CHRISTMAS VACATION. NELSON COLLEGE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 18 December 1907, Page 2

CHRISTMAS VACATION. NELSON COLLEGE.

(Continued from Pa-go \.)

Ihe Boys' College.

Mr Fowler then presented the report I on the Boys' College as follows: — I The number of pupils in attendance shows a slight advance on the total tbi last year, being^ 212, as against 201. There is » -simitar Improvement ill the number of new admissions! which has been Bteadily rising for the last four years i-7-$2 boys joined in 19p4,, 64 in I*s, 69 in. 1906, and,, this, year, Bt>,— ap figure thai has ohW oiice been exceeded. T*ic- boarding department keps up its strength, ihe numbers for the past three years being about the same, viz., 63, 61, 64. As the newcomers were rather more numerous than usual, and but few of the older boys are leaving, some increase may now be expected; and, though the main building is full, there is ample accommodation in the College House for at least 30 more. Of th v BO new boys, 45 hold free places— 43 junior, 2 senior. The regulations relating to free places, though subject to alteration. from, time th .time, and somewhat cbuipii)«iterl-, are fairly vvell K,nown, tit, {fie .public. I have giveil the .substance of them in previous ports, and have drawn attention to the alterations, so.iarias'.th'fly ruttwrued us; but-. I am slili asked whether there is of is not an age limit. I should like to make this point clear. Any pupil under the age of 14 years who gains a scholarship or obtains a proficiency certificate in the work of the 6th Standard is entitled to a free pla.ee ; but of. those who obtain the cej-Unea'te when over 14 we may not admit a number exceeding 10 per cent, of the whole number of free pupils hi the school. There are always more candidates under this head than we can take, and it does Hot seem to be generally known that there is a "special examination" for free, places at the end of eae.h .yfor, and that all pupils Who Qualify through this examination, provided they are under 17, may claim a free place. There is no 10 per cent, limit here. The examination is held at the same time as the examination for Junior National scholarships, the ago limit for which has hitherto been 13, but. is now fixed at 14 by the Education Act Amendment Act "of 1907. It has not been clearly understood that though there is an age limit for the scholarship candidates, there is none for the free place candidates taking the same. examination. These frpe places nro known as "junior," arid are tenable for three years. A ''senior" place is gained by passing the Junior Civil Service examination under the age of 16. If. tho ralldidate is over that .age hr> VniiVt obtain "credit" (with .n, higher percentage of marks) or pass the Matriculation examination. Under these provisions the number of free pupils in the College has rapidly mounted up from 88 irt. 1995, and 113 last year, to 134, .the increase taking place' not sb rnxicii m juniors as in the 'ser^oi'*, now numbering 46, who have gained their free places by passing the examinations mentioned above. As the free pupils now comprise nearly twothirds of our whole number, It is evident that the work, especially in the middle classes of the school, must be arranged with a view to the require ments of the Civil Service examination. i rio not mean that it is necessary tc omit any of the usual subjects of a secondary course, but that care has to be taken to cover the ground indicated in the regulations. If this is done, it is my opinion that evqry pupil of any ability ought to he able to take the whole school course, and yet pass^ the qualifying examination at the end of the second year. Our pupils, indeed, have been very successful in doing so, no fewer than 66 haviim passed in the last two ve»W- This, however, is a result largely due to the skill and care of their teachers'. II cannot be guaranteed every year, nor can it bo expected Iront eVtiV "school. In fact, it is frequently asserted that the examination is too difficult for the average pupil. My experience, at any rate, does not bear out this objection, provided that it is understood that the exajnihation is not on© that call pe. passed without hard Work; "and thM it. is not- intended to let everyone .through. The free place system has now been in force for five years, so that it is possible to form some idea of the extent to Which the hopes or the fears which it aroused on its introduction have been fulfilled.- The object was to popular ise secondary c'u'uoation. The large increase, in the number attending the District High and -secondary schools of the Dominion, though in part attributable to other causes, offers gootl evidence that this object is being attained. To take mir own case -.—ln the five years preceding the establishment of the system 254 boys joined the College; the total for the last five Years is 373— an increase of nearly .50 per cent. When the difficulties in the way of combining the practical with tho scientific teaching of agriculture in high schools and col leges has been Overcome, there is no doubt that these institutions will appeal much more strongly than they do at present to that large and important section of the population who draw their livelihood from the land. The children being attracted to the schools, the next thing is to keep them there. The provision not only ot junior — but also of senior — free places, which are tenable till the age of 19. seems to show that a secondary course of four or five years was contemplated, allowing time for a thorough training, and not merely an introduction to several new subjects and the imparting of a likesuperficial polish. . Even this is a good , thing as far as it goes, but it is to be ! regretted that tho advantages of a longer stay are not more eenerally recognised, even though it would in many case: call for considerable sacrifice on the part of parents. Of the free pupils admitted five years ago there are now only four in the school ; eight from 1904; and 13 from 1905, out of the 6b who joined in that year, i.e., only onethird of them have Stayed so long a; three years. The tendency is to considei the Civil Service examination the goa 1 to be reached, and for a boy to make use of his senior free place for a short time only, until he. call obtain employ ment. This wa.s foreseen by somi headmasters, who feared that a genera shortening of the school life would ir. evita-bly follow. So far as I have been ablo to observe, this "result has no! come about, for the practice of leavinr at the end of the Second year or earlj in the third has long been a subject o' complaint. Again, it was anticipate!' (though I do not quite know on wha' grounds) that the standard of educatior would be lowered by the introduction ol large numbers of pupils from the primary schools. lam inclined to think, on the other hand, that the necessity foi steady preparation on the part of the free pupils who form so considerable a portion of the school has not only had a good effect on these pupils~themselves, but has also tended to raisß the stand ard for those to whom the necessitj was not equaly obvious. My judgment would be that the free place system, though not yet taken advantage of to the fullest extent, is, nevertheless, producing most valuable results in improving the general average of education and intelligence.

I was able to report last year that in .spite of the difficult condition? under which our work had b*en carried on, vory good work had been done by the school ac a whole, but the success oi our candidates in the various public examinations was perhaps even greater than wo had anticipated. In the exI animation for Junior University scholarships, A. Sandel gained the nigh distinction of coming out first, while L. Jennings and J. Ogg also won scholarships, and E. Biggar gained "credit," our representatives taking among them the following positions in the different , subjects: — Ist in Mechanics, 2nd in j Mathematics, 2nd in German, 3rd in I English, 3rd in Latin, 4th in French.. I and 4th in Heat. Of 14 candidates for I Matriculation, 12 passed, and 'all but one of these passed also the Medical Preliminary or the Solicitors' General Knowledge examination. Thirty-three passed the Junior Civil Service examination (which is also the qualifying examination for senior free places), 13 "with credit," several of whom have since been given positions in the public service. Two passed the Senior Civil Service ; one the second, . and three the first year's "Terms" at Victoria College. Six' boys were awarded proficiency certificates on the work of tho 6th Standard by Inspectors Harkness and Crawford, who also examined the preparatory division, which has this year consisted of 10 boys. The College as a whole was inspected by Inspector Gill, of the Education Department. Coming now to the old boys, who have not long left Uol- I lege, and for whose performances we J may perhaps claim a little credit, we J find that the 'Tim Terms'" examina-J

tions have been passed by L. S. Jennings, C. M. Rout, H. Fathers, H. V. Phillips, J. Ogg, E. Tustin, E. Bam- ' ford ; 2nd Terms : H. P. Kidson, J. M. Richmond, G. King, H. D. Skinner; 3rd Terms: F. B. Redgrave, E. J. Wilson (gaining an "Exhibition Scholarship in English"), C. B. Jordan; Medical: E. T. Rogers passed the third professional, W. H. _ Pott't passed the 2nd professional; gaining four Ist classes. Ml; Fowler, continuing; refetrefl to the Cadet Corps arui to the gymnasium. Jtle ( dill riot think that .military training could take the place. of gymnastics,- but they had both. . _Tlu-j, boarders; however,, engaged moV.ly in gymnastics, I Ho'tgh he would like to see the £zj iroys | .-ake more ad.vsj ]ta gs of the fine building. More attention had lately been paid by the cadets to shooting, and in. a secondary school competition a team of 10 from the College had come out second. (Applause.) Since then, a team of eight had shot fof the Empire Shield; Bjiell to schools all over the Empire ; but he did not anticipate such a good result as in the previous competition, as the weather had been against the boys. Mr Fowler attributed much of the success of the cadets to the masters'^ lp whom he referred in terms Of high praise, his remarks being warmly applauded by the boys. i Three cheers, were given by the boys . for Mr Fowler. ' Tat SPEECHES AND THE IBIZE-GIVING. Mr Maginnity, in his address, first expressed to the Governors his sense of the honour done him in inviting him to preside that night, It Was most acceptable to him to Ite there, as it brought him. aiVio'ujjsl the young people j and aTio gave him an opportunity of referring to the noble action of the Governors in regard to the building. He was not going to give a long educational dissertation. It was, however, incumbent Oil hint, a duty he oWed to the teachers ahd Uie . pupils, to make some remarks in regard to the education j of the Colleges. The popular way now of bringing oneself beforo the public was by means of a message. He had a message to the girls, and the boys, for the teachers, and for the Governors. Hit) first message was to the Governors of the College. Throe years ago oil December 7th the old structure of the

liege waa i£ ashee, and wiseacres wondered what was going to happen, and prophesied that the College would come to an end. But there were gentlemen at the head of affair* within the circle who grasped the position in a bold and able manner. They saw they had the site, they had the staff, and last, but not least, they had the graiid. traditions of the old iiu-ititutlo"i"i. "Then who should say that tue old institution was at an end? (Applause. What labours the Governors must have had to get those buildings ! They owed the Governors a debt of gratitude, which the people of Nelson would ngVe^ be, ftb'e to l•epay^ . On _hplj£»jjr. o* tfi'e people of the __>oiriiriro!l', especially of the people of Nelson, he expressed appreciation of what those efforts had achieved. (Applause.) Hjs second message was to the ladies and gentlemen on the staffs of the two Colleges. It, w-as difflf'ull to sufficiently -jxpreSs lh,eiV appreciation, of the work of the staffs. .They kiieiv with what albriety .they had .taught, cared for, and nourished Vhii children. He expressed lb them the parents' highest appreciation. The third message was to the ladies and gentlemen present, and ho asked them to extend to the teachers their sympathy, kiudness,.ajld help. He suggested... that !>. Parents' Association in conhcclion with the Colleges might do a great deal of good — an occasional prize might be given or a note sent to the Principal saying how pleased they were with the progress of their children. The fourth message w.as 'to the girls and boss. ■ l\ -v>a£ tlie most serious message of allj aiid one he had well considered. Hin only i*Cgret was that ho coillil not adequately exEress his feelings of regard for the oys and girls. He had made up a balance-sheet to show what the College had done for the boys and girls in equipping them for the battle of life* bue he emphasised that 15 grt tyift re 1 suits the e-n*lpf]*nt fiiliSt Be fiiade Use of. Education Was. a jneans to an end, and from the moral standpoint, it jyas required that they set up a high ideal, and from the economic standpoint, it meant wealth. But- wealth obtained without high ideals and .lofty ambitions would be as Dead Sea fruit. Tlie boys and girls would go out into life eoilscious of what the College had done for them. They hoped to hear what the boys and girls were doing for their College — not with grief, but with pleaure. To them was confided the honour, the character, the traditions of their own College. Let them yield up their trust unsullied and untarnished, ■md with added lustre. They would have their reverses, temptations, and trials, but they would have their talisman — their College motto. Having their hand to the plough they must keep right on — perhaps alone — till effort had found a foothold at tho top. Mr Maginnity resumed his seat amidst loud applailse.

i PKIZE LIST. , The prizes were presented by Mr Maginnify as follows: — GIRLS' COLLEGE. For General Excellence. Form VI.: E. Edwards, 1; G. Saxon, ; 2; M. Garland, 3; N. Mcßeth, 4; C. Bartlctt, 5. Form V.: M. Max, 1; X, Ifaldane, 2; G. Jordan, 3; M. Clifford and M. Cooke, 4. Remove A: E. Derrick, 1; L; Kershaw, 2; V. Garland, 3; H. Hnfkness, Remove B: L. Peart, 1; L. Langridge, 2; J. Cameron, 3. Form IV.: A. W. Betts, 1; D. Moore, 2; ¥. C'layden, 3; J. Trott, 4. Form IV.: B. E. Blechyndcn, 1: I>. Hunt, 2; W. Gilbert, 3. Prepartory Department. Standard V.: G. Grove, 1; A. Clougher, 2. Standard IV.: Huia Bamford, 1. Sewing. Remove A: M. Maude--. Keinove B: K. Brown, Form IV. A: K Blechyndcn. Form IV. B: E. Blechynden. Cookery. Alice Lusty, Rona 'Karstcn, Louie Drumiuond. DrawiufrW. Gilbert. Dressmaking. E. Harkness, I. Everett. Physical Culture. J. Barker, V. Everett, D. Bisley, J. MacKenzie. Special Prizes. Mr Ilarkucss's prizes, for best standard passes: Standard VI E Hamilton; Standard V.. G Grove-' standard IV.. }r. Bami'ord. Mr Fell 's prizes, for reading: Form \., J. Munro; Removes, K. Bolton; Form IV., V. Smith. I P 0 ™ S v M T> e C p £ 2e ' for s "ipture: iorm V., E. MacKenzie; Removes, L. Langndge; Form TV. A„ I. Ingram; EELft W- Heehyiden; Lo ™ The Principal's prizes, for general knowledge : B. Langbein, 1; F. Clifford, 2; D. Brusewitz, 3. For diligence and progress, L. Mead. Miss Bobertson's prizes: MatheBetts 8 ' E ' Edwards J Botany, W. Ror^nt * tr T D£ \ P rizes: Poetical nrolZ', p an g diligence and progress, E. Dougan. Cock?V K Th°or; 8 PriZCS: E^ ,isb ' "! Miss McEachen's prize, for dili- ' gence and progress: B. Karsten. tion?H N Small SOa ' S f ° r rCcita "

Miss Greenwood's prize, for physical culture: G. Saxon. * * Mrs Moynihan'es prize, for dressmaking: E. Bogle Miss Dall's prize, for most unselfish boarder: J. Munro Miss Nicholson's prize, for general i I knowledge: Form TV., D. Knfpp. , The British ana Foreign Sailors' .Society's challenge shield for an fs S inV\^\ hist ? ry of New Z^land as indicated by place names of Euro pean origin: J. Munro. niL rS i? Ie Q ehynden ' s e° od fellowship prize: E. Saxon. » Old Girls' literature prize- E Adams. Scholarships. Form VI. — .Governors' Fees (£lO tor two years): G. Saxon. Old Girls' (£lO for one rear): M Gail.ind. University Lapses. University Lapses (no Candidate being able to fulfil the Conditions.) J"orm V.— Under 17 (£lO for one year): K. Haldane. Under 16. (£6 6s for one year): Mi Cooke. Eoraoves, under 16 (£lO for one year): S. Derrick. Under 15 (£lO for one year), L. Kershaw, -.. , i — * • .-<

; Form IV. — Under 15 (£lO for one 'year): W. Betts. Under 14 (£6 63 J for one year): D. Moore. • Preparatory department. — Under 13 (£lO for one year) : K. Warnock. Barnicoat Prize (£3 to be spent in books): M. Garland. BOYS' COLLEGE. 6'e!i6iafsliiJ.s: •R ichmond (J24 for three 3*ears); P. Joiy; p'roy, G". T.-JKb'g.. .. i'-.rrt \ ''N-iwcombe',' : „(£24 for three years), vN. MeLeod. Under 13 (£lO for one year), B. Worley. Unelgr J 7 ( £ lO for oue year), Cr 4 f.'feing. In Form V.— Under 16 (£lO for ono' year), J. Griffin, 1. Under 15 (£lO " for one year), J. Cock. In Form IV,— Undei* 14 (£? for ene year), D: fiarkneSs: "Stafford," for modern history ', (£lO for one year), H. Worley. Preparatory: A. Hampson (best '. pass, Standard V.). For prdgr'esi} ; B. Skeeti writing; ft Healfr , r i Form 111-.; c. G-. Wells; ij G*. HailipC- ■ son, 2; T. Tuily-. best pass Standard : Vl'., writing, .E. Webber. -. i * - Form IV. Dj R.„A. Sickens- -1. % i£iag>-.2; E' Stewart) 3; writing, tli ! TdihiH. Form IV.: C. J. Cock, 1; D. HarkneßS, 2; H. Parker, 3; writing, H. j Form IV. B: R. Eyles, 1; W. King, 2: S. Stevens, 3. ■ . ' ■ I; \; 8 ' Vom TVAAF-Jl o.'Cßnriell, i; S. ' McCabe, 2; L. Bell, 3. ' Form Lower V.: H. Waymouth, lj '■ W. Tullv, 2; J. Norriss, 3; J. Griffin, ; 4. Middle Forms: Beading, J. An- [ drews, lj J. Cook, 2 . „ r-. -silCommercial, A, ,E; pp-j*fe*s-, B- E. fid- ', wards; fii A*. WiHiiitt-.s. Form Upper V.: A. F. Grace, 1; F. Langbein, 2; N. McLeod, 3. For progress, A. Gooch. Form VI.: P. Jory, 1; R. Worley, 2; G. J. King, 3. For mathematics, BJordan. "Bimnions" .pftsSc for Rnglidk' literature: B. WoHdy- . . Principal 's prices: SCniot prefect; A. Papps; head of house, K. SiAiih: "Crawford" niedal: Head df tB9 school. J. G, Skeeh. ...... "Fellowship" prize: T; H: Pettih

. A school song, was sung by. tlio boys and girls,. Mr Kempthorne 9gjs*t leading, and Miss Fait-hall debtM' panying, Mr Cock stated that Messrs W. N. Franklyn and F. H. Richmond, Governors, had written stating that thej' could not be present. He algo made feeling reference to. tjle.cleatfi of the „Rey c .I, i. Andrew, ii fofnief Principal of Nelson College, and a man who had left his mark. Cheers were given for several of the prize-winners, for Mr Maginnity, for the Governors, the College, the teachers, for the girls (hy tlie} and fof. tti& b6j*s \Gy. tjie girls,). Tlie proceedings . tej-fliinated , -yitli tlio singing.^!", the National An.tli.e.iil 1 . The. staffs di tlid-.tivd Colleges weije present.at the prize-givinjg as, follows: — Boys' college: Messrs H. ._£. Fowler, G. Lancaster, G. H. -Broad, W. H. Moyes, J. G. McKay,. M.>Bkelton, P. Edmondaoft.. G*v ,ff. tfcM'. Girls', College: Misses l^orimer, Kirtuu; Mefiaehen, Robertson, Strang, Maclean, Dall, Chisholm. At the Cabragh House School distribution of prizes on Saturday even: ing a feature of the fathering. "*&& tjie .physical exer-iise's,. re'cii^ions,.<fe .C'apte's elocution class), instrumental and vocal items. The numbers by Herr Lemmer 's singing class were much appreciated, reflecting the highest credit upon his skilful training a.nd conducting. It should have been mentioned in the prize list that Miss C. McGee took the special for writintjr The annual tea tiartjr, eiitertdiiifflpnt. and presentation of phzes .in cqnhectioit ■with the Brightwater State scliool . w-;^ be held this evening. . .. Mr Lock,, {a member of the Education BoaS'i WH preside.