GREYTOWN SCHOOL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4296, 28 December 1874, Page 3

GREYTOWN SCHOOL.

At this school, the largest in the Wairarapa, there was a public presentation of prizes by the Rev. A. Knell on Tuesday last (December 22). Owing to the boisterousness of the W’eather, there were only a few of tbe parents and their friends present. Before Mr. Knell proceeded to address those present, the master, Mr. T. Wakelin, observed that the school was the fourth in point of size in the province, being only exceeded by the two large Wellington schools and the Wanganui Grammar School. As shown by the results of Mr. Lee’s first inspection of the schools of the province, this school, among the fourteen larger ones, stood second. At Mr. Lee's second recent inspection it stood fourth. Owing to the excessive drawbacks of the school — want of room, furniture, and appliances—he had not been able, even with the greatest efforts, to bring about anything like complete efficiency in the whole course of instruction and school discipline. As the Inspector seemed to indicate a requirement of a higher standard on his next visit, he (Mr. Wakelin) felt that it could only be obtained by'appealing to the parents to perform more completely their duties, and by asking for some public support. A circular therefore had been issued, and had been most generally responded to, £lO having been received in very many subscriptions, which, though small, were larger than was asked for. Mr. Hastwell, the only local adviser of the Board of Education, had recommended a public presentation of prizes, and hence the occasion of their meeting there to-day. Mr. Wakelin thanked the Rev. A. Knell and those present for attending under such unfavorable circumstances, and expressed his grateful obligations to the inhabitants of Greytown for providing so liberally for Christmas prizes for the scholars. The Eev. A. Knell then delivered an instructive address, mainly to the scholars. He was not officially connected with the Board of Education yet, though asked to become one of the local committee of advice, and he esteemed it an honor tq act in the capacity he then did. After speaking at some length in an interesting manner on the value of education—knowledge and behaviour—the duties of scholars and teachers, and of parents, he remarked that he had that morning concluded the supervision of the local examination for the Wellington College Scholarship. Two scholars of this school—the only ones, perhaps, in the district—had sent in their names, only one of whom, however, had attended, and that one not the best in the school. The one who had not attended had made no apology or explanation, and compared most unfavorably in point- of conduct with the boy who had attended, of whoso behaviour he had received such commendatory accounts. Mr. Knoll pointed out certain improvements that had been effected since ho had last examined the school this time last year, and indicated some that could be readily, perhaps, effected, and then with some very appropriate observations presented the more valuable prizes to the best scholars in each class. The following is the list :—Advanced class—Miss Marion Humphries (pupil teacher), and Joseph Hawke, equal ; Edward Kempton, 3rd. Senior History Division—Rudolph Hirschberg, 1 ; Henry Eglinton, 2. Junior History Class—James Giles, X ; Arthur Thomas, 2. Fourth “Royal Reader” Class—John Humphries, 1 ; James Baillie, 2. Third “Reader” Class—Annie Morris, 1 ; Walter Wilkie, 2. Second “ Reader”—Ellen Goode, 1 ; Fred. Wilkie, 2. Good conduct prizes were given by the teachers. The scholars were chosen by their fellows, and on the voting being made, it was found that in Mr. VVakelin’s classes Henry Hawke and Martha Morris had received the largest number of votes ; and in Miss H. Humphries’ classes, Alfred Board and Rosa Reynolds. At the conclusion, three hearty cheers were given by the scholars for the teachers, and three for the Eev. A. Knell and the other visitors. The prizes, some valuable, and all elegant, had been laid out tastefully on three tables together with the examination papers, answers of scholars, subscription lists, accounts, &c., &c., which were inspected by the company present.