Queensland Figaro and Punch (Brisbane, Qld. : 1885 - 1889), Saturday 3 December 1887, page 19


St. Mary's Convent School, Maryborough,

The annual concert of the pupils of the above school took place on Friday, 25th inst. The large school-room, which was very tastefully decorated, was crowded with the parents and friends of the children. The programme consisted of choruses, songs, recitations, pianoforte selections, and a pretty little drama, entitled " My Aunt's Heiress." The part-songs and chorus, by the 70 or 80 children, were pleasingly rendered, noticeably the " Toy Girls," by some of the smallest of them. The recitations given by Misses Ethel Cooper and Laura Hanley, showed that much pains had been taken with these young ladies. A pianoforte solo, from "IlTrovafcore," was very carefully and prettily played by Miss Maud Medcalfe, a tiny" little dot ,* and nine of the youngest pupils gave ample evidence in a pianoforte trio, of the care and attention bestowed by the nuns in {their musical tuition. Little Nelly Phillips, as usual, came in for a large share of applause for her rendering of "La Fille de Regiment" (incharacter), andhad to respond to an encore. The gem of the evening was, certainly, the pianoforte solo, " Irish Diamonds"

(Papi), by Miss Agnes Kennedy. This talented: young lady also played most of 'the accompaniments. Special praise was deservedly earned by Miss Daisy Higgins, who contributed in no small degree to the success of the enteitainment. At intervals during the evening; several of the pupils took part in the little drama, " My Aunt's Heiress." Space will not allow me to testify the appreciation due to the individual proficiency of the several performers; but

mention should be made of the efforts of the Misses Moylan, Cab ill, Mary and Agnes Kennedy, and Essie Hanley, the latter acting the part of the " Cinderella" of the play charmingly. The quartette, " Rich and Bare" (Moore), as given by the Misses Kennedy, Higgins, and Hodnett was a most pleasing item. Miss Hodnett's singing was also much admired. At the conclusion of the concert, the Mayor of Maryborough (W. Dawson), addressed a few words of encouragement to the children and their teachers, the Sisters of Mercy, conveying through Father O'Reilly the general appreciation of the high standard which the children of St. Mary's Convent School had attained. Father O'Reilly very suitably responded, and the concert terminated with CI God Save the Queen/' sung by the whole of the children.

Ascot's winning the Esk double was very popular, but the totalisator investments on the horse were so numerous that the draw was less than the stake sometimes.

Con Taylor, at the Esk settling, responded to the health of his father, Jas. Taylor, patron of the Upper Brisbane Turf Club. In doing so, Con said that, judging from the good start the Esk Club had already made, he expected it would be able to offer a ,£500 handicap before long.

WILLIAM NELSON, aged 55 years, died suddenly at Norm an ton on 8th November. He was attacked with cramps in the stomach, and his heart's action failed during a violent spasm.

MRS. CHARLES BUSS died at Bundaberg on 21st Novemb'er. She had been confined about a fortnight before. The deceased lady was the only sister of E. Brady, of Bundaberg, and was widely held in high

estimation.

POLICE MAGISTRATE M'MINN has left Port M'Arthur (N.T.) and gone to Normanton. On the occasion of his departure, a tribe of myall blacks escorted him to the wharf, and he shook hands with them all round.