OTAHUHU PUBLIC SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5477, 7 February 1885, Page 8

OTAHUHU PUBLIC SCHOOL.

rrcsontatlon of Prizes.

A tkry interesting eoremony took place at 6 on p.m. Thursday, when prizes were given to the children for regular attendance. The Committee were anxious to give prizes {or good conduct, but the record of good murks having by some moans become non est, it was decided to give the prizes for best attendance. Mr John Gordon (Chairman), Roy. F. Gould, and W. R. Wills represented the Committeo, and a very large number of ladies and gentlemen were preBout. Miss Burns led the children in singing, a fow songa boing very well rendered, Mr Gordon, in giving the prizos, mado a few encouraging remarks to each of the children, and said he trusted parents would try and send their children more regularly to school, aB the onus of non-success in many cases rested with the parents, and not with the children or the teachers. Mr Luke, Chairman of the Auckland Education Board, saidhe was pleased to see so many parents present, and he would like to impress upon the scholars the importance of thoroughness in their stidics, and that the best education is that which is the answer to our own inquiries. Remember, there must be time to grow. " The oak springs up from -an acorn, but does not become a tree all at once ; the mushroom springs up in a night, but it is but a mushroom. He reminded them that education does not end in the school-room; that there is no such thing as' a finished education in' this iife, but always something beautiful and true to learn. He'urged them to cultivate a love of knowledge for its own sake, not merely for the sake at obtaining prizes, passing standards, or winning scholarships, but to seek wisdom for itself alone, and those who did this would receive the greatest reward. He trusted the high moral tone which existed in the Otihuhu public schools would influence^their whole lives, and if ever they should be tempted to swerve from the path of honour or virtue, toremember that they were educated in the Otahuhu public schools, and exclaim: " No I we cannot do anything mean or dishonourable." Key. Mr Gould having given the parents some very good advice, the Chairman called upon the audience to sing the National Anthem, which terminated a very pleasing meeting. Testimonial to the Schoolmaster. During the meeting a very pleasing ceremony took place, the scholars and friends having subscribed a fund for the purohase of a present for the head teacher. This consisted of a very chaste silver inkstand and pen and pencil-case, which cost £10. Mr T. R. Blandford.in accepting it, spoke very feelingly of the love and esteem of the children toward him, and on the suggestion of the Chairman three ringing cheers were given by the children, who did not fail to respond most heartily in applauding a gentleman who has won the respect of children and parents by his consistent and painstaking conduct to one and all alike. _^^^^