GREYMOUTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 13, 28 March 1901, Page 6

GREYMOUTH.

The formal opening of St. Patrick's new school, Greymouth, was celebrated on March 18 (says the Argus') by a grand national concert, the building being literally packed. The overture was brilliantly played by the Garrick Club orchestra, and served as an excellent introduction to the charming little operetta, ' The Fairy Governess,' in which all the characters were enacted by pupils of the convent school. As ' Fairy Queen,' Miss Eily Hannan looked, sang, and acted her part to perfection. Misß Lily Cottle made a piquant and pleasing • Flibbie.' Miss M. E. Noonan showed great histrionic ability in her rendition of the difficult and pathetic character of the ' Governess,' and Miss Mabel Harris, as the school girl Alice, played * it,L a natural charm, and grace that would be difficult to improve upon. The minor characters, fairies, etc., were prettily rendered by tho little Misses Lena and Mary Higginß, Pearl and Pebble Hood, Mary and Theresa Mahoney, Rita and Vera Hannan, May Kilgour, Ethel Blake, Mary Ellen McCarthy, and Dorothy Lutz. As a whole, the little play presented a most pleasing Btage picture, and reflects the greatest credit upon the taste and teaching powers of the £ isters. In the second part the older pupils went through the graoeful and intricate evolutions of a national flag drill, presenting one of the prettiest speotacles ever staged in Greymouth. The pupils were each completely costumed in the national dreßS of the country represented. The principal countries represented were :— England (Miss A. Skoglund), Ireland (Miss Noonan), Scotland (Miss E. Mahoney), Wales (Miss Eily Hannan), Australia (Miss Nellie Mahoney), New Zealand (Miss Florence Shannahan), Canada (Miss Alice Hannan), France (Miss K. McKendry), Germany (Miss Alice Doogan), Italy (Miss Kate Kennedy), Spain (Miss Lily Cottle), Denmark (Miss Annie Bowman), Switzerland (Miss Mary Keating), Norway (Miss May Petersen), Sweden (Miss Gladys Hannam). United States (Miss Mary Doogan).

The chief concert numbers were all of a nature that commanded a repetition. Miss Eily Driscoll contributed ' The wearing of the green,' and in response to the encore sang a charming little Russian love song. Miss K. Galbraith sang ' Close to the threshold ' in a faultless manner, and Miss Burger ' Killarney ' in a way that charmed the audience. Both ladies acknowledged the encores which were enthusiastically demanded. Miss Rosabel Weber sang ' Kathleen Mavourneen,' receiving quite an ovation, and repeated the last verse. Misa Eily Hannan acted and sang her song, ' A letter from Ireland,' in a quaint and naive manner peculiarly her own, firmly establishing herself as a popular favorite. The piano eolo ' Irish diamonds,' played by the Misses Guthrie, Algie, and E. M'Donnell, on three pianos, met rightly with an enthusiastic reception. Among other vocal numbers were the songs ' Simon the Cellarer,' Mr Doogan ; ' Eileen Allanah,' Mr Guthrie (with four part chorus) ; and ' Old Ireland, you're my darling,' by the Rev. Father Malone. The vocal abilities of these gentlemen are too well known to need comment. Mr George Moss sang ' Off to Philadelphia,' and had to respond to an encore. The numerous accompaniments were well rendered by the Misses Galbraith, Clara Bourke, Rosabel Weber, Eily Kemple, and E. M'Donnell.

In returning thanks the Rev. Father Malone made special reference to the services of the ladies and gentlemen who assisted at the entertainment, also to Mr Sheedy for the loan of the magnificent Irish flag.