SCHOOL VACATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 387, 12 July 1879, Page 19

SCHOOL VACATION.

THQRNDON.

There was a large gathering at the Thorndon School, in Sydney-street, on the occasion of the breaking up for the winter vacation, as it was known that the prizes awarded by the Education Board would be distributed. Several members of the School Committee and a large number of the parents of the children—principally ladies—were present. At 2 o'clock the chair was taken by Mr. Jonas Woodward, Chairman of the School Committee, and the proceedings were opened by the children singing " Now we pray for our country," which was rendered very well. The Chairman addressed the children in a nice homely manner. He told them that the committee had attended that day for the purpose of awarding the prizes granted by the Board of Education to the boys and girls who had been successful in the examinations". Some people would say that they ought not to need such incitement ; but we all wanted a little encouragement at times. He trusted the children would attend to the advice given them by their teachers. There was no royal road to learning ; everything had to be done step by step ; and he urged upon them the importance of not neglecting a single day. That was the only way in which education was to be thoroughly accomplished. The children owed a great deal to the teachers for the care bestowed upon them, and he trusted they would always willingly obey those who were placed in that position. Previous to distributing the prizes, he (the Chairman) said that he regretted the course adopted during the past few years, of getting the Governor to distribute the prizes, had fallen through on this occasion. Before the late calamitous fire had taken place, the various committees decided to have the Imperial Opera House for the assembling of the children, and they had asked the Governor to distribute the prizes, as they thought the children would appreciate the gifts better if they were given to them by his Excellency. The Governor, however, reluctantly declined, as he stated that he had not a sufficient knowledge of the system of education in this colony to enable him to perform the duty satisfactorily, and also because his Excellency feared that when the occasion came he would have to be away in some other part of the colony. Next year, however, his Excellency would have mucfupleasure in performing the duty. (Loud cheers.) The prizes were then distributed as follows, the Chairman making a few appropriate remarks to each of the successful children :

Eirst prize—Six volumes of " Popular Educator," Louis Barnett.

Second prize—"Picturesque Europe," beautifully bound, Charles Pownall. Third prize—Two volumes of "Book of Days," Frederick Bolton.

Eourth prize—" Beautiful Pictures," Matilda Bannister.

Eifth Prize.—Alfred Callaghan. Theprize-takers were loudly applauded by the children, about 400 of whom were present ; and the Chairman called for three hearty cheers for Mr. Mowbray, Mr. Lewis, and the other teachers, which were lustily given. Mr. Lewis, on behalf of Mr. Mowbray (who was away on leave of absence) and the other teachers, thanked the committee for attending that day, and also praised the children for the way in which they had at all times conducted themselves.

During the day the children sang "See our oars with feathers spray," " Nancy Lee," " The Hardy Norseman," and wound up with the " National Anthem." All were rendered in a very creditable way indeed. In the evening a grand lime-light dissolving view entertainment was given to the children by Messrs. Jardine and Burton, the school being packed with Bcholara and their friends.

The comic part of the entertainment, which took place first, evoked roars of laughter from both young and old. In the second part there were exhibited some fine views of the Eddystone Lighthouse, the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius in eruption, the Smugglers' Cave, all done with mechanical effects ; and Noah's Ark, with every description of animals entering. Both the comic and the other slides are quite new to Wellington, having only been recently imported from England ; and the manner in which they were manipulated (nearly every slide having a different double mechanical movement) showed that the exhibitors must have made themselves masters of a very difficult eutertainment, which passed off without the slightest hitch. Mr. A. T. Maginnity, the secretary of the schools, explained the different subjects, and the children, from the constant roai's of applause, evidently enjoyed themselves. At the termination of the entertainment three hearty cheers were given for Messrs. Jardine and Burton. MOUNT COOK. The Rev. J. Paterson and several members of the local committee attended at the Mount Cook Boys' School on Friday afternoon for the purpose of presenting a prize awarded by the Education Board to W. Gilbert Fownes. Mr. Hardy briefly reported on the condition of the school, and the Rev. Mr. Paterson afterwards took the opportunity of speaking a few words of advice and encouragement to the pupils, his remarks being warmly applauded. Three hearty cheers were given by the boys for the gentlemen of the local committee who had honored them with their presence.