EMPIRE ESSAYS

Evening Star, Issue 14525, 29 November 1910, Page 6

EMPIRE ESSAYS

YOUNG NEW ZEALAND AGAIN DOES WELL. [Feom Or/B Special Coerespoxdent.] LONDON, October 21. Youthful essayists in New Zealand have again done well in tho annual Empire Essay Competition of the British and Foreign Biblo Society, the results of which have been communicated to me to-day by tho secretary. On Trafalgar Day, 1009, the society offered a number of valuable prizes in the shapo of artistic plaques made of Nelson copper, suitably inscribed, and bearing the initials of his late Majesty King Edward VII., to pupils in the public schools of this country and tho colonies for tho best essay on ' Arctic Explorers, and the Benefits Arising from their Discoveries,' with a map of the northern polar regions. The number of essays received is considerably loss than in former years, a circumstance probably accounted for by the difficulty of the subject prescribed. On tho other hand, the quality of the work is much higher, and many of tho maps sent in are works of art. "New Zealand has again done specially well," say tho judges. "The largest number of competitors hail from the Northern Island, but in point of ability the average of tho essays from schools in the Southern Island gives them the palm." The adjudicators, in addition to the ten plaques won, have awarded three prizes. Tho list is as follows: Now Zealand.—Nortn Island; Mabel Oliver and Eunice Winzonberg, Onehunga District High School (equal); W. Kenneth Wilton, Wonganui Collegiate School; Gordon F. Saunders, Ngaero School, Taianaki (prize). South Island: Cyril A. King and Harry K. Christie, Waitaki Boys' High School (eqnal); Johanna M. Brosr.an, Lawrence District High School; Horace Simon, Waihopai School, Inverca/gill (prize). Australia.—Victoria : Maty E. Whiting, State School, Mokepilly. New South Wales: Edward G. Cochrane, Aickland Street School, Bega. Queensland: Williarn A. Stirling, Pytton Road School, East Brisbane. Canada.—Edith E. Clark, Grvins Street Public School, Toronto. Tho plaques and prizes will bo presented to the winners by the respective Ministers of Education. The society again offer for competition for next year twenty plaques for the colonies—Canada six, Australia six, New Zealand four, South Africa four, and five for the British Isles. The subject will be 'King Alfred tho Great: His Character and Influence, especially on British Naval History.' Competitors must be under sixteen years of age on May 31 next. The essays, which are not to exceed 1,000 words, must be written in school, without notes, textbooks, or assistance from tho teacher. On the last page must be shown the name, age, and address of the writer and the name of the school. Tho essays must reach tho headquarters of tho society, Sailors' Palace, Limehouse, London E., not later than July 31 next. The names of the prize-winners will be ' published on Trafalgar Day, 1011 : (October 21).