COLLEGIATE SCHOOL.—PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1125, 22 June 1867, Page 5

COLLEGIATE SCHOOL.—PRESENTATION OF PRIZES.

The presentation of prkes, previous to the midwinter vacation, to the scholars attending the abovo institution, was made yesterday morning. Among tho3G present were his Honor the Superintendent (J, Williamson, Esq.), P. Dignan, Esq., M.P.C., J. A. Gilfillan, Esq., M.P.C., W. Eowe, Esq., M.P.C., Colonel Bartleman, Dr. Ifesbett (Tauranga) J. Naughton, Esq. (Commissioner of Police), and. several ladies and gentlemen, parents and friends of the pupils. Dr. Kidd opened the proceedings by saying that the prizes to be presented on this occasion ■were awarded to those boya who had, according to the system of judgment-marks given in tho school, obtained the highest total during the half - year. This system it would bo fitting to explain briefly. Each boy was furnished with a judgment-book, and in it was put a mark for each lesson of each day, as also the time of arrival at school, and a mark indicating tho character of the i conduct during the day. Tho best mark given was 1 I and the worst 4. These judgment-books were taken homo on each Friday evening and returned the following Monday, with a parent's or guardian's initials attached. By this means tho home induenco was brought to bear on the school studies, and the effect of this sympathy was of great importance in tho furthering of the efforts of the masters. At the end of each month tho net total of good marks is obtained by deducting one for every bad mark, three, and two for every four, the boys being then placed in their class according to the number of good marks received. This plan is adopted through tho half-year, and the totals of tho several months, being added together, give the position of tho boy in his class, and according to this total the prizes were to bo distributed. At C hristmas it was the intention of Mr. Flower and himself, to have somothing ol a public examination, not as doing away with the judgment test, but as an additional element, and ono from which parents might possibly gain somo little satisfaction. He then proceeded to remark that it gave him the highest gratification to bo able to Bpeak so favourably on the good conduct and gentlemanly demeanour of those boys who belonged to the Collogiato School. He had been led to believe that youths in tho colonies were difficult subjects to bo dealt with, but ho unhesitatingly asserted, and ho was sure Mr. Flower would bear him out, that they would afford most favourable comparison with boys in other places. There were some notable instances where boys had come with, according to report, tho reveree of good characters, but ho must say that they neither of them had been able to endorse that opinion. He had the groat pleasure of saying that in looking round he saw many boys—both prize boys and non-prize boys —in whoso statement of a fact he could repose the utmost confidence. He felt that it was a love of truth which was the root of all virtue. Dr. Kidd then proceeded to state that there wero three divisions in tho school —the senior, middle, and junior schools —to each of which there was one school-room. He had asked Mr. Williamson to be present, not as the holder of the high office of Superintendent, but as being a resident in and acquainted with the district of Newton. Moreover, he might Bay that ho had had the pleasure of numbering a son of hiß Honor amongst liis private pupils. For these reasons, and knowing the interest that his Honor takes in the matter of education, he had asked him to be present, and he felt exeeedingly gratified that he had so cordially assented to his request; and no doubt the boys themselves would be the more pleased to receive from his Honor's hands the prizes l which they ha J so deservedly earned.

[ His Honor then proceeded to deliver the prizes, I v i J 01 *® 18 *® valuable and handsomely bound I books, to the following recipients, addressing a few suitablo words to each.: — SENIOR SCHOOL. senior division. juniob division. Ist Prize. 0.0. Naughton Ist Prize. W. McKinstry 2nd „ W. Smith 2nd „ A. Davis. HON-CLASSICAL DIVISION. F. Marks. Prize. MIDDLE SCHOOL. 7 iT» • . — CLASSICAL DIVISION. Ist .Prize# A. Vialou H. Dunnet } 2nd „ J. A. Wall O. Chamberlin j e l ual - JUNIOE SCHOOL. EIUST DIVISION. SECOND DIVISION. Ist Prizo. E. McKinstry P. Vialou 2nd .. Haeeldon E. Dickey IF. Fitts Prizes for attention and good conduct were also presented to the following boys SENIOR SCHOOL. MEDDLE SCHOOL. LOWER SCHOOL. B. Dignan James Belchor 0. Hrrison F. S. Gundry A. Matthews T. B. Witchell W. Swanson The prize for drawing was given by Mr. Hoyte to I?. Dignan. His Honor said that as Dr. Kidd in the course of his remarks had spokon of some as being entitled to honorable mention, he was sure that not only himself, but many of the paronts present, would bo glad to hear their names. Dr. Kidd said that of those boys who had not been successful in receiving prizes, the following were entitled to he honorably mentioned. The names aro given in alphabetical ordor :— SENIOR SCHOOL. MIDDLE SCHOOL. LOWEE SCHOOL. I L. Beckham O. Bowdcn J. Dunnet M. Brown A. Edmonds J. Johnson | H. Burgess J. Keesing J. Spry t J. Dalton J. Smith W. Didtlams A. Stichbury A. Hughes W. Naughton His Houob, being called upon to make a few remarks, said ho was very pleased to have the opportunity of being present on such an important occasion. It was, indeed, a pleasure to see so many cheerful, smiling, and intelligent faces as those around him, and he could not but think of those days when he was a boy himself. It was gratifying to see bo large a number of the scholars entitled to bucli valuable prizeß as thoso he had just had the pleasure of handing to them, and he was sure thoy would feel proudof them. It was* not merely the fact of receiving such valuable gifts—they would take them to their homes, and by constant perusal, would be capable of advancing the cultivation of their mindß. He waß very much pleased with the remarks of Dr. Kidd, in alluding to their excellent conduct, and with the testimony which he bore to their attention. If they would but continue as they had commenced, and attend to the advice and instruction given by their respected masters they would be sure of success, and at some future day would bocomo useful and esteemed members of society. It was open to them to be the leading men., of the province. He looked upon a school of that kind as a great benefit to the community, and a credit to the colony, and contrasted the present day with the time when he was first a resident in Auckland. In those days there were no regular Bchools, and p&rentß had not then opportunity of sending their children to such schools as the one they were attending. Therefore, the advantages of a school of that high character ought to be greatly appreciated by the parents of children in Auckland. He had before mentioned there were no real schools when he first came to the colony, and the teachers they had were very indifferent, not such as they have at the present day. The then teachers were porsons who took up the profession of teaching because they could not obtain anything better to do. It must indeed be gratifying to parents to have theii sons brought up by such, masters as Dr. Kidd, a gentleman who had gained the highest honors in the highest institutions in the old country, and Mr. Flower. Such gentlemen as those he had spoken of had been introduced into the colony, and p.:pile had consequently the advantage of receiving a high class of education quite equal to anything they might meet with at homo or eleowhore. It was a great thing to see that the youth of Auckland would not be behind thoso in any other colonies. While they enjoyed such advantages, he would urge them to work most assiduously, in order that they might in a few years henco take up a respectable position in society. His Honor then related an amusing anecdote with reference to tlie system of punishment in a school which he visited in Auckland several Tears ago, which was highly pleasing to the scholars. His Honor resumed his seat amidst loud applause. Dr. Kidd then announced that the vacation would terminate on Monday, the loth July,* and said it was scarcely necessary for him to thank his Honor for being present to distribute the prizes, as the boys had done it for him in their own way. Mr. W. Howe, M.P.C., in addressing the boys said it gave him very great pleasure to be present that day. He was pleased to hear in tho remarks of Dr. Kidd that the boys were bo well behaved. He was glad to see they had been so attentive to their studies, and that so much progrjss had been made in every branch. He would liko to say a few words to the boys who had been unsuccessful. (Applauso.) Those who had not obtained prizes must not bo discouraged, but should persevere the more, in order to take a prizo on the next occasion. He remembered when a boy lio had to earn his own daily bread. In those days they had not tho advantages of a day school, and consequently those advantages wore never enjoyed by himself. He had the ploasure, however, of attending a Sundayschool, and during tho whole time ho belonged to that school it was his ambition to bo the first at the school, and to occupy the first position in it. He could trace his career from the very lowest to the highest place. (Applause.) He had many timo3 struggled hard, and then had the mortification of not receiving either tho first or second prize. He would advise those wno did not receive prizes on this occasion not to let that operato upon them and discourage them. If they commenced again with a full determination to do all they possibly could to gain a prize for themselves, he folt sure they would be successful. Ho was very pleased to hear there was a love of truth existing among tho boys, because if that lovo continued they would grow up to bo. good and great. Tho foundation of New Zealand's greatness was now being luid, and he hoped many of the boys present when they grew up would have the qualifications to erect tho edifice. Ho would conclude by again expressing the great pleasure ho folt in being present that day. When he received the invitation ho felt that, as a resident of, and.a mem be for, Newton, he was in duty bound to]be present (Cheers.) Mr. J. A. Gilfillan, M.P.0., was then called upon to address the boys. He remarked that he had listened attentively to the addresses which had been given, and was very much pleased to hear of tho boys' excellent conduct. He had come there with pleasuro, but he should leave with still greater ploasure. There were_ many intelligent and pleasant faces whom he recognised, and he hoped they would all work hard to obtain prizes on another occasion. Mr. P. Dignan, '1.P.C., in addressing tho assembly, said he could only repeat the. words uttered by Mr. Gilfillan. In the early days of Auckland they had a bard struggle, and they had very indifferent schools. He would remind thoso who had been fortunate enough to gain prizes not to forget this period of their life, and not to contented, but supplement thoir good conduct by earning still more valuable prizes. To those who had been unsuccessful, he would ask them not to bo envious, and not to think those who had obtained prizes to be superior to them. They should say, ""Sou have got a prize to-day, it shall be my turn next." Mr. Dignan tlim alluded to the good conduct of the boys spoken of by Mr. Kidd, and said ho was pleased they had behaved themselves so well. (Applauso.) . * Colonel Baetliman also made a few brief remarks, and expressed his pleasure at being present. Dr. Kidd thanked his Honor and the _ ladies j and gentlemen who had attended on the occasion. His Honoe asked the boys to express their, thanks to their masters in the usual way. The boys then gave three cheers for Dr. Kidd, Mr. Flower, Mr. Scott, his Honor the Superintendent, and Mr. Commissioner Naughton. The pupils were then dismissed, and the pleasant proceedings terminated.