DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOL PRIZES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10628, 17 December 1897, Page 3

DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOL PRIZES.

AUCKLAND COLLEGE AND GRAMMAR SCHOOL. The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Auckland College and Grammar School took place last eveniug in the Choral Hall. The building was well filled with parents and friends of the pupils, and an unusually large number of old scholars were present, taking a lively interest in the proceedings. Colonel T. M. Haultain.the vim-Chairman of the Board of Governors, presided, and read a letter of congratulation from Sir G. M. O'Rorke, the Chairman, who is absent from Auckland on his Parliamentary duties. There were also present on the platform the members of the Board of Governors, Mrs. C. M. Nelson, Miss Shrewsbury (Old Girls' Association), Mr. N. L. Holm Biss (Old Boys' Association), Mr. W. W. Kidd (secretary to the Board of Governors), and others. The Chairman in his introductory remarks referred to the progress made during the year and gave a short account of the founding of the school, of its endowments, the scholarships providing free tuition for a number of scholars, and other matters of interest,

Mr. J. \V. Tibbs, M.A,, the headmaster, read his annual report, which dealt with the school and its work in a most complete manner. Speaking of the Junior University Scholarships held in January, he said M. A. Hunter was four marks behind the last scholar, who had a total of 3229, and A. S. Brown was within respectable distance ot him. Those two, with M. Walker and Misses C. S. Hasten and M. Pickmere, passed the examination " with credit." That was the first occasion for eleven years on which the school failed to win u scholarship. During that period the school had four times wou two, twice won three, and once (1895) actually carried off five. It was only by a conjunction of disasters that it failed this year. Hunter eventually sue; ceeded to a scholarship on the resignation of one of the winners, aud was now continuing his studies at the University College, where he had just won the prize for mathematics, and where, Mr. Tibbs was confident, they should hear more of him as time goes on. The work of the three highest forms on both sides, said the report, was framed in the main to cover the work set forth in the syllabus prescribed for three public examinations. Not because they crammed pupils, but because the examinations were so arranged by competent authority that they included what should be taught in the ordinary course in an efficiently-worked grammar school; and because the healthy stimulus of competition and comradeship tended to excite the energies of some pupils, who without it would accomplish but little. At the end of each year a competition in essay writing was held for the prises offered, one to each side, by the Board. A large number of compositions were sent in from both sides, and on the girls' side some came from the Remove, the fourth highest form, and two among the writers of those—Misses M, Metcalfe and E. M, Rice—deserved special mention as having done themselves credit. The four subjects proposed, from which a choice of one was to be made, were these: "In what does the Greatness of a Nation consist?" "The Value of History;" "Worldly Wisdom;" and "A Comparison of Life now with what it was it hundred years ago." The winners were: G. H. Cornea, with P. S. Ardern as proxime acmsit, and Miss A. Moodie, whose essay was by far the best on either side. In the Junior Civil Service Examination, from the results of which cadets are chosen for employment under Government, the school, for the second time in its history, achieved the distinction of heading the list. M. A. Hunter was the boy who won that honour, while two others, C. V. Roberts at fourteenth place, and F. P. Hartley at twenty-fourth, were high enough to obtain cadetships in the Civil Service, In all twenty-four candidates from the school passed. In conclusion Mr. Tibbs referred to the noteworthy success of old scholars who are now pursuing, or have pursued their studies in Great Britain. The prizes were then presented by the Chairman to the following successful scholars :—

Special Prizes.—English Essavs—Boys: C. G. Comes, proxim aeasi'U, P. S. Ardern. Girls: A. L. Moodie. German—F. Sinclaire. Workehop-H. F. Holmden. Drawing—Boys : Ist prize T. G. Lewis and J. Sharland (equal), 3rd prize R. L. Corbett, 4th prize F. C. Cuff. Girls: Class A-E. Goodfellow, F. Evans, certificate S. M. Porter; Class B-A. M. Ardern, A. I. Haslett, certificate C. M. Butler; Class C— E. C. Pierce, E. H. Lewis, certificate H. V. Bell. Writing-Boys: L. B. Campbell, R. Osier, J. Bishop. Girls: L. Thorpe, F. Dixon, R. Colbeck. Form Prizes (Boys).—Latin, French, and English-Upper Sixth Form: M. Walker 1, VV. R. B. Prideaux 2. Lower Sixth Form: R. S. Ardern 1, F. Sinclaire 2. Fifth Form; C. J. Lovatt 1, R. J. Coates 2. Upper Fourth Form: N. H. Prior 1, W. E. Alexander2, A. A, Gray.3. Remove Form: R. A. Macdonald 1, J. A. Holloway 2: certificate for French. J. P. McGarriele. Special Form: J. D. Dinneen 1, W. P. Endean 2, F. C. Miller 3. Lower Fourth Form: N. G. McLeod 1, L. A. Teutenberg 2. Modern Division: F. U. Brown, certificate. Third Form: T. M. A. Haslett 1, C. B. Buddie 2. Second Form: G. H. Metcalfe 1, fl. R. Kirker 2. Mathematics and science—Upper Sixth Form : J. J. Wilson 1, M. Walker 2. Lower Sixth Form : P. S. Ardern 1, L. V. Halliwell 2. Fifth Form : C. J. Lovatt. Upper Fourth Form : N. H. Prior 1, IV. E, Alexander 2; certificate, L. B. Campbell. Remove Form : A.W. Parker 1, L. T. Piokmere 2. Special Form : A. J. H. Benge 1, J. D. Dinneeu 2. Lower Fourth Form : A. H. M. W.right 1, F. J. Sharland 2. Third Form : C. Buddie. Second Form: G. H. Metcalfe.

Form Prizes (Girls).—Latin, French, and English—Sixth Form: F. J. Patterson 1, E.M. Molntosh 2: M. B. Picktnere 3. Fifth Form : C. F. Hull 1, E. M. B. Lynch 'I M. 11. Peacocke 3. Upper Fourth Form; J. M. Hardie 1, J. F. Cooper 2; C. B: Anderson, certificate. Remove Form: M. L, Hoslett. Special Form: M. G. D. Graut 1, E. S. Watts 2, I. Robertson 3. Lower Fourth Form: M. A. R. Lnndon 1, F. Walker 2. Third Form: E. C. Pierce; certificate, V, I. Lindesay. Second Form : D. C. Metcalf 1, 8. L. Boed 2. Mathematics and Science-Sixth Form: E. E. A. Wallace 1, M. B. Pickmere l>. Fifth Form: A. E. Gittos 1, E. Tooman 2. Upper Fourth Form: E. M. Taylor 1, F. J. Cooper 2; certificate, C. B. Anderson. Remove Form : E. M. Rice 1, M. H. Metcalfe 2. Special Form: M. G. D. Grant 1, E. S. Watts2; certificate, I.Robertson. Lower Fourth Form: M. A. B. Lnndon. Third Form : F. M. J. Boylan 1, E. M. Rice 2. Second Form: M. M. V. Peacocke. The prizes won at the school sports were gracefully presented by Mrs. Nelson; those presented by the Old Girls' Association to the Girls' Tennis Club, by Miss Shrewsbury; and those presented at the sports from the Old Boya' Association, by Mr. K. L. Holm Biss. At intervals music was efficiently rendered by the school orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Trevithick. MRS. WILLIAMS' SCHOOL, "THE WILLOWS." An unusually large attendance gathered at Sowerby's Hall yesterday afternoon, to witness the distribution of prizes to the pupils attending Mrs. Williams' privateschool, "The Willows." The work done by the scholars during the past year was displayed for inspection by interested parents, and was well worthy of very high commendation indeed. The drawing and mapping showed evidence ot talent in nuny cases and the whole work spoke very highly of the careful training which must have been given by Mrs. Williams and her competent staff. The lady visitors were loud in their praises of the needlework and fancy work which certainly made a very rich show. The Rev. Lyttelton FitzGerald presided. In the course of a few remarks before giving out the prizes, he said the examiners had expressed themselves extremely satisfied with the progress that the children had made during the year. He himself could testify to the very good behaviour, intelligence, and good bearing which had been displayed on the part of the scholars showing the most careful training by Mrs.. Williams and her other teachers. As the spectators would see the children must have been very industrious indeed to make such a tine display of needlework; and the mapping he could only describe as wonderful. He believed that at "The Willows," the children were not only taught but trained to be truthfnl to be straightforward, to be modest, to be maidenly, aud to be ladies. Mr. FitzGerald then presented the prizes which were all appropriate and handsome. The'special prize list was as under :— French:. Upper division, Ella' Porter, presented, by Miss Tilly; lower division, Rose Hellaby, presented by Miss Tilly. Drawing: Ella Porter, presented by Miss Tye. Conduct: Senior, Mary Mclntosh, preseuted by Mrs. W. Hellaby; junior, Ivy Campbell, presented by Mrs. Gallagher. Attendance: Ethel Salmon, presented by Miss E. M. Reid. Scripture: Form VI., Florence McHardy, presented by Mrs. Tiernan; Form Vi, Elsie Morton, presented by Mrs. Tiernan ;Form IV., Olive Campbell, presented by Mrs. Tiernan Shorthand: Senior. May Mclntosh, presented by Mr. J. H.. Colwill; juuior, Vera Blascli, presented by Mr. J. H. Colwill. Fancy work: 1, Rose Hellaby, presented by Mrs. J.. L. Wilson; '2, Ethel Salmon, presented by Mrs. King, Needlework: 1, Ivy Hellaby, presented by Mr;. King; 2, Daisy

Benjamin, presented by Mrs. J. M. Brigham.Special needlework: Olive Campbell, presented by Miss Hellaby. Mapping: Senior, special prizes were awarded to the follow» ing: Florence McHardy, presented by Mrs. Donald; Ella Porter, presented by Mrs. Salmon: Ethel Salmou, presented by Mrs. McHardy. Musical items were rendered by Misses Tilley and Morrin, and Mrs. Williams entertained her numerous guests at afternoon tea, which brought a successful gathering to a conclusion.

SISTERS OP MERCY SCHOOLS, PARNELL

The annual concert given by the pupils of the Sisters of Mercy schools, Paruell, on the occasion of the prize distribution took place last evening, in St. Bonaventura's Hall, and passed off most pleasantly. The prizes were handed to the successful seholars by Father Kehoe. The musical programme was contributed to by Misses McCabe, Anderson, Atkins, M, O'Sullivan, choruses were given by other pupils; aud a three act drama was played by Misses A. M. Cafferty, E. Hogan, E. McCabe, Queenau, F. McCabe, and E. Williams.

KING'S COLLEGE. The annual distribution of prizes at King s College will take place to-night in the Collegegrounds at eight p.m. The Rev. W. Beatty will distribute the school prizes, and those won at the sports will be handed to the successful competitors by Mrs. Duncan E. Clerk. The grouuds will be brilliautly lighted with Chinese lanterns, etc., and Mr. Bruce, the principal, has 'decided to hold a rarity, .in Auckland, namely, an out-door programme of music. After the prizes are distributed a Baden Baden or id fresco concert will take place on the lower lawn, the performers singing from the balcony.

REMUERA LADIES' COLLEGE. The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Remuera Ladies' College took place last evening. There was a large and fashionable assemblage of parents and friends, and the hall, which was fitted up as a concert room, presented a very bright appearance with its tasteful decorations of red, white aud blue, the school colours, in muslin, lilies, and scarlet geraniums. The prizes were presented by the Rev. W. Beatty, who in a felicitous speech took the opportunity of congratulating the lady principal on an excellent year's work. It was evident, he said, that the main object aimed at was not mere cramming, but that extensive and thorough work was done by stimulating instead of stunting the pupils' intelligence. He urged parents to take an interest in their cliildren's studies, and thus enable them to give their knowledge practical play. Particular reference was made to the success attained by pupils in the examinations conducted by the Trinity College, London, one having passed the senior examination, and Sve the junior (one first and four secondclass.) The prizes were then presented, the following being prizo • winners:—Scrip ture, Lily Rose; grammar, Hilda Mor' rinj literature, Sissy Brodie; history,Blanche Gorrie; geography, Veda MeCullagh; ancient history, Sissy Brodie; Physiology: Hilda Morrin, and Veronica, Walsh. Chemistry and cooking: Edith Webbe, May Camerou. German: Minnie Clark. Alcebra: Mildred Ryan. Model drawing: Violet Banks, Drawing: May Camerou, Camilla Steele. French, history, and grammar: Kitty Clark. Second French: Lottie Court. Third French : Florence Ryan. General improvement: Ethel O'Harroell, Winnie Bodle, Edith Willoughby, Hazel Morrin, Mildred Ryan. Verbatim Scripture : Winnie Smallfield, Olive Coates, Kathleen Brodie, Ida Walker, Noel Richardson. History : Lily Tanner, Drawing : Kathleen Morrin, Elinor Galbraith. Geography : Harold Winstone. Writing ; Jeannie Young Reading music: Ruby Skeet. Kitty Clark. Junior French: Gladys Buddie. Latiu geography and history (presentedby Mr, Hering): Kitty Clark. Most popular girl (presented by Mr. Towsey): May Cameron. Highest yearly marks: Kitty Clark, Elsie Tyndal, Blanche Gorrie, Nannie Young, Kenneth Woodward, Freda Rosewarue, Eliuor Galbraith, Highest examination marks: first Form, Edith Webbe; second Form, Elsie Tylden, third Form, Eileen Dinneen-; fourth Form, Veda McCullagh; fifth Form, Daisy Galbraith, Olive Ooates. Medals: Dorothy Ware, gold medal: Alice Cameron, silver medal; Nannie Young, gold and silver medals. Scholarship : Kitty Clark. After the presentation of prizes The pupils took advantage of the occasion to present Mrs. Moore-Jones with a handsome writing desk, as a mark of their regard and esteem. Mies Holmden was also presented with a writing desk. Both recipients suitably responded. Specimens ot work done by pupils during the year in drawing, painting, and needlework were inspected and admired by the visitors. They included landscapes, portraits, and paintings from still life, some of the plaques and panels being highly artistic. A musical programme was gone through at intervals during the evening, the following items being given:—Overture, "The Imp's Revels," by the young ladies' orchestra; song by school girls, the soloists being Misses Holmden and Lily Rose; piano solo, Miss F. Swarbrick; violin solo, Miss M. Atkins; piano solo, Miss Morrin.