AUCKLAND COLLEGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 302, 20 December 1895, Page 5

AUCKLAND COLLEGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Aucklaud College and Grammar School took place last evening in the Choral flail. There was a large attendance ot parents and those who taken prominent part in educational matters in Auckland. Seated on the platform were : Professor Thomas, Mr R. Udy (Chaiman of the Board of Education), Mr 0. Mays (Treasurer of tho Auckland College and Grammar School), Mr N. Holm Biss (Secretary of the Old Boys' Association), and Captain A. Duder. Professor Brown presided, and seated alongside of him was the Mayoress and Miss Holland, Mr J. W. Tibbs, headmaster, and members of the teaching staff, also occupied seats on the platform. Seated in the hall were Mr V. E. Rice, Secretary of the Board of Education, Messrs J. H. Upton, J. Blades, Jackson Palmer, S. Heaketh, Frater, Nolan, and many others. The girla and boys were seated on each side of the galleries. The Grammar School Orchestra was present under Mr Trevitbick, and played a number of selections. Professor Brown in opening the proceeding said Sir Maurice O'Rorke, Chairman of the Board of Governors, was on a visit to Ireland, and that Colonel Haultain, ViceChairman, was suffering from rheumatism and did not care to face the night air. This accounted for his being there that evening to preside, having been asked to fill the position by the other Governors. THE HEADMASTER'S HEPORT. Mr J. W. Tibbs, headmaster, was received with loud clapping of hands on rising. He then read the annual report, which was of a most interesting character. Inter alia the reporb stated : —" In my last report, I referred to our greau successes in outside examinations as a test of the good work done during the year; and I expressed a hope thab the examinations then proceeding would prove that we were still maintaining the high standard we had reached. My hopes were more than realised. A very keen rivalry exists between the boys' and girls' sides of the school in the competition for scholarships and other prizes ; and last year the'girls more than held their own. For the University scholarships we sent up fourteen candidates ; of these three gained scholarships, viz., Miss A. McPherson, R. W. Allen and Miss C. Smith. A fourth, Miss A. M. Dinneen, actually gained a scholarship buo resigned it, preferring to spend another year at tho echool in order thab she may compete at a greater advantage, a8 we hope, . for those honours which aro open to the 'University student. The school has for three years past gained only one scholarship in each year, and only onca before have we secured three nt one examination, viz., in 1S90; but on no previous occasion has this, or so far as I can learn, any other school won the distinction of having ali its 14 candidates in the liebof those who passed " with credit." I think, therefore, thatwe may claim to have " made a record " in this examination. I do nob intend to criticise the wisdom of those who had a fairly certain expectation of enjoying the privileges of University education free of ce3t, and yeb gave up those expectations for a clerkship under Government? The spirit of restlessness under scholastic and parental control, so characteristic of tho colonial boy and girl, had some influence in their choice, I doubt not ; the laudable desire to support themselves probably had more ; but to come I know that the question as bo what possibilities are opened up by a successful university career presented such uncertainty that they would not face it. A school report is scarcely a fitting occasion on which to discuss this question ; but I should like bo set one fact, by way of encouragement, before those of our boys and girla who have reached that stage in life from which they are beginning to wonder how far their edueatoin will help them to earn a livelihood. I have aeen much more of old Grammar School boys than I saw before, and J find thab there is growing up among us a generation of men who have passed through tho highest) forms of this 6chool, and who aro going to be prominent among the citizens of tho future, whether in the learned professions, in business or in skilled handicrafts ; because they did not come hero for a yoar, possibly fro two, to " finish," as parents will describe the process of putting a very thin veneer on tho education received elsewhere, but because they came to stay patiently for a few years, to work out our echool course, nnd then, having begun to feel the power thab education gives, they were ready to take advantage of those greater opportunities ofibred by higher institutions, such as our own University College. I commend this facb to the notice of parents who are hesitating to make a little sacrifice to enable their boy or girl to spend his lasb year in our higher form ; and I wish to draw attention to the present liberal arrangements for senior foundation scholarships, by which any pupil whose education is not already provided for may, with a little industry, secure free education for tho last yoar or two of his course here.

I may cay of the Raw lings scholars, that these boys have been eminently successful. The old boys have this year, through their Association, shown an interest in the work of the school by ottering a valuable prize of books for an essay on some subject connected with the history of New Zealand. I should incur the displeasure of the school athletes,l amsuro, if Ifailed to tnakeapublic acknowledgment of bho obligation our footballers are under to the assiduous cara with which they have been trained by Mr Carltoa Hay. A careful perusal of the marks assigned to the various forms will show nob only that the standard of excellence is in very many cases unusually high, bub that the competition for prizes has been very close. And here it would be well for me to explain that our prizes are nob mere rewards of diligenb and successful work ; for, if they were, it would often be very difficult to know where bo stop giving prizes ; bub that they are tho crown reserved for the one, two, or, in very exceptional cases, the three winners in the hard fought fight for mastery. So that failure to secure a prize doea not necessarily indicate wanb of ability or of diligence. I .wish to add a word on the subject of reports aboub which I find there extets a great deal of mieunderstanding : A Grammar School report ia not a page of patronising platitudes put together to please parential pride ; bub is rather a confidential letter, nob to the pupil, as some strangely imagine, bub to tho parent, who has entrusted to the master the education of his child, and who therefore expects that his trustee shall render, from time to time, a true and faithful account of his charge. If parents will take this view of reports, and accept my assurance that great care is exercised in the framing of them, their value in the education of their children will be very greatly increased. PRESENTATION' OF PRIZES. The prizes wore then presontod by the Mayoress, the headmaster reading ouD the awards. The prize list was printed in the Star of last evening. Hearty applause greeted the recipients as they in turn received their prizes. Captain A. Duder then came foward at tho request of the chairman and presented a prize given by Old Boys' Association for an esaay on a subject connected with the history of New Zealand to H. D. Bamford. Captain Duder addressing Master Bamford said they bad all read his essay and they were well pleased with it. He wished on behalf of the old boys to congratulate him on his essay, and he trusted they would in the near future welcome him to the Old. Boys' Association.

Master H. R. Hesketh was then called forward. He was presented by Captain Duder with the challenge cup for one year for winniDg the quarter-of-a-mile race at the last annual school eports, and also with a medal. Captain Dudor in making the presentations said he thought that, next to a good head, a really good pair of legs was best, for the head could steor the legs, and the leg 9 could carry the hend, and both combined would, he hoped, be used for the purpose of doing good. He would aIRQ welcome Master Hesketh to the ranks of the Old Boys' Association. Presentations were also made as follows :

Girls' Lawn Tennis Club, November Tournament for Governors' racquets. — Senior racquet, E. E. Myera ;• school medal, S. M. Rice; junior racquet, E. Whitelaw ; school medal, A. E. Gittos. Governors' Watches, won in athletic sports.—Senior, H. R. Hesketh ; junior, G. J. Lennox.

School Cup.—Senior, S. Upton; junfcir, A. R. Benjamin. Medal, Old Boys' Bicycle Race.~P. T. Upton. The proceedings, which were of an enthusiastic character throughout, terminated with the Chairman, on behalf of the Board oi Governors, wishing the pupils "A Merry Christmas and s Happy New Year."

An error occurred in the special prize list in laab night's impression. For writing (thirteen to fifteen), Miss A. E. Gittoa was prize taker. Under thirteen, Misa M. Hindle obtained the prize.