GIRTON COLLEGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2076, 7 December 1893, Page 3

GIRTON COLLEGE.

A large number of ladies and gentlemen availed themselves on Friday of the invitation of Miss Freeman, principal of Girton College, to attend the annual exhibition of class-work and distribution of prizes in connection with the itstitution. Among those present were the Hon. T. Dick, Professor Salmond, the Reva. D. Borrie, J. M. M'Kerrow, and A. P. Davidson, Dr Coughtrey, and Mr J. A. Torrance. The room in which the closing ceremony took placa was Very prettily prepared for the occasion, the stage being lavishly decorated with flowers, while upon the walls was displayed at least one specimen of the work during the year of every pupil in the college. Examples of map-drawing, writing and arithmetical exercises, and chalk ■end pen-and-ink drawings were most con* spicuous among the specimens exhibited for" inspection, and in no single instance was there any evidence of carelessness on the part of the pupils, the work that was shown evidencing, on the contrary, that not only had the scholars had the benefit of very careful tuition, but that many of them 'had been very apt learners. A few paintings in oils and in water colours by Miss Fodor, who has charge of the drawing and painting classes in the college, were also exhibited and greatly admired. For the delectation of visitors a short programme was also provided by the pupils under the direction of Miss Freeman. Recitations were given by Misses E. Hazlett, A. Oatway, E. Tennent, and E. Esther, each of whom spoke with admirable point the lines she had to deliver ; a French dialogue from " Le Joueur" was intelligently and spiritedly rendered by Misses A. Coughtrey and M. Henderson; and Misses Fanny Simpson, Lily Will-on, Isabel Mills. Annie M'Kerrow, and Annie Watson took part in a scene from " Henry IV," Part I, in which they acquitted themselves exceedingly creditably,, tho various parts being sustained with a. good deal of dramatic force. After the distribution of p:fzer,

The Rev. -A:. P. Davidson, in addressing the girls,, said he was glad to see that so m icb. prominence was given in the college to the subject of English. He was pleased, too, that the lessons were brought to bear on their moral training, and he truly hoped that when they left school they would retain in their minds the valuable instruction they were now receiving. He also commended the spirit in which all the .work of the college appeared to be carried on.

Miss Fukeman, in a brief but forcible speech, spoke of the success achieved by the prizetakers, who had done excellent work during the year, and made reference to the arduous tasks which others among the pupils had over.come, notwithstanding that they were not prizetakers. She also referred to the value of education, and to the immense storehouses of information which a knowledge of English, for instance, opened up to students ; and to the girls before her she said they now held in their hands the keys by which they could unlock all the gates of learning from the time of Chaucer to Tennyson in the present century, and revel in the beautiful writings of the old masters. — (Applause ) In the afternoon a large number of ladies and gentlemen inspected the various drawings and other specimens of school work on view in the college.