Local Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 7, Issue 441, 28 November 1863, Page 2

Local Intelligence.

Eclipse. — A. partial eclipse of the moon took place on Wednesday last, the 25th inst — the moon having been eclipsed when it rose. The sky "was unclouded, and an excellent opportunity was afforded of observing the phases. The time is thus laid down in the almanac published at the "Aelsou office, and is a close approximation to the reality : — D. H. M. First contact with penumbra, Nov. 25 5 370 p.m. First contact with shadow, " 25 G 42*2 p.m. Middle of eclipse, " 25 8 394 p.m. Last contact with shadow, " 25 10 96 p.m. Last contact with penumbra, " 25 11 218 p.m. The New Zealand Steam Navigation Co. has lately, as is generally known, decided upon increasing its capital, and, consequently, upon the issue of a second series of shares. It.is important we think, that this province should have some interest in a company the operations of which are likely to extend not only to every New Zealand settlement, but to the chief ports in the neighboring colonies : and we therefore call attention to an advertisement in another column offering shares for sale to the Hawke's Bay settlers.

School Examination. — On Thursday and Friday the annual public examination of the scholars of the Napier Training school took place in the school room. The Key. D. Bruce and J. Brown, both of Auckland, were present during the first day, and the former during part; of the second. There was also a large attendance of parents and others interested in the cause of education. The pupils were examined by Mr. Thomson, the teacher, assisted by the Rev. P. Barclay and the other clergymen we havenamed ; and the proficiency displayed in the various branches was, even although common report had given Mr. Thomson credit for considerable success as a teacher, such as almost to take the spectator by surprise — at least such was our own feeling. The answers were given with great readiness and accuracy, by some too that we had been wont to regard as not among the brightest of the rising generation of Napier. Emulation would appear to be encoui-aged, and with the very best results. The order observed in the school was marked, yet without those evidences of slavish fear with which scholastic institutions are too often associated in the mind. At the close of the second day's examination, prizes were distributed as follows : —

English Heading: — Ist class, Henry Ellison (Dux of school); 2nd,— John Tylee; 3rd,— Hannah Freeman ; 4th, — Thomas Begg ; sth, — Daniel Ramsden ; extra prize, Maria Symonds : 6th, — Annie Lindsay ; 7th, — Stephen Freeman.

Arithmetic : — Senior class, — Henry Ellison, Ist prize ; William Couper, 2nd. Junior class, Mary Thomas.

Scripture Reading : — Senior Bible class, Charles Thomas ; Junior Testament, Thomas Begg. Geography: — Senior class, Charles Thomas; Junior, William Parker.

Grammar: — Senior class (also History) Henry Ellison ; Junior, William Charles Hodgson. Dictation and Composition : — Thomas Hitchings.

Writing: — Senior class, boys, — Charles Thomas, Ist prize ; Frank Smale, 2nd. Senior class, girls, — Catherine McKinnon.

Latin. French, and Mathematics: — Henry Ellison.

Good conduct ■: — Prize for good conduct, regular attendance, and proficiency in study, — Catherine McKinnon.

— The prizes having been distributed, a gentleman present (Mr. Ellison) took occasion to express the satisfaction with which he had listened to the examination, which, he said, reflected great credit both upon teacher and taught. We believe that similar sentiments, in which we cordially concur, were expressed on the previous day by the visitors from Auckland.