PRIZE DAY AT THE COLLEGES. GIRLS' COLLEGE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 321, 19 December 1889, Page 2

PRIZE DAY AT THE COLLEGES.

GIRLS' COLLEGE.

BOY'S COLLEGE.

There was a very fair gathering at the ] College yesterday afternoon on the oooasion of " breaking up day, " a large number of ladies . graoing the room with their presence. At two ' o'clook the Governors entered the room — the ' Honß J. W. Barnicoat, J. Shephard, Messrs Fell, Greenfield. Hodgson, Pitt, and Sclanders. The ohair was taken by the Moat Rev. the Primate, who Buid : — Tou have invited me to enjoy the privilege of presidiug over you once more on this interest' ing occasion. Last time you did so as an indication of welcome on my return from England, I having arrived at the very time of your prize giving, and on this occasion, it may be, you have asked me because in the meantime I have been elected to fill a very important position educationally as Chairman of the Central Board of Education. That is a position which I value very highly, especially considering the character of our educational system, and of those whom I succeed in that office. It brings me periodically into contact with my fellow members on the Board, whose sole interest is the educational advancement of the province, and more than that ifc brings me into contact with a large body, with and for whom I cannot bufc feel much sympathy and respect, che teachers of fche primary sohools of this educational province, There is a real connection between the Board of Education and this College of a twofold character. It is our privilege to offer scholarships to the schools from whioh yonr ranks are periodically supplied, and we watch them as they are reported to us from time to time, as being likely, as far as can be told from their diligence and good behaviour, to make a good use of the advantages put before them. Then afterwards we have the pleasure in some cases, shall I say many, of meeting our scholars again under advanced oiroumstances, when - they come before our Board of Examiners as applicants for teacherships in the sohools for which we have to supply education. I need scarcely say that when th promise of youth is so far fulfilled as to lead to fitness to fill such positions it is a matter of great pleasure to us. Nofc indeed that we wish them in every case ; we hope thafc some of ours will be accepted elsewhere, and thafc we shall havo the benefit of new , blood from other parts, i His Lordship then oalled before him the , winners of the scholarships one by one, and was exceedingly happy in the remarks he addressed to eaoh. The scholarships awards and prize list- were as follows : —

SCHOLiBBHIP3.

Richmond Scholarship.— C. Broad. Next iv order, Craig and Mules, Cenior Glaaeioal Scholarship.— E. Wither, Second ditto,— P. Milner. Third ditto— N. Fell. Senior Mathematical Scholarship.— C, Craig. Seoond ditto.— F. Milner. Third ditto.— B. A. Moore. First English Scholarship.— o. Craig. Second ditto.— R. Wanden. French Scholarship.— o. Broad. Chemistry Scholarship,— Sigley. Simmons Prize,— E. Rutherford, Honorable Mention.

Classics—Form VI : Rutherford, Broad, Craig, Mules, Pasley, and Gibbs i. Form V : Moore i, Gibhs ii, Sigley, and Washbourn. English*— Form VI, Wither ; V, Moore i and Sigley. French— lst Division. The whole class deserves mention ; 2nd do, Gibbs ii, Ellis, and Leggatfc i. Classics— Forms 111 and IV, Riley, Griffiths, Baigent, Wanden, and Maginnity ; I and 11, Hall, Malcolm, Fabian, Moore iii, Rumbold, Pifcfc, and Marjoribanks. Prizes.

Latin.— Form VI, E Rutherford ; V, H. Mooro ; IV, Riley ; 111, V. Marshall ; 11, Rumbold ; I, Halt. iyintheina'ics— Senior Division, E. Rutherford ; sooond ditto, L. Baigent ; third ditto, DA, Chaytor j fourth ditto, H. Gibbs ; fifth ditto, Holl ; sixth ditto, Haldane ; seventh ditto, Evan Lepgatt. Chemistry— Wright. English— Form IV, Harknesa ; 11, Malcolm.

Gonsral Excellence — L. Griffiths.

Mr Joynt, the Principal, said that this was the second time the Governors had requested the staff of teachers to do the examining work. This had its advantages as well as its disadvantages. In the first place there was a difficulty in reporting on the result of their own teaching, and there was a further difficulty in separating in their own minds the impressions conveyed by the examinations from those created by their general contact wifch the pupils. Ifc was also difficult, on the one hand to commend, and on the other to deal too severely, with those they examined. One thing, however, he was quite oonvinoed of, that the examinations were more severe than if they were oonduoted by outside examiners. (Cheers from the boyß.) He was glad to hear that expression of applause from the baok benches, as it boro out what he had said. The masters knew what work had been done, and consequently could make more searching investigations. He hoped, however, that next year the school would be brought into contact with other minds, and that they would receive fresh suggestions from examiners nofc connected with the school, through examination papers, and this would perhaps create better impressions on outsiders, though, on the other hand, he was not quite sure that they should attach too much importance to outside impressions and Opinions. He then read his report, dealing in detail with the results of the examinations conducted by himself. I

Mr Littlejohn read his report, whioh he prefaced as follows -.—Before proceeding to detail the work and the result of the examination, I may be allowed to mention that from the number of those who left us afc the end of last year, Major, our dux in mathematics, has gained a senior scholarship -at Auckland University College ; Caro and Davidson passed in pure and applied mathematics as required for the B. A. of the New Zealand University ; the former has since distinguished himself at Cambridge, and the latter has just received word from England that he has passed the Sandhurst examination. At the recent term examination of the Auckland University College, Mules and Neve passed in pure and applied mathematics, the former with a first class in pure mathematics. Coming more particularly to our own examinations, I find that the quantity of work piesented is far greater than before, and that the quality has not suffere*l, but rather that the ordinary arrangement and methodical exactness which the study of mathematics inculcates are more and more clearly noticeable.— -The report concluded as follows :— There are three observations that I should like to make : the first that the number of competitors tor the mathematical scholarships is unsatisfactory, and that it might be well to alter the mode of award, and assign these scholarships as the prizes, one for eaoh of the Colleges. The time he had spent here had been rendered very pleasant by the good stamp and oharaoter of the boys with, whom he had to deal. He was not going to contrast them with boys at other similar institutions, but he must express his high satisfaction with the boys in this respeot, and hoped that it might long continue. It would be wrong were he to omit to take this opportunity of acknowledging the valuable assistance he : had received from the other masters, and to" division, irrespectively of age. A oareful classification would be neoessary, but. that condition is always f ulfilled within reasonable limits. Secondly, I would recommend thatall unsuooessf vi wmpetftw tQx 6»h(»hff?

ships, who have attained given minimum of marks, should reoeive a eertifioate "of. merit. This would aot ns a stimulus in the case of those who had.no great probability./ of being successful \ thirdly, I haVeoffcenV thought that it would be .'well, instead- 01. issuing to parents a report of the olass work,- to substitute : a report of the final examination, giving plaoe and percentage of eaoh examinee. -

Mr Cooke read his report, which ref erred in detail to the subjects in whioh he had examined, and the results "*

Mr Joynt said that he had yet another prize to award and this was of a peculiar oharaoter. The report whioh appeared in one of the looal papers of oertain proceedings in the Provinoial Hall commenced with a sentenoe thirteen lines in length, but perfeotly grammatical throughout. He had offered a prise for the best construction of this in Latin. .

Chairman said :— Let me first congratulate the College and Governors on another year's work, and express a hope fchafc the changes that this year has seen have been for the benefit of the College. I may say that I have heard, from many parents and guardians whom I have had the opportunity of seeing on my journeys to distant parts of the province, their satisfaO" tion at the care taken of their ohildren, and the provision made not only for their intellectual and physical, but also their moral well-being ; I trust their impressions will be confirmed. It is altogether too soon

to pass any judgment upon a .college or institution after so short a tenure of oflice by the Prinoipal. It is not fair either to the teaohers or the pupils, still I cannot refrain from saying that there is an impression thafc the boys are being looked after, and that is an impression wbich I hope will both continue and increase. Now I am going to take the liberty as yonr Chairman jusfc to say a few words on two matters of moment which seem of importance at the

present time, and with regard to the firet I do not know that it has been handled any where specially. One of those subjects which rises to our lips is that contained in the question, " Whatshall we do with our boys ?" ' I have nothing to say against the learned professions, I have no complaint against trading and commercial occupations, I havo no lance to break with brewers and BUgar manufacturers, or manufacturers of any kind, I know of no objection to a few of special ability following up the improvement of their talents in art decoration or adornment of our buildings or even persons. I think indeed more might be done in the direction of literature and journalistic work, which is becoming a new and highly necessary profession, But I understand that many of these avenues are over-crowded to excess ; the supply of applicants for places is far above the demand, and I am led to ask myself whether there is not another department of labour, work, and study with adequate remuneration which ought, perhaps, to receive more consideration that it does,- to be more popular than it is, and prove more attractive than it has hitherto been. What is it 1 Ifc is nothing else than agriculture — farming— including of course horticulture, florioulture, viticulture, and similar departments. It is of course difficult to remove prejudice*—prejudgment. Still prejudices have been removed, and when we look at their basis we see that they are capable of removal. I beg to submit a few arguments whioh may perhaps in the minds of some turn the soale on behalf of the pursuit of agrioulture without depreciating* other punuuf**. It le certainly an honorable oue; in the earliest ncooant we find nothing derogatory to human natura in the old sbo picture of human nature wo have. The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there he put a man - to till it and to keep it; and even in the next picturo, whioh represents man as earning his bread by the aweat of his brow, we feel that eaoh a condition is common to all labor, which of itself iB no euree to human nature, — but iv due moderation ia the reverse, a blessing. Tha agriculturist has a calling Which is no disgrace to him. 1 5 is ns far removed as anything . can be, of itself, from beiug a aourco of evil to others. Of the invader and the man of war it is tbe boast that tho grass grows not where Attila's foot has been set down, but, of tho agriculturist ii is. said, wben a man makes two blades to grow where o_ly one grew before he has conferred-' a lasting benefit on tho community. Surely ib need not be mentioned in tbis oolony that" agriculture is the direotion in wbioh we most look for the development of our future. Even our mining interests, rioh as they may be, are exhaustible, exoept that as regards gold. I believe scientific processes may ba bronght to besr to suoh aa extent that ib will not be the speculative matter it has been, but it will be the outcome of the laooratory and the ohemistry sohool rather than who can raise most oapitai for the biggest dredge, 1 will bd the scientific miner in whose bands the futura rests. But how are we' to estab* lish within any reasonable period oar olaim to ex'Btcnoe among the nations of the world unless it be by cgrioultural development? At horn*; this is reooguised by the tardy but salutary appointment of a Minister of Agriculture. Iti forms one of the important Stale departments, and it is a sign that more attention is now being paid to tbis mr-ttfr than has hitherto bean the- oase, and, if so, it will eventually bscome , a muoh more attrao*.ive and popular aouroe of occupation. It ,h%B : undoubtedly to live dewn prejudiea at home more than here*, bnt I trust we sh**ll be defended from theso prejudices rising up, in our midst. At noma men are relegatrd to Winnepeg and Manitoba in the f ar wect by hundreds acd thousands, not because there aro not auy number of feraia at heme, or because farming does not pay at horn", but beoauee there have been prejudices against the oeoupation. Wit and humour have been against us ln this matter, but now science comes on the Boene and we would be b Id to Bsy that there is no department where the advanced science of the day, and politto-*-l economy, and other branches of knowledge come in to a greater extent than to agriculture, I admit that agrioulture has not hitherto beon considered a profession, but I fail to see why it may nofc be made so as muoh as civil engineering. No prof* stion that I know o*m he oarried on without a number of persons being associated with id who are not professional men, Btill they are reckoned es profeßtional. The farm labourer cf to-day is not tho labourer of yesterday, ha is lea of a maohine and more of an intellectual being*, and tbis gives an elevated tone to the whole of the occupation, We know wrll that culture is quite compatible with farming, wi'h the farm home and the farm oiroie. The means of looomotion are co muoh greater— --the communication by telegraph and the post so muoh more frequent that if a man wish, he need nowhere live out of the world, und his oonntry can send for him from tho plough if ib needs him. Looking over the matter we are ready to cay with Tirgil--0 fortunati nimium, sua si bono norint, Agricila " O happy husbandmen, if only they knew their advantages," These things being co, I hops that, aB far as possible, assistance may be given to those lads who wish to devote themselves to this sort of work, and that many will rise higher than to wish to be behind a counter for years, or - to conduot some fraotional part of a business or trade which can have no personal interest for them, and that they will prefer agrioultural work, whioh our country needs, whioh presents a fair prospeot for those gifted with diligence, common sense, and perseverence, and whioh affords scope to the best of our financialists, ohemists, analysts, mechanicians, while it leaves the door open to all the culture and amenities of life, with the satisfactory feeling that there are no misgivings as to the oooupstioa itself, but that it may be carried on to the advantage of the individual and of the community without doing iDJury to others, and in these days there ie muoh to be eaid on behalf ol any oeoupation. I bave muoh pleasure, amongst; the engineers aud surveyors, in recognising old scholars of Nelson College, and I einoerely hope I may, if spared, in future have the pleasure of meeting them again amongst the healthy, happy, nnd not too prosperous agriculturists of New Zealand. Mr Joynt felt tbat being comparatively new in the position of Prinoipal, it would be unsuitable for him to take too prominent a part in the proceedings, He thanked His Lordship for his kind referenoe to him, and asked to be allowed to congratulate him on his reoent promotion to the Primacy, whioh was a source of great gratification to all in Nelaon, The most prominent feeling in hia mind on the present oooasion was one of regret for the boys who -were leaving tba College this term. Although his. acquaints anoes with "them was bo short he oould not but regard some of them as friends, Ciroumstanoeß, however, had to be dealt with, and the necessities oi colonial life whioh prevented them remaining at sohool as long as was the ous torn in England, and consequently they had not the same opportunities of attaining that effioienoy whioh. they might otherwise eeoure. One of his first feelings on ooming to Nelson was that of. depression; whioh in* deed waß prevalent all through New Zealand But he did not think the prevailing feeling abont the College was one of depression, or, if it was, he no longer shared in it. He did . • not wish to be misunderstood on this point; he did notoiaim for himself the smallest share in dispelling that depression, bnt he 7. did feel that there was a wide! md, useful 77" sphere open to the College, arid that there was ; : every reason for hoping that its, future would r bs as suooessful aB its past. .(Cheers, from ,'. the boys.) . He liked to hear those 'cheers,^or; they -seemed to sho* : that ; tHe; ; hoy a7*hißm«iT ; ; A selves shared in -this ' ooi^-JM^Jnt'^ei'ina'd^v; tution and hope for 'it's ' fa'ti^'lwft'^e^hp^ft^ that they also betokened a deteiminaiibh WXXX thefr part?'*) v-ke^.v^^t^^|^w^®l3

Mr Littlejohn he must make speoial reference as one of the old institutions of the -place (loud cheers from. the boys) and to whose clear head and sound judgment most of the success of their work was due. From Mr Cooke, too, he had received every possible assistance, and he was glad to take this opportunity of acknowledging it. Mr Littlejohn thanked Mr Joynt for his kindly mention of him, and went on to express the hope that the boys would enjoy their holidays, and keep up their praotice in orioket and swimming. He must also say a word in praise of the College Cadets, who were the first eohool corps in New Zealand. This waß not only his own opinion, but that of higher authorities, suoh as Col Pitt and Col Hume, the inspeoting officers. Tht Hon, Mr, Barniooat said it was his pleasing duty once more to thank His LordBbip for presiding on this ocoasion. 'Ihe Governors, in inviting bim to do bo, wero well awate that tbey were asking for what he could ill spare— his time— and wished to assure him that bh roa.iiness'to give it wr.s highly valuec* and nppr-*cin»ed by them Tbere were other cirounistfcßces iv connection with hia L*rdship tn wlkh he might refer. Tho Governors had asked iho Bishop of Nelson to preeide, and ihe invitation was accept* dby the Primal e of all Ntw Zealand. He felt thnt he Would net bo violas inp tbe nnseotatian oharaoter of the institution if he congratulated, not so much Kis Lordship as those b round bim, on the fact. It seemed peculiarly appropriate that hie first public aotion as Prima*e should be in furtherance of the educational eys-tem cf the or-lony. (Load cheers.) His Lordship said thnt he appreciated very much Mr Barnicoat's kindness in tho remarks he had made, and tbe manner in which they had been received. He was \ery glad to find th&t the rcspoui-ibjli ies of his official position did not interfere with his taking part in educational matters. 'Whtn he looked baok upon the time w^ien he came hero a stranger, and saw how le had received their cODfid*jnce step by step, ho fei- vtry thankful indeed, and he could assure thera that so long as bo rem ain.d amongst ttem, whicb, bo far fb he wfb able to pei*-, wns likely to be for many year?, tnd bad tho Btrvngth and the ability, he would devote his energies to wbat, next to religion, was the most important of fill subject?, tho education of ths young. (Tiond oneeie.) Cheers were then given for the Bishop, the Governors, and the lediee, and the meeting dispersed, -

(Continued on, ith Page.}

(Cbntimtd from 'fhir4 Paf«.)

The large room at the Girla' College, whioh had been tastefully decorated for tbo oboa* biou, waß filled' to ovetflowiug last nighfc on the occasion . of the annual awards of soholarahipa and distribution of certificates. The Primate, who presided, said that he felt sure that everyone must agree that any efforts in the direction of eduoation would be very one-eided and unsatisfactory wbioh did not inolude girls rs veil as boy*, co thafc it was very appropriate tbat the reports of the work atthe Boya' and Girls' Colleges should ba made on tbe some day. Miss Edger had now been seven yeara tho Lady Prinoipal, and thero was no question whateveraa to her suooess in that oapooity. It took two or three y«ars for toaohtrs and pupils to beoome mutually acquainted, so that it was very satisfactory tbat they had retained ncr services for so long, for ie was a groat advantage to ttie pupils to have one over them wbo was no stranger, but who thoronghly understood, tbe positions they oeonpied. He hoped that nsxt year tho Governors would be able to appoint examiners, although, na had been said at the Boys' College in the afternoon, there were some great advantages io the -teaobers themselves conducting the examinations. He would now call upon the teacberß to rend their report*?. The Lady Principal read ber report, of whioh the following is the substanoe :—

Gentlemen, — The session just oonoluded Ins bi en one of Bteady- work, unbroken by •changes of staff cr any considerable fluoiuatioi in the number tr pcrßonntl of pupil*?. The examinations held during the past fortnight have Bhown fairly satisfactory results ; the subjects teught br.ve been thoee demanded from a College of good standing, the amount of ground covered in eaoh hes been above rather than below the averngp, acd the general efficiency ci the work haa been proved by the fact that tbe pupils have, for the most part, acquitted Vhemeeivfß well in tbo opinion of fcheir teacher*-. There have been a few who bave fallen very muoh below the average, but maay more who have fully maintained ir, or bave passod far beyond it. It ia tbeao latter who form the baok bone of aßObool, who are, bo tosp-?.k, tbe salt of tho College earth, tspeoially when their Bucoees haß beon achieved, not only throngh brillianoy of intellect, bnt still more hy enthnsiaßtio and conscientious work. Even thoae who have failed to roeoh the required standard, do not neseßsarily deserve llatne, fcr there are some who are workiDg under great disadvantages who hnvenevertheltßß made distinct progress, ai d who may bo encouraged by tha thought that their work hoa not beon in vain, ancl that another year their farther ( Sorts may be crowned witb encoeEß. Tte ohi* f weakness revealed by tbe examinations ia that of o«rel-esne»8, against whioh all leiohers have to fight, and whicb appears not only in this fioal teet, but throughout fche daily work of the pupilp, ebown by inaccurate meobanioal work, by gross heedlessness in reading the words of a question, and Btill more by want of intelligent thought as to its bearing. So long as memory iB depended on rather than intelligence, such results will certainly follow. Before proceeding to the Bpeoial reports on individual subjeots, this may be the best time to touoh on the connection of the College with University work. Sis pupils entered this year for the Matriculation Examination, a larger number than have gone np in previous years. One pupil, Jessie Knapp, is an undergraduate of the University; Bhe passed the second year's Terms Examination on papers set by Canterbury College, and subsequently sat for the First Seotion of the B.A. degree.

Mm Harrison, Miss Watson, and Mrs Macartney then read their reports dealing in detail with tbe result of the examinations, and Miss Edger read the report of the Rev. 3, P. Kempthorne on the Bible olaes.

SCHOLARSHIPS,

The scholarships wore then awnrded as follows:— ■ Governors' Fees Scholarships — Maude Warnock,

Edger Scholarship —lda Locking. Extra Governors' Fees Scholarship (for one year)— Amy Burford.

CERTIFICATES. The following were tho awards cf oertifi eates: —

I. Those who have got partioularly

GOOD ones :

Mjrtle Maoartney, Emmie Tennent, Julie Tomlinson, Nellie Riley, Maggie Laird, Bertha Black, Annie Duncan, Bessie Graham, Ethel McEachen, Maggie Enright, Maude Warnock, and Effie Biley.

If. Ordinary Certificates

Muriel Looking, Lucy Gibbs, Ethel Moore, Edith Coleman, Ella Armstrong, Matilda Brereton. Annie Kirton, Blanche Mabin, Amelia Beuke, Mina Melhuish, Edith Page, Maud Slatter, K. Stanton. Annie Harris, Lily Fell, Gertrude Heaps, Edith Rees, Eva Myall, Amy Burford, Lizzie Phillips, Ida Looking, Ada Thompson, Emily Millington, Constance Barnicoat, and Maggie Hughes.

Music Certificates

SINGING : Olive Tully, third class ; Agnes Kempthorne, ditto. PIANOFORTE : Third class— Sarah Brace. Second class — Myrtle Macartney, Ella Armstrong, Ada Thompson, Dora Webbßowen, Mary Armstrong, Maggie Enright, and Annie Dunoan. First class — Lily Fell. First class with Honors— Mina Melhuish.

Dbawing Cebtieicates

First Class — Ella Armstrong, Annie Harris, Lily Harris, Ida Locking, and Maggie Hughes. Second Class — Maggie Laird, Beßsie Graham, Bessie Cuninghame, Ethel Buckeridge, Annie Duncan, and Annie Kelly.

Attendance Cehtipicates

Ethel Moore, Edith Edwards, Blanche Mabin, Eale Stanton, Amelia Beuke, Maud Slatter, Bessie Graham, Amy Burford, Ethel Buckeridge, Ethel McEachen, Maude ■^"arnock, Florence Hamilton, ' and Maggie hughes.

Special Phizes.

Prizes were given by Rev J. P. Kempthorne to Annie Harris, Lizzie Phillips, and Julie Tomlinson

A prize was given by Miss Atkinson to Mina Melhuish.

A house prize was given by the Lady Matron to Maggie Enright, for good conduct in the House.

Mies EJger paid that the winners of scholarships jnd certificate*) had been o-lld np to the chair, tut tbero wes ono girl who 'had. not come for waid, and ebe thought abe ought to preeent htrself — she alluded to Mies Jessie Knapp, who was an ondergraduoto of Canterbury College.

Miss Knapp then Btapped forward in her undergraduate^ gown, and waa shak»n hands with by the Primate omid lond cheering.

The Chairman Baid that he was not quite sure that he was light in broaching the subject of oeoupation for boys at the other College first, but thought it might have been better to reserve it for that occasion, as the girla -would hare muoh to »ay in the matter. It wbb a matter of great Importance what our young people are to do, and he had confined his suggestions to one departure, that of agriculture, against wbiob,' no fortunately, tbere seemed to be a great prejudice, but hs hoped to ses a di?« cu»sion arise wbich would result in a ohange of popular feeling. If young men were to be successful farmers Ihey must ba providfd wives wbo would be really helpmeets in tbo work, and ho would call tbeir attention to what the French Minister of Instruction bad Bftid on tbia subject, namely, thai encccfsful forming waß in a larjre raoaeure due to tbe female ses. He would like bis young friends who wero present, and oth.r girls wbo might' read wbat he Baid on tbe subject, to think over ifc and tben he had hopes that an alteration in the prevailing feeling with regard to farming rb an oooupaM tion for the young men might undergo a ohange. He read tome line.-) of Arch., bishop Whately's as showing wht>t had been the feelings of a farmer with regard to the eduoation of girls, wbioh, he considered, rendered them unfit for farmers' Wives, but he (the Bishop) was glad to say there was a different feeling growing up now. If. the Arohbishop's farmer had been wise, instead oi lamenting that the girl to whom he waa attaohed knew bo many things, he would have been very pleased, for he would bave known tbat she was much better able to be of assistance to him, Ec very earnestly commended this subject tothe consideration of parent sand guardians, and hoped that the girls would begin to take this view, and to prefer the hard working farmer for a husband to one Who lived in town and barely earned a living at a desk, They might smile at what he said, but he was happy to gay that already he had received commendations from persons, whose opinions he valued, for what he had said in the morning. They must remember that in these days of rapid locomotion and with a widespread literature, tbe oountry life was very different to what it nsed to be, and he would ask his hearers to oonsider whether there was not every possibility of leading a thoroughly happy life in a country sphere. (Cheers.) The Lady Principal eaid — I almost feel ihat an apology is due to you for detaining yon any longer, bat I am anxious not to lose the opportunity of saying a few words, not only to the girls, bat to those parents who are present whose sympathies we should like to enlist in onr work. The Nelson Girla' College has now completed the eleventh year of its existence* and it seems an appropriate time to ask, what are its objects and aims, ' ■nd how far has it succeeded ? The secend question I shall not attempt to answer, but will leave tbat to others, but I should like to pay lomething about the first. What Are its

objeots and aims ? Of ooarsa the answer will be that eduoation ta the ohief end. Bnt what do we mean by eduoation ? It haß been so Often denned that I do not oare to repeat the definition. It is the means or process by wbioh tho faculties— bodily, emotional, intelleotaal and spiritual or moral— are trained and developed, By intellectual eduoation vre do not mean the mere fact ol imparting information, although there is a vory general tendency to think so. Information ia merely the material with wbioh we work, just aa food is that with which the organs of the body are built up and developed. It is the tendenoy of examinations to lead us to take this wrong view, for to pass ozaminations is too often regarded as the end aimed at. Now, instead of examinations in such and suoh subjeots, I should like to sea more examinations whioh exeroiso the readoning powers; that the scholars should take up any subject they like and show their powers of reasoning in the i manner in whioh they deal wifch it. Bat I fear that this is ideal, and thafc we shall have to take examinations as th^y aro and make the beat of them, though we must not look upon them as tbo end in view, but merely as a menns of testing the general intelligence. Then what are the results to follow? First of all I alould Eay tbe concan' ration of. tho mind on a given Eubjeot ought to bi one reßult. I often hear girls cay, " I don't iiko thia eubjeot*, and oan'o do it." Now tbat is not right ; for what you ought to try to do, ond to ba ablo to do, ia to coccen'.rato your minds on any subject, whether you like ii or not. Then I should liko to se« greater versatility, thut is tbe power to turn frcm one subjeot to anothrr, and to fix jour attention on ono equally with another. Aud what is mors import* nt than all ia the desire and the pow ix not to look at L^ingß merely on the surface, but to lo'-k down deep, and to com' pare and weigh, and so to arrive afc whnt ie trno and good. Then tbere is the religions, moral, arid spiritual training, the mosb importnnt of al', but too often neglected. By religious training, I don't mean wlat is generally spck«n of as Biile readiug io echi-01, on which I ara not cow going to express nny decided opinio?, though 1 regard it ns on exceedingly good sign that so muoh attention is being poH f*o "t : « ri-ij-Pt, ri:d bo much eff )rt <~- ' u_g uiedo to re-introduce VJ.W ' t.> xhe sohools, for it shows tbat peoplo are awakening to the fact tbat religious instruction must no longer be neglected. So whether you get ifc or not yet, ifc is olear that the necessity for it is bting more widely recognised There is, however, tbe danger of looking npon Bible reading in sohoolß as the chief thing, and that when that; Tb secured nothing more will bo done. It v, in my opinion, a great mistake to separate religious and Becnlar eduontion, for they cannot be dissociated without injury. The religions spirit, ought to ruu all through eoular education, if the lafcteris to bo a "power in tho life of those to these to whom it is imparted. Tbere are one or two principles fchafc lie at the root of all education. To begin with it mnst be practioal, and ik mußt be based on love and sympathy, Tbat teacher will never te sncceeßful who tries by brute force to drive knowledge iuto hia pupils, but bo will be wbo endeavours to creato enthusiasm and a love of work, Jußt bo is it with moral and religion* training; the ■ only influence that mu&t be exeroisod is that of love nnd sympathy, not that of foa**. If religion is to run through scoular eduoofcioD, the result will be conscientiousness and high principle in ell you do. No matter boy? small fche thinf, it iB of all importance to your oharaoter that yon be genuine, truthful, acd avoid all pretence. Then there must be nnßelfishnrs*?. Put a way from you the spirit of competition and false ambition— the deßire to get above fomobody else, Ift ia with that view tbat wo give no prizes here, wbioh can only be gained at tbo expense of causing mortifio-Mion to somebody else, but in the place of theße, certificates ere rewarded whioh o*.n be gained by oil who dfserve them. Thoso aro somo of tbe objeotß we bave bad in view in thia deportment of the Neleon College, nnd which we hope teaohers and pupils alike have always kept beforo them, r.nd if the girls go out into the world with come r-uoh ideal as this before tbem, tben though tho Nehon Girls' College is nob large, nnd may not make a great name for iUelf, Etill I venture to say thit ifc wili bo a powrr for good in tho land. I wish now to thank my colleagues for tbe sympathy and good feeling whioh th«y hnvo invariably shown to me, and I wish all a happy holiday, especially fchcße girls wbo are leaving us. .To them I would cay, don't think tbat your education is finished, bud rather consider that you have just gone though the elementary stage, and remember that tbe higher iileol you place before your--B(lvcs tho more likely you aro to reach it.

Miss EJgor reeuraed her Beat amid ioud cheering:.

Tho bbai-m;n said v that he would noi like such an opportunity to pass without referring to an event that hnd happened recontly, tbe death of Mrs Gnenwood, who had done much for tbe cause of eduoation iv Nelson and elsewhere, and whoso lifo had been a most ueaful one throughout* its 80 yeare. She had set a thoroughly good example of wbat their Principal had jost benn speaking Of, tbe carrying on oC tbeir education throughout life, for up to the Inafc she waß always adding to hor stock of intellectual and religious knowledge. He now h*d to reftr to another subject of quite a different oharaoter. Tho Governors aud tha Lady Prinoipal had reposed a large amount o£ cod-. fideno**' in him, for th* y had asked him to cay that Mies E'Jger ns Miss Edger they wonld see no more, and he had also to announoe that the girls this yonr would bavo fonr days longer bolidf.ys than tbe boys, in ord<r to allow . the L^dy Prinoipal to b*: a party to a tranirocbicn. of the higheeS importance to herself and all connected with her in any way. He hoped that all would enjoy tbeir holiday?, acd Mies Edger bail certainly deserved hero, and he felt sure tbat he might say iv the name of the Governors and the pupils, as he did for himself tbat there was no one in Nelson in whom tbey took a more kindly interest thau in herself, and he heartily wished her God speed. (Loud oheer?.

Mr Fell desired to thank the Bishop very heartily |for his very kind reference to his good old friend Mrs Greenwood, to whose memory he paid a very feeling and hand - some tribute. There was one other matter to which he must refer. He wished, on behalf of the Governors, to testify to their very high appreciation of Miss Edger 'a work in the College It was with a feeling of heart-sinking that he had first heard of her proposed change in life. There was one vocation in life which was the highest a woman could fill, that of a wife with all her joys, and trials, and duties, and into that new life she would carry the heartiest good [ wißhes of the Governors and, he felt sure, of j the girls. He was very happy, however, to ; say that thoy were not goiag to lose her, at j all events not yet, but that she would return at the olose of the holidays. He desired to move a vote, of thanks to the Bishop for so kindly, and so skilfully presiding at their annual gathering. (Loud cheers.) The Bishop briefly returned thanks. He had been very happy to preside on this occasion, which was the last on which Miss Edger would appear among them. She could always feel that she had taken an active part in making history in Nelson, and he felt sure there were many girls who would always look back with the greatest pleasure upon their connection with the College under the . Edger dynasty.. On looking round the room he saw many drawings whioh were a very great credit to the College, and to Miss Morgan, the teacher, of whose efforts he expressed the highest appreciation. He hoped that many more pupils would take advantage of the singular privilege they enjoyed of having suoh a teaoher in their midst. He also referred in kindly terms to Mrs Macartney, who was about to leave Nelson after having been connected with the College for many years. He wished also to express his appreciation of the services rendered by the Governors to the oause of education, and was convinced that in all they did, they had the interests of the College at heart.

Mr Pitt said he had just had a brief consultation with the other Governors who were present, the result of which was that he was deputed to ask the Bißhop to announce that tbe holidayß at the Boys' College would be extended to the same length as tbat at the Girls'.

The announcement was duly made by the Bishop and elicited loud cheers from the boys, a number of whom were present. The proceedings closed with three cheers for Miss Edger and the Bishop.