THE ALBANY STREET SCHOOL,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4010, 23 December 1874, Page 6

THE ALBANY STREET SCHOOL,

The examinations of the Albany street or Fourth School, which has only been in existence about four months, were concluded on the 11th. Ttase were conducted principally by Dr Richardson, Mr G-. Bell, and Mr A. Montgomery. During the afternoon there was a good attendance of visitors, amongst whom we noticed .the Rev. J. U. Davis, Councillor Grant, and Messrs Robin and Hay, members of the Dunedin School Committee. Altogether there are 251 children attending this institution, 111 of whom are taught by Mr A. Montgomery (head master) and Mr G. Montgomery, and the remaining 140 are under the charge of Miss Johnston and a pupil teacher.- The sewing department is also under Miss Johnston's management, and yesterday the beautiful display—quite a little bazaar it might have been—reflected the highest credit u].o i h.r. In great variety there were knitted quilts, lace curtains, plain and fancy wool work, antimacassars, coseys, slippers, fancy collais, Ac, but the excellent specimens of plain sewing attracted the particular attention of lady visitors. The progress made in Ih's department had been almost wonderful, considering that the whole collection was worked up within four r>r five miinths.

Abuut a hundred specimens of writing in various styles were exhibited along the walls, and called forth special notice. The scholars sang several selections harmoniously, and in excellent time. Their reading answers to geographical questions displayed a good acquaintance with the principal localities'- of different countries, including those of this Colony. ; The examiners expressed their gratification with the general knowledge shown by the children.

Mr George Bell ably presented the prizes to the successful competitors, encouraging each to persevere. He was sorry that the boys did ndu deserve a special prize for their reading, and pointed out the necessity of obtaining good accent. The girls had read, very well, and three of them deserved prizes. Mr A. Montgomery said that.as a whole the boys were below the girls in geography, but the highest boy obtained 297 marks, while the highest girl only had 215. One reason for the boys being backward was the irregularity of their attendance and the miserable traiuing they must have had before coming to the school. ;

Mr Bell, in presenting the special prize for general industry, said that he did not know whether the reward was due to Jane Ward or to her parents, but he believed that in this case credit should be given as much to her parents as to her teacher. The plain sewing done by Mary Simpson was better" than-'1 that of many sewing machines, and this was a great accomplishment for a lcdy. The children's holidays would be till the 18th January, and they should not forget that there was a great danger in holidays, if not properly observed. He trusted to see marked improvements next year. " ' After singing the hymn, " The Beautiful Biver," the scholars and visitors dispersed, well pleased with the day's proceedings. Appended is the prize list: — : '•■'■■.'■' .SIXTH CLASS. English Heading.—Prize: Elizabeth Johnstons. Special Prize for the best English Reader in the School, presented by Mr C. S. Reeves.—Mary Stuart 'Johnston c. English Grammar and Dictation.—Prizes : Ebenezar Cathcnvood, MaiI}'1}' Simpson. Certificates of Merit: Mary S. Johnstone, Elizabeth Moihson, Elizabeth Allen. Geography. - Prizes : James Outram, Elizabeth Mollison. Certificates: Maiy S. Johnstone, Mary Simpson, Alice Grace Lucas. Arithmetic.—Prizes: Alice Grace Lucas,' Mary S. Johnstone. Certificates.: Elizabeth Allen, Elizabeth Mollison. Writing.—Mary Simpson, James Outram. FlhTll CLASS. English Reading.-Prizos: Martin Bardslcy, Eliza Mackie. Grammar and Dictation.—Prizes : John Caldwell, ji lice Johnston. Certificate^ of Merit: Alex. M'Donald, Corbett Green, Martin Bardsley, Edmund Bardslcy. Geography. — Prizc3 : Emanucl Bardsley, Corbett Green. Certificates . John Caldwell, Jane Campbell. Special Prize for Geography. Martin Bardsley. Arithmetic—Prizes: Archibald Frew, Alice Johnston. Certificates : John Caldwell, Alex. Macdonald, Martin BanMey. Writing.—Prizes : John Caldwell, Isabella Grieve. roriiTii class. English Reading. — Prizes : John Tennant, Susan Koir. Geography.—Prizes: Jessie Brodb, William Jolly. Certificates : Alfred Austin. Eva Skelton. Arithmetic—Prizes: James Brown, Ellen Frew. Certificate: Wm. .Jolly. 'Writing—Prizes:' Susan Koir, Martin Bardsley, Wm. Garratt. THIRD ROYAL RKADKR. Dux Prize, presented by Mr Robin.—James Abernethy. Prizes : Elizabeth Johnston and Ellen Webster. Special' Prize for Writing, presented byMrSligo.— William Thompson. ,t Second Royal Reader. — Prizes : Stephen Power, Barbara Mowbray. First Royal Reader.—Prizes : George Elliott, Elizabeth Forbes. .'■•".'. . ', Primer.—Prizes : William Johnston, Annie Lucas. First Book.—Prizes: James Gray, Elizabeth Macdonald. Sewing Prizes. —Mary Simpson, Jane Mitchell. ■ Knitting.—Eliza Cairns. :.:: ■' Fancy Knitting—Elizabeth Allen. : :• ' Special Prize for General Industry, presented1 by Mr Sligo.—Jane Ward. ;