GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11151, 18 December 1901, Page 5

GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL.

PRIZE DISTRIBUTION. The large Hall at Canterbury College was filled to overflowing last night, when the annual distribution of prizes took place. The girls themselves occupied a large portion of the Hall, while their friends and relatives more than filled the remainder. The raised platform at the «nd of the Hall had been tastefully arranged with a number of pot plants and other floral decorations, while in front were displayed specimens of drawing, needlework, etc., the work of the girls attending the School.

Mr T. S. Weston, Chairman of ifche Board of Governors, was in the chair, and there were on the platform with him Mr T. S. Foster, M.A., and Dr. Chilton, members of the Board of Governors, Mr AJ C. Gracroft Wilson (registrar), and the teaching staff of the Schocl, including the lady principal, Miss M. V. Gibson, M.A.,; Miss C. K. Henderson, 8.A., Miss F. Sbeard, M.A., Miss K. Gresson, M.A., Miss E. Low, M.A., and Miss L. Bing, B.A, and Major U. V. Richards, drill instructor. Two members of the scientific staff of the Discovery—Dr. Koet&itz and Mr T. V. Hodgson—were also present, and each delivered an interesting and much-appreciated address. EXAMINERS' REPORTS. The examiners' reports upon the.(results of the annual examinations were read as follows:—• Mr John Harkness, M.A., Examiner in Latin, reported:—"l ihave the honour to report on the" examination in Lataai of thte upper forms of the Girls' High Senool. The papers sent in indicate very vigorous amd intelligent work on the part of Iboth teachers and pupils. In the VI. Form a very large programme of work w-as offered, including four authors, three of them very difficult. Extensive reading of this Jkind roust be very valuable in supplying a large vocabulary of words useful in the unseen translation papers of the Junior Scholar- ; ship Examinations, but it prevents a complete mastery of brilliant writing like that of Virgil and Horace. The s ubjects undertaken includied two books of the a book of the Odes of Horace, a selection from Cicero's letters, and the third oration against Catiline. The selection is an admirable one, and it is very pleasant indeed ; to see a ohivrmmg book like the Letters in ! the hands of the class. If I might sug- , gest a warning, I ehould say that it is a J work of exbreme difficulty, and demands , close study by all concerned. I have no ■doubt thUt (the class derived benefit from J the book, but they were not, as a class, I really able to translate it. In the Fifth Form the passages from Ovid's* Metamorphoses, were exceedingly well -done, which would indicate that in classes where large β-toounte of translation are offered the pupils are. more successful in .plaasant straightforward narratives, even if they I 'bristle with, bard words,' than, in deep and subtle poetry like the -<Eneid. The composition .work of the Upper Sixth is very good; of the other forms, very fair. Roman history is very well taught, the papers being excellent, and the .ground-covered very large." Professor G-ilray, Examiner in Extglish, reported:—" l have now reported so often in very favourable tsrms on the English work of the GirlV High School, that it is difficult to say lanjtihing new on the subject. The work done.during the session now end«d is of high quality. This is more especially true of the two highest classes in the school —the Fifth and Sixth Forms—the results of the examinations just concluded fully sustaining the reputation gained by these Forms in. previous years. Greater thoroughness is desirable in the Fourth Form, and will doubtless be. attainedin , future sessions. The majority of the girls compose well, and the beet pupils compose 'excellently. Many of the .papers show great general intelligence,, and the i English work -has evidently awakened keen I interest in the pupils. - The standard of ! proficiency attained in English reflects great, credit on the governing body, the teachers, I antd <&3a> pupils." j Mr A. C. CHf&xrd, ■ M.A., Examioer an* 1 Mathematics, reported:—■"'Papers-in arithmetic 'amd algebra, and in Eoclid and' tri- , gonotmetry, trefre set to the "Upper ;: and j Lower Sixth Forme, and separate papers S in arithmetic and algebra and Euclid to . the Fiffch and Upper Fourth. The results of the examination are ecninently" satisfactory. The girls in every, form show a sound knowledge of the subjects studied. I In arithmetic and algebra. tife- work' is generally accurate, and the methods good. It TriU.be noticed.that in these subjects tie marks are lower in the Fourth than in the other forms, but thQs is- accounted for by the length and, difficulty:of thfe papers, which, an the Upper Sixth, were quite up to Junior Scholarship standard. In Euclid! the work of all the forme is exceedingly good The text has been.case& fully studied , , and well mastered, and the rioters are attacked with confidence and , success... The Fifth, Form deserve a special word of commendation for. their ire-' ! markalble performance in this subject, as I tbjey gained an average of 84 per cent, of > the •possible marks, the individual. scores J ranging from 67 to 93. The general'style I of the work in all forms is also worthy, of 1 great praise. Witt Mraadcably few- exceptions,, the papers are neat, the writing I clear end -distinct, and thte. arrangement , of the subject matter excellent.". ; Professor Blunt, Examiner-in French, re- ; ported: —"Form VI (Upper) was examined ! in grammar and elementary philology, in composition, unseen translation, and. prepared books. A very satisfactory average was reached in most of these subjects, particularly in grammar and composition. The pieces set-for unseen translation and composition were taken, respectively, . from among passages set for the degree of B.A. (pose) in the Universities of London and Cambridge within the last five years, differing only from the standard set by the latter in the matter of length. The work done in prepared books was not quite, up to the high standard of efficiency reached in the other subjects; it appeared that rather too much had been undertaken. The of marks obtained in composition, grammar, and unseen translation was 61 per cent.; in books 75 per cent, only, in spite of. the fact that the books had been prepared, while the'composition and unseen translation had not. In Farm VI (Lower), in which a greater proportion of prepared work -was eet, satisfactory results were obtained,, particularly in grammar. General average for Use Form, 64 per. cent. Li Form -W. (Upper and Lovrer), which was examined in enbjecteof the same nature asVForm VI (Lower), the standard reached was satisfactory in all respects, except in composition. It is possible that thepiece set, the same as that done by Form VI (Lower), was somewhat hard, but it was specially selected because of the absence of unusual words in it, and might*"have been much better done if a little more entesrarise had been shown in the way of providing periphrase, where the actual French word was not known. The books -were very -well pared. Oener&l average lor Form V (Upper) 67 per cent., for Form V (Lower) 69 per cent. The work in Form IV (Upper) was consistently well done, as is shown by the average, 70 per cent, on the whole. I also held a viva roce examination of all the Forme mentioned above. In Form VI. I questioned the> pupils moon the novel of About*, which they nad &en reading, and received some few satisfactory answers. I! also dictated some French to them, which was> on the whole, tvell done. In Form V. (Upper and Lower) I also obtained some satisfactory results in dictation work, but experienced considerable difficulty in obtaining epoken answers in French. These remarks apply ako to Form IV (Upper). There was, horwever an extra French class of the girls, from which.l obtained much better results in speaking, two girls in particular being very promising. The result of the written work was, on the whole, very satisfactory, and comnares favourably with work dona by the Upper Forms of secondary schools in England, which I have.examined. The oral work was hardly satisfactory «a compared with t&e. written work. In this matter I would respectfully call the attention of tbe Board of Governors to what I have already said* in my report upon the Boys' High School. The writing was in the majority, of casee distinctly good, and the papers neatly done." Mr James Hight, M.A., - Examiner in History and Geography,/reported:—"History and Geography—Two Forms alone,

each in tlie Upper School, were examined in each subject; twenty-six pupils were presented in British history, anf. twenty-two in geography. One of the chief functions of a school examination is to assist in forming some just estimate of the co-ordination of studies in the some .subject throughout the school; the limitation of this wamim. tion to the two- Upper Forms has precluded the possibility of any such estimation being, made. In history all the girls of Form V. gained satisfactory marks; M.' Tavender's paper deserves special mention. Of the nineteen Upper IV. pupils, five were good, four weak, and. the remainder moderate. In geography; Form V. gave in thirteen papers, tyro being -weak; the Upper IV nine, one (E. Carter's) being excellent, and two we<ik. These results, estimated according to tbe usual "'pass" standard, give the satisfactory percentage of 85 in tastory and 82 in geography. They show that the girls have received careful* and painstaking instruction in both subjects, as these are defined in the particular text books used. The character of many of the answers, however, suggests tie' advice that less reliance be placed upon text book work, and considerably more upon oral teaching and explanation. ■ Some of tha questions set with the object of testing whether.the pupil had made the knowledge she displayed really her own or had merely borrowed it from, the text book were not, from this point of view, satisfactorily answered. In many cases the language of the. text book had besn memorised, Trat not understood. The use of the blackboard—an. important Item in oral teaching—would probably result in a reasonable nuniber of : diagrams appearing in, pupils' answers , in mathematical and physical geography, and a< better attempt at map-drawing and marking the relative positions of places on the map. The text book, unsupported by judicious oral teaching, is in great part responsible for a surprising lack of proportion in the answers. The girls, many of them, seemed to have a minute knowledge of the trivialities of politics. Energy spent in the acquisition of such information should rather ba applied in obtaining some adequate ! idea of the development of our national institutions, of the social life of England, of the growth of the colonial Empire. Asked to name the chief statesmen of the period (1688-1857) each, of the girls mentioned some thirty or forty, the majority of them being politicians of very little concern to their posterity; at tlie same timethe papers showed little real 'knowledge of the life-work of any one of the five or six statemen who have left a lasting mark upon the course of history. This lack of proportion was also in evidence in the geography papers, where, for example, in fists of exports and imports, commodities of no appreciable value figured often to the exclusion of the staple productiens of the country in question."" Mr Geo. M. .Thomson, Examiner in botany and physiology, reported: — "Upper Sixth Form.—Botany: Eight papers, all excellent, and all but two first class.

"(Lower Sixth Form.—Botany: Six papers, also excellent, and more even than tha last; four first class.

"The "work in both 'these forms , shows very good drilling, and a very thorough book-knowledge of the subject. Perhaps the book-knowledge is too good as compared "with the practical; this seems to come out particularly in answering question 7, where I asked' the candidates to "describe as many forms of flowers as you know in the composite. AH knew tiiek order,well, but none specified' knowledge of any. spacial plants. "Filth Form.—Botany: Fifteen papers. Ths pupils of this form are somewhat unequal in attainments; four secured first class, seven second, and the remainder third class. Taking the best papers as an index, the knowledge again is very good, but once more I notice the tendency to stick closely to the book, and avoid questions requiring practical acquaintance with the • things spoken of. Only one pupil attempted, question 7, and she only touched it. Of course, I gave optional questions, but the avoidance of No. 7 was marked.

" Fourth Form. — Botany : Nineteen papers. This class is rather uneven, only one pupil reaching first class, and five being somewhat low in the third class. But I gave no optional questions, and the average of the class is good. Taking into consideration the fact that-the work was dona without a text-book, I think -the results are satisfactory.

■ '''Fifth " : -FbntL—Physiology: 'Twelve papers. Th-a general, average cf this class M very good,. and the work has beep very ■well grasped. The paper set vtbl& rather a searching one, and 1 consider the results quite satisfactory, , as even the poorest/ paper is not a bad onef

"Incoiinection with all the papers examined by mc, I bare again to commend the care manifested by .nearly; all the pupils in settiDg out their work, and the numerous very excellent attempts made to illustrate their answers by 'drawings. I congratulate you and .the other mexnSers of your staff concerned, on the results ol the year's, labours."

.Mr G. H. Elliott, Examiner in f drawing, V. ...was .' examin;e<£; in ._ drawing from models with light - and shade from the same. Toe standard set was almost equal to the South Kensington. The outlines made were lin most cases good, and the subject has evidently been taught on thoroughly sound i lines.- Katie Robinson was,: by a long . way, the best with, a very correct drawing. ! I cannot speak so highly of the light and shade, which displayed a weakness and j want of grasp of first principles. As, however, tha gins have only had two terms' tuii tion in this branch, and the conditions as 'to lighting, have not been very favourable, ; I ba-v-eno doubt in time equally good results will be achieved as in the outline work. "Class TV. was examined in freehand and design. In the first a test was given equal to the South Kensington second grade. I was well satisfied with the result. A large proportion .did good work, and the teacher is to ba congratulated on the results. The freehand was much more even in character ■ than the model., Violet L. kixd and Sybil IL 'Kirton came first "equal with. 90 per cent., and Greta' Sinclair next with 86 per cent. These.show much promise in drawing. In design so little time has been given to' it, and co little attempted, that it would be unfair to report disparagingly on the small accomplishment, until one has 1 seen more of the work under the present teacher. I would suggest, however, that if it is continued, as I think it should be, it should be co-ordinated with the freehand, . and be accompanied by a course of elementary geometry. On the .whole * the work has been of a much simpler character than last year, not so much being attempted. The.model is quite up to last year's standard, the freehand rather lower, but the design a long way behind." . Mr £. B. R. Prideattx, M.A., Examiner in physics (heat), reported:—"Heat (Form VI.). —The questions were carefully and thoroughly done, but often suffered from /the introduction of irrelevant matter. The part dealing.with natural phenomena.depending on some physical laws often showed a good capacity for applying theory to explain observed facts.. , "Heat (Form V.). —Several of the-papers were marred by. a verbosity which did not explain. Nearly all were well up to the matriculation standard, and'three showed very promising work."

Colonel Gordon, Inspector of drill, reported:—"The - girls paraded, in two divisions, to a total number of about 120. The drill was of the customary caJisthenic nature, and was performed to appropriate music, thus - ensuring accuracy as to time. The earnestness and strict attention of the girls was admirable, laid I think I have not seen the exercises performed quite so well on any previous a large proportion of the girls approaching excellence of execution, and many attaining it. Physical drill with and without backboards, extension motions, balance step and marching were practised, even the most junior girls showed proficiency. The-exercises are selected with judgment, and cannot fail to be of great advantage to the girls.* Very great credit is due to Major Kiehards for his care in their instruction, and to the school authorities for 'their interest and support."

The Lady Principal reported that the singing classes, had been conducted, by Miss Nora Gardner, and ' bad Worked satisfactorily as - usual, showing improvement-, especially in intonation acd sight-reading. Miss Gardner, however, regretted that so few pupils showed any desire to learn to take a part, and were too apt to content themselves with being able to sing the tune. The Lady Principal, reporting on the cocking classes, - said:—"The two cooking classes have been most excellently conducted

by Mrs Ganfner. Altogether 34 girls have received instruction in them. A written examination in tlteoreticai work was held at the year's close, end the answers showed a dear and thorough xrraep'of the subject on the part of almost all. Only four failed to gain a* least 40 per. cent, of marks, while tbe papers of some of the elder girlswere very well dona I have on several' occasions visited the class while practice lessons were going on, and on all occasions was impressed with the method and neatness, with which the work was being conducted, and the excellent results produced. I may add that Mrs Gardners programme of work aod the general arrangements for the conduct of the classes were accepted without alteration by the authorities in Wellington, as fulfilling all the requiremente of classes under the Technical Act of 1900." On the dress-cutting classes" the Lady Principal reported: —"These classes hay also been accepted as fulfilling the requirements of tbe Technical Act of 1900. In all 25 girls have attended during the.year. The course of_ instruction givem by Miss Easterbrook has included the"" taking 'o/ measurements, the drafting of patterns by theory from a chart, or the use of an ordinary pattern, the cutting out, putting together, trimming and finishing of a lined bodice and skirt, together with some instruction and practice iij the use of a sewing machine. The work as a whole is more uniform and altogether of a higher standard than that of last year, and though the work of a few pupils was marred by being unfinished, the neatness with which the finishing was done in other cases was worthy of high commendation."

Regarding the swimming classes tihe Lady Principal reported:—''This class has been taught by Miss Mary Cook, and on the whole excellent practical results have been obtained, the performances of some of the younger pupils/ whose first season this is, being especially creditable. The class, however, works under great disadvantages, .owing to the very limited and somewhat inconvenient hours at which the bath is available, or it would be'much-anore generally attended;" ■ Mass Gibson, the lady principal, in her annual address, referred to t!he death of Air H. R. "Webb, the late chairman of the Board of Governors, who had taken such a deep personal interest in the school. They had lost another member of the Board, Mr W: • Chryetall, and also Mr G. F. Tendall, who was the music master at the school. • Various""changes had also taken place in , the teaching staff. There had' been a growing increase in the number of pupils" during the year, and she hoped that next year the record would be broken. Two of the classes at the school were Accepted by the Education Department as "technical'classes under the new Act. Such classes' would be established. AcaotheT innovation had been introduced dtoring the of instituting a boarding establishment in connection with, the school. They <were trying very hard to give pupils fttU opportunities for a complete modern and technical education. She considered, however, that a classical education-w-as the more preferable, but the school could give complete courses in each side. Next September the school completed ate twenty-fifth year, and she hoped that the event would ibe marked in some way. It was recognised that hard etudy must be accompanied by active physical exercise, and even with their limited space th.«y could do a great deal in this direction.'' She had to thank several subscribers of special "prizes. Miss Gibson then mentioned a number of successes recently achieved by old girls, and stated that Miss Alice 'Moorhouse, -an old' pupil of the school, -had the Itanour of being their first lady doctor, having taken Iter medical degree at Home. The conduct amd'diiligenoe of the girls during the year had been eminently satisfactory, and it was a pleasure to teach them. (Loud applause.) Mr T. 6. Weston, before presenting thte prizes, congratulated the school upon the success of the , year's work, but he was afraod there was wanting in some of the girls that determination to fathom their subjects thoroughly/ and to'digest thoroughly the' details,. Wittioot this failure must result. He impressed upon the girls the necessity for thoroughness in all their work. Mr Weston then referred to the dteath of his predecessor in office, Mr E. B. Webb. The" school was losing, also, several of fclteir' ofcf Severe,; includjjyf' Mrs Lane and Major Richard*.' The.school had made greaib progress since its establishment in 1879,, amdr it was wonderful ,that the .pupils (bad"token so many of the scholarships and exhibitions. This spoke volumes for the pupils, their teachers, and parents. (Applause.) The prizes were then distributed by Mr Weston:— ' • PRIZE LIST. ' The following i« the prize list:— Form Vl.—\Jpper: "Wilkinson Louiao, Ist Mathematics, Ist Latin, ■■ Ist French, 2nd Science, 3rd English, 2nd Roman history; O'Callaghan,Ada, let English, lat&ctegce, 2nd Mathematica, 2nd Lwtuv 3rd • (equal) ]?jrench; King," Constance, ist (equal) French, 2nS English, 3rd Mathematics (V I. Lower). -"/ Form Vl.—La*er: Haves, Helena, Ist Latin, Ist French, 2ml English,* 3td Science (V.) r Wells, Alma, 2nd 'Mathematics, 2nd:Scienoe, 3rd Bnglish; GiSffen, Isabella, Ist English. . Form V.—Opie, G-wendoiine, Ist Mathematics (VI. Lower), let English, 3rd Latin (VI. Lower); Sid French (VI. Lower), 3rd Science (VL Lower); Slooowibe, Nellie, 2nd (eqaa.) English), 2nd" (equal) Latin' (VI. Lower), Ist French* Ist-Science, Ist Geography;. Tavender, Mildred-, 2nd (equal) English, • Ist History, 2nd Phyaid-ogy;. Cavorhill, Annis, Ist .French (V. Lower), 2nd (equai) Botany, 2nd Latin, 2nd History; Cdrlett, Ciarice. Ist Physiology,'2nd French (V. Upper), 2nd (equal) Ireogiaprny. • ' « Form IV.—Upper: Griff en, Maud, Ist Mathematics (V.), Ist Roman History, 2nd Fiencb'(V. Lower); Elsie; 2nd mathematics (TV. Middle), 2nd Englieh, Ist Geoeraphy, 2nd History, 2nd Latin (III.), 2nd French (II.) j Miles, Iris, Ist Botany (V.), 2nd (equal) Geography, 3rd Roman. History, 3rd (equal) JttowdeyV Ruby, Ist English: Baxter, Eleanor, 2nd (eguai) Botany, 2nd (equal) Roman History, B*d (equal) French (V. Lower). - " '■•--•- s Form XV.—Lower-: Chtistensen, Laura, Ist Mathematics (IV. Middle), 2nd Englisn, Ist History, Ist Geography, 2nd Botany, 3rd (equal) Latin (III.). 3rd (equal) French (II.); Wilson, Irene, Ist English, 2nd History, 3rd (equal) Latin. (III.), 3rd (equal) French (II.); Barkas/ Mary, lat Mathematics, Ist Latin (1V.),-2nd French (in.); Herbert, Margaret, 4th (equal) English, Ist Latin (III.), Ist French (ll.); Field, Evelyn, 2nd Mathematics (IV. Upper), 3rd English, 3rd History; Hepburn, Elsie, Mathematics (IV: Upper), 3rd Physiology (V.), 2nd Geography, 3rd French (III.); Gibb, Alice, Ist Latin (II.), Ist French (I.), 2nd Botany (Junior); Form m.-nßrooks, -Alice, Ist English, Ist History, Ist Geography, 2nd' Latin (II.); Withers, <May,*2nd English, 2nd (equal) History, 2nd 'Geography. - Form ll.—Atyeo, Elsie, Ist History, Ist Geography, Ist Botany, 2nd Eng_ish; Bryburgh, Annie, lat English, 2nd Mathematics, 2nd (equal) Geography;, 2nd French (elementary) ; Jennings, Freda', 2nd History, 3rd English. , Form I.—Lake, Dorothy, Ist English, Ist Geography, 2nd Mathematics. Brewing—-(IV., Shaded Models): Kaitherine Robinson. (11., Freehand and Design): Beatrice Suckling. (1., Freehand and Design): Constance MoClea. Needlework—(Upper Division): Gertrude Schmidt; commended, Constance Kippenbexger.' (Lower Division): Dora Bougies; commended, GretCa Sinclair, Gertrude xLopkins. (Junior Division): Constance McC-e*; commended, Muriel-Lake, Alma King. Dresscutting—Venus Jelfs; highly" coramertded, Helena Hayes; commended, Muriel Keys. Jurill—{Senior Division): Jtita Harris; very highly commended, Rila "Wilson, Victoria Smith. (Junior Division):' (Mabel Frostick; commanded. Elsie Carter. OoJfcing—lsabella Keith; commended, Helen Kizurhnonth (Mrs v G*rd'ner's prize for tidiness), Nor* Smytho. Singing—(Miss. Gardners prize): Irene Staveley; commended, Janet Webster, violet Bird, Constance.Young. Scripture—(Upper Division, Rev. A. C. Hoggin's ■ prize): Laura- dtristensen.; commended, Katherine WiHs, Mary Baxkas,' Margaret Farrow. (Lower Division. Lady Principal's prize): Nora Lanrry; commended, May Withers, Annie Dryburgh. Mr T. S. Weston's special prize for English Literature, Irene "Wilson. Emily S. Foster Memorial Prizes—Margaret Farrow (former school, West Christchurch), Evelyn Field (former school, Lyttelton Borough). .

At tlie"•conclusion of tie presentation of prizes, Dr. ■ Koettlitz addressed the girls. He gave a short account of what he had seen in the far north when he was there five years ago. Thcsa regions were totally different to any other part of the world, and it was perhaps on - account of the extraordinary condition of tilings prevailing that when a* man had once crossed the Arctic circle he wanted to do so again. That was the reason why he had joined the Antarctic expedition. The speaker then .went on to describe what .was to i>9 se?n in tie Arctic regions after crossing the Arctic circle.

It was generally supposed, he said, -that this region was* one vast desert of monotonous ioa .and nothing else, but as a matter of fact there existed through the masses of ice 'cliffs of rock and underneath these was found very abund&nt verdure, together with numbers of beautiful flowers, and among these flowers birds and'insects could be seen flying about. So prolific were the insects that one little bird fed its young on the gnats" which inhabited those regions. There were also numbers of other kinds of birds, and' one kind in particular caime in' hundreds- and thousands, and covered! tlie rocks in all directions.- After the end of October the sun gradually disappeared altogether until the Vollowing dPebruory, -but just before this happened all the" birds new away, although the animals—the Polar bear, Arctic • fox, and .-others —remained. During that period of darkness the bud weather and the heavy gales occurred. Undoubtedly it was cold in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, but" it .was astonishing how soon people got used to it, nnd took no more notice of it than an ordinary winter's day here. Bat what troubled the- Arctic explorer more, than anything was .not the cold, but the winter" darkness, and when once he had gone through it he never wanted to experience it again. Speaking upon the study of modern languages, the Doctor said that he himself knew a little German and French, and although English was taught in all parts of the world) ret a little German and French was indispensable. In the extreme northern regions he found German absolutely necessary, in South America and Abyssinia he had to use French. One of the great scientific interests connected with the Arctic and Antarc-' tic regions was that there were in these regions survivals of plants and animals; of byegone ages, which gave an index as to the way the was peopled in the manner it was. He had found such, specimens in the Northland expected to find more in the' South. From a biological point of viewNew Zealand was more interesting than any other country, and he exhorted the New Zealand girls to do their Titmost to' discover the life history of every indigenous plant and animal. - He had heard a great deal about New Zealand, but what he had seen had far' exceeded his expectations. , (Loud applause.) - I

- Mr T. V. Hodgson, also of the Discovery, contrasted the flora and fauna of the Arctic regions- with those of the Antarctic. Continuing, he-said that he had been struck with the similarity between New Zealand and the Old Country. Everything here was thoroughly English, arid in this neighbourhood English was becoming paramount, and the native flora and fauna were disappearing.

At Mr Weston's.suggestdon a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the .visitors. Mr Weston remarked that ha, was sure that they all wished the Discovery expedition a successful mission and a safe return. . (Loud applause.) A short concert programme concluded the evening. Misses G. and E. Baumber played a duet, and later on gave a French dialogue, "Le* Dispute." Miss C. Wells played a violin solo very cleverly, and a pianoforte eolo was played by Miss A. We!ls. Miss M. Jennings, who gave on. exhibition of difficult and intricate club swinging, was loudly applauded for her excellent performance.