NELSON TOWN SCHOOLS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 250, 24 December 1866, Page 2

NELSON TOWN SCHOOLS.

On Saturday last his Honor the Superintendent, distributed the prizes to the children in these schools, a, Awarded them by Mr. Hodgson the inspector, forproficiency and good conduct during the past year. About half the children were present, and most of the members of the school committees. His Honor in commencing the proceedings said he was glad to see so large a number of children present, ; on that which they probably regarded as one of the most interesting occasions in their lives, but he regretted . that so many of them were much smaller than he would like to see them. As the cost of education was. comparatively nothing, the presence of so many small children proved that the parents were hardly, doing their duty in removing their children, from,; . school at so early an age. He was not in favor, of. - forcing education on children before they were six. . years of age and thought more was learned . between the ages of 13 and 14 than at any other time... The parents by taking their children from school so early were not doing justice to the teachers, the children, nor the Provincial, establishments. He thought the town had hardly a due share of the funds set apart. • for educational purposes, and regre.tted.to.find-..that... one teacher was required to instruct so many pupils, the evils of such a system he had witnessed in his early scholastic experience. He thought it would be a good thing to employ a greater number of female teachers for the very young pupils, -they--could be engaged for small salaries, and were better- • teachers of small children than men were. He would recommend that the young children beentrusted to the caTe of female teachers up to a certain age, and that additional schools be found for the purpose. Whilst agreeing in the • advantages of oral instruction by which one teacher could instruct . many at the same time, he would be glad to findthat the pupils made greater progress in the reading of the English language. . Of the three r's of which „ so much was said, he thought good reading stood foremost in importance and would be- glad to see-'

means adopted to secure it to a greater .extent than was seen at present. To stimulate .to excellence in this branch of learning, he intended to give the sum of £15 in prizes, which sum he would leave with Mr. Hodgson, to he apportioned among the most deserving scholars. He also trusted that the parentswould support the teachers by attending to the instruction of their children at home, by which, the efficiency of the education would be greatly increased. His Honor having addressed some encouraging remarks, to the children, teachers, and parents, proceeded to distribute the prizes, addressing a few words of counsel and encouragement to the little boys and girla as they stepped up to him to receive the respective, prizes. The following is the prize list : — Town boys,. Ist division ; Ist class : Ist prize. Isaac Brent ; 2nd, B. Chisholm, J. White and David Burns, honorable mention — 2nd class : Ist prize Alexander Winter- , burn ; 2nd Thomas Nalder, Thomas Disher, equal— 3rd class : Ist prize, C. Hardy, R Aiken. Arithme-. tic, Isaac Brent. Writing, J. Disher — Master's prizes regular attendance, and general . good behavour, ID. Burns ; 2 T Henry. Town boys, 2nd division ; Ist class : Ist prize, S. Jennings ; 2nd J. Dalton. Arithmetic, A. MeGee — 2nd clo.ss : Ist prize, Eobert Sadd ; 2nd, A. Hunter. Arithmetic, J. Banks— 3rd class : Robert Crowdis ; 2nd T. Hadfield. Arithmetic, G. Yorke — 4th. class ; Ist prize, J. Baxltrop ; 2nd Arthur Disher. Arith-: meticE 1 . Kite. Writing S. Plutnmer. Town Town Auxiliary — First class, Ist prize: Geo. Dayman ; : Elizabeth . Robb ; Isabella Haddow, equal Second class, Ist prize.: Ernest Percy; 2nd prize:. Julia Vokkman: Third class, Ist prize : Jessie Stewart ; 2nd prize : Thos. Louisson. Fourth class, Ist prize: Eosetta Freeman; 2nd prize: KateCalder; arithmetic : George Dayman. Writing : Isabella Haddow. General condnct : Sophia Blackmore. — Town Girls — First division, Ist class : Mary Ann Dement ; 2nd, Emma Harris.; 3rd, Euphemia Clark; second class, ]st prize: Eliza Clark; 2nd, Lucy Kitchiiig; third class, Ist prize, .Sarah Loasby; 2nd, Louisa Karsten ; 4th class, Ist prize: Martha Lock -, 2nd, Martha Freeman ; fittli class, Ist prize: Wilhelmina Karsten; 2nd, Ann Hutton. Writing: Mary Ann Dement. Town Girls — Second division, first ciass, Ist prize : Isabella Darling; 2nd, Fanny Darby ; 2nd class, Ist prize, Naomi Haynes 2nd, Rosa Clark; third class, Ist prize, Amy Lucas; 2nd,; Janet Henry ; fourth class, Christina Crisp ; fifth class, Mary Henry. Writing: Amy Whiting. Captain Bough expressed his gratification at finding that the children present were receiving the foundation of a good education, and urged them now that they were supplied with the keys..of knowledge not to rest satisfied till they had. unlocked many, of its boundless stores. To show, his , appreciation .of education, he -would now request his Honor to distribute some prizes which the committee had permitted him to give.. His Honor then gave the prizes as follows :— .las. White, W. Hornby,- Elizabeth Salmon, Charlotte Mills, Sophia: Blackmore, Charles Pocoek, Jas. Wigzell, Jas. Hunter, Sarah Goodman. • The Superintendent then gave his own prizes for reading, to Emma Marris as the best, and MaryAnn Dement as the second. Prizes were also given to A. Wintexburn and Euphemia Clarke.

Mr. Drew said he hoped the-feporters would take a' note of what the Superintendent said in reference to . the smallness of the children, and the number that one teacher was exjaected to instruct. There were v over 500 childreii in the town schools and only eight teachers to instruct them. The remarks of the.. Superintendent would encourage the committee to go to the Central Board, and request them to allow an increased number of school-rooms and teachers, as the present were far too crowded, and the teachers by far too much worked. The proceedings terminated by the children giving three cheers for the Superintendent, for their teachers, 41 r. Drew, and Captain Rough.