ALBANY STREET SCHOOL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5251, 16 December 1878, Page 1 (Supplement)

ALBANY STREET SCHOOL.

The usual yearly exhibition of the scholars of the Albany street School, prior to tlia breaking'iip for the Christmas holidays, took place on Friday. There wag a numerous attendance of parents and friends— about 200 being present, and there was a full attendance of the scholars. The Key. Dr Stuart presided, and addressed tha children in his usual happy vein ; and. the Rev. J. Upton Davies delivered a very interesting and practical address on "obsdience to parents and conduct out of school." A number of pieces of aeleeted music were very fairly sung, the accompaniments being played, on one of Smith's American organs, by Mr Ferguson, the principal master. The needlnvok exhibited by the scholars was remarkably good, and reflects the utmost credit upon Miss Adam, who has charge of the infant department of the school—which comprises 285 Bctolar3— and is also the sewing teacher. It would almost an endless tank to particularise the articles exhibited in this department of school work. Some idea of its extent may be gained from the statement that it consisted of 250 pieces of plain, work, one doaen pairs of socks, and 100 pieces of fancy work. In regard to the plain needlework, Misses Maggie M'Dougall, Helen Webster, Emily Mitchell, Jane Caldwell, and for knitting, Miaßes Mary Ann Cameron, Margaret Whitewell, and Elizabeth \*;hiteweil are worthy of honourablo mention. Most of the fancy work was exceedingly good, and all of it wag creditablti. Ja this department Misses Maggie MD mgall, Mary Allan, and Kate Swan diss tiuguished themselves. Tho exhibits by pupil teachers displayed great skill and industry, the principal articles being a quilt by Mias Blackey, a coauy by Miss Smith, a cushion by Mies Ellery, a natted cushion by Misa Speddiog, and fllowers by — Fowler. I'he specimens of writing by the scholars wsrd very good, the best being the work of Mary {Alexander, Wai. Pietersin, and Jane Campbell. Amongst the maps—one of the world by W. Wilson, and another of the United States by James Campbell, may be very highly commended ; and other maps were very fairly executed by Joseph Hendry, Jano Campbell, Annie Thomson, Mary M'Alillar, James Robertson, Wm. l'ietorsia, Wm. Bardsloy, Christina Anderson, and John Thomson.

Tho attendance) at the school has been aa numerous an the accommodation would permit:, and has biisn remarkably regular. Ceititic.'.tea o£ attendance arc issued by the Board of: Education—first cla3S certificates to pupils who have not been absent at all for twelve munths, and second class ones for those who have not besu absent for more than fivo clays during tho yesr ; and of these nine first clas3 and fifty-one eoooud class certificates have been awarded to tho scholars. A largo number of tho certificates given in lien o. prizes by the Education Coiumittao i,;> ;i}l wiio attained more than 75 per cent, of mayku yepo at> gained Ijy tho scholars.

The attundauca at the dill'aient classed at the cloao of the yo.u- way aa foliowa :—

Mr Ferguson, Gth standard, 19 boys, 21 girls; total, 40. Mr Cook (assisted by Mr Sutherland), No. 5, 43 boys, 29 girls ; total, 72. Miss Fowler, 4, the Standard sequel, 22 boys, 30 girls; total, 52. Mr Rix (assisted by Miss Jilackley and Mr Stewart), Nos. 4 and 3, 6G hoys and 63 girls; total, 129. Miss Hooper, No. 2 sequel, 20 boys and 20 girls; total, 40. Infant Department.—Misa Adam, matron (assisted by Mjas M Naughton and four pupilWclws), W3 boys, 1H girls j total, 38}}.

The school was dismissed for the holidays at about 4 p.m., and school duties are to be resumed on the 20th of January next.