THE SCHOOL VACATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10240, 24 December 1894, Page 8

THE SCHOOL VACATIONS.

SANDYMOUNT.

At the breaking np of the Sandjmount Schoo! there were present a gaad number oflladiess s also the chairman oE the school committee (Mr William Robertson) and the Rev. Mr Greig, who presided and distributed the prizes. Th« children having given a few songs and other performances in a pleasing manner, were addressed by Mr Greig on the advantages of their school life compared with that of 40 years ago, special allusion being made to the pile of prizes on the table, which seemed to throw a kind of halo of smiling facss around the school, there being five beautiful volumes especially devoted to as maray pupils who h&d gained firstclass atteud&ncs^certificates. The rev.-gentle-man took the opportunity of emphasising the necessity and value of regularity and punctuality iv school life. The names of the pupils who carried off these special prizes were: — Athol Robertson (Mr Horsburgh's), Edward Aitkeß, George Hutoheoß, Stanley Robertson, [ and Annie Aitken. All the children who passed their Staodard received a prize each, there being over 90 per cent. oE such. The sewing prizes were awarded as follow* :— Standard VI, Margaret Hutcheons: Standard V, Kate Weir; Standard IV, Christina M'Tainsh; Standard 111, ffiffie Black and Jane Neill; Standard 11, Bella Bracks and Annie Aitken; Standard I, Christina Stewart aud Jessie Dickison; Infants, Jane Stewart. Knitting, Agnes Hutcheon, Margaret Hutcheon (highly commended). After ringing cheers for the committee, the Bey. Mr Greig, the chairman, Mr William Raberbson, and the teachers, the school was dismissed for the holidays. It was a pleasing feature to see tha good feeling and harmony that apparently existed between the teachers and pupils. An entertainment, in the shape of a Christmas tree and concert combined, was given in tha Drill Hall on Tuesday. The hall was crowded. The bulk of the items were given by the Sandvmount school children, and credit is due to Mrs Greig and others for their untiring zeal, and to Miss Chalmers, who trained th« children. Mr Jack (of Hooper's Inlet), Mia! Dick, and JVliss C. Dick rendered Christmas carols in quartet; Mies Duckworth and Miss Balaille gave saleciaono on the organ; while Miss L. Arnctt and Master Maxwell gave taking recitations. Mr Grant and Miss Agnes Hutcheon' rendered songs in a very creditable manner. alis?«8 J. Dickison, Kate Hutcheon, J. Weir, B. Weir, B. Denton, A. Aitken, S. Aitken, Q. Black, L. M'Tainsh, C. M'Tainsh, J. D.wis. Musters S. Rabertson, G. Balsille, aod A. Weir taofe part in recitation, song, dialogue. The Christmas tree was a great succes3, aud excited the keenest interest.

A WINTER GARDEN AQUARIUM AND " ZOO," FOR DUNEDIN. TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —It is surprising to me to think that a colony like New Zealand, which considers itself in advance—in some things—of the old country, should not hivra such a. resort as the above, both for pleasure and instruction; more particularly when there is everything within reach to form one of the most unique and charming exhibitions of both flora and fauna—one net to be surpassed in the world. A collection of the many descriptions o£ beautiful terns and orchids can be obtained with little trouble from the West Coast Sounds and other districts, not to mention the various interesting shrubs, mosses, native trees, &c. These alone would attract many thousands of visitors to your city. New Zealand also contains in her seas the most interesting varieties of fish, crnstacea, &c. that are to be met with. Both the habits and mode of life of these inhabitants of the deep—if exhibited in large gloss tanks as at the Brighton Aquarium at Home— would be watched by the public and naturalists with great interest. Our native birds— which are now fast disappearing — would also prove a considerable attraction to msnv— even to colonists who have never seen them; but to tourists it would be a boundless source of delight to have the opportunity of seeing the kiwi, kuka, lrakapo, pukaki, roa, bur gr*nd wood pigeon, and the perky little wood robin, with the beautiful plumaged paradise duck, tui, blue crow, saddleback, and our charming bell-bird, or mokomoko, not forgetting ou: many sea descriptions of wild fowl, also the king penguin, and the gracefully swimming shag.

Sea lioas, sea elephants, with seals, could be obtained from the Mscquarieg or'other islands near our coast. I fear our Zoo collection would come off rather meagre, as, fortunately, New Zealand cannot boast of any wild animals, but a collection of these could he obtained at no very great expense, and they would prove very attractive to many who have never oeen any except a few broken-spirited things exhibited in menageries that visit this I colony. A concert, theatre, and ballroom should be attached to the exhibition, and promenade concerts, with displays of fireworks given. Flower, fruit, dairy, and poultry, with farm implements, shows could also be held. Lectures on useful subjects might be delivered for the benefit of the people. With all these attractions people in Dunedin should not feal dull, or not know what to do with themselves of an evening, as is often the case now, but could turn into the Winter Palace, or gardens, and listen to sweet music, or watch animal life in all is phases, or stud; the beauty of our native flora. Surely there is enterprise enough in Dunedin to establish such a resort-as I suggest, both I for recreation and instruction; but it must not Ibe done in a second rate way, or it will only prove a failure. If properly organised it should be a success, and return a good dividend each year to the committee and shareholders of ouch an institution, and at the same time they would earn the thanks of their fellow citizens by attracting many country people and tonrhfes to Dunedin. It was a pity the lata exhibition buildings were so ruthlessly demolished, as both the building and the grounds attached might have been utilised for such an object. Coald not one of the glass buildings of the recent Chicago Extiibition be secured cheap now ? —I mv, &c., Cattle Cove, December 19. F. P.