BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2286, 23 December 1897, Page 43

BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

The annual distribution of prizes to the pupils of. the Boys' High School took place on the 15th icst., when, notwithstanding that the hour fired was a somewhat inconvenient one, especially for business people, there was a large attendance of friends of the school. Among those present were Mr J. F. M. Fraser (chairman of the Board of Governors), Mr W. D. Milne, Professor Shand, the Revs. J. J. Lewis, R. J. Porter, and J. T. HiutoD, Mr D. Borrie (chairman of the Educatiorf^Board), Mr G. L. Denniston (president of the Chamber of Commerce), Messrs V. Goyen, W. S. Filzgerald, C. R. Bossence, and C. Richardson (Education Board inspectors), F. Stilling, D. White, J. H. Jackson, W. Hutchison, C. Macandrew, C. R. Chapman, C. M. Mouafc, J. White, A. S. Paterson, and W. Hislop. The report submitted bj the rector contained the following clauses :— During the school year now closing, 228 pupils have been enrolled. Of these, 91 joined the school during the current year. The numbers for the three terms have been respectively 217, 219, and 210. The total number enrolled last year was 222.

Ten junior and 21 senior scholars of the Education Board have been in attendance during the year ; and the Board of Governors have given 26 scholarships entitling tbe holders to free education at the school. One pupil holds a scholarship from the Wanganui Education Board.

- In the organisation of the school* my chief diffi. culty has been with those boys who have joinedthe school late in the year. I would draw the attention of parents to the great advantage a boy -has who ia entered at the beginning of the seesion. -The boy who enters late, even by a few weeks, -feels at once handicapped in all those secondary •subjects in which he has to make a beginning. It is difficult, if not impossible, for a matter who has a large class to do justice to a pupil who enters a form after a fair start ha? been made in a uew subject. Either the master must slow down to allow the new arrival to overtake the class, or the late arrival must plunge into the middle of things, with no knowledge of the prelimina>y steps— that is, he must either suffer himself or pake the whole form suffer from his lateness in joining tbe form. I do not wish to dissuade parents from enteriDß their boys for the second or third terms if it is possible to enter them at "the beginning of the year, but merely to point out that it is better for all concerned that they should be entered as early as possible.

, The school has well maintained its reputation in the various public examinations. At the last university scholarship competition the school carried off a larger number of scholarships than is recorded in any previous year of the school's history. Mr Sheriff has continued the class in mechanical drawing, and a fair number of boys have availed themselves of Mr Sheriff's teaching. Some excellent work has beeu done by this class. Specimens of the work are exhibited on the scbool walls.

Early in the year Mr J. R. Montgomery resign e>l his position on the staff, to occupy tbe responsible position of head master of the Geraldino Public School. The Board of Governors in acknowledgment of MrF. H. Campbell's services, promoted him to the position on the staff formerly occupied by Mr Montgotneiy ; and, further, selected Mr 0. H. Broad, 8.A., to occupy the position on the staff vacated by Mr Campbell, an appointment which I have every reason to believe will prove a Bource of strength to the school. Mr Broad has assumed the captaincy of the cadets formerly held by Captain Montgomery. Captain Broad has jiut finished a promising firat year's work with the corpi, and I have no doubt will brin£ the corps to a state of even greater efficiency next -year.

- Mr Hanna's work goes on steadily and" satisfactorily. Though there has not been this year the .stimulus of an assaalfc-»l-arme, the boys have shown no lack of interest in their gymnastics. ' The outdoor life of the school is not yet &ufnciently vigorous to aatwfy nie. Notwithstanding -the active interest taken in the game 3 of the school by masters, more particularly by Mr Campbell and Mr Broad, there is still too much J' loafing" on the part of boys. Every -bo y should interest himself in at least some part of the ontdoor life of the school. For those boys who do not play cricket, unfortunately too many, tho Field Club offers an opportunity of spending Saturdays and other holidays iv a pleasant and profitable way. Thanks largely to the enthusiasm of 'Mr. Pearce, several pleasant Saturday expeditions have been made during the year. A cycling club has been added to the list of school institutions, and many pleasant Saturday runs have been made during the year when the weather has been suitable.- The cycling club owe much of their success to the stimulating enthusiasm of Mr Brent.

The new cricket ground, M regret to say, is not so near completion as I thought to have seen, it by this time. The soil used to cover it — tbe only soil'avwlable— wa» so stiff and so full of noxious weeds that there was no possibility of securing a tolerable pitch without careful cleaning of the ground." T have therefore had the ground turned over and weeded. This has entailed considerable additional expense, and a good deal still remains to be done before the ground is fit to be sown dowa permanently in grass. A considerable number of boys preparing for various examinations absented themselves from school for a week, oa the plea, I understand, of preparing themselves for the>r examinations by a week ef hom9 study. I wish parents to understand that this is a course of which I do not 'approve. Assuming that such boys earnestly .desire to ruake i the best use of their time, this is aot the way to secure their object. Boys cannot give more than a few hours each day to concentrated study. If they attempt more than this ,th6y get befogged and unfit .for examination. I always ask masters so to order their examination and class work daring the last week as specially to meet the requirement of boys goiDg ap for eaxaminatious. In this way boys cover a good deal.of the necessary ground during school hours without serious effort or exhaustion, and they can afterwards, without harm, give three hours of the evening to concentrated revision of their work. Thei>oyswho might mostsafely have been trusted to study by themselves— those of the Sixth Form — wisely attended school until I told them that further attendance was unnecessary. Further, it seems to me an extraordinary thing that parente should withdraw their sons for this purpose without asking my advice, obtaining my sanction, or eveu intimating to me their intention. At any rate, I wish to make it clear to parents concerned that unless for some special reason I recommend a boy to study at home the week prior to examination, any boy who absents himaelf does so without mv sanction or approval. I desire here also to note another point in which the relations of parents and pupils to myself might be improved. It is too frequently the case that a boy disappears from school without my receiving, either from parent or from pupil, any intimation that such a step is contemplated. Ido not refer merely to the departures that take place numerously at the end of every school year. Frequently in the currency of a term a boy ia missed fiom his place, and when I inquire about his absence I am informed by one of his companions that he is not to return, this being all the intimation I receive on the subject ; no communication from parent or from pupil. One might expect that a boy's natural feeling of kindliness and courtesy would prompt him to take leave of his scbool in a more mannerly fashion. It is possible that a boy who acts in this way intends ao incivility ; hut it would ba ■well, in his own interests, if his parents took some pains to insure that he is not uncivil without intending it. X. I have to thank my colleagues for the efficient assistance they have given me duriug the year. I desire to also thank the board for their kindness in according me a furlough of six months, and to express the confidence I feel that, with Mr Watson as acting rector, the school will be in good bands during my absence. Mr Thomas Hill, lately a pupil of the school, sends me a gold medal as a token of his good will to tbe school and the staff." With one or two honourable exceptions, the alumni of the school know little practical interest in-its prize-list, and I commend' to some of his seniors this example of generous though tfulneti 9a tide part ef. a youds

" old boy." I have awarded Mr Mill's! medal to John A. Hay, who, iv the aggregate of marlc.3 for the year, holds the place next to tbe dux of the school.

ftfy thanks are due to various donors who have contributed to the priza fund : the Chamber of Commerce, the Otago Institute, Messrs Sargood, Son, and JRwen, tbe Dux Association, an r l Messrs K. Ramsay, J. R. Sinclair. J. M. Ritchie, and Thomas Mill. Mr C. H. Osmond also has generously offered a bat for the best batting average during the present season.

Mr J. F. M. Fraser said : Ladies and Gentlemen, Mr Rector, staff, and the school, — I hare to announce in the first place that I have received apologies from the following gentlemen for their inability to attend here to-day : Dr Barnett, the Rev. B. G. Edwards, Mr Sinclair, the Rev. A. Cameron, Mr J. H. Chapman, Mr M'Nicoll, Dr Colquhouo, and Mr George Gray Ruteell. Me Russell has only landed this morning from a voyage to Europe. He was not aware that any functions were going on to-day, and had unfortunately made appointments that he could not break to enable him to come. I mention Mr Russell specially, for Mr Russell has always been a very warm and generous friend of this school. — (Applause.) He has returned after a pleasant trip to Europe— returned in good health and good spirits, — and if the school will allow me I'll convey to him from the school a warm welcome on his return. — (Applause.) Some changes — temporary changes — will take place duriug the present year which it will be not out of place for me to mention to you. As you are aware, your rector is going away on furlough for some months' trip to Europe. I feel certain that I am only expressing the sentiments of the board and of the school and of the general public when I say that he has the united good wishe3 of ell these sections for a pleasant and profitable, trip, and a safe return to us in good health — (Applause.) The very important position of acting-rector will be filled in his absence by Mr WatsoD. — (Loud applause.) As I recognise that the position is one of very great importance, I would like to say this ; that Mr Watson possesses the absolute confidence of the governing body, and that he is assured of the hearty cooperation of the staff. As you are aware, our old friend Mr Brent has on many occasions filled the position of acting-rector— (applause) — and creditably filled it, but on this occaaion Mr Brent, like a general who has gone through many campaigns - (laughter) — and won honourable laurels in many battles, feels that he has a right to take a r«st, and he eordiatty endorsed — nay, lent his efforts to induce the board to appoint Mr Watson acting-rector — (applau«e), — > and I trust that the school will loyally support — the school, mark you, will loyally support Mr Watson during his acting-rectorship, and that at the end of the term we will find that everything will be, a*s we all expect, highly satisfactory, and that there will be nothing to complain of on any side. — (Applause ) This alteration has necessitated certain changes or rather additions to the staff. The board congratulate themselves on having been able to secure the temporary services of Mr Nome, a gentleman of the very highest qualifications and credential f, and I feel certain that his work in the school will be productive of much good. So much for the work of the school during the prrsentyear. I have only one word more to say, and I address it more specially to the parents. During my term of chairmanship of the Board of Governors I have made it a practice to mingle freely with tbe boys as far as a somewhat busy man could find time to do so. — (Applause.) I think I may say that I have been able to see a great deal of them, and I would like to say this word to the parents, that I can conscientiously sty that in my opinion the school never stood so high in point of tone and general etiquatte and gentlemanly conduct as it does at present. — (Applause.) I desire to assure parent! that I do not think there is a school or college in the colony that stands ahead of us in that very important respect. — (Applause.) I want now to introduce my Triend Mr W. D. Milne, who has consented to act as chairman, to give the chairman's speech and distribute the prizes on this occasion. Mr Mihie has peculiar claims to fill the position of chairman at this function. He has attended the Boys' High School, and he is, what I never was, an old dux of the school — he dates back to the middle ages, somewhere about 1875 or 1876, — and he now fills the very high position of a member of the Senate of the New Zealand University, which is the highest educational governing body in the colony. — (Applause.) I feel sure that you will give Mr Milne a vary cordial reception, and I need not tell you to listen attentively to his remarks, for I know you will do that. I can only tell you that they will be well worth listening to. My knowledge of Mr Milne tells me that you will hear sound common sense from him and that he will not bs tedieup, which is a great thing. — (Applause.)

Mr W. D. Milnb (chairman) laid : Ladies and Gentlemen and Boys,— l have to thank Mr Fraser very heartily for the exceedingly flattering manner in which ho has introduced me aa chairman to-day. The first business before the meeting to-day i* the reception of the rector's report. Mr Wilson has asked me to say that as the report is ia the hands of all those present it will, as usual, be taken in parliamentary fashion as read. I must preface my remarks with an expression of the keen and full appreciation I have of the honour done to me as an old High School boy by the Board of Governors in asking me to-day to occupy this position. It is now 21 years since I last took my place as a schoolboy ia the front rows, and I may be pardoned some slight feeling of exultation in occupying as I do at this moment the position of president at the annual breaking up. The task allotted to me is to address a few words to those assembled and to the boys. Speaking to the wider audience first, it seemed fitting to me to say a few words of appreciation of our national education system. I may claim a somewhat pecu'iar inner knowledge, for I have either profiled as a pupil or taken part as a teacher in our system 'during the greater part of my life. Naturally, you may suppose, I consider our system successful, and you will bear with nse while I point out to you wherein I consider the reasons' foe that success lie lam sorely fcarapbed to pronounce a panegyric on our accepted method. The temptation comes from the feeling of irritation which affects me when I listen to the proposals made for its alteration, for the introduction of multifarious (subjects into our school curricula, and tbe mote tban absurd criticisms of those who continually complain th^t our boys ate sent out into the world with no knowledge of commercial or professional manners and customs. Beginning with our primary system : What oughl ib to be asked to do ? I would answer by telling you roughly what I think it does do. It. gives cur boys and girls the tools for their o»vn fuhire advancement ; it teaches them the tbi\.e R's ; and in the higher standards and with the higher subjects exercises their intellectual capricious — not by pretending to furnish tbem with a technical knowledge of any branch, but by fiKni*hing them to some extent w-ith the capacity for acquiring knowledge and for exorcising their own intellectual powers. Ths.t is all we can. ' ask from a primary evat-eua, aud J tliitik we can

fairly say we get it. Then, in oar secondary work, who are those for whom the State may fairly be called upon to supply secondary education? I would reply that those who show special aptitude for the acquisition of knowledge should b8 aided by the State. This is now done by means of our primary education scholarships, and tho extension of tbe application of the theory is only limited by the everlasting lack of funds, although the limitation itself is largely tempered by the liberality of the Board of Governors in their grant of free education to those known as 50 per cent, candidates. But the trcahnaut of those who ate intended for further training in our secondary schools muit differ from that accorded to those who propose to enter on the struggle for existence directly from the primary schools. Filiation mult take place at a stag* earlier than the highest primary standard, otherwise there is no much wasted energy. Our primary school scholarships should take our children away from the primary schools before the final standards are reached, a requirement which hai not always been kept in view in proposed reforms. This consideration, too, justifies the existence of what is termed the Seventh Standard in our primary schools. This standard fills a distinct gap ia our system, and eeeus to give those who cannot take and do not desire to take a secondary courss an opportunity of continuing their studioß on slightly specialised lines. lam aware that in so speaking I speak heresy in the opinion of some of those connected with this school, but I beliere that due inquiry will justify the statements .that the Seventh Standard does not appreciably affect tha attendance at this school, and that all tbe work done in it is so much gain to the State, and that under existing conditions to a large extent at the cost of our primary system and the labour of teachers. Our primary scholarships now take our promising pupils, to our secondary schools, and if tho honours list of this school be scanned the scholarship boys will be found holding their owd, as, of course, if the system works well, they should hold their own. The break in the work bztwecn the primary and secondary, schools is a nectssary, and I fear unavoidable, element. The primary schools are for the mass of the children, and their methods must perforce tend towards a poiut which can for she mass of tbe children serve a useful purpose as a final point. The process of sorting out (he apt pupils for further work must be done before the end of their primary course, and at this stage some dislocation is unavoidable. It may not in our present system be ab its minimum. Some critics think it is not, but it ia certainly not magnified. Then our secondary schools also provide a course of their own for "the children of those parents who can afford to give them a full education up to the standard of what is known at a high school education, although they may not be up to scholarship standard. Our scholarship boya are advanced further on their way to the entrance to the university, if they propose to proceed there, or are further assisted in their course * by the junior scholarship* of tbe New Zealand University and the benefactions of private founders. A like difficulty is met with in this school as we have seeu exists in the primary schools, and that arises from the fact that in the same institution pupils are studying, some of whom propose to make thoir high school work final, aud some of whom intend to proceed further with their education by attendance ab the uuiveroifcy. This introduces .another dislocation, and consequently some little friction, but I am prepared to believe that here, too, the difficulty is squarely met and fairly overcome. Those boys who now leave rchcol and enter into the great ocean of life have baA additional advantages over, those who made the plunge from the primary schools. Trcir intellectual equipment has been improved, fluic education hos been advanced! they have been assisted to a larger capacity for acquiring knowledge and exercising their own intellectual powers. The process in the university need nottbe detailed ; it is another advancement in education — a further acquisition of capacity 'to learn and exercise intellectual powers. And this is the point whereat the critics fail to see the real duty of the State. That is education — efcymologicaliy the leading out of the powers of ,fche children. Take a good standard dictionary eefiuition of (> education "—" — the Imperial. Education comprehends all that course of instruction and discipline which is intended to enlighten the understanding, correct the temper, cultivate the taste, and form the manners and habits of youth and fit them for usefulness in their future stations. The present work of our three systems is in the main, I believe, on these lines, and I must confess to a momentary feeling of irritation when I hear them blamed because boys in the Fifth Form cannot carry out quite correctly the minutiae of a long bill of parcels or understand the intricacies of a private system of bookkeeping on the day they enter a merchant's office, or when I hear it made in a manner matter of reproach that university graduates of high standing are not trained teachers. We might much more conaistently expect our newly-fledged graduates in law to be sound commercial lawyers. The function, then, of our education system is not instruction, it is education ; and education is uot necessarily furthered by the multiplication of subjects taught. And my contention is that on tbe present lines the work done by our three grades is good work, and that it behoves us to leb well alone. I do not wish to depreciate the value of technical instruction. Our present methods of manufacturing industry and the extensive introduction of machinery teud more and more to the loss of that individuality which makes the workman a full man. But technical instruction is not education — although I note that our legislators have suggested that it is, in the change of name from •• technical instruction " in tbe Ac") of 1895 to " technical education " in the B i ll of 1897. Technical instruction must succeed education, and its proper place is in those continuation schools established on the lines laid down by our own technical classes, with which the name of Mr G. M. Thomson, of this school, is so honourably connected. — (Applause.) Of course I do nob mean to say that our present system is perfect. There are many defects in detail which time and experience will sometimes diminish, and sometime?, I fear it must be admitted, increase. Among these latter I might mention in parsing the tendency to gauge all work and progress by examination results, and tbe consequent loss ot the benefit of tbe personality of the teacher — a very serious loss where the teacher is competent. A more complete and satisfactory system might be given ua if the funds at our disposal were unlimited. Every separate child might ba developed on the lines of his o°?n individuality. But, fcakiug things as we have them — men, children, and money — I would maintain that the general lines of our present arrangement are as good as we can reasonably cxp?ct them to be, and quite good enough to justify us in asking from innovators substantial proof of the efficacy of their particular projosts. And now I would gay a fewwords to the boys, and es-pecially to the boys who are about to leave the school. As I have already foid you, in school years it it to-day 21 years since I left; the bonehes, and the older I get the more f Jouk back on my school aud university days es the hanoiesfc time

I had. If your ' experiende it trfiafi mine has been, yon will grow more interested as you grow older in the school, - and her work, and the tort of men she is turning out. My own interests Ua more in the direction of the university men, but the same applies to all. Do not forget that you are watched, and watched carefully, by many to whom you pay but little attention. Remember that it is by your future careers that the success of the school is judged. Bach one of you who now takes his place for the lasb time, and each and every boy now at the school ? adds his mite to the future glory and reputation of the schoo 1 , or perhaps, alas, dims its lustre. You have your own part to boar, and you can throw the responsibility on no one else. Bcnrd of Governors, teacher*, examiners are all in vain unless the boys give them honest attention, honest discipline, and honest work. And remember that after all, it is from the character and conduct of the boys, and especially of the older boy*, both in school and after they have left it, that the public judge of the usefulness of the scbool and its sucoes*. The reputation of tha school is in your hands, and as an old boy I would exhort you, and, to go back to the old ages to which Mr Fraser referred, as Mr James Macandrew exhorted the boys at my first breaking-up in the year 1874-, to so act that any man may be proud to say " I was a High School boy." — (Loud applause.) The prizes were then presented as follows •— Dux of School (governors* medal), Alexander Kinder.

Sixth Fv>rm.~Engli&h, H. H. Barton; Latin, H. H. Barton •, French, H. H. Barton ; mathematics. A. R. Andrew ; science; H. H. Barton and J. Henderson.

Fifth Form.— Upper : English, E. Hayes ; Latin, T. G. Gilbert ; French. E. Hayes ; mathematics, V. S. Jacobs ; science, F. W. Ait2heson ; drawing, G. V. Gow. Lower: lfiaglisb, P. Lewis; Latin, P.'Lewia ; French, Andrew Barron ; mathematics, A. A. Langlvy ; science, G. A. Ulrich. Fourth Form. — Upper : English, T. Fergus and J; R. Hartley ; Latin, J. JR. Hartley ; French. C. Palteison ; mathematics, W. B. Alhvn ; science, A T. M'caw and W. B. Allan; drawing, A. T. M'Caw. Lower : English, T. J>. Adams and D Dunbar ; LatiD, W. F. Meek ; French, J. W. Shaw ; mathematics, A. H. Courtis ; dravring, A. H. Courtis ; bookkeeping, A. H. Courtis ; shorthand, H. S. Crawford. Remove : English, A. C. Middletou ; Latin, H. A. Perniin ; French, H. S. Crawford ; mathematics, R. S. Brown : drawing, G. F. Murray ; bookkeeping, G. W. Guthrie ; shorthand, G. W. Guthrie. \ 5 Third Form —English, S. Hutchison and J. S. Thomson; Latin, S. Hutchison ; French, F. E. L. Foireat^r ; mathematics, J. S. Thom-on ; dr*winar, Jeff. W. Paiker ; bookkeeping, S. HutcMson. Special Prizes. — English aud arithmetic — Seniors (Chambsr of Commerce's gold, medal). J. Lang ; juniors (Chamber of Commerce's gold medal), W. Lintoji. * Mechanical drawing, A. Jackson ; writing, Andrew B*rron ; reading, J. P. Baitleman and W. C. Young ; spelling, Jfl. J. Neale and H. B. Bayley. Gymnastics —^eoiors, C. G. White («vhp tied with D. Ramsay, the winner of the piize'last year); juniors, J. P. .Dartletnan ; fire's (holder of the challenge cup), J. N. Ritchie: rifle practice (holder of the challenge cup) -A. 11. Andrew, W. H. Parkev, G. V. Gow, aud R. E. Gillingham ; ca'Jet drill, Sergeunt While's squad — Sergeant White, Lance-corporal Barren, Corporal Jacksou, Privates Denniston, Andrew, T. Patorson, Mosley, Welch, and C. Brown ; prox. ace. to dux (gold medal), J. A. Hay. *

The Rkctok (Mr A. Wilson) mentioned when the prizes fox shooting were about to be pr«seuted tb.ft.fc Colonel Webb had reported that he had had grsat satisfaction in noticing the marked -improvement the corps had shown ia its drill during the past IS months.' The readiness with which the cadets had turned out and taken their places with the adult corps at tha Queen's Jubilee and later on, on the 9th November, for a field day, Colonel Webb said,deserved recognition and commendation. Colonel. Webb also*-' said that many of the sergeants were sharp.. and keen, and he hoped that when they left the High School they would join some one of the adult corps. Such a report as that reflected great credit on Captain Broad's management of the corps. — (Applause.)

The Chairman, as one who took an interest in volunteering, supplemsnted Mr Wilson's remark* by saying that one of the most important forms of the amusement or discipline of the boys — it was more important an discipline — should be their connection with the cadet corps. The Otago High School Cadets ought to the smartest drilled corps ia the district— they used to be, — and the High School boys ought to make up their minds to know what they ought to do, and, when they did turn pat, to show the other corps how the" work ought to ba done.

' The Rector, before calling up the pupil to receive the medal as proxhne accessit, said he received the obher morning a message from a High School boy, who left one or two years ago, saying that, as a mark of esteem for the school and the staff, he was offering a gold medal to be awarded as he (the rector) thought it wat most fitting that it should be awarded. That wa3 a most gratifying thing to all connected with the school, and, after considering the matter, he determined to award it to the boy who came next to the dux of the school in the aggregate of marks for the year. As ib happened, this boy, though first in one subject, had been first in tho same' subject last year, and so did not get the prize, but' he was a boy who had worked well and who deserved the medal. With reference to the winners of the Chamber of Commerce medals for English and arithmetic, be stated that the junior medallist was a boy who did not belong to Otago, bub came from Palmerston North, aa the holder of a scholarship under.the Wanganui Education Board, and he was very glad to see that the boy was putting his scholarship to some good use. The senior medallist was the dux of last year, who, having won his duxship a year earlier than it was usually held by boys from the Education Board school*, had wisely determined to have another year at I b.e .school rather than go straight to the university. Whether the boy' stood high or low in the competition then bating held for university scholarships*, he (Mr Wilsjn) had no hesitation in saying that he was a very much better scholar now than at the corresponding time last year when he was dux of the school. There wa* no doubt that in time he would make a scholar, and he (the rector) only hoped he would remember that there were other things than scholarship. There was one thing other than scholarship which he already possessed, and the speaker hoped he would always possess it, and that was modesty. — (Applause.) Mr G. L. Dknniston presented the medals offered by the Chamber of Commerce, and having done so said : It is customary for the president of the Chamber of Commerce to say a few words on thi3 occasion. I know that the boys will be glad to know that I do not intend to make what may ba called a speech. This is the fourth time that it has become my duty to attend here as president of the Chamber of Commerce, for the purpose of presenting the medals given by the chamber as prizes for EngVsh and arithmetic. Now there is no emolument attached to the position of president of the Chamber of Commerce, bat there are certain privileges, and there is none I esteem so highly as that of being present on this occasion, and taking a small part in this aucpicious ceremony. I just wish to utter one thought and leave ifc with you. I want to make yon understand how rich you are in the oue DOS/session of sonxethui* that is inestimable

and that money cannot; buy, and I am afrai<| that people at your time of life hardly appro*' oiate its value, and will not until you are older? ' I was talking one day to a gentleman in thfflf town, whom you all know, and is vary well* off. He is not an old man, bub he would admit he has topped the hill, and is on the downward slope, and he laid to me, "I would give all my property, my money, and my business, and all I have to be 21 again." He was exactly expressing the sentiments, although I don't think he knew it, of that genfcle American humorist, Dr Oliver Wendell Holmes, who says in one of his charming little poems— Oh for an hour of youthful joy— Give.back my twentieth spring. I'd rather laugh a bright-haired boy Than reign a gray-beard king. This rich possession, then, is youth. I would beseech you to value it, -for you only have ib once. Preserve it, preserve its purity, its buoyancy, its freshness, and its hope, and remember it is impossible to have a boy's heart long years after a beard is on your chin. I very heartily wish you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year and aa abundant enjoyment of your holidays.-^-(Applause.^

The Rkctok, before calling up the dux for tha year, said : The award for the duxship this y«at in some respects confirms the remarks made by Mr Milne on the education system of the colony. The winner of the medal has only been in tha High School for three years. I think it will be found, if the list of duxes is examined, that there are few boys who have won the gold medal in such a short residence in the school^ The boy who wins the medal won a junior board, scholarship some five years ajo on which htt attended the Milton High School, originally coming from the Stoney Creek School.-— (Laughter.) You may smile at that, but T mention it specially to show that the small schools do their fair share of work in the education system of the colony.— (Applause.) After bsing two years in the Milton High School, which I may obierre in passiog has lent; many excellent pupils both to the Gidij' High School and Boys' High School, Kiadar pawed to this school, and he has done three y tars' good work here, and -very well deserves the honour that is bestowed on him to-day. I hive had through my hands a good many. Kiuders, and I can vouoh for it that tha stock — both men and women — have a good many solid qualities. — (Loud applause.)

Mr D. Borrie proposed a vote of thanks to the Board of Governors, the staff of the school, and to the chairman. In doing $o he said it wan a peculiar pleasure to him to be honoured with the request to propose that motion, for he was connected with the Board of Education of tb.a district, and he had also bean for many years ""* eonatefcad with the Waitaki Boys' and Gtrle' High Schools. He quite agreed with Mr Frasac that (he Otago Boys' High School had always taken and now took a leading place among the educational institutions of the colony, but tha kindred iustitution at Waitaki was going, he was about to say, toftread on its corns, but ifc would be more oorrect perhaps to say tread oa its heels, and the result would be to iucreasa the paca of both.— (Laughter.) He had r«a«on to know that the Board of Governors often devoted a considerable amount of time to "running" the institution. Oa them devolved the fiadin; of the sinews of war to "ruu" the institution, and ( he was lorry to lay that from the outside public they often gob more kicks thau-ha'penoe. Since the institution of the school — and he might i»y that he had tak«n a great interest in it since its establishment in the old, building where the Girls' High. School now is — ifc had alvay* taken' a. very high sfcimdioff, and he was sure that the pifbf c would' give hearty thanks to the staff for, thair good services.— (Applause.) Ho was also sure 'ttutr those present would thank the chairman for hit interesting and educative address. — (Applauuo.)

The motion was received with acclamation. The Rector said : Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, and Boys, — In reply to the kind words that have beeu said about tbe staff, perhaps the most pertinent thing-thai; I c»n say is that we have done our best, and I am quite sure thafe my colleagues deserve all that has been said about them. I cannot say less than that, and. if I detained you for an hour I could say no more. I do not kuow if I may be permitted to say ft word or two oa this occasion about myself pet* sonally. — (Applause ) A« you all know, at the time I undertook tbe management of this school the board offered me a furlough of six mouths in consideration of what they were pleased to regard as my services to the Girls' School.— (Applause) This holiday I contemplate taking now, and therefore I shall be away from the school for a few months of next year. I hope, however, that this may not ba altogether unprofitable to the school and therefore . to the community, for I look to return to Dunedin with a aharpar edge than at present I am conscious of posseting. Ido not travel with my eyes shut, and therefore I hope to be able to make myself more useful by being away for * mocth or two than if I stayed here. Without claiming for a moment to be, refined gold, or even silver, I think I may claim to be service* able irou— (hear, hew),— and you know that iron if it* remains too long in oue place takes on rust. ■ A portion o£ my very considerable encrustation I hope to rub off in the next fe^v months by the attrition of travel^ and I go with the more comfort ia the knowledge that it is proposed to put the helm in the meantime in the very capable hands of my colleague, Mr Watson — (loud applause), — and* also in the assurance, or rather the knowledge* that my other colleagues will do all that is ia their power to make his task of government as light as possible. To those boys whom I shall not see again as pupils of th® school I can only wish all sorts of happy things, and more particularly that they may become good andmseful men, and not be loafers on the face of the earth. I suppose you all know that " loafer " is derived from a German word meaning "to run," and they appear to be so named because they are never seen running. — (Laughter.) A loafer isi one who goes up and down on the face of th« earth avoiding as much as possible doing any useful work or honest play. I hope that no one of you, after leaving school, will come under this reproach. To those boys whom I~ hope to see again— and I trust there will be s . large number of them — I give the same advice, to be careful not to become * loafer on tha - earth either in work or in play. Now, I wish you all a very happy holiday. — (Load ap» plause.) Kr Fiuser, on behalf of the Board of -

. 3o*ernors, returned Shanks for the vote of £bank». , They might, h« said, sometimes get btcre tick* than ha'pence, bub every man who performed public duties got tha*;, *nd if per■*obs were not prepared for that they should not be - there. In conclusion, he announced that the school would reassemble on the Ist February, and on the part of the board he wirhed the boys a very enjoyable holiday, a happy Christmas, a merry New Year, and good digestions. — (Laughter.) He had only ona word of, advice for them, and that was to get back from the town as far as they could, fill up their lungs with fresh air, and come back in the best of health. The proceedings then terminated.