ST. MARY’S LADIES’ SCHOOL

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 372, 17 December 1898, Page 3

ST. MARY’S LADIES’ SCHOOL

distribution of prizes. The annual distribution of prizes and entertainment by the scholars and exhibition of work performed by them, took place on Thursday afternoon in the school-room, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. The. doors were open to the public for soma time before the hour fixed for the entertainment to commence, in order to allow visitors to inspect the work of the pupils. This is always a very pleasing task, as the display is always a revelation to the uninitiated as to what can be produced by pretty material and deft handling of the needle. Although the exhibits were not quite so numerous as on previous years, the work was quite up to the high standard which has been maintained for many years. The following are the exhibits which particularly attracted our attention. Miss Bastings exhibited a beautiful cushion worked in point lace. This young .lady was also responsible for articles of underclothing, two tray cloths, one in mount mellick and the other in drawn thread. There were also some very well executed paintings from her brush. Miss L. Cussen showed some beautiful specimens of needlework, also some paintings, which reflected great credit upon her. Miss E. Cussen secured first prize for a nightdress, which was most elaborately and tastefully worked. She also showed some excellent painting, which evidenced considerable talent. A mantel'drape.by Miss Fitzpatrick, worked in raised plush, a tray cloth, nightdress and comb bag to match. This young lady’s work evidenced deligencc and taste. Miss von Sturmer exhibited a pretty nightdress and bap, worked in netting, for which she deserves commendation. Miss Kelcher showed a mantel drape ; also a pretty cushion, on winch the flowers looked quite natural. She has reason to be proud of her work. Miss Holloway’s tea cosey and bracket are worthy of notice. Miss Fairweather’s macrair.e bracket, hand bag and brackets in arasene work and paintings, are most creditable productions. Miss Boulton’s cushion in arasene, pillow shams, tray cloths and other work reflected credit upon her. Miss McMahon’s crimson embossed plush cushion was one of the prettiest pieces of work shown and was greatly admired. A pair of slippers in wool work, chemise, nightdress, toilet cover and scroll were also included in her list, and were all well executed. Miss Vera Hay had three brackets tastefully worked. Miss O’Brien’s three brackets, tea cosey and toilet cover were pretty. Miss Henderson displayed very tasteful and neat work in brackets, pinafore and cushion. Miss A. Casey showed two brackets, chemise and tniy-cloth, all very creditably worked. Miss L. Casey’s exhibits of a chemise and D’Oyley in netting were very neat. Miss L. Burke showed an elaborate mantel drape ; also some good specimens _ of plain sewing. Miss C. Smith's cushion was very pretty. Misses K. and EFitzpatrick had some very neat specimens of needlework. Two little dots, Miss K. Buxton and Essie Smith, had some good needlework on the tables. Some other little girls, Myra Cussen, Reta Coyle, Evelyn Smith, and Rosie McConnell exhibited pretty specimens of wool work. The entertainment by the scholars, which consisted of no less than eighteen items, opened with a duet 11 En Corte,” played on three pianos and harmonium by Misses Fairweather, Casey, Cahill, von Sturmer (piano), and Miss Kerr (harmonium). This was very well rendered in good time. Then folloived a song, “ Drifting With the Tide,” by the senior pupils. Then followed a solo, " The Wayside Chapel,” (three pianos, two violins and harmonium), the performers being Misses Holloway, E. Cahill, von Sturmer, Bastings, Kerr and M. Casey. This was very creditably rendered. Miss Fairweather then gave a recitation, " A Good Deed Rewarded.” This young lady has some talent in this direction. Miss Bastings vocal solo, “ Wanted a Governess,” was of the comic element and caused some amusement. Then followed another duet on several instruments, entitled “ Happy be Thy Dreams.” The playing of this was a little irregular at times. The Iris drill by the juniour pupils was pretty to look at. The next piece was a solo on three pianos and a violin. This is a difficult composition, but it was very fairly treated by Misses Bastings, Cussen, Fairweather and Kerr. The dialogue “ The Lady and the Adopted Child,” was very well given by Misses E. Cussen and Holloway. “ Let Me Kiss Him for His Mother ” was well sung by the pupils, Miss Holloway very clearly explaining the origin of the composition to the audience Then followed the solo, " The Harp,” by Misses Bastings, Cahill and Fairweather on the piano, and Miss Kerr on the violin. The young ladies played with taste and precision. Mias Holloway sang “ I Have No Home,” very nicely. T»vo very little girls, Misses Coyle and Buxton, then attempted a duet, the little ones lost their heads, and the effect was more amusing than musical. The duet, Golden Trumpets,” was given by several of the pupils in a creditable manner. Then followed 11 The Flower Girls,” in whioh national characteristic songs are introduced. The trio ‘ Noma,” played on three pianos by nine of the pupils, brought a very pleasing programme to an end. Mr Holloway, who acted in the absence of His Worship the Mayor (Mr Dey), then read the prize-list, the prizes being presented by the Rev. Father Amandolini. They were as follows Good Conduct. Awarded to Miss - Bastings (boarder), and Miss E. Cussen (day pupil). Prize given by Dr. Kenny. Amiability and Devotedness.—Misses Kelcher and von Stunner. Christian Doctrine,—Misses L. Cussen, Fairweather, Kelcher and Smith. Standards VI. and Vll.—For highest number of marks obtained, Miss Kelcher (presented by Mr Howden); erammar and composition, Misses Kelcher and E. Cussen ; arithmetic, Misses Bastings, Cussen anti O’Brien; history, Misses Kelcher and O’Brien ; reading and red tation, Misses Bastings and E, Cussen ; geogrophy, Misses Kelcher and O’Brien ; science, Misses Bastings and L. Cussen ; algebra, Misses Bastings and Cussen; writing, Misses Kelcher and Cussen. Standard IV.—Highest number of marks obtained, Miss_ von Stunner ; grammar and composition, Misses von Stunner and Casey ; geography, Misses Hay, von Sturmer and Casey ; reading and recitation, Misses Holloway and Fairweather ; history, Mifeses Fairweather and von Stunner : arithmetic, Misses von Stunner, Hay and Stapleton ; writing, Miss Hay ; science, Miss von Sturmer ; general improvement, Miss L. Burke, Slandaid lll.—Arithmetic, Miss Henderson ; reading, Miss A. McMahon ; geography, Miss Henderson. Standard ll.—Reading, Miss M. Boulton ; arithmetic and geography, Miss Essie Smith. Preparatory.—Reading und spelling, Miss Eveline Smith ; spelling and writKathleen Buxton ; reading and Miss Myra Cussen ; tables, Miss Coyle ; general improvement, Miss Rosie McConnell. Music.—Misses Bastings, Fairweather, Holloway and von Sturmer. Singing.-Misses Bastings and Holloway. . Fancy Work. Misses h itzpatnck, Boulton and Buxton. Plain Sewing.—Miss E. Cussen. Painting.—Miss Bastings. The Rev. Father Amandolini then spoke in the following terms:—My dear children, ladies and gentlemen,—l am sure that I am voicing the sentiments of all those who surround us and honour us with their presence when I pronounce

the entertainment with whici. you have tuuted us a most enjoyable one, and I am equally certain that they all wish me to cordially thank you for it. As the head of both the parish and select schools, I :n my ordinary rounds mostly see the sunny side of them, and although I am peifectly satisfied that everything goes on like e'ockwork, yet I am not of en admitted to an exhibition of your skill. Your performance here to-day, aud the age of the performers ranging as they do from the maiden of marriageable age to the tiny little dot just crawled out of her sradle, and the unique display of artistic workmanship on exhibition in this room, prove to demon stiate how caiefuliy, how patiently, how assiduously you have been trained and taught, and how grateful you should be to your good teachers for the immense amount of trouble and care they have lavished upon you. But they prove something more, for they prove to us how well you have studied, how well you havo wrrked, aud how much you have benefited by the tuition imparted to you. This should be enough to gladden the hearts of your parents, and should be au inducement to others to send their children and swell your ranks. At a very moderate cost, quite within the reach of every thriving tradesman, or even struggling farmers children can heie receive an education vying in excellence with the test educitional establishments in Auckland. Well, my dear children, having worked so hard for the past twelve mouths, you now deserve all the recreation your parents can spare to you. 1 wish" you a pleasant holiday time, a merry Christmas, and every other good wish besides. Mr Ho'loway then proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Rer. Mother and the Sisters associated with her for the excellent entertainment they had enjoyed, consequent on thtir exertions in training the children ; also, for the good work they were doing to the whole community. The education imparted in St. Mary's school was cilculated to refine and elevate the people. The public schools certainly taught the threa R's, but the artistic training which improves the taste and rt fines the people was utterly wanting. Nobody who was present that afternoon could help appreciating the result upon the children of their training by the good sisters. He asked for them a hearty vote of thanks. This was accorded by acclamation, and the proceedings ended with the singing of "All Hail! Zea'andia," by the pupils.