EDUCATIONAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5657, 5 January 1880, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL.

The annual examination, prior to breaking up for the Christmas holidays, took place on December 18. The examination was conducted by the chairman of the school committee, the Kev. K. Sommerville, who had prepared a number of questions in each subject, the answers to which were written by tbe pupils on their slates. At the conclusion of the examination tho Chairman, before distributing the prizes, briefly addressed tha pupils, congratulating thein on the result of the day's work, at the same time expressing the pleasure it gave him to see such keen competition. The priz s were then handed to the pupils by tbe chairman, who spoke a few kind words to each recipient. The ladies appointed to adjudge the prizes in sewing were Mrs. JL'V;I- - Miss Buchanan, and Miss Arautro;i;r, who reported that they had experienced great difficulty in awarding the prizes, as all the work exhibited was so good that it required great discrimination to decide which : was best, a fact reflecting credit upon Mrs. j Burns, the teacher of that department. I After the distribution of ths prizes, the etiildren were amply regaled with cakes, buns, &c. The processings were brought to a close by the chairman calling upon the children to feive three cheers for STr. Glcnny and Mr 3. Burns, the teachers o£ ihs school. Sir. <>ienny also called for tho | same for the committee for their kindness in Xnv.viding tb-i prizes. On Tnesday, 23rd December, the Christmas examination and prize distribution of ihe Mangere district school took place at the school-house, which was found to be so inconveniently small that the pleasure of all in attendance was somewhat marred. The ga&wtef- of jwrenta and friends was large

and appreciative. The school is conducted by Mr. W. H. Airey, assisted by Miss Hart, au.l manj pnpila gavo oviclarioe of grfi.at painstaking and care. The Rev. F. Gould, Otahuhu, with the Rev. G. Brown, Onehunga, conducted the examination of the children ; and, upon the presentation and distribution of the prizes to the successful recipients, the Rev. J?. Gc*uld remarked that there was special improvement in the state of the school since la-it annual examination.

An examination of the pupils of Otahuhu District School was hell on 19th December,, in presence of a majority of the committee, two of them being unavoidably abjsnt. The examination was coaducted by the heal teacher, Mr. Wannop, and the results arrived at by marks. The public, in re3;ions2 to the solicitations of the committee, placed the sum of £5 03 at their disposal, which enabled them to purchase some very nice books a3 prizes. Mr. Gordon, a member of the committee, gave two special prize3—one to the bestbeliavcd boy, and one to the best-behaved girl ii: the whole school, the condition being that the bojs should determine among themselves '.vho was the beat bay, and the girls in the same way. The n-sulc of the vote gave very general satisfaction. The following is the priz; list. Two prizes were given to each class :-Class 5. Percy Gonld, Ist; O. Macdoaald, 2nd. Class 4. Frank Bowden, Ist; W. Leffanue, 2nd. Class 3. A. Davison, Ist.; Trevor Gordon, 2nd. Class 2. Kelly Absohim, Ist ; Andrew Muir, 2nd. Cliss 1. Joseph Macown, Ist; Minnie Warren, 2nd. Infant Class. Agnes Lockhart, Ist ; R"land B.iakes, 2nd. Sewing Prizes : Julia Loni>ley, Amy Gould, Amelia Thomson, Nelly Absolnm, Mary Ann Moreland. The special prizes fell to Percy Gould and Jane Diyison. After the diatributiou of the prize 3, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Bowden, addressed a few words uf kindly encouragement to the children, and hoped they would enjoy their holidays, and come back with renewed determination to do well next year.

On Tuesday, the 23rd of December, the schjilts of the Maketu C-atholie Sehool, Great South Road, were examined by the Very Rev. Dr. McDonald, assisted by Laurence Callaghan, Esq. There were 40 children present. At the commencement of the examination the following address was read in a verv distinct and audible m inner by Mast, r Jjin s Callaghan :—" To the Very Rev. Dr. McDonald : We re3pectlully bay tj express to you out fee ings of inexpressible pleasure at the great.favour yo'i nave conferred on us in presiding at our examination to day. The great interest you have always taken in our education has helped to leave in our youthful minds impressions of lasting gratitude. You have spared neither pains, labour nor means to make our Christian education a3 it ought to be. We avail ourselves of this opportunity to convey our sincere thanks to Mca-rs;. Theophilus Pratt, Laurence Callaghan, and ■John Lyons for their zsalous exertions in the same good cause. Again thanking you for your many acts of past kindness, and wishing you a happy Car!stmas with many returns of the same, —We remain, &c., the pupils of the Maketu Catholx school."—Dr. McDonald returned thanks on his own behalf, and that of the other gentlemen, for the kind and afif ctionite sentiments contained in the address. They were then examined in the following subjects : —Catechism, spelliug, reading, writing, arithmetic, geography, English gran-.mar, composition, vocal and instrumental mnsic. The scholars, almost without exception, answered accurately, as a of their diligence, and of the great pains and care their much-respected teacher, Miss Mary Leicester Rogers, must have taken in their education. They had an excellent knowledge of their catechism, and displayed a proficiency in vocal music. At intervals during the examination a fe.v or the pupils executed with much satisfaction some choice pieces of music on the harmonium. After the examination the children partook of refreshments, kindly supplied by the parents and other kind friends of the school; and the proceedings were brought to a close by the sinking of the National Anthem. On Monday, the 22nd December, the committee of the Puhoi District rfchool attended the first public examination, to which also the friends and parents of the children were invited. The examination was conducted by the head-master, Captain Krippner, and the children acquitted themselves in a manner which reflected the greatest credit both on the teacher and themselves, giving great satisfaction by their answers to all present. Specimens were shown of their writiug, drawing, and map drawing, which also elicited much praise. After the examination, the committee expressed their thorough satisfaction to Capta'n Krippner, thanking him at the same time for the trouble lie had taken to ensure so decided a success, which showed the thoroughly practical teaching of the last few years. Subsequently prizes were awarded to the most deserving. These were gifts of the committee kindly assisted by friends, noticeable amongst whom were Messrs. Nathan, Somerfield, Leek, Glanville, and Ellye'.t. Religious instruction is imparted to the children of this school three times a week, after school hours, and on thi subject also they answered clearly and promptly and to the entire satisfaction of those present. The examination of, and distribution of priz 8 to, the pupils of Tuakau school took place on Tuesday, 22nd December, before a considerable number of their parents and friends, besides members of the school committee. Major Harris. M.H.R., and chairman of the school committee, presided, and, omitting the names of the sterner sex, amongst the ladies present were Mes dames A. Brown, Boyle, Booker, Burke, Cooney, Smith, Griffin; Misses Bluck, E. Re% r ell, S. Revel l , C Olins, &c. The number of pupils present was 9i, some 20 more being absent through the press of harvesting, whose appearance in their neat, tidy summer dresses was both attractive and pleasant. The proceedings lasted from 11 a m until 4.30 p.m., and the examination being the first of the kind that has taken place at the school, the people showed a good deal of interest in it, and to provide prizes and a picnic (which is to come off on the Gth proximo) subscribed the respectable figure of £10. Immediately after Major Harris's introductory remarks, Miss Maggie Boyle stepped on the platform, and read, with fluency and in a very pleasing manner, an address of welcome to the visitors. A long programme was then gone through. On the whole, the answering and behaviour of the children were very creditable, especially the answering in history, while the work, exercises, and drawing exhibited were highly commended. The prizes were then distributed by the chairman. The annual distribution of prizes at the public school, Northcote (late Woodside) took place; on Decml-er 23. The 82holars number 60, Mr. vis the head master, and Mis 3 Jzzard is *he i»ut-teacher. The building, which -Kn-f erected last summer, is a superior sn;i • pacious structure, well ventilated and commodious, replete with many convenience for the comfort of the pupils, and weau » brightness worthy of some notice. Great care is taken to maintain cleanliness an 1 mipplying ornaments in of flowers, illuminati as, and wall decorations. M uc.\- credit is due to M-r. Mahew and Miss Iz.T.rd. for the general discipline and instruction for which the school bears a just reputation, attracting families to settle in the neighbourhood. The I'ev. Mr. Bate 3 attended specially to examine the pupil*, and awarded the following prizes :— First class: Ada Mathews, Ist prize ; Allan WiNon, 2nd prize. Second class: William Mathews, Ist prize; John Wilson, 2nd prize. Third class : Bertha Maxwell, Ist prize; Ellen Dickens, 2nd prize. Louie Thompson, Ist prize; Joe Cooke, 2nd prize. Sewing: Ada Mathews, Ist prize; Mary Wilson, 2nd prize ; Martha Way, 3rd priz-?. j Good conduct and regular attendance : John Wilson, 359 times out of 3G6.