MATAWHERO SCHOOL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4740, 14 December 1886, Page 3

MATAWHERO SCHOOL.

The annual distribution of prizes to th ohildren attending the above school ton place on Thursday, December 9th at th school house, M«itawhero, in the prusunc of a considerable number of the parenl aud friends of the ohildren. Mr A. C Arthur, Chairman of the Committee, gay away the prizes. The Rev. Mr Me Am and Mr W. H. Harris, head-nmstor, ac dressed the children and thbir friends congratulating those who had been succttst lul in the past y«ar and encouraging th others to increased exertions for th future. After the prize giving tho visitor weft invited to inspect the sewing, whic ruileoted great credit on the children am their sewing-mistress, Mrs W. Jrl. Harris The inhabitants of Matawhero are mucl to be congratulated on the possession o suah a school. Daring the time of M fltrris 1 mastership the attendance at th< school has increased more than fourfold from 40 to 174, and is still increasing. It the same period the buildings have beer doubled in size, and the grounds, &c levelled, drained, gravelled, and a nurabei of tree* planted. Wo may state that th< prize*, all of whioh were g»od, and som« extremely handsome, were purchased 03 subscription, a fact which it is verj gratifying to see these hard times. Th< following ii the prize list :— sth and oth Standards : Ernest Hurrey 1, Henry Loogho 2, Kmma King 3 ; special nresß prize, Raohael Greene.— 4th Stan- ) John von P«io 1, Murrille Kiohard .on 2, Inez Richardson 3 ; special progress priMs : Waitangi Coppiu, Laurence Dunn, Harry King.— 3rd Stindard : Bessie Scudamore 1, Francis While 2, Fredk. Parker 3, Joeeph Cooper 4, Robt. Witters 5, George Cross 6, Hamilton Morice 7, Walter White 9 1 progress prize, Nellie Sargeant.-2nd Standard : Kate Johnston 1, Fredk. Evinson 2, Margaret Power 3, Edith Judd 4, Edmund UUoff 6 ; progress: H. Caldwell, W. MoCullook, and Frank Wright.— lst Standard : Kdtnund B«rgean«l, AJennie J-luldoon 9, tytrbtina Brooking 3, Thos. Goldsmith 4, Pater Btalone 5, Bessie Burnand 6 ; progress, JaiM SHveoson.— All the above prizes were given tm the Inspector's marks. The psiKs in the following list wei-e awarded by the head master : — Good conduct : Isabella Cameron, Isabella Moore. Regular attendana*: Christopher Coppin, Sydney Jones, #torge Bougen, Archibald D«tte, C. Tarr, W. Arthur, Beokbam Arthur, Jno. Wall, Kate O'Donnell, Graham Johnstons, W. Dorrington, Geo. Herizler, Ada Pardoe, Minnie Stevenson. For recitation, Christina McDonald. The undermentioned gained full marks for sewing at the Napier competition and were awarded prizes :— sth Standard, Emu* King ; 4th, Either Banion; 3rd, Maud Heggaii ; 2nd, Kate Johnatone, Trixy Scudamore ; Ist, Emma Boogen. Speoial competition for Mr Townley s prizes : 2nd prize, Jane Batey. A speoial prize presented by Mrs John Sunderland for the " most unselfish and best-liked" boy was awarded, by the vote* of the boys, to Irving Hurrey. Best exeroise book : Irving Hurrey ; specially commanded : R. Skipworth, E. Hurrey, Jane Batey, and Murielle Richardson. THE PICNIC. The annual breaking up picnic took place on the following day, Friday Dec. 10th, in a paddock kindly lent for the occasion by Mr Ewen Cameron. There were about 180 ohildren present and nearly m many adult*. The provender, which consisted of all sort* of good things, was given and collected by the ladies of the district, and was folly appreciated— in fact, to witness the way in which sandwiches, oake, buns, lollies, and buckets of tea disappeared was a sight to see. In fact it seems to be an open question if the capacity of a colonial youngster for "goodies " and tea has any limit at all. AH the time the children could spare from the arduous task of absorbing sustenance was spent in running races, walking matches, &c, of which there was a lengthened programme, and for which a very good lot of prizes had been provided by friends — among them we may mention 2 calves, three lambs, a fat wether, a sucking pig, and several rounds of beef ; also a dress piece, and a pair of tho best six-button kid gloves. The splendid weather, the beauty of the position of the place chosen for the pionio, and the thorough " go " of everything, combined to make up a most enjoyable day, both for youngsters and adults.