HYDE.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 495, 9 January 1879, Page 3

HYDE.

(From onr own correspondent.)

The annual distribution of prizes and examination of the Hyde school took place on thp 20th December, the examiner being H. W. Robinson, Esq., Goldfields "Warden. After a most critical examination the prizes were awarded, and presented to the respective recipients, to the general satisfaction of those present. The examination was conducted in the schoolroom, and it was quite dark when the teacher announced that all the classes had been examined. The presentations had then to come on, and for this purpose an adjournment was made to the Courtroom, attached to the Hyde Hotel. Mr. Robinson, after making a few applicable remarks, distributed the prizes to several owners, and judging from the satisfied expression in each recipient's face he made some very judicious awards. Alice Annett received the first prize for girls, and Oscar Flamank the boys prize. Kate Mathewson and Donald M'Kay being honorably mentioned and recommended for special prizes. The Warden expressed himself in very complimentary terms as to the state of efficiency of the scholars, and hoped he should again have the pleasure of examining them some, future time. In speaking of the mental arithmetic tournament, for which there were special prizes offered, -he eulogised the extraordinary aptitude the smaller children possessed for mental calculation, and encouraged them to attend most particularly to this branch, as it would hereafter prove of inestimable value to them. On the whole the examination proved a most satisfactory one to both teacher and scholars. Master Donald M'Kay moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Robinson for_ his kindness throughout the day, which was carried by acclamation, and vociferously applauded. In connection with the distribution of prizes, it was resolved to hold a picnic and sports on New Year's Day. A Committee for which was formed, consisting of Mr. Hugh M'Aulay, Mr, William Annett, Mr. Alexander M'Kay, gentlemen who are also members of the School Committee. Miss Annett and Mrs. Ritchey accordingly canvassed the district, and succeeded in obtaining £lO, the whole of which it was determined to devote to the general entertainment and amusement. By one o'clock on the first day of this year the entire inhabitrnts of the district had assembled to do honor to the festal day. Mr. Hugh M'Aulay, in conjunction with Messrs. Annett and M'Kay, as Stewards, had all in readiness for action. Mr. T. H. Giles, teacher of Hamilton School, kindly acted as Judge and Handicapper, and Mr. Ritchey as starter and general supervisor. The events were contested as follows :

Boys Flat Eace (handicap), 100 yards. 3rd, Michael Pendergast. Blind Eace, 100 yds.—lst, Chas. Annett; 2ud, Jno. M'Kay. Girls Eace (handicap), 100 yds.— Ist, Kate Matiiewson ; 2nd, Ellen Connolly ; 3rd. Ellen Dowling. / Boys Junior Eace (handicap). Thomas Connolly; 2nd, P. Connolly; 3rd James O'Connell.

Girls Junior Eace (handicap). Alexina M'Eay and Euhama Connolly, equal; 2nd, Grace Eamsay; 3rd, Bella M'Kay. Bell Eace, Boys.—Hugh Praser. Do for Girls.—Alexina Sl'Elay. Long Jump, Handicap. Eraser; 2nd M. Pendergast. : Sack Eace.—lst, Jno. M'Eay; 2nd, Chas. Annett.

High Jump.—lst, Jno. M'Kay; 2nd, Hugh Fraser.

Three-legged Bace.—lst, C. Annetfc and Hugh Fraser; 2nd, Jno. M'Kay and Archy Fraser.

Old Ladies Race, prize eruetstand.— Mrs. Fraser.

Ladies Eace (handicap). Annett; 2nd, Mrs. Fraser, O ldJMan s Eace, prize meerschaum pipe; —Mr. Angus M'Kay. Ladies 100 yds (handicap), Mr. Kmj ney's presentation prize.—Ist, Mrs. Ani nett; 2nd, Mrs. Fraser. j Ladies 100 yds (handicap), Mr. Sincliars presentation prize.—Ist Miss Susannah Annetfc. f ■

Boys School Bace, 200 yrds (handicap)] Mr. Sinclair's presentation prize.—lst' Alexina M'Kay; 2nd, Donald M'Kay. Consolation Eace, 100 yds (Handicap)? Ist, Jas. M'Aulay; 2nd, M. Pendergaat! Judges Prize (handicap), Ladies Eace; —lst, Mrs. Annttt; 2nd, Miss Jessie M'Kay. * At the termination of the sports the teacher, Mr. Eitehey, called for a round of applause for Mr. T. H. Giles, who had performed his dutyin a "most courteous and impartial spirit. This call was applauded to the echo. Mossrg. Annetfc, M'Aulay

and M'Kay, in a few brief remarks expressed the great pleasure it gave them as members of Committee to be present on the occasion of .'the children's annual festivity, and they .were confident- that all present felt thoroughly satisfied with the entertainment that had been provided. In the future, they trusted that enjoyment on such an occasion should not be restricted to this district alone, but that the opportunity of securing the participation of other schools surrounding in our festivities should not be lost. They felt pleased to see the result of the labors of their teacher, in being the means of having initiated a step to bring about good feeling between neighboring schools, as was evident by the presence of Mr. Giles, of the Hamilton and Sowburn School, who had been most indefatigable in his exertions throughout the day. During the day Mr. B. S. Booth, of " Mia " celebrity, delighted the gathering by occasionally discoursing sweet music in his usually artistic style, [n the evening an adjournment was made to Mr. H. Bead's Hyde Hotel. Dancing might be heard far into the small hours. On the whole, the dqy's sport was declared to be by far the most enjoyable that ever had been passed in the district.