PRESENTATION OF SCHOOL PRIZES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8927, 16 December 1887, Page 6

PRESENTATION OF SCHOOL PRIZES.

GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL. The annual distribution of prizes to the pupils of the Girls' High School and the College and Grammar School took place

yesterday afternoon at the Ohoral Hall. Colonel Hanltain presided, and amongst those present on the platform were the Revs. 0. M. Nelson, D. W. Runciman, and Dr. Kidd ; Major Dane, Messrs S. Lake, J. H. Upton, the head masters and assistant teachers of the schools, and a number of ladies. The body of the hall and the gallery was ooonpied by the pupils and their parents and frieuda. On the side wall were shown specimens of drawing by the pupils of both schools, and workshop exhibits by the boys receiving technical ednoation at the College and Grammar School were also prominently displayed, and included lathes, models of bridges, etc, together with a large model of a 10 ton yacht, by O. Dixon. Colonel Uaiiltain, in opening the proceedings, said he was sorry that Sir Maurice O'Korke was not present to deliver one of his sterling addresses. He was glad that they had been able to arrange for the presentation of the prizes to the pupils of both schools. The boys had oocasion to look to their reputation : they had hitherto had no reason to triumph over what was sometimes called the weaker sex, but who in intellectual capacity and powers of application, had both here, and in a recent notable case in England, proved themselves fully equal to the allcomers in carrying off prizes and honors from the foremost boys, and from the leading graduates of the great English Universities. (Cheers). It was not difficult to account tor the diminution during the last two or three years, in the number of pupils attending both the Girls' High School and the Grammar School, for they might observe a similar decrease in every Grammar and High School throughout the colony. It was not owing to the unpopularity of any particular school, it was not that parents had less desire to give their sods and daughters the advantage of a claasioal or more advanced education than they could obtain in the primary schools, but the chief cause was no doubt the very serious commercial and agricultural depression tbat was being felt in nearly all parts of the world, and had spread itaelf with considerable force over this colony of New Zealand. A very large number of persons of moderate means, who, when times were good, were able and anxious to give their children every advantage in the way of education, had found it necessary to retrench their expenditure, and deny themselves everything that could be deemed a luxury, and knowing the excellent teaching which was to be obtained free at the Board schools in all elementary subjects, had sent their younger children there, hoping that when they had learnt all they could in those schools the times might be better, or that they might obtain some of the prizes of free education, or of valuable scholarships that were offered for competition both by the Board of Education and by the Grammar School Governors. That the falling off in numbers was mainly owing to this cause was very clearly shown by the fact that it was In the lower form* that the decrease had chiefly taken place. He was afraid that there was a disposition on the part of some who could afford to pay the tuition fee to follow the example of their poorer neighbours, and to send their children in the first instance to primary schools, persuading themselves that they could there obtain all that was needful for the very young to learn. He contended that it was very desirable that those parents who intended that their children should have a thorough secondary or higher education, should accustom them from the very commencement of their school career, to the special training of secondary schools. The main object of the primary school* was not to lift the pupils out of the sphere of life they probably would hare to occupy, but to fit them pro-* perly for that sphere, and the curriculum was framed to impart that instruction which would be of real practical benefit to those whose education would terminate there. He laid some stress on the tone which was obtained by boys who had been brought up altogether at any particular school, or by any popular master. He valued this esprit very highly. He would rather see a good tone in a public school like theirs than even high scholarship without it. (Cheers.) It helped greatly to make boys mnnly, truthful, and honourable, and "the child is father to the man." Col. Haultain referred to the impossibility of conducting High Schools without endowments, and addressed a few remarks to the boys and girls present, concluding as follows :—" Your education here is purely secular. You are being taught what will be uieful to you in this world, where you ha'e but a temporary abode, but do not forget that there is a higher and infinitely more important matter which you must never lose sight of, if you are to become , good useful men, and if you are to be true to the objects for which you have been placed here." (Loud cheers.) Mr. S. Luke, Chairman of the Board of Education, referred to the pleasure which he felt in being present that day. He was sorry to say that the number of pupils in the Girls' High School had decreased, and he thought the cause to which the chairman attributed this result was the true one. But whilst the numbers of the school had fallen away, its efficiency had not so decreased. (Cheers.) One of the pupils, Miss Winifred Picken, was first on the list this year for the senior district scholarship examination, whilst' Miss Elizabeth Kimltn was fourth, and the only certificate ot proficiency secured was obtained by a pupil of the ■ Girls' High (School, Miss Mary Upton. (Cheers.) Miss Annie Morrison, who had already distinguished herself, had gained an entrance scholarship to the Auckland University College, and Mies Sinclair had also qualified for an entrance scholarship. (Cheers.) He was glad to congratulate them upon a prospect of their having new buildings erected, for by the report in that morning's Herald they saw that the Girls' High school Bill was passing through Parliament. Mr. Luke, addressing the pupils, said that education in life was never finished ; they must always remember that their minds were living, and were not mere boxes to be stuffed with knowledge. God had given strength of body and of mind to the boys, but to the girls He had given something nobler. influence over others. Many a man had to thank God that He had given him a good mother, whilst many another had to attribute his ruin to a selfish , woman. (Cheers.) Mr. J. F. Sluman, 8.A., headmaster Girls' High School, having read the annual report, Mr. Luke distributed the prizes as follows to the pupils of that school:— Ckrtimcaths.- Senior Scholarship!: Misses Winifred muni!, Elisabeth J. Kimlin. froiluiency: Miss Mary Upton. Foundation Scholarship: Miss Frances Isabella Garland. Kkblhh — (form VI. : Misses C. A. Mulg&n and 0. K. Kohl, 80 marks; E. L. Colebrook, 85; M. M. norrie and K. M. Held, 81; E.G. Thomson, 82; M. Bell, 81 ; O. ". K. Brown, J. ML D. Garluud, and K. M. KniKht, 79; A. Briton ami A. E. J. Hall, 78. Form V. ; Misses V M. Nixon. 91 marks; K. O. iUrilson, 84; K. J. Kiralin, W. Picken, a»d W, White aw, 81 ; M. L. FrancL, 80; A. B. Hil:, Id ; 11. K. Herbert, 78 ; L. M. Greatbatch and M. 8. Keid, 77. Porta IV» : Misses E. E tiassett, 76 marks ; B. K. H. Bull, 72; K. Briton. 71; K. H. McKeoxie, 67; «.. V Kd«nt>orough, 65 ; If. I. Uttrland, 64; >■• U. Armstrong'. 63; F. L. Mall, 61; h. a. Murray, 69; F. K. Macdouald, 54. Form IVb: Mis>e« U. 0. Firlh, 33 marks; B. 1. G tio<, 81; 0. K. Crowihur, 80 : *>. M. Huddle, 70. Form 111.: Mioses Q M. Wrtgley, 82 marks; Jessie briifgewater, 78; M. I. Tebhe, 75; M. S. Oranwell, 73; M. J, Calvert, 71; C. S. tunith, 89; (i. Anderson, 68; M. Seymour, 67; G. Farreil, <i. M. Heinua, Hi ; J. Bail and K. K. Kirkwood, 60 ; K. Tebbs, 59; M. I. Taylor, 65; J?, hi. Gariluk, 53; Margaret Bell, 61. Latin.— Komi VI.: Mlae E. M. Knight, 80 mirks. Form v.: Mies w iuifred I'iokeu, 80 marks. Form IVft.: Miss F. .&. Murray, 97 marks, form IVb.: Mils O. A. Russell, 81 marks. Fomlll.: Mils M. Harvey, 92 marks. French.—Form V. : Miss M. Gorrte, S8 marks, Form IV.: Misses A. K. Hall and K. Thomson, 79 marts. Form 1 Vb. : Miii C. K. Urowther, 76 marks. Form 111.: Mies Florence Maodonald. 90 marks. Form Ila. : MUs Margaret Harvey, 89 marks. Form Jib.: MiSs vi. Seymour, 76 marks. , Form Mlsi Jessie Bridgewater, 100 mark*. Kk«uhh.-Form VI.: Misses 0. A. Mulgan and G. K. Kid, 90 marks. Form V.: Miss A. M. Nixon, 91 uiark-i. Komi IVa.: Mists Kusaneth Basaett, 75 marks. Form IVb.: Miss Clara Kirtli, 83 marks. Form 111 : Miss U. Wrigle?, 82 marks. HwroiiT and Gsooßarar.— form VI.: Miss E. M. Kiiignt, 85 marks. Form V.: Mis* W. Whltelair, 85 marki Form IVb.: Miues Clara Firth and B. UUtos, 77 marks. Laws of Hjcaltb.—Form III.: Hiss Margaret Seymiiur, 94 marks. vi ATHKiUTios.— Form VI.: Mines B. L. Golobrook, 81 marks. form Va : Mlse Elisabeth Kimlin. 79 marks. Form Vb.: Miss Winifred Plcken, 01 marks. Form IVa. : Miss Floreuce M*.cdonald, 96 marks. Form IVb.: Misses B. »ittos and F. S. Murray, 86 marks. Form 11.: Mimes G. Anderson, JS. Kirkwood, and C. Smith, 100 marks. Form I. : Miss Helen, Murray, 100 marks. CHBMieTßy.—upper Division: Miss B. M. Knight, 07m».ke. Lower Division: Miss Florence Garland, 95 marks. SBWiNO.—Upper School: Miss K. Barclay, 99 rams Lower school : Miss E. Stewart, 100 marks. Four prizes were also presented to the winners in the special sawing competition, two of the awards beUg the gilt- respectively of Mr. and Mrs. J. F. .-toman. Drawing.—Upper School: MiutV. Whltelaw, 90 marks. iiotrerSoaool; Miss M. Seymour, 91 marks,

The Rev. D. W. corroborated what had been eaid by Mr* Lake, and agreed with him that th* efficiency of the Girls' High Sohool had not decreased. (Cheers.) He had not fonnd in any of *he papers that ho examined at the Girls' High School a trtoe of copying, whilst the amount of intelligence displayed in the essays was remarkable, showing that the intelligence of the yonng people of the coleey was rapidly developing. (Cheers.) The school was a credit to the colony, and to the city of Auckland especially. Mr. C. F. BoimNf, heid-maater of the Grammar School, read the annnal report of that institution, and the prizes were then presented to the pupils by the chairman aa follows :—

Lower Form V.-J. Drammond, 1105 marks ; B. Tet>b«, 1020 , F. J. Oherrj, 1018; E. Carter, 1012;, Upper form IV: K. MoCulloufh, 1442 mark! ; «. wmttlaw, 1369. Lower Form IV.; W. Barclay, 1222 ; T. B. Keedng, 1174. Upper Form If.: P. Drummond, 1216; F. Laweon, 1021. Lower Form III.: K. O. M»cl«urln Form II.: A. N. Cooper. Form I.: H. K. Vatl«, 951. IC»th»matio«, upper school : Class A., first division, W. rt- LaTrobe; ssooud divUioo, B. Tebbe ; class 8., O. Whilelaw: Cla»s C, W. Barclay. Mathematics, Lower School: Glass A.. H. Robinson ; Class B , C. Choyce ; <.laat 0., D. 8. White ; Class D., D. Bree. OcM FioiTßu.— Upper Form V.: K. B. Oilflllaß, Latin, Kogiiih, French, and Natural Science. Lower Form V. . Edward CarUr, Latin ; John Drummond, Knjliih and French ; W. LaTrobe, Na ural science. Upper form IV.: K. MoOullough, Latin, French, Ctiemiltr? and Pays cs ; O. Whiteltw, Eoclish. Lower Form IV.: U. Mahon, Latin; W. narduy, C.nfllia a d Physics; T. Keying, Freach; H. Baltley. Mensuration, lippar Form III.: P. Orummond, English and French; F. Lawsoo, Latin; G. Brown, Natural Science. Lower Form 111. :D. S. White, French; Macky, Latin; I. JkSatUey, Mathematics and Natural Science. Form II.: A. M. Cooper, Knelißh ; O. Bree, Latin.

Daring the presentation of prizes, the pupils of either school were loudly applauded as they walked to the platform to receive the rewards of successful study, and again on returning to their seats. The Grammar School boys enthnsiastioally cheered tbe girla of the High Sohool as the latter received their prizes, the young ladies who stood in higher popularity with them reoeiveing quite an ovation as they advanced to the platform. Tne trophies won at the school athletic spurts, held on October 28th in the Domain Cricket Ground, were presented by Mrs, Bourne. The names of the successful competitors have already appeared in tbe Hbkald.

The Rev. C. M. Nelson, who had acted as examiner in writing at the Grammar .School, said that the proportion of bad writers in that institution was very few indeed. He referred to the idea that a good scholar mast be a bad writer, which was ex* ploded nowadays, and the sooner it was got rid of tbe better.

The National Anthem haying been sung, the meeting terminated with cheers for the chairman and others who had assisted. At intervals daring the proceedings the pupils of the Girls' High School sang selections of music, in two part harmony, under the direction of Mr. X. Cranwell.

ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL, Yeeterday forenoon the children attending St. Joseph's School assembled at the school room to receive the prizes recently won at the annual examinations. There was a large attendance of parents and friends present, tin room being packed. Previous to the presentation an excellent programme of aongs, recitations, etc, was gone through by the pupils in a manner that speaks well for the oare and attention bestowed on them by their teachers, the Sisters of Mercy. The prizes were handed over to the aucceaaful competitors by Bishop Luck and Father Costello. The following is a list of the prize winneri:—

IV. Standard — Lily Richards, catechism an<i history: May i.evllle, reading and spelling; Daily limy, conduct and attendance ; Kllen X>ow>i, wilting and neatness.

111. Standard Lily Grace, catechism and attendance ; Liddii Oremen, reading and spelling ; Tessa Cronin, general improvement; Marion McCarthy, conduct and n.iatnose; John Marker, reading ana attendance ; Harold Kmhren, catechism; YUtthew Welsh, geography ; Peter Hansen, writing; William Nerille, attendanoe; Edward Markey, general improvement ; Bridget Mc-heen, conduct. 11. «t*kdaed.— (/SalllTan, arithmetic; llickaal Hogan, attendance; John Kine, geography ; Thorn..* Flannery, catechism; Joseph U'Saliiraa, reading; Louis Qarnant, spelling; Inei mealy, neatne-c ; Margaret Dβ Lucca, g eneraJ improvement; May O'Brien, readier ; Frederick Tomlinaon, alien dance ; Teresa Oraoe, spelling; May Kay, neatness ; Amy Kichacdt, attendance ; Michael Cremen, writing. I. Standard. -Mary Hanson, Annie Wiiloughtiy, Emily Bracewell, O.ara Rodsoo, Louisa UcCaSerty. Harold Tomllnsoii, Mary Clemenc*. Infant .:o«ool.— Annie o'aniiiriui, Mary Richard*, Joseph Miller, Frank Tomlinson, Jo.eph By an, Mary Neville, William Welsh, Thomas Clemence, Norman Christopher, William King.

ST. JOHN'S SCHOOL Yesterday afternoon the pupils of St. John's School, Parnell, were presented with the rewards won at the recent examination. The schoolroom was crowded, and among those present were Bishop Lack, Fathers Coatello, McManus, Thomas, Fanl, and Gilloß. Dr. Leger Erson, Judge O'Brien, and others. A large number of instrumental and vocal pieces and recitations were rendered by the children and some lady friends with great skill and correctness; and a sparkling little dramatic sketch, entitled " Queen of Hearts," was acted in a> pleasing and natural style by the elder pupils. The Bishop then presented the prizes aooordiog to the appended list:—

V. Standard.— Fannie Qeorgt, conduct and n»atnets ; — Flannery, arithmetic and (rramm.tr; Gertrude KUnnery, geography aid attendance ; Tessa George, writing »nd cunpi.sulon ; — Fiizgibboa, history and general improvement. IV. Standard.- Misses Ellen Carroll, grammar ; Kvelyn Qsorje, reading; Alice Hocan, history ; EiLiiy JNannery, writing ; C&wley, general Improvement.

11. Stan dabs.-Hisses Krsoo, reading; Green, arithmetic: .Hunter, writing; Garaant, general improvement. 11. tandard.— Mines Burke, attendance; Alice Mai key, spelling : Maad Guird, wri ing ; Daisy Holland, reading ; Master John Uc>Jabe. tables. I. Standard.—Misses Marr rioiabt, Evelyn Taten, Cissy Co, per, C'uchla Cuupland, Annie Fitxpatrick, fcva Hogau, Rita Green. Three special prizes for religions knowledge, presented by the B.sbop : Mis* George, Ist; Alice Hogan, 2,, d ; Annie Hunter, 3rd. Two prizes given by Bishop Luc < for regular attendance :-Mm Flannery, Ist; Alias Kvelyn George, 2nd.

MRS. CLAYTON'S SCHOOL, PARNELL.

Mrs. Clayton's School, St. George's Bay Road, Parnell, was closed yesterday for the Christmas vacation, when prizes were distributed as follows :—

< lass I.—Mine A. Dargiville, English history, English literature, Shakespeare, and physical eeugraphy ; Miss N. Hall, uigllsh composition ; Miss M Abbott, divinity, geography, French, arithmetic, and history. Clash .I. —Mies F. Mltchelson, grammar and spellin* ; Mies I Kwen, dirluity; Miss N. Amos,arithmetic [division ii.]; Miu C. Baitwe 1, French [division ll.}, geography and history ; Miss E. Hartwell, French (division I V.I; Miss L. Francis, dictation, aiithinetic [dirlsion II.]; Mis*£. Krabant, French (diflsion II.]; Miss M. Kluling, Improvement in music. Clash 111.—Miss L Oh Ills, history and Scripture ; Ml*. K. Abbott, Engliih grammar; Miia E. Bice. Latin.

Class IV.—Mies A. Rice, Hcripture, spelling, history, and übles ; Miss W. Bice, general improvement; Ml.s F. Kdgcumbe, geography and grammar; Hiss M. Abbott, spelling.

Yesterday evening an entertainment was given in the lohoolroom, in aid of several destitute families, and there was a large attendance. The musical portion ot the programme consisted of songs by Misses Sterena, Clayton, and Mr. E. Clayton, and pianoforte solos by Mrs. Duthie and Mies Brabant. The following recitation* were given by Mrs. Clayton's pupils : -" William Tell," Tennyson's " Kevnnge," scene from " David Copperfield," scene from "King John," " Marguerite of Franoe."