PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11152, 19 December 1901, Page 3

PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS.

BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL. The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Boys' High Schcol took place last evening in the Canterbury College HaH, which was well crowded with boys and their friends. The chair was taken by Mr T. S. Weston, Chairman of tha Board of Governors, and with him on the platform were Mr T. S. Fostn\ M.A., and Dr. Cbilton, members of the Beard of Governors, Professor Blunt, Dr. Koettlitz, of the scientific staff of the Discovery, the aeudmaster (Mr C. E. Bevan-Browri), and stag of master*, and Major U. V. Richards, drill instructor.

Mr Bevan-Brcwn, after referring, as reported elsewhere, to anticipated alterations m ths organisation and work of the school, thanked ths masters for their loyal work during his reoent absence in England. Mr Walton had been granted six months' leave of absence, and his place had been taken by Mr Stuckey, who nad won the liking of both masiers and boys. He sincerely regretted the coming" departure of Major Kichards, who had been ior seventeen years in charge of the Cadet Corps, and to whom much gratitude was due for the influence he had had upon the boys. It very rarely happened teat one could have a gentleman of the calibre and character of Major Richards to take in hand the important work of instructing the Cadet Corps. (Applause.) Ha might say that the Government had spontaneously sent the school 20 new rifles of the most "approved pattern for shooting practice. Reference was made to the successes of the old boys during the year, and to the loss sustained by the deaths of the late Chairman of the Soard, Mr H. R, Webb, and the late Mr' W. Chrvstali.

Dr. Koettlitz gave an interesting account of the famous meeting of Nansen and Jackson in the Xorth Polar regions, and referred briefly to matters of interest in connection with Antarctica, and the present trip of the Discovery. In conclusion, he advised the boys cot to be contented to settle down as soon aa they left school, but to mate up their minds.to go and travel. There was nothing Jike travelling to open a man's or youth's mind. They should not imitate the tourist, who liked to stay at the best hotels wherever he - went, but should go into the wilds and see nature in her real bsauty. Nowadays, people were too fond of bringing up their sons only to make a living. This was one of the smaller objects of life, and he advised the boys to strive after something higher, to remember they had a duty not only to their friends, but to the world. Mr Weston expressed the wish that all the Discovery's crew might return, well and hearty, and" with a store of information. Cheers were given by the boys for Dr. Koettlitz. EXAMINERS' REPORTS.

The reports of the Examiners upon the annual examinations were as follows: —

Mr John Harkness, Examiner in Latin and Roman History, reported: —"The work done is very satisfactory; in several instances excellent The papers given -were set with the object not so much of dis-* criminating to a mark between boys of moderate ability or industry, as to be of use to the masters by calling attention to points ,of importance in classical study, to opportunities, of private research, and also by separating clearly the really good pupils from the rank and file. I notice that the ; programme of work submitted by the Sixths was reasonable in extent; it was was very well carried out, the translation of the Horace passages in particular being excellent. There were some excellent translations in the Fifth, the best paper in the school being done in this Form. The Fourth Form papers were not so good as the higher sets. The composition of the school is not i so good as the grammar, and tie historical and geographical allusions' in the set books are not very well given. I think it a question worthy of the attention of secondary schools whether .the whole system of teaching language by easy, graduated exercises, is not a jnucb slower one than the old one of translation, syntax rules learned off by heart, and continuous passages of imitative composition, accompanied by choice passages for repetition. I believe tnafc the introduction of repetitionand the constant- practice of reading' Latin aloud would remove much of the stiff ness of movement and want of knowledge of quite common idioms which is general in the secondary schools of the colony. In view of the greatly limited time now available for Latin and the vast importance of the study, it would be a great gain if tion and composition could ba attained by shorter methods. • The scansion asked for was in many instances incorrectly given. This is a matter of importance-in the appreciation of a. great master of form like Virgil, and. Horace also cannot be understood properly without the ability to read the poems with correct rhythm. The has-; tory and antiquities questions are excellently done, and point to great energy in the study of the books prescribed. I ought to add that it is impossible to do complete justice to classes if a translation paper eludes more than one, or at the very - most, two, prepared books. In my work for the' Board of' Governors I have had'in one case to combine five set books with "unseens" in one paper.' Under the circumstances I can only hope that I have not done injustice to any one who has faithfully, prepared them, by placing him considerably below inferior competitors."

Professor Gilray, M.A., ixaxaiher'in English and British history, after referring to the work of the various classes,' remarked:. —"One feature of the examinations jn the boys' school is the number of absentees, which was very considerable. This is probably to be accounted for by the prevalence ibf one of those epidemics that; have bo seriously interfered with educational work in New Zealand during the paafc session,, I, 'have to point out that) the history work has not,' in the majority of' cases, been satis* factorily done. I think it' is desirable either (1) that more, time.should be given to the study, or (2) - that less work should bs profeasea, and that greater thoroughness should be insisted on. lam aware that, in drawing out tb* time-table of a High School it is a very difficult matter to apportion the time wisely among the different subjects in the programme; but if, as is very probabre, it is found to be imposible to give more time to' history, it would be wise, in the interests of thoroughness, to limit somewhat the amount of the work In the purely English work, the classes vary very considerably in efficiency. In English literature the best work has been done in Form -VI. and in Form Upper IV.; and in grammar and composition tha boys in Upper V. and Lower V. have given in the best papers. I trust that the good work done in the session thafc has now closed —a session in which educational work throughout the whole colony has suffered mnch-'from the prevalence^of il|E*ss —will lead to even better work in future sessions"

'Mr ..A. C. Gifford, M.A., Examiner in ! Mathematics, reported:.—"Papers in arithmetic and algebra ai.d in.Euclid and trigonometry were set to the Upper and Lower VI. Forms, and separate papers in arithv metic, algebra aitd . Euclid to the Upper i and V. and the Upper IV. The results of the examination, though on the whole satisfactory, are in respects disappointing, chiefly perhaps Iwcause the I achievements of the school in past years ! have led one to expect a very high staadiaed of excellence to be attained. This year the Foims are more uneven than usual, and as i the lists *ot marks will show, whilst each, contains S3veral boys who have done really j well, there is hardily a Form in which ihe ' work has not been hindered by the presence of a very decided 'taiL* The Upper VI. is an exception in this respect, and js really a strone Form. All acquitted themselves creditably, and. though none did phenomenally well, at least four provied themselves to be good mathematicians. Their weak spot was arithmetic, but probably some omitted it on account of the length of the paper. The Lower VI., on • the other ha!nd, did well in arithmetic, buc rather neglected the algebra. In the other [Forms the work in arithmetics and algebra was commendably accurate, as" far as it went, but too many questions were left unanswered; and in Euclid, whilst, the i exercises were not treated with much success, a. good proportion of the boys showed a sound knowledge of the book-work. I think attention should be paid to. the 'style of the written worky for many of *he papers were decidedly tuntidy. An improrement in this respect would be more easily effected if cut. instead of torn, foolscap were supplied for the examination. The mathematical methods employed are uni-

formly good, and there is much evidence of careful work, the weak points to which I have lefmsd are probably due to the year's wr.rk having been more than usually broken."

Proimor T. G. E. Blunt. .M.A.. Examiner in French, reported: —"Form VI. was examined in grammar und elementary philoloev. in composition, unswn translation, and "prepared boo!;s. A very fatisfactory standard was reached: in all these subjects, the srramnwr, in particular, giving evidence of careful Form-teachinjr. In composition and tinssen translation the pieces set were selected from passages given in the examination for the- -degree of B.A. (pass) in the University cf Cambridge within the last thre>3 years, differing from the latter or>lr in length. The bcoiis offered for examination had betn carefully prepared, and the subject matter, as well as the mere translation, was well known. The subttar.ee >f several of the passages in the books was well reprcdnced, as well as a criticism, also iv French, cf one of the characters. -Much intelligence was shown, both 'v composition and unseen translation, in providing a ssnsible periphrasis where the actual Ficnch or English word, respectively, was not known. The average of marks obtained, exclusive of books, which were not taken in examination by all the Form, was 60 per cent. I- examined Forms V. and TV", in grammar, composition, and , prepared boots. I found much the sams prominent features as in Form VI.. the good averages obtained in both forms bearing witness to care and tlsorough teaching. In these two Forms the whole of the work had been prepared, including the translation and composition, which accounts for the higher average obtained br the Fifth Form as compared with the Sixth. The average marks obtained by Form V. were 62 per cent. The average marks obtained by Form IV. were 57 per cent. I also held a* viva voce examination of Forms VI. and V. This consisted, in the case of Form VI., of a short discussion of one cf the prepared bocis. I found considerable intelligent displayed in* the grasping of what was said in French, but a lack -)f readiness, in the large majority of cases, in replying. In Fcnn V., besides asking a few questions in French., and dictating a passage of French, I had the- opportunity of hearing some French poetry recited by individuals atd by* the whole Form. In this connection I would respectfully call the attention of the Board of Governors to the advisability of encouraging the speaking of at least one foreign language in their schools. The practical value, of this is, of course,- somewhat discounted by the distance between New Zealand and Europe, but of tne educational value of such training there can be no doubt. The correct and rapid expression of ideas in a tongue foreign to the speaker is of the greatest possible valu9 in bringing all the mental faculties into play. I found, in the large majority of \ cases", that the writing was good, and the papers neatly done." Mr George Gray, F.C.S., Examiner in Chemistry, reported: —"Sixth Form—The work of the paper set in the form was- up to tba standard of the University Junior Scholarship examination, and notwithstanding the fact that several of the hoys longest in the class were absent, the results obtained are good. • In the practical examination excellent work was done, all the boys, except one, obtaining above 90 per cent-, of the total marks. Fifth Form —This Form, both in the paper set- (matriculation standard) and , in the practical examination, shows excellent results, the work being sound and even in character. Fourth Form—The results obtained by this Form, ■while not up to the standard of the others, show fair and even work."

The papers generally were well and carefully worked, but in each form there was, a certain amount of weakness shown in chemical arithmetical problems, and I would suggest that, if possible, a little more practice be given in this branch of the subject.

Mr lE. B. R. Prideaux, M.A., Examiner in Physics, reported:—"Advanced—The definitions and theory were throughout mudh inferior to the .problem work, which showed a thorough grounding in the way physical problems should be attacked. Two papers were below the standard, to be expected, and one was much above. Senior —-Here, also, th» problem work was better than the purely theoretical. There was much room for improvement in the definitions/ All the papers were up to a fair standard,"" and" : two Tvera' extremely good." •Colonel Gordon, Inspector of Drill, reported:—"The Cadet Corps paraded first, about 60 jgfcrong. The physique of the Corps is strikingly good; t!be equipment is not in consonance with the quality and deserts of the' corps, but it is assumed that when it becomes convenient that will be remedied. Meanwhile the Snider carbines on issue are" kejifc by,,tte Cadets themselves in , very-, Movements in company' well executed, and marching w«T,j©od.V The acting offi-* «ers and'lN.C."officers are well instructed. in their duties. .!••; Thi£«ectiona;«f the *orps competed in military exercises; under command of tQieir..section commanders—the sergeants {a" iealthy emulation)—in manual and firing exercises, and, exhaustively, in physical drill,.'the,, work being done in good style,' ana it Was hotteeable that the sections excelled in' proportion to the quality and power of command •of t&e sergeant wiho commanded each. I have not seen the Corps drill better on any previous, occasion that" I have inspected tfteem, and -the good discipline and drill of the Corps maybe attributed to the earnestnese and endeavours of the Cadets thtemselves, the great interest of the school authorities, and the influence, sound methods, and good and careful, instruction of 'Major Richards. After the Cadete the junior boys of the school paraded, and „ were drilled in extension motions and physical drill without arms, which , they 'executed with accuracy and l vigour. Their marching also was entirely creditable. They ere evidently drilled with painstaking care, to'which they do all credit." The prizes were presented by Mr. T. S. Weston. PRIZE LIST. The following were the prize-winnere:— A. H. B- Ameas, let in urrper IV., English, 2nd in upper 111. Latin, 3rd in lower V. mathematics. J. A. Bartrum, let in lower VI. Latin, 2nd in Jower VI. mathematics. P. V. Bevan-Brovm, Ist in upper 111. Latin and upper 111. English, 2nd in. 111. French. B. E. Bevan-vßrown. Ist in Jower HI. English, 2nd in. lower 111. Latin and junior geography. A. Brigitling, .Ist in I. chemistry. 2nd in Icrwer IV. maHiematice, 3rd in lower IV. English. . P. S. Brown. Ist in middle '111. (B.) mathematics and Tipper I. Latin, 3rd in singing. A. E. Byrne, let in upper 111. mathematics, middle 111. English, lower I. French, 2nd in 11. Latin, remove geography, and senior writing. . 1 , W. Burnet, Ist in IV. Latin, and remove history. W. H. Cooper, Ist jn 11. Latin and remove geography, 3rd in upper 111. English, and i upper I. French. C. A. Cotton, Ist in. lower VI. mathematics, IV. French. V. chemistry, and senior physics, 2nd in V. Latin. D. E. L. Ollett, Ist in lower IV. mathematics, 2nd in extra English and senior drawing. C. H. Crump." Ist in. upper V. mathematics, 2nd in. IV. Latin and V. French. A. O. Feldwick, Ist in upper IV. mathematics, fir.d in 111. French, 3rd in upper 111. Latin. - . , A. R- Green, 2nd in \I- mathematics, VI. English, VI. chemistry, 3rd in VI. French and advanced physics. ~..,. ■G. W. Guthrie, Ist in junior drawing. 3rd in.. 11. mathematics. 111. Latin, 111. English. E. Hall, Ist singing, 2nd lower LTL English 3rd I. Latin. ' ' B. T. Herriott, Ist in lower lU. mathematics i »nd junior -writing.. _ ■ i G. J. Holliis. Isi in IV. French and senior ' drawing (upper), 2nd in lIL chemistry. I J. F. K. Jwnieson, Ist in junior geography, 2nd in mathematics and junior writing. ! L. V. Lawrence, Ist in lower I. Latin and iJX English. . . . . ■•■3L B. Martin, Ist in junior physics and j middle 111. (A.) mathematics, 3id in upper IV. English and I. chemistiy. :J. "W* "Mason, Ist in krwer V. English, and HI. chemistry, 2nd in. lower V. mathematics, ! 3rd in IV- Latin, Civil Service geography,, and matriculation history. L. D. Mafiey, Ist in upper V. English, upper V. mathematics, modern form (botany, physiology aid drawing), and Civil Service geography. T. McLenaan, Ist is: VI. chemistry and advanced physics, 2nd in VI. mathematics, VI. Latin and 'VI. French-

H. McCaUmn, Ist in modern form mensuration and commercial work), 2nd in lower Y. English, IV. French, and modem form (physics end history), 3rd in lower V. mathe,Ernies and modern iorm. (dra-wiag). D. B. ilcLeod, Ist in remove m«lhematka, 2nd in remove Latin, remove English, and remove history. ■ - * P. S. kelson, Ist in lower V. mathensatjcs,

2nd in upper IV. English, 3rd in 111. cheiaia-

V. Palk Is: ie extra English, modern form (ewer drawise), 'led "in modern iornv (nensuranon and commercial work), and lower l>. jbrg.ish, ?rd in senior history. t. B- Quarterm-aiu, Ist in remove Labn, xeinore Eug'isi and remove. French, 2nd in remove mathematics. - W. Sherrarcl. Ist in upper I. French, lower IV. English, and book-keepicg, 2nd in upper 111. ma'.beaiaiics, 3rd in modern form (physiology and history). D. i,. Sinclair, Ist in remote Freaca, 3rd in remove -Latin and English. T. C. Smith, f&i in Greek, 3rd in upper v. mathematics and V. Latin. A. G. Wilkin, 2nd in 11. mathematics and 11. La tin. 3rd in junior geography and junior writing. H. F. "Wilkinson. Ist in V. Latin, 3rd in lower VI. mathematics and V. French. Beading—-Senior, T. Bennett prize, W. J. Barret: certificate; junior, VT. H. Cooper prize, C. E. Hercus certificate- . - • Squad Competition—Sergeant G. C. ilayne (Xo. i squad). Prize-firing Competition— Q.) G. H. Robinson, (2) V. Craw. Monitor's G. Deans. Scripture Prize3—Senior, it Gresson Bishop's prize). JV S. Monro (headmaster's prize), J.'. E. Ouiria (Rev. A. C. Hoggins' 3 prize), R. McCullongh (certificate); first remove, C. At. Bevan-Brown (headuiasvter's prize), R. V. Deacon (certificate), "W. Sherrard (certificate); second remove, A. H. R. Amess (headmaster's prize), P. R. Quartermain (certificate). J. H. Pinlayson ju.i-or, H. Martin iii. (headmaster's prize, T. Charters (certificate), C. E. Hercus ii. (certifioaie). The entertainment portion of the programme was then commenced, tie Glee Class ringing 'Gladly We Hail Thee," "Sea Song of Gavran," and "Come, Boys, Be Merry." Several scenes from a "French plaj-, "La Grammaire," -were acted, the parts being taken by C. A. Cotton, L. D. Maffey, C. Crump, L. C. Rodtam,.aod W. D. Burnet.. Act iii., scene ii. of "Julius Caesar" was also acted by the following: — Marcus Antonius, W. J" Barrett; Marcus Brutus, M. Gressonj first, second, third, and fotirth citizens, F. W. Lawrence, T. Bennett, G. Harper and B. Erwin; Cassius, L. H. Keidi; Julius Caesar, G. Bonnington; citizens, guards, attendants, etc., B. Gajsia, C. O'Malley, B. Deacon, G. Haekins, L. Cordner, S." Eifcch, F. Kirton, H. B. Brittan, E. Hall, J. Bartrum, J. Hilson, J. Deans, and G. King. The evening concluded with the singing of "Duke Domum." THE HORNBY SCHOOL. The arrmal distribution of prizes to Ihe children attending the Hornby School took ace on Tueeday afternoon. Tho prizes were distributed by the Chairman, Mr Kinross. Cheers were given, for the' Committee, the teaching staff, and Mrs Dunnett, and for the visiters. The following is the prize list:— Standard Vl.—Harry Humm, John Neil, Gordon Urquhart, Jfellie Boswell, Maud Butler, Olive Butler, Margaret Clarkson, Alice Clarkson, Etta Corbett, Harriet Hooper, Annie Jackson, Annie Kinininont. Standard V.—Muriel Harding, Annie Muir, Violet Urquhart, Sidney Bench, Leonard Brown, Louis Crequer, Harry Kininmont, Ernest Manhire, Stanley Piper. • Standard IV.—Horace Hardaker, Stanley Hardaker, George Kennedy, James Parrish, Thomas Wilson, Dan Nbonan, Daisy Baker, Hilda Dodge, Grace Piper, May. Stewart, Jessie Tuft.

Standard lll.—Oswald Burt, Edward Joyce, WUliam Kerr, William Smith, Eichard Wilson, Maggie Ashworth, Annie Chancy, Isabel Chancy, Fanny Clarkson, Neita Dixon, Olive Dodge, Emily Jackson, Lily James, Millie Miller, Annie Noonan, Elsie Scrimshaw, Esther Stewart, Jessie Urquhart, Cissie Wilson.

Standard ll.—Victor Baker, John. Burnett, Emerson Clarkaou, Leslie Corbett, Garnet Hardaker, Allen Kininmont, David Sanders, Hugh Urquhart, Katie Baker, Elizabeth, Bigham, Julia Bennett, Madge Burt, Elizabeth Coulter, Sissie Hartigan, Lucy Johnson, Mary Johnson, Vida Manhire, Annio Parrish. Standard I Violet Burnett, Myra Joyce, Florence James,. Ethel May Piper, Lizzie JParrish, Ivy Parker, Annie McKinnon, Violet Stewart, Ella "Wilson, Leslie Burt, John Hocper, .Norman Hooper, Clifton. Manniro, Arthur Bench," Percy Kennedy. Infants—-Minnie Coulter, Zana Dixon,' Hine Ellis, Sarah MksKnight, Rita Newman, May 'Watson, Beatrice Clarkson, Lydia Clarkson, Emma -Chancy, Cassie. Coulter, Vera Dixon, Alice Freeman, Rose Fry, Nellie Kerr, Marie JfoKinnon, Nellie Piper, Gertie Scrimshaw, Dorothy Urqubart, Ivy Burnett, Ivy Fry, Gladys Humm, Violet McLeod, Alice Parrish, Rita fialliday, Ivy Hardaker, Pearl Lilley, Aimenia Wroot, Ivy Burt, Gladys Bankin, • Bollr- Halliday, Nellie Simpson, Fred Ashworth, Thomas Bennett, Albert Brown, Gordon Burt, Clarence MoSat, James McKnight, Hector H&rdaker, Albert Tolloy, ' Charlos Viokery, Wallace Baker, Roy Barnes, Frederick Bennett, "Willie James, Alfred Jfoffat, David Smith,- "Robert Sanders, Cadm&a Ashworth, Lionel Watt, Bertie Dent, Willie Freeman, Arnold Hodgen, Edison Hardaker, Willie McKnight,. Edward Noonan, Arthur Liilcy, Stephen Ashworth, Albert Clarkson, Ldward Kerr, James Miller, Willie Manhire, CWiea Sanders, Willie Parrish, Michael Nconan.'