WHANGAREI HIGH SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3554, 29 December 1881, Page 2

WHANGAREI HIGH SCHOOL.

The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the above institution took place In the school-house on Friday, 23rd instant. A large and fashionable assemblage responded to the Head-master's invitation, amongst whom we observed Sir Bobert and Lady Douglas, Lady Gibbes, Mr George Taylor and family, Mrs Cubbitt, Mrs J. 1. Wilson, Monsieur and Madame Cafflcr, Mrs Bain, Mr and Mrs Thompson, Mr and Mrs McKean, Mrs Coaves, Mr and Mrs E. Boult, Miss Bell, Mrs Smeaton, Mr Clendon, 11.M,, and party, Mrs McDonald and others. The Rev, A. Mackintosh occupied the chair, and opened the proceedings by calling on the Rev. Mr Coates to oner prayer, which was done in an appropriate and solemn manner. After this the secretary (Mr Joseph Bell) read the Head-master's report of the High School work during the preceding year, which was duly passed as highly satisfactory. The distribution of the prizes was then entered upon, Mrs Mackintosh most gracefully giving them to the successful students. The ceremony was attended to with considerable interest, which reached its height when the envelopes were opened containing the names of tbe candidates competing for the gold medal, and it was found that Mr Edwin J. Clendon was the dux of the Whangarei High School for 1881.—Mr Mackintosh then addressed the meeting in tbe name of the governors. He begged to express the satisfaction they felt with the progress made by the students under Mr Smeaton's charge. He considered this a most hopeful and encouraging sign for the future. The governors were very fortunate in obtaining the services of so excellent a head-master as Mr W. H. 0. Smeaton, M. A. The ttev, Mr Coates said it afforded him very great satisfaction to be present, and expressed his pleasure in noting the efficient state of the school. He wished Mr Smeaton all success in bis work.—The Rev. Mr Hudson, Mr Fidler, and Mr Clendon, R M., having spoken in complimentary terms upon the scholastic work. Mr Joseph Griffin made some practical remarks on the advantages accruing from having a high school in the district, thus enabling the youth of the North to compete with those of the Middle Island, where a higher class of education had existed tor so long. In proposing a vote of thanks to Mr Smeaton, he would advise the head-master to give up the key of his library and take complete mental rest during the vacation.—Mr Bmeaton, in reply, thanked the governors for their extreme courtesy towards him in the working of the school. He also thanked the pupils for the zeal and interest they bad all displayed in their studies; and lastly, the people of Whangarei for tho warmth of the welcome they had given him when coming as a stranger amongst them. He hoped the Whangarei High School had yet a brilliant future before it. — The meeting was then brought to a close by the Rev. Mr Hudson pronouncing the benediction. The Whangarei High School will re-assemble on February 1,1*382. Prizb List.—Progress and Diligence: Bessie Wilson, 1; Regularity in Attendance : Eliza Wood, 1; Physical Science :F. Clark-Staff, I; Andrew Wilson, honourable mention; Greek : Isabella McDonald, 1; Latin :F. ClarkStaff, 1; French : Amy L. C. Diddams, 1; German: Amy L. C. Diddams, 1; Bessie Wilson, 2 j Book-keeping: James Wilson, l;Jane Lech Fuller, 2 ; Arithmetic: Mary Wilson, 1; JjOgio, Metaphysics and|Hißtory of Philosophy : Andrew Wilson, 1 ; Edwin John Clendon, 2 ; English (Rhetoric, Eng. Lit., Eng. History): Bessie Wilson, 1 ; Fortnightly English Essays : Amy L. O. Diddams, 1; Headmaster's Special Essay on "Success in Life ": Isabella McDonald and John Mclnnis equal; Gold Medal, Dux of the school: Edwin John Clendon; Essay on "BSBscartcs" : William Wood, I,