Concert by the Pupils of the Sisters St. Joseph.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 292, 6 December 1902, Page 3

Concert by the Pupils of the Sisters St. Joseph.

On Thursday evening last a very enjoyable concert was given by the children attending St. Patrick’s School, when, despite the fact that the rain continued in steady downpour, the Oddfellows’ Hall was more than half filled, about 200 parents and friends braving the elements in order to witness the clever performances of these carefully trained children. The programme was a lengthy one, consisting chiefly of actionsongs, duets, dialogues, etc., all of which items were greatly enjoyed by the audience. The first item, a duet and solo, was creditably performed by Misses F. Flynn, R, Yaillant, J. Symon, M. O’Brien and E. Jones (two pianos and one organ), and was followed by a chorus of girls singing “Flower Bells.” The club swinging by the boys was a marvel as to time and exactness of motion, every club rising and falling as though swung by one lad. Great credit is due to the trainer of these boys, Mr M. O’Shea. An action song, “ Tittle Mothers,” provoked much laughter. Miss E. Jones’ pianoforte solo was very good for so young a performer, and this was followed by a cantata, “ Too bad,” the characters beinu well got up. The chief performer in this item was Miss A, Sullivan who, as Judith, had rather a difficult part to pet form, but who, nevertheless, did not make so much as a single mistake. This brought the first part of the programme to a close. During the interval, the Rev. Father Regnault mounted the platform and read an .apology for absence, on account of illness, from His Worship the Mayor, who was that evening to have presented the medals to successful pupils at recent Trinity College examinations. The speaker introduced Mr A. J. Manchester, who would act in his father's stead. He said the Roman Catholic Church had to thank Mr Manchester for constant help to the school. Roman Catholics had to pay general taxes like everyone else in the colony, and bo paid about one-seventh of the cost of the public school education. They could not agree to let their children be educated there, so, out of their own ,pockets, carried on a school in which they could educate their children in what seemed to them the proper manner. Mr Manchester, recognising that they were hardly used in not getting State aid, had come forward and given them each year a substantial donation, (Applause). Mr A. J. Manchester said he was pleased to see so large a gathering present. The Sisters were deserving of every credit for the way they had trained the children, and they in turn deserved the thanks of those who had'witnessed their performance that evening. He was sure that should the management decide to at any time repeat the performance the idea would be welcomed by all. A gold medal was presented to Miss E. Jones, senior grade, and silver medals to Misses M. Hayes, F. Flynn, J. Bymon, V. Slee, N. Taaflfe, and Masters W. Quinn and J. Lawlor.

The second part of the programme commenced with a duet and solo, “A Ray of Sunshine,” performed by Misses E. Jones, M. Lawlor, V. Slee, and Masters J. Lawlor and W. Quinn two pianos and one organ), and needless to say each one performed his or her part in a manner pleasing to the listener. An action song by the girls, rendered with notable grace and ease, was accompanied by Miss N, Taaffe (piano). This was followed by the performance, “Musical Bells,” performed by the junior boys. A very amusing dialogue and song, “ Topsy and Eva,” was rendered by Misses M. Ferriter and F. Cornelius, Miss M. Frost playing the accompaniment. This item was undoubtedly one of the best on the programme. An action song by the boys, “ Sailors,” was accorded a hearty round of applause, and was followed by the vocal trio, “ Mermaid’s Song,” by Misses N. Cremin, M. Bartoa and N. Wheeler, whose voices blended

well, and afforded a musical treat rather surprising in so young performers. Next followed a solo and cliorus, “ Tommy Topweight,” Master, T, Twomey (jockey) taking the solo with a commendable display of confidence, the pupils taking the chorus no less creditably. The dialogue “A Medical Experiment*” in which the characters were taken by Masters P. Cosgrave (Jack Freshett), F. Cleary (Harry Happie), F. O’Brien (Mr Roundabout) and F, London (Alfred Adipose, Esq.), was performed in that style of ease which is seldom attained by the juvenile actor, thus forcibly manifesting the pains taken by their trainers. “ Zealandia ” was beautifully sung by the senior girls, and was much enjoyed. The singing of “ God Save the King ” brought the entertainment to a close. The management desire to thank Messrs H. Franklin and S. Butcher for their valuable assistance.