NELSON AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 144, 15 December 1923, Page 9

NELSON AFFAIRS

THE TWO COLLEGES

ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES

(PnOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

\ NELSON, 14th December. Th seating accommodation at the new Mnrsden Church Ha.ll was severely taxed last evening, the occasion being the annual distribution of prizes to the students of both colleges—boys' and girls'. The new Kail, in which the function was held is a very fine piece of architecture of a quasi-ecclesiastical design, situated on the second story of the building named. It is well ventilated, and the accoustic properties are very good. The seating accommodation for about 950 people' is provided for wholly by chairs of the Austrian pattern. As stated, all were taken up last evening, and with the people assembled on the platform and at the crowded entrances (two) there must have been over a thousand persons present. The platform was occupied by the principals and staff of both colleges and a number of the college governors.

Dr. S. A. G-ibbs, chairman of the Board of Governors, in a happy and appropriate speech opened the proceedings during which he referred to the curtailed powers of the governors. "The inroads of the Education Department," said the doctor, "into the rights and privileges of the governors are getting so pronounced and complete that before long the secondary schools of the Dominion will undoubtedly, unless the public take a more active interest in the matter, be governed by Civil servants from Wellington. At the conclusion of his speech, Dr. Gibbs asked Mr. T. E. Maunsell, S.M., to take charge of the proceedings.

Mr. Xlaunsell was accorded a most enthusiastic reception. After acknowledging the honour done him by being asked to preside, he extended his congratulations on the educational success achieved during the year, and remarked that he was a New Zealander born and bred, and at one time he had taken a trip round the world and' returned with a deep-rooted conviction in his heart that his native country was held by the cleanest living and purest bred people in the world. Jn speaking of our intellectual laboratories, he said that New Zealand could hold her own. Our best assets were not our climate, our race, nor our flocks and herds, or our minerals, but our people. "The people of the future," said Mr. Maunsell, "will look for the corner stones of that great national asset among those who are leading in our colleges to-day. May I express a hope, therefore, that your ambitions will be in due proportion to your God-giyen gifts." He went on to express his sympathy with the non-prize winners. He had been one of them in his time. His speech was interspersed with humour. Dealing with life's experiences, he gave sound and thoughtful advice. His concluding remarks to a stirring and most elevating address will long be remembered by all who were privileged to hear it. His concluding words were, "May God speed you on your life's journey." Prolonged applause followed the address. Miss Eastwood, acting Principal of the Girl's College, read a lengthy report of the year's work, and concluded with thanks to the governors for- their kindly and sympathetic consideration; Mrs. Mules and Mr. Kirkpatrick, for donating special prizes; Bishop Mules and Mrs. Fell for judging the Barnicoat essays; the old girls for the interest they take in their old school; and Miss Beaumont and the. teaching staff for their very kindly help. Mr. Maunsell then distributed a long list of prizes, the recipients of which were each and all in turn accorded loud a,pplause.

The Principal of the Boys' College, Mr. C. Broad, then presented his report for the year, the report covering "all mat: ters pertaining to the college, after which Mr. Maunsell presented the prizes. In a short speech at the end of the proceedings, Dr. Gibbs said they would no longer be indebted to the Education Department for prizes. The governors would have to find them from some other source. He congratulated Mr. Maunsell on the genial and happy mariner he had carried out the duties of chairman, and thanked him for the stiring address given, to the pupijs. On behalf of the governors, he thanked the principal and staffs for the wholehearted and loyal co-operation given during the year, and concluded by wishing every one the compliments of the season. The proceedings were of a very enthusiastic nature, each college cheering the other. College songs were given. The singing of the National Anthem concluded a happy and pleasant time.

The weather continues to be very dry and warm, though to-day is somewhat cloudy and breezy. There is as yet nothing in the outlook indicating rain, which will be very welcome when it does come. The City Council's water inspector has up till now been successful in people wasting water, resulting in about 50 informations beinu laid.

The ' Nelson Horticultural Society's Summer Show opened on Thursday afternoon. The exhibits take up all the available space in the Drill Hall. It is considered to be one of the.best summer shows yet held, competition being keen There is a, very large array of exhibits in the pot plant section—feme, flowers, and foliage. The sweet pea competition among the schools for the Moller Shield was again won by the Boys' Central School, Shelbourne street school being second. A great variety of flowers is exhibited, carnations being a feature. There is a fine display in the decorative class, eight tables being occupied by some most- attractive and artistic examples of this art. In fruit, the cherries, gooseberries, black and red currants, and lemons deserve special mention for the quality shown. There is an excellent showing and much competition in the vegetable class. Potatoes (whiter and red), tomatoes, cabbages, lettuce, beans," peas, carrots, turnips, and rhubarb are staged in this department. Water-colour floral paintings by school children is another feature of the show, some excellent work being shown by many competitors. There was a good attendance of the public, both in the afternoon and evening. Appreciation was expressed of the lighting of the, hall, electricity now replacing gas. The installation was made by .the Public Works Department