CHRISTCHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1431, 14 July 1865, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

The distribution of prizes to the successful competitors amongst the pupils of this school, took place on the 22nd ult., at the school-room, about 1 p.m. The weather was very unfavourable, and, iu consequence, the attendance was very limited. Several of the local clergy were present, amongst others the Venerable the Archdeacon of Christchurch, who presided : the Eevds. Gk Cotterill, C. Bowen, E. A. Lingard, and H. Torlesse. The Yen. the Archdeacon addressed those present, remarking that, although the school had been deprived of the preseuce of a head-master, yet its progress and success had been very considerable. The absence of a headmaster was in every case a great drawback to the success of any school. In the present instance, this deprivation had been the less severely felt than it would otherwise have been, in consequence of the care and attention which Messrs. Sale, Eolleston, and other gentlemen had bestowed upon it. The institution was greatly indebted tothese gentlemen for their exertions. The mail now due would, he hoped, bring the information that a head-master had been appointed, who would take charge of the school as soon as possible — probably in the course of the ensuing half-year. The examination had been conducted by several gentlemen, who had expressed themselves as well satisfied with the progress. The papers they had sent in spoke in favourable terms of the work done in the school; they were lying on the table, but as it would occupy too much of their time, he would not read them. • They were, however, open to the inspection of any pupil who wished to see how many marks he had gained. He urged upon the boys the necessity of attending to correctness in spelling. In various quarters disparaging remarks had been made with regard to their attainments in this respect; but, for his own part, he considered that, making all due allowances, and taking into consideration all the circumstances of the case, he thought that they were as proficient in this respect as could reasonably be expected. It was now his pleasing duty to distribute the prizes, a duty which had devolved upon him in the absence of the Eight Eeverend the Warden, who was now engaged in visiting the southern portion of his diocese. The boys then approached the speaker's chair, and received their prizes, of which the following is a list :— Scholars' Class -— Class prize, Cotterill, senior; French prize, given by Mr. Ross, Cotterill, senior. Sixth Form—Class prize, Willmer ; French prize, given by Mr. Ross, Willmer; arithmetic and algebra, Ollivier, jun. Fifth Form—Class prize, Griffin ; French prize, given by Mr. Ross, Griffin ; 2nd French prize, given by the College, Rutland ; dictation, given by Mr. Rutherford, Baker, jun. Fourth Form—Class prize, Carter; French prize, given by Mr. Ross, Carter ; 2nd French prize, given by the College, Gardener ; dictation, given by Mr. Rutherford, Dobson. Third Form—Class prize, Cotterill, jun.; dictation, given by Mr. Rutherford, Cotterill, jun.; prize given by the Rev. Mr. Knowles, Clark. Second Form—Class prize, Mountfort, sen.; dictation, given by Mr. Rutherford, Barker, 4th ; the Rev. Mr. Knowles' prize, Mountfort, 2nd. Fourth and Fifth Forms—Writing prize, Potts, sen. Second and Third Forms—Writing prize, Cotterill, jun. Extra prizes—By the Venerable the Archdeacon of Christchurch, to Mathias, jun., for a remarkably good paper. By the College, to Potts, sen., for a Holiday "Task, well done, and voluntarily undertaken. The Ven. the Archdeacon of Christchurch wished the boys every happiness ; during the ensuing vacation. He besought them to be diligent in their studies, for it had invariably been found that the most assiduous pupil in the school-room was the foremost in the play-ground. The vacation would terminate on Monday, July 31. The Eev. G. Cotterill, before dismissing the pupils, was anxious to impress upon them the desirability of their devoting attention during the holidays to the study of arithmetical tables, and to the Catechism. It was his intention to offer prizes for proficiency in these studies. The proceedings terminated amid the loud cheers of the boys. THE SPOETS. These, which are a novel feature in the College system, were to have taken place on the previous day, but were postponed to the 22nd ult., when they commenced at 10 a.m., and continued, with a slight intermission, during the whole day. Indeed, they were only brought to a close by the approach of evening. They were instituted in the following manner:—When the Eev. B. A. Lingard took charge of the boarders at the school, he found that the want of some rational recreation was greatly felt by them. In order to

remedy this inconvenience, a kind of gymnasium was established in the paddock adjoining the college, at the cost of £105. A swing, giaut stride, climbiug bar, a horizontal one, and some other apparatus were provided. The expenses are to be defrayed by a sum of £50, guaranteed personally by Mr. Lingard, and by the annual subscription of £1 per annum amongst the boys of the higher and lower schools. The promoters have incurred a debt of £80—this sum, which includes the £50 alluded to, it is hoped, will be defrayed by the subscriptions of the pupils. The fellows of the College contributed prizes to the amour.t of £15. The cost of the gymnasium, at first sight, appears to be a large one ; but the materials were very expensive, and the charge for fixing the apparatus in its proper position was very great, for, in order to ensure stability, the works below the surface are very solid. The new fives-court has been enlarged, at a cost of £35. However, the institution is worth its cost, for it is impossible to over-estimate the physical benefits which the lads of the school may derive from it. It has only been established .for a short time, and already the pupils have shown, by zealous practice of the different manly exercises, and the proficiency to which they have attained, their appreciation of it. Any one who witnessed their feats of strength and dexterity, and watched their happy merry countenances, and the spirit of friendly rivalry excited, would surely not begrudge the outlay of a few pounds upon that which is to them suchasource of recreation and enjoyment.

As will be seen from the list of prizes annexed, the programme was a very varied one. The weather was fine throughout the day, and there was a moderately numerous company of ladies and gentlemen, the parents and relatives of the pupils present, who seemed to watch the proceedings with great interest and amusement. The Revs. E. A. Liugard, C. Bowen, G. Cotterill, and H. Torlesse were unwearied in their efforts to promote the success of the sports; the two former acted as umpires, starters, &c, and must have had anything but a sinecure •of their duties. And here one very gratifying feature in the day's enjoyment must be mentioned. Every thing was done in a kindly, friendly - spirit; there was no dissatisfaction at the awards of the judges, and, apparently, no feeling of annoyance or of envy in the minds of the unsuccessful candidates, who bore their ill-luck with a composure and a good-humour which did them much credit. The chief events of the day were the long race, of a mile, six times round the course. Several started for this, but as the strain became more' severe on their powers of endurance, they gradually fell off in number, and the race terminated in favour of In wood. The race was run in six minutes and forty seconds. The last lad in, ran the distance in seven minutes. The hurdle races were smartly contested. The sack race was very amusing—so many of the candidates measuring their length on the ground, and floundering about in hopeless efforts to regain their footing, as their hands were tied behind them, and they had to be carried bodily to the starting point. Then there were very clever feats on the bar and ladder. Ollivier and Wilkin were successful in getting the prize, the Eev. H. Torlesse kindly giving an extra prize to a little fellow named Edmiston, who showed great skill in his exercises. The leaping was very good, especially the jumps made from the giant-stride; the highest leap was eight feet. The throwing of the cricket ball was pronounced to be very good. The game of lives, between some of the picked players, excited great interest. It requires some dexterity and quickness of eye and hand. The pavement of the court, which is asphalted, was not in a very good condition, the late heavy rains having made it very slippery. Altogether the day was a great success, and will l ,, no doubt, encourage the foundersof the gymnasium to carry out their intention of having the sports annually held. After the Consolation Eace, for those who had not previously won any prizes, the company adjourned, about six p.m., to the School-room for the DISTBIBT7TIOH" OF PBIZES. These were arranged on a table, and consisted of chess and draftsmen, dominoes, a photographic album, pocket-books, and a collection of those articles so dear to the heart of every schoolboy, pocket-knives of various descriptions. The Eev. E. A. Lingard addressed the lads in a few kindly words, congratulating them on their skill in the various exercises, and exhorting them to practice diligently, so as to ensure even greater results. Mrs. Cotterill distributed the prizes, which were selected from the different articles at the option of the winners, who received them amidst the cheers of their comrades. The Eev. E. A. Lingard addressed the lads, observing that if they wished the gymnasium to succeed, they must be punctual in paying up their subscripI tions. The Eev. G. Cotterill, before dismissing the boys, called upon them for a hearty cheer for the Eev. E. A. Lingard, irom whom the idea of founding the institution had emanated, and who had done so much towards making it a reality. A list of the prizes is appended : — One-mile race—lnwood, 1; Dobson, 2. Two hundred yards race— Cotterill, sen., 1; Gould, 2. Hurdle nice, eight flats—Baker, sen., 1; Chapman, 2. On hundred yards race, for boys over 11 and under 15 — Ollivier, juu. One hundred yards race, for boys under 11—Cotterill, jun. High jump —Baker, sen., 1 (4 feet 8 inches) ; Chapman 2 (3 feet 10 inches). Long jump—Cotterill, sen., 1 (15 feet 9 inches) ; Chapman,2 (U feet 9inches). For boys, under 15'—Ollivier, jun. (3 feet 7 inches). For boys under 11— M'Farlane, jun. (2 feet 8 inches). Eope swing—Cotterill, sen. (8 feet); Edmiston, jun. (6 feet). Jump from swing—Chapman, 1 and 2. Horizontal bar—Ollivier, sen., 1; Wilkin, 2;

extra prize, given by the »*•£•■Jj*" lease, for Edmiston, jun. Sack race, 10 yards-DraUßfieldf;!; M'Farljne, sen., 2. The fiwt prize for the beat football player was awarded to J™g sen., aud the second to Dobsoff. Best game of fives-Ollivier, sen., 1; Popson, 2; an extra prize for Barker, sen. Throwing the cricket ball- Baker, sea., 1 (93 yards); Fearon, 2 (51 yaids). Consolation race, 100 yarfr-Harper, seu.,l;Sted,nan, 2:lt should have been mentioned that the prize for the fives match was given by the liev. u Bowen.