THREE KINGS WESLEYAN COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5630, 2 December 1879, Page 3

THREE KINGS WESLEYAN COLLEGE.

Accoruino to announcement the annual examination was held on Thursday, 26th instant, at the above institution, and, notwithstanding the heavy rain which fell during the day, there was a fair gathering. Amongst those present we noticed the Rev. Mes3rs. Morley, Buddie, Bull, Schnackenburg, Law, Hammond, Watkin, Bond, Abernethy, Webb, Robertson, Isitt, Brooke, and Uameka; Messrs. Arthur, McMaster, Alleu, GrilSths, McDowell, Krakenrig, and Rose; Mesdames Morley, Bull, McMaster, T. Buddie, andCotterell; aud Misees Lawry (2). _ ..

The Rev. Mr. Morley, President of the Conference, conducted the proceedings, which were opened by the native students singing "Hallelujah, 'tis doue 1" Mias Buddie presided at the harmonium, after which the Rev. Mr. Robertson led in prayer. "Only an armour-bearer," was theu sung by the native boys. The principal, the Rev. Mr. Bundle, put them through an English reading lesson, taken from the " Royal Reader, No. 5." The reading was in fcngglish. The enunciation and pronunciation, was exceedingly good. The younger boys theu read, " Uncle Robert's P.nm-Pud-ding " in Eng'ish. Mr. Morley examined in spelling—such words a3 " breakfast," "machines," "material," &e., being readily *pelt, and the meanings of them given. One of the English students, Mr. Martin, conducted the examination in English grammar, which reflected great credit on the native lade, ehowing an acquaintance with the different parts of speech and their relative uses which would put many white students, with greater pretensions, to the blush. Kereama Tawhia (commonly known as Mosee) son of Mr. Mohi Tawhai, M. H.R., then sung a solo, " Pleaae, give me a Penny," accompanied on the harmonium by Miss Buddie. The distinctness with which each word was uttered, aud the taste and expression wii a which the whole song was rendered, took the audience by surprise. Mr. Pinfold, another English student, was the examiner in arithmetic, in which the boys showed great proficiency, repeating the tables of weights and measures, aud working out sums in compound multiplication and fractions. Tawhai theu read "Little Jim," a very touching piece, and in such a manner as to call down the house with enthusiastic applause. "The Prodigal Child" was then sung. Their knowledge of geography was proved to be very thorough by the ready answers given to a great number of questions propounded by Mr. Slade, an English student. Kev. Mr. Watkin tested their acquaintance with the local geography by questioning them very fully upon the. principal features of New Zealand, from Cape Maria Van Dieman to Inversargill, all his questions meeting with ready and accurate replies. Rev. Mr. Bull examined them on the second catechism, and the rau9t difficult questions were correctly answered, the Bibleproof texts being faultlessly given. A marvellous acquaintance with Scripture was exhibited under a searching and racy examination by the Rev. Mr. \Vatkin. Tawhai played a solo on the harmonium in most accurate time, which was loudly applauded. Revs. Morley, Webb, and Bull, and Mr. McMaster, I in a few well chosen remarks, then expressed their extreme surprise and gratification they had realised throughout the proceedings, and complimented the principal and assistants upon the thoT-iughness vrith which the work of the scboo* was evidently performed. Rev. Eameka, formerly a student there, then gave an address in Maori, interpreted by Mr, Sohnackenbarg, in which he took occasion, to express his gratitude for what he bad learnl, and his great joy that the boys were getting on so well with English ; they would soob become pakehas. Rev. Mr. Robertson illustrated the importance of the thoroughness which had been exhibited by an amusing incident of a country schoolmaster, who had prepared for the Inspector by giving each boy his particular place and special answer ; but boy No. 1 having fallen sick, his question was propounded to boy No. 2, who could only reply to the question " Who made you?" by saying, "X don't know, sir; but the boy that God. made get ill, and couldn't come." Hauraki then addressed the audience in English, urging the necessity of faith in Christ as a preparation for Heaven. Rev. Mr. Watkin addressed the lads :' ■ their own language, and presented the thanks of those present to the Principal, Mrs. Buddie, Miss Buddie, aud all concerned, for the hospitality shown, and for the completo arrangements made for the afternoon's preceedings. The room was most tastefully decorated with evergreens and ilowers, and preiented a cheerful and comfortable aspect. "Joy Bells" was sung by th« students, and the Benediction was pronouueed. The visitors then adjourned for tea. After which they returned to town, followed with three cheers, bat through a heavy downpour of rain, which, however, did not in any manner I fund to " wash away" the recollections of a ', n;F>l [Icasurablu and instructive gathering, j Ti'.o reading and singing in the English language by native boys was a striking feature, tho whole proceedings beini; conducted in that language.