s Lily Ca'ey. Arithmetic : Miss Mary Henderson. Application : Mi»s Alice McM.ih.on. Junior classes. —Politeness and transcription, Miss Maud Boulton ; reading and spelling, Miss Maggie Cahid ; sums, Miss Rita Coyle ; tables, Miss Maggie Blaiu ; read ng, Miss Myra Cussen ; transcription, Miss Nellie Casey. Extras —lmprovement in music : The Misses Fairweather, Bastings and Cahill, equal. Drawing and painting : Miss Casey. Singing : Ist prize and French 2nd, Miss Baitings. Silk and Mount Mellick work : Ist prize, Miss Lily Ryan, presented by Mr Crosby, Paeroa. Plain sewing : Ist prize, Miss Eileen Cussen. Having completed the list, Hi'b Worship thanked on behalf of the Rev. Mothers and Sisters, those who had attended the distribution , and those who had given prizes. The Rev. Father Amandolini said he was sure that what they had seen had given them much pleasure. He thanked the Mayor on behalf of the Rev. Mother and Sisters, for his kindness in districting the prizes, aud assured him that his kindness was highly appreciated by them. He believed that that was the fifth occasion on which he had performed the duty, and he trusted that he would do so on many future occasions, and took the opportunity to compliment him upon being the biggest man in the place, both in an official aud physical sense. His Worship thanked the Rev. Father for his good wishes. He looked up n himeelf as almost as much a part of the institution as the Rev. Mother and the Sisters ; he had been there so often. What they had seen to-d«y must have convinced all of the value of the school, and hoped that it would be well supported by parents. On his own behalf and that of those present, he thanked the Rev. Mother and Sisters for the excellent afternoon's amusement they had afforded and wished thorn a merry Christmas ai d a happy New Year. The anthem, " God Save New Zealand," by all the pupils, brought a vs y pleasantly spent afternoon to a cone u■icn. EXHIBITION OK WORK. The inspection of the work of the pupils afforded U 3 much pleasure. It was varied in character, and presented a very good illustration of what can be, done with the needle with the aid of good taste aud deftness. So numerous were the exhibits that want of space forbids our noticing them all. We must therefore content our?elves with drowing attention to those which during a cursory inspection struck us as of exceptional merit. It has been said with Eome truth that the introduction of the sewing machioe is gradually killing hand needlework. There were some n : ght dresses on the table, however, which show that the art still lingers with the sisters in the Convent tchools. One, the work of Miss Eileen Cussen, attracted great attention, aud was accorded niuoli admiration by the ladies who inspected it. It_was what is technically known as drawn th*ead work. There was another by Miss Laura Cusrcn which was a very excellent specimen of needlework. That made by Miss Bastings, which was shown at the winter exhibition, is worthy of very high praise indeed. There were co less than 14 sofa cushions ou view in which were displayed various descriptions of work, in eluding silk, arrasene, plush androcokco. The smallness of the children whose names were attached to some of these excited our surprise that the work was so good. Those which struck us as being of exceptional merit were those to which the names of Misses Fitzpatrick, Bastings and Cahill were attached. A mantel drape in fox gloves by Miss Bastings ca.ls for special mention. The stand of artificial flowers by Miss Bastings evidenced what can be done with paper in the way of imitating the most beautiful works of Nature. A silk apron ornamented with daisies by Miss Ryan was a work of which that young lady may be proud. There were four crayon drawings by Miss Casey which evidenced considerable talent. It is to be hoped that when she .'eaves school she will continue her Btudies in her spare hours. Ornaments for brackets were strongly in evidence, there being no less than IV of various designs. Pincushions were ulso to the fore, and for the most part looked too pretty tor the use intended. There w ere six samples of mount trillick work, that by Miss Ryan calSa for

spcc'al mention. A crochet border for a pil ow cover by Miss M. Clarkin was a very nice piece of work. A tray cloth in ivy work by Miss Bastings was very pretty. A very useful gaiment in the shape, of a n au's jersey, the work of Miss McMahon, was shown. Miss Bastings is responsible for a very nicely knitted lady's shawl. The scroll work of Misses Bastings, Casey and Ryan was very creditable.