SPEECH DAT AT ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9307, 9 March 1889, Page 6

SPEECH DAT AT ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE.

Ox the invitation of the Rev. Thomas F. King, Principal of St. John's College, East Tamaki, a very large number of parents and friends of the* pupils attended yesterday on the occasion of the speech day and presentaI tion of prizes, and the College hall in which the proceedings were held was filled to its utmost capacity. Two four-horse 'bases and a number of cabs and private carriages brought people from the city and suburbs. Amongst those present were the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of Auckland, and Mrs. Co. i, the Revs. F. Gould, I. Richards, and Beatty, Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Cruickshank, Messrs. A. Heather, W. McLachlan, W. F. Buckland, and others, and the attendance of ladies was especially large. The hall was decorated with flag*, and there was a neat little stage fitted up. The Rev. Mr. King and his assistants paid every possible attention to the < : - fc of the visitors, and without unuece.,../ delay the following programme was commenced. The whole or the items were fairly given, special features being the violin solo. "Carnival de Venice, by Master Harold King, a boy about nine years of age, and the violoncello solo, " Schlummerlied," by Herr Tutschka. Parti.: Introduction, " Gavottee on : Sol," Reach, school orchestra; speech, " AdL. Liciniuin,"Horace, Master C. Buckland; song, " Come Lasses and Lads" old English ballad, Mr. H. Perring; violin solo, "Carnival do Wnise," llarhnann, Master Harold Kin?; part song, "The Mill," "Harrow Glee-book," school choir; pianoforte sok>, "Tarantella, in F Minor," Heller, Master H. Hurry ; pianoforte solo, " Ulan Campbell," Vandervell, Masters Claud and Vincent Heather; dramatic recital, scene from "William Tell," lvnowlos, junior pupils of the school. Part II.: Introduction, "Bonny Scotland," Tutechka, school orchestra; speech, "Napoleon," Victor Hugo, Master H. Burry; pianoforte solo, "Hondo in D Major," Clementi, Master C. Uuckland : speech, "On Conciliating the Colonies," Edmund Burke, Master C. Filfcington ; violoncello solo, " Schlummerlied," Schumann, Herr Tutschka; pianoforte solo, "Sonatain C," Kuhlau, Master Moody; dramatic recital, scene from "The Heir at Law,"'Column; " God Save the Queen." Bishop Cowie, before distributing the prizes, gave a brief address. He said that since he was last present with them and distributed the prizes, he had had the pleasure and privilege of visiting the largest public schools in the British Empire—Eton, Harrow, St. Paul's, and others. In Eton there were 900 boys, each costing his .parents £300 a year. In Harrow, there was accommodation for (XX), and the cost was £250 a year, and in St. Paul's there were 700, and this school had of recent years carried off more distinctions than any two other schools. In these and other public Schools boys from New Zealand were wellknown, and bore a good name, as well as in Cambridge and Oxford. In fact, in Cambridge, where he looked up the New Zealand boys, they looked superior to most of those around them, and recently when he was in Christchurch a teacherat the College there told him that he had received a letter from one of the English Universities stating that if they could turn out boys like one that he named the English schools would have to take a lesson from New Zealand. (Applause.) In his early days it was thought a waste of time to learn music in the public schools, but now it was cultivated. He would not detain them with further remarks about the English schools, but at once proceed to distribute the prizes, for which, on behalf of the parents, he thanked Mr. King for his generosity. The prizes, which were mainly valuable books, were then distributed by His Lordship as follows: — Divinity: C. Buckland, 1 ; V. Heather, 2. Latin : C. Buckland, 1; B. Cruickshank, 2: C. Heather, 3; A. Jajrger, 1. French: C. Buckland, 1; J. Makgill, 2. Arithmetic: A. Pilkington., 1; K. Jagger, 2 ; J. Lennox. 3: C. Cruicksluvnk, 4. English Subjects: A. Pilkincton, 1; J. Maksn'll, 2; C. Cruickshank, 3. Drawing: F. Jagqur, 1; V. Heather, 2. Writing: C. Bice, 1; B. Cruickshank, 2; McLaughlin, 3; Morrin, 4. General progress : C. Pilkington, 1; H. Curry, 2; C. Motion. 3; A. Jagger, 4. Good conduct: Cox. Regular attendance : A. Pilkington. Special prizes—Latin (excellence at. examination) : A. Pilkinsjton (presented by Mrs. King.) Music : V. Heather (presented by Mr. Matthews). Mathematics, A. Pilkington. In presenting the prizes to Master A. Pilkington, His Lokdshxp stated that this pupil had passed the matriculation examination at Christmas, also the senior and junior Civil Service examination, in the latter of which he stood second for all New Zealand. He congratulated Master Pilkingtou on bringing honour to the school, and stated that us a member of the University Senate he was aware that the Matriculation examination of New Zealand was more severe than that of most colleges in Cambridge and Oxford, and they believed that Master Pilkington was beginning a life of usefulness. (Applause). Mrs. Cowie then presented the prizes won at the school sports as follows : — ICO Yards, under 12, prize presented by Mr. Matthews, J. Motion, 1: 100 Yards (open), A. PUkinzton 1 : 120 Yards (under 13), prize presented by Herr Tut.--.cika, C. Heather I : 220 Yards (under 1C), first prize presented by Mr. D. B. Cruickshank, C. Motion I, Thomson '-' ;* Hurdle Race (open), A. Pilkimrwn 1 ; Hurdle Race (under 14), C. Cruickshank 1; Half-mile Handicap, first prize presented by Mrs. Lennox, W. Jaeger 1, J. Lennox 2, Makgill 3 ; Quarter-mile Handicap, lirst prize presented by Mr. Perriiii,', A. Pilkington 1, C. Heather 2; Throwin; the Cricket Ball, prize presented by Mr. W. F. Buc.kl.-iud, Thomson 1 ; 220 Yards (open), A. Pilkington 1; High Jiunp (open), Ilanilin 1; Pole Jump, A. Piikuiztoii I ; Manx' Race, C. Motion and C. Pukington 1; High Jump (under 14), C. Cruickshank 1; School Cap, prize presented by the Rev. T. V. King, A. Pilkington 1 ; Consolation, prize presented by Mrs. King, R. Bice 1; Old Boys' Ilaco, prize presented by pupils of the School, Mr. George Pilkington 1, Cheers were then given for the Bishop and for the visitors, and His Lordship in replying on behalf of the visitors said he was very much pleased with the progress which had been made in the school. None could do their duty better than Mr. and Mrs. King, and no children in the English schools, not even in Eton, where £300 a-year was paid for each, received greater care than those at St. John's College. (Applause.)