WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 71, 17 December 1907, Page 7

WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

ANNUAL MSTIUIiUTION OF PRIZES. The annual distribution of prizes at Wellington Collcgo took place yesterday afternoon. The Hon. 'George Foivlds, Minister for Education, Ml*. A. de IS- liranilim, Chairman of the Hoard of Governors, ami Mr. Robert Lee, Chairman of the Wellington .Education Board, and a number of parents anil friends were present.' The Headmaster, Mr. J. P. Firth, ]}.A., read tho annual roport. At the last University examinations (IMG),' E, Lyon iinil G. if. Nicholls won Junior Scholarships, and P. W. Burbridgo, a Senior National Scholarship, while T. Icigg hail gained credit in the scholarship papers, Thirty-two of the College candidates had passed the matriculation, solicitors', general knowledge, and medical preliminary examinations, a - total of thirty-seven for the University examinations. Seventeen luul passed for llie Junior Civil Service, three had gained National Continuation Scholarships,and oijo, an Education Board Senior Scholarship. Of tho fourteen Senior University Scholarships for New Zealand, four, were won by. Old Boys of the College. The Jacob Joseph Scholarship was won by another Old Hoy, who was-also first L.L.M. with first-olass honours. Old Boys had also been successful in degreo examinations. :A.'distinguished ex-pupil of the College, Mr. I*. V>". Robertson, Junior National Scholar, New Zealand; Senior University Scholar, New Zealand; Rhodes' Scholar; and - Scholar of Trinity College, Oxford, had Jaken his degree with first-class honours in National Science, and was now proceeding with his science research work at various European universities. Messrs. E. E. A. T. Iligg, T. D. M. Stout, M. C. Sprott, and many other Old Boys in the English,) Scotch, and American ■ universities, had won high distinction. Referring to the 'ravages "of'the recent epidemics, the Headmaster said that they had been very fortunate on the whole, but oiie of their most promising candidates for University Scholarship honoui's, had been, attacked 'by. scarlatina, and had, in consequence, been invalided for nearly three months. The speaker concluded by extending his warmest thanks to the teaching staff and the prefects. Tie referred with regret to the loss the School was about to suffer by tho 'departure of two of the masters, Messrs. T. Jordan and W. P. WiiWl, who are about to enter the legal profession. Mr. Ward ,had been very-successful both ns a teacher and a housemuster, and a great deal of his success in the latter capacity was undoubtedly due to Mrs. Ward. . ' On last prize-day, His Excellency tho Governor kindly offered an essay-prize on.the subject of, "Politeness." During tho year, ho added ;to his kindness by setting the examination papers himself, examining the answers, giving four prizes; 'which ho personally presented to the winners, Senior Division—lt.' S. Adams and P. W. Burbridge ■ ; \ , ' Junior Division—ll. P. Isaac and W. Lambert (equal); , Mr; I'irth 'concluded by tendering his acknowledgments to numerous ladies and gentlemen who had, in various ways, given help arid. support to tho College. ' The lion. G. Fowlds then presented tho prises. • •THE PRIZE LIST. S'CHOLAIi SHIPS. The- Rhodes '.Scholarship, JS2O, was won by P. W. Burbidge;'the Mooro Scholarship, JB2O, by P. L. G. West; Tnrubull Scholarships of • JBIS and J2lO by A. H. liobinson and A. f V. Short respectively. The Governors' Scholarships were won by A. P. Castle and A. S. Scott; and the Levin Scholarships, two of ,£-t each, wero - won by H. I'. Isaac (languages), and H. C. Johnson (science). 1 SPECIAL-PRIZES. . Head of School,. Barnicoat Memorial, and Old Boys' prize for mathematics, P. W. Burbidgo; Bethune Prize for New Zealand History, and Lady Stout's Prize for English Essay, F. L. G. West; Liverton Scieneo Prize, S. Mason; Liverton History Prize, C. H. Barton; and Cocks' Memorial Prize, D. L. Barrett. ; ; FOlt-M PHIZES. , Upper Sixth.—Mathematics, P. W. Burbidge; Latin, P. W. Burbidge; English, P. W. BurGerman, A. H. Itobmson; science, P. W. Burbidge. , . . . ' .'Lower Sixth.—Mathematics, C. H. Barton ; Latin, A. S. Scott; English, A. P. Castle; Science, A. V. Short. " ' Upper Fifth.—Mathematics, H. C. Johnson'-; Latin, II: P! Isaac; English, H. P. Isaac; French,- G. -B. Macmorran; German, A.- S.. Scott; Science, H. C. Johnson. ■ ■ .'Middle Fifth.—Mathematics, C. Monaghan; Latin, R. W. E. Robinson; English, W. Shirtcli!fe;'science, 11. W. E. Robinson; history, J. C. H. Bolton. i -Lower Fifth.—Mathematics, TV. H. Ellis; Latin, F. F. 1 Reid; English,. G. B. Russell; French,. I}.- Muir; German, C. E. Makeham; Science, K: Robinson and C. .Kerr. -Shell (Upper).—Mathematics, T. F. Corkill-; Latin,' S. J. Castle; English, S. J. Castle; French, -W. Heine; Science, R. Raino. , Shell (Lower).—Mathematics, it. M. Russell and A. F. Clark (equal); Latin, R. Jones; English, C. A. Davies; Frenoh,- R. Jones; Science. C. Mitchell. Upper Fourth A.—Mathematics, E. R. Armstrong; Latin, G. G..'Callander; English, G. M.; Wilford; French,!'. F.Armstrong; Science, F.-'M. Corkill. . Upper' Fourth B.—English, T. C. Ward; French, G. G. Callander; ' iMiddlo. Fourth.—Mathematics, W. B. Lambert; English,. D. L. Barrett; Science, G. V. Hammond. Lower Fourth.—Mathematics, H. J. Palmer; Latin, L. R. Montefiore; English, W. -Leslie; Frenoh, J. J; Williamson; Science, K. L. Manoy; maps (Mr. Pope's special), C. Still. Upper Third.—Mathematics, G. M. Wilford; English, C. S. Ryan; Science, T. Jones. ■ Lower Third.—Mathematics, J. L. -Grace; drawing,- iG. E. Grantham. Remove!— Mathematics, L. B. Foster; English, A. M. Smith;' Soionco, R. M. Russell; French, C. Batten. Nbn-Frenoh.—(a), C. H. Holmes; (b), P. D. Leslie; (c), C. Ryftri;' (d), A. IV Chirk. Book-keeping.—(a), T. L. W. Rutherford; (b), H. H. Young; (c), F. V. C'oull; (d),'A. F. Clark. - ; \ ' Drawing (Mr. Fraser's prize).—C. 11. Barton. 1 Scripture (Mr. Brandon's prizes).—Senior, P. W. Burbidge; Junior, TV F. Corkill. ■ Woodwork . (Mr.; Graham's prize).—L. B. Mao-kersey. , Recitation (Dr.; Halo's prizo).—R. Muir. 'Reading.—lC S. Shorney. Photography.—E. S. Pilcher (Mr. Ilott's special); 11. G. Rand. Spelling .(Mrs. ll'liae's prizes).—Fifth Form, 11. I'. Isaac; Form-Pour and Upper Shell, S. J. Castle; Lower Fourth; Remove, and Lower Shell, M. Cobbe; Third Form, C. S. l'-yan. ■ Royal Humane Society.--Medallion, R. Nelson; certificates. J. F. 0. Gale, 1; F. M. Corkill, 2. ■ 'St. John's Anibulaiico (Dr. A. Izard's prizo). —J. F. E. Gale, .1; (special), G. G. Watson (2). Shorthand. —P. Greatbatcli. Music'(Mrs. Hale's sjiecial).—P. E. Turner. Air; A. do B. Brandon, chairman of the Board of Governors,' then addressed the boys. This was. the ~ .forty-first annual prize-giving, the first ceremony taking place in 18fi7. The foundations of the new College building in the grounds represented an agreement between the Government and the Board of Governors oh the vexed question.of free places. Having been granted the accommodation, they were now prepared to open the doors-of. the College to pupils from the State schools. This was probably tho only matter of general importance during the year. Referring to the question of athlotics, they wero aware that considerable discussion had arisen over his attitude on the matlor, and he had—fortunately or unfortunately—been unable to read the various essays which had been written by the boys of the College on .this .vital question. Tho Governors and himself had been moderately misrepresented in the matter. Physical exercises were necessary for tho proper development of body anil mind. Athletics, however, as some people understood the. term, was merely a competition for iirizes. He thoroughly approved of Mr. Firth's scheme for the ■ sound conduct of physical exercises in the school. 'i'lie Minister for Education, in a short speech, said ho had always retained a keen interest in the welfare of Wellington College. Ills son had been a pupil ot the College, and, although ho had not specially distinguished himself in scholarship, ho had doveloped into a good, straight, reliable man, a more important considoralion than scholarship. It had been a source of gratification to himself that he liad been able to reverse tho attitude of the Department regarding tho admission to tho College of pupils from State schools who had qualified for free secondary education; When the building of a rival establishment in the city had been proposed, he had opposed it. It would have been a serious mistake. The attitude of the College Governors tuwnnb the new building which was 1 now being erected in the grounds hail given him considerable pleasure, and its completion would make the Wellington College the largest and most up-to-date institution of its kind in New Zealand. The College had a high tradition to maintain, and he looked to the present and future generations of oupils to do that. He congratulated the

prize-winners. To those who had not won prizes he would not offer sympathy. He had no doubt that many of them would give' a good account of themselves in tho world's work. He urged everyone to try hard, although a prize was not everything; the persistent effort of striving to win one was a fine training. He thoroughly agreed with the principle underlying tho previous speaker's remarks about athletics. The Minister also referred to the work of Mr. and Mrs. Ward in the Colleyo, and said-that many old boys cherished the" warmest regard for their old master. Mr. Robert Lee, chairman of the Education Board, urged the boys, to cultivate individuality, and the spirit, of good humour. They should avoid becoming copyists in character development. No two people were alike. Each possessed an individual personality. Cheers were then given for the visitors, and the proceedings then terminated.