SCHOOL PRIZES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7397, 21 December 1898, Page 4

SCHOOL PRIZES.

TO THE EDITORSib, —I have been hoping some one would reply to your correspondent " Microscope," whose letter appeared in your paper last Saturday. We girls thank him, of course, for the congratulations he gives to those of our number who won prizes, but we do not thank him for his ungenerous attack on our prize fund. I say "him," for surely no lady would write as " Microscope" has done. Kvidently he thinks the boya should have all they have had, and more, but from the girls there should ba taken away even that which they have. He thinks the girls had too many prizes, but the boys had a far larger number in proportion. The 'seconds' in tbeir classes had them, but only the ' firsts' in onrs. Sevetal extra medals were given to the boys, but not one to the girls. True one of our number won a brooch by her skilful tennis playing; but that was subscribed for among the members of the School Club. " Microscope " suggests that next year a L 5 note should disappear from the prize fund balance-sheet, and be utilised in the purchasing of school necessities. But does he know that the prize fund was raised largely by donations from our parents and from- friends of the school ?_ The parents of the girls were asked to contribute to it, and most, if not all of them, did so. 1 believe these' contributions provided the greater number of the prizes, apart from the extra ones that were given specially by the teachers. Would "Microscope" take the money that was thus contributed, and utilise ifc in purchasing school requisites or in erecting a laboratory and miueum for the boys? Very likely he would. Instead of our school having too much from the Board of Governors, we think it has not enough. We do not aay the Boys' School has more than it should hive, but we do say that not enough is allowed the Girls' School for educational and recreation appliances, or for prizes. The Rev. Archdeacon Gould is evidently of the same opinion, judging from his reference, in his excellent speech, to some of those deficiencies. "Microscope" in his criticism has " feared not," but I do nob think he has studied Shakespeare's advice and " been just." I am, etc., ' One of she Gibls.