PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Southland Times, Issue 20963, 21 December 1929, Page 8

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

END OF THE YEAR HAPPY GATHERINGS YESTERDAY PRIZES PRESENTED ■ Yesterday marked the end of the primary school year and the eve of the summer vacation for the school children in Southland, and the schools throughout the province were the scenes of happy prize-giv-ings, while during the evening concerts were numerous. Happy healthy children paraded on the concert platform to the joy of proud parents, and the successful scholars received some tangible ' reward for their labours. To-day will usher in the long looked for holidays, and during the next few days children will be busy with preparations for trips to the seaside or the inland lakes.

MIDDLE The annual prize-giving ceremony of the Invercargill Middle School was held in the quadrangle yesterday afternoon in the presence of a good number of parents. The chairman of the school committee (the Rev. J. Lawson Robinson) presided. In addressing the assembled children, the chairman stated that ho wished ■to tender his congratulations to the headmaster and stall upon coming to the conclusion of another school year as successful from an external point of view as those in the past. To all the successfid scholars he offered his congratulations, but trusted that no one would be unduly elated by victory. Some of the most successful men in the world’s history had not been prize-winners at school. After all the winning of prizes did not matter so very much in the long run. Most people were likely to forget that the children had ever won prizes at school, but they would not forget the manner in which the children conducted themselves in life. His Excellency the Governor-General • (Sir Charles Fergusson) stated recently that he had not won prizes at school. But,, said the speaker, the Governor-General had shown an example of public service very much to be desired and very much to be emulated. The speaker said that ho desired, in conclusion, to pass on to the children the Governor-General’s message of the three points they should always remember. Each commenced with the letter “S.” The first was “side,” the speaker going on to stress the value of the team effort. The second was “Spirit,” short for loyalty, faithfulness and obedience. The third was “Second Innings,” which, just as in sport, was true of life. In it children could rectify mistakes made in the first innings. Mr Robinson asked the children to remember the points he had enumerated and to let their lives be conducted along those lines. If they acted upon that advice every-? one would say that they had done their part and done it well. The distribution of the prizes was then proceeded with by the chairman. The prizes in connection with the essays conducted by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union were presented by Miss A. Smith and those in connection with the Anzac Day essay by Mr A. C. Bulling, representing the Southland Returned Soldiers’ Association. Tributes were paid to the fine work of the Middle School children in these essays. The. sports certificates were presented to the children by Mr G. C. Batchelor.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the headmaster (Mr D. D. Steadman) called upon Mr W. P. Wicks to present to Mr Robinson a framed photograph of the 1929 school committee. Mr Wicks expressed the hope that the photograph would serve Mr Robinson as an ever-constant reminder of the pleasant hours spent in conducting the business of the schooL

Three cheers were then given with a will by the children. In replying, Mr Robinson paid a glowing tribute to the committee, stating that he did not think it* was possible to obtain in any school a finer and more capable body of men to conduct its affairs. The committee had shouldered the responsibility of effecting the improvements about the schooL In thanking the members for their gift, Mr Robinson assured them that it would not be necessary for it to stimulate his memory. In referring to the excellent staff in charge of the school and stating that it would be the same when the school opened after the holidays, Mr Robinson said that it had striven in every way to promote the interests of the children and give them a good grounding in the essentials of education.

Heartily-given cheers for the headmaster, staff and committee brought the ceremony to an end.

The following is the prize-list, the children in the infant department having received their prizes on the previous afternoon: —

Standard 2a: Dux of Class: Lynn Anderson. Second Prize: Mervyn Keane. Third Prize: Ronald Sim. Fourth Prize: Palmer McMillan. Arithmetic: Charles Geddes. Composition: James Johnstone. Attendance Certificates: Lynn Anderson, William Collett, Jack Burns, Frank Bulling, Ernest Clark, Charles Geddes, Neil Sellars, Walter Kennedy, James Johnstone, Robert Murray. Standard 2b: Dux: Mary Skeoch. Second Prize: Doreen Baird. Third Prize: Catherine Sutherland. General Excellence: Jessie Brown, William McMee. Spelling Prize: Alexandra Robson. Sewing Prize: Margaret McCullough. Progress Prizes: Elizabeth Moir, Freda Cooke, Barbara Roff, Joyce Macdonald, Agnes Pascoe, Christina Adamson, Phyllis Manson. Yvonne Webb, Alma Blomfield, Janet Grundy. Attendance Certificates: Barbara Roff, Joyce Jennings, Elvra Bulman, Fanny Korner, Freda Cooke, Margaret Seiwood, Rose Tomlins, Catherine Sutherland, Lorraine Heads, Evelyn Buttolph, Phyllis Bailey, Mavis Cockroft, Doreen Baird, Jessie McLachlan, Joyce Macdonald, Dorothy Payne, Annie Middlemiss, Margaret Garron, Velma Kidd, Norma Wakefield, Muriel Pennicott.

Standard 3a: Merit Prizes: First, Ralph Cocklin; second, Percy Cooke; third, Douglas Watson. Progress: Gladstone Patterson. Neatness: Douglas Gavin. Conduct: John Hydman. Attendance: Percy Cooke, Douglas Gavin, George Garron, Colin McMillan, Sydney Orr, Gladstone Patterson, Darcy Read, Herbert Spriggs, Lloyd Woollett, Darcy Wilson, Douglas Watson. Standard 3b: First prize and special for Arithmetic; Ethel Butson. Second prize and special for Composition: Lois Boyd. Third prize: .Lenore Heads. Merit Prizes: First, Allison Thompson; second, Linda Thyne; third, Gloria' Barlow. Special prize for Neatness: Gladys Wilson. Attendance Certificates: Lenore Heads, Lois Boyd, Agnes Kelly, Kathleen Taylor, Violet Bennett, Marion Johnson. Standard 4a: Dux: James Pollok. First Arithmetic and second class prize: John Simpson. First Composition and third class prize: Colin Jarman. General Excellence: lan Anderson, Morell Anderson, CliSord Jennings. Best Worker: John Gray. Attendance Certificates; John Simpson, John Gray, Hector Orr, Leonard Jenkins, lan Anderson, John North, Michael Toole, Samuel Hinton, William Giles, Dudley Davis, James Seiwood, Douglas Ramsay, Colin Jarmanj Rewai Glasson, Noel Cockroft, John O’Grady. < Standard 4b: Dux: Ana Halbert; second prize, Daphne Swift; third prize, Winsome Blue. Progress: Winnie Rennington, Joyce Crcsbie, Neatness and General Excellence: Mavis McKenzie. General Excellence: Naomi Sampson. Attendance: Winsome Blue, Nellie Brown, Joyce Crosbie, Ana Halbert, Dorothy McEwan, Joyce McNee, Ethel Neame, Mavis Reddell, Naomi Sampson, Moira Taylor. Standard 4c: Class Prize: Allan Aitken. Attendance Certificates: Gordon Dopson, Horae® Clark, George Savory, Allan Aitken. Standard 5: First prize, William Anderson; second prize, Clifford Abbott; third prire, William .Fairlie. Progress: lan,

Douglas, Earl Jarvis, Roland Abel, Edward Spriggs, Isobel Mclntosh, ' Norrie Woods. Athenaeum Prize: Lester Harper. Sewing Prize: Marjorie Gordon. Conduct and Progress: Ora McGibbon. Homework and Writing: John*Gough. Improvement: Harold Robinson. Attendance: James Burns, Phyllis Wilson, Bruce Neame, William Fairlie, Lillian McMillan, Edward Spriggs, Dorothy Kennedy, William Anderson, Ora McGibbon, Lucy Brown, Clifford Abbott. Temperance Essay: First Pauline Robinson (special mention); second, Norrie Woods, lan Douglas and Ora McGibbon (equal). Standard sb: Dux: Pauline Robinson. Neatest Work Book: Bernice Dennis. Sewing: Ethel McMillan.

Std. 6a: Dux girl: Pauline Mae Anderson (medal). Second girl: Helen Frances Yule. Third girl: Ethel Joyce Kelly. Dux boy: Donald Malcolm Waters (medal). Second boy: Reginald Wilfred Buddle. Third boy: Keith Mickle France. Special excellence in English: Jessie Evelyn Christie. Pen Drawing: Beverley Mitchel. Painting: Ernest Crosby. Reading and Recitation: Margaret Moir. Diligence and Industry: Thos. Leask, Robert Painter, Ronald Sloan and Douglas Jackson. Latin: -Pauline Anderson. Attendance certificates: Anderson, Hilda; Anderson, George; Christie, Evelyn; Crosby, Ernest; Gray, Robert; Johnson, Fred; Kelly,’Joyce; Kerr, Reginald; McManus, Alfred; North, Allan; Pettit, Robert; Waters, Donald. Long attendance prizes: Anderson, George; Crosby, Ernest; Kerr, Reginald; McManus, Alfred; North, Alan. Standard 6b: Dux, Mary Childs; second prize, Elsie Garan; third prize, Margaret Brown. Composition: Phyllis Currie. Neatest Work Book: Mary Edie. Hardest Worker: Eileen Baird. Needlework: Madge Trim. Attendance Certificates: Madge Jaquery, Leona McLeay, Moira Lind, Joan Stalker, Alice Seiwood, Dulcie Jarman, Mary Farquhar, Louisa Elder, May Baird. Attendance Prizes (five years) : Louisa Elder, Moira Lind, May Baird, Alice Seiwood.

NORTH The annual break-up and prize-giving ceremony of the Invercargill North School took place yesterday afternoon in the North Invercargill Hall. The chairman of the School Committee, Mr A. W. Anderson, presided.

In opening the gathering Mr Anderson said he did not wish to detain the children. He wished them a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The next speaker was the Rev. W. Tanner, who stated that from what he knew of children they like short speeches. When he was a boy he preferred to be outside and he was confident that they were the same. He congratulated Mr J. Soar and the staff on their year’s work and the fine young New Zealanders they had under then charge. Mr Tanner concluded by tendering some useful advice to the children and told them never to forget their teachers and what they had done for them. Mr John Officer, who also spoke, advised the children to go on the land. He said it was a very fine calling and required quite as much study as any other. The prizes were distributed amidst applause, a special round of cheers being given to the girls who were successful in winning the seven-a-side basketball cup. Mrs Chalmers presented the Temperance Essay prizes. The prizes for the primers and Standards 1 and 2 were distributed in the morning by the Mayoress, Mrs J. D. Campbell. At intervals in the afternoon items were contributed by Miss Nellie Laytham (recitation) and Miss Clarice Sutherland (song). The gathering concluded with three cheers for the School Committee and the staff.

The following is the prize list: Standard 6: Dux: Maisie Weir. Second: June Perry. Third: Ivy Morton. Fourth: Kathleen Evans. Progress: Margaret Watson, Winsome Sadlier, Margaret Jaquiery. Boys: Bruce Godward 1, Reid Gerrard 2, Oliver Scott 3. Progress: Reginald Hall, Kenneth Kennedy. Special Drawing: Godfrey Beissell. Special Sewing: Annie Rillstone. Attendance Certificates: Kathleen Evans, Beth Crawford, Ivy Morton, Maisie Weir, Winsome Sadlier, Zoe Smith, Edna Purdue, Reid Gerrard, William Mullen, Kenneth Kennedy. Standard 5: Dux: Dorothy Spence. Second: Esther Smith. Third: Nellie Laytham. Fourth: Donald Kennedy. General Excellence: Enid Fletcher, Ernest Mullen, Anna Mitchell. Diligence: Jean Hughes, Leslie Small, James Fenton. Progfess: Sidney Thornley, Edith West. Oral Answering: Alec Chalmers, Jack Gazzard. History and Geography: Harry Holland. Library Prizes; Dorothy Spence, Donald Kennedy. Attendance: Doris Hamill, Anna Mitchell, Edith West, Willie Hollamby, Harry Holland, Donald Kennedy, Ernest Mullen, Gordon Robertson, Sidney Thornley. Standard 4: Dux: Winifred Gerrard. Second: Henry Gilbertson. Third: Leo Andrews. Fourth (equal): Margaret Henderson, Betty Don. General Excellence: Florence Burns, Annabel Weir, Ena Clapp, James Treweek. Progress: Cara Hogg, Alan Jaquiery. Neatness: Vera Doogin, Hazel Moore. Diligence: Herbert Brown, lan Spiers. Oral Answering: Hugh Ritchie. Attendance: Annabel Weir, Florence Burns, Herbert Brown, Cecil Flaus, lan Spiers, Norman Wilson. Standard 3: Dux: Dorothy Stott. Second: Cyril Gray. Third: Joan Hemmings. Fourth: Ruth Cook. Writing: Mavis Gregory. Arithmetic: Agnes Smith. Composition: John Watt. History and Geography: Gordon Ryan. Neatness: Hazel Dobbie and Morris Fearn. Progress: Heather Matheson. Attendance: Hazel Dobbie, Edna Whitaker, Agnes Smith, Gem Witt, Margaret Kennedy, Morris Fearn, Gordon Ryan, Robert Prentice. Standard 2: Joyce Speirs 1, Valerie Black 2, Doreen McFarlane 3. Writing: Muriel Saxton. Progress: Roland Watson. Neatness: Billie Flaus. Composition: Lyla Titchener. Standard 1: Dux: Joan McLean. Second: Wallace Robertson. Third: Garfield Wilson. Fourth: Erek Moen. Reading: Maisie Wilson. Writing: Hazel Brumby. Arithmetic: Ross Ritchie. Spelling: Joyce Pepper. Composition: Douglas Fletcher. Drawing: Marjorie Miller. Recitation: Joyce Pullar. Attendance: Jack Anngow, Hazel Brumby, Douglas Fletcher, Abson Kennedy, Joyce Pepper, Connie Smith, Marion Lawton, Sam Whitaker, Joyce Pullar, May Wilson. Primer 4: First prize: Joyce Campbell and John Allan; second prize: Dawn Taylor, Robert Hemmings, Angus Henderson, Peter Stead (equal). Drawing: Warren Sparks, Neville Dawson, Arden Double, Bruce Crawford. Progress: Margaret Gray (special), Margaret Lilley, Rodney Hoffman, Joan Ayling. Recitation: Kenneth Bradley, Andrew Watt, Raymond Cowley. Number Work: Reece Fearn, James McClure. Reading: Reginald Robertson, James Chalmers, Mollie Brown, Florence Barrett. Writing: Samuel Targuse, Nancy Holmes, Keith Clapp. Singing: Helen Walker. Diligence; Frederick Targuse. Primer 3: First prize: Robert Lewis. Second prize: Rosalie Ferry. Diligencer Gloria Dawson, lan Gilbertson. Progress: Norman Owen, Charles Calvert. Writing ana Number Work: James McFarlane. Recitation: Roy Riddell. General Excellence: Kenneth Bennetts. Reading: Nancy Calder. Writing: Francis Davis, Leslie Jones. Primer 2: First in class: Ruby Riseley. Second in class: John Bridgman. Geherai Excellence: Audrey Buttolph, Morrison Watson. Recitation: June Flaus. Progress: Isobel Potter. Neatness and Writing: Lorraine Bell, Bruce Morgan. Reading: Neville Hinton. " ' ■ ■ ' Primer 1: First boy: Lindsay King. First girl: Phyllis Hemmings. Second boy: Frank Wylie. Second girl: Brenda Cran. Thira boy: Alan Pedlar. Third girl: Joan Dawson. Progress: Jack Hastings, Bertha Brandford, Jean Murdoch, Valerie Thornhill, May Dodds, Eileen Scully, Jean McLean, Margaret Allan. Writing: Robert McFarlane, John Kerse, Errol Buttolph, Ngaire Sherburd. Conduct: Ellen Hannan, Margaret Wilson. Good Work: Brian Newton. Drawing: Gordon Beissel. Conduct: Kathleen Leete. Attendance: Reece Fearn, James Chalmers, James Collett. Sports Prizes: Skipping under 13: Joyce Gardner 1. Girls’ 50 Yards, under 9: Margaret Kennedy .3. Solo Skipping under 15: Jessie Wilson 3. Girls’ 75 Yards under 12: Edith West 1. High Jump under 13: Cairn Jensen 1. Boys’ 50 Yards under 9: Dave Watts 2. Boys’ 75 Yards under 11: Leslie Small 3. Swimming: Ken Kennedy: Second Running Dive under 14; second Standing

Dive under 14; third Free Style under 14. Morris Fearn: First Breast-stroke under 10. Best Cricketer: William Mullen. Best allround sport: Ken Kennedy. Cricket Representatives:—Juniors: Ernest Mullen, Prosper Mac Donnell, Robert Field. Seniors': William Mullen, Ken Kennedy. Pickford Medal: K. Kennedy. Robertson Medal: W. Mullen. Rugby Football Representatives 1929: Harry Newton, Prosper Mac Donnell, Ken Kennedy.

MARIST BROTHERS ; The prize distribution ceremony took place at the Marist Brothers’ School yesterday* afternoon.. The very. Rev. Father Howard presided, and after distributing the awards congratulated the boys on their success and imparted some useful advice. The Director (The Rev. Brother Egbert) submitted his annual report, which stated that the year 1929 had been a most successful one in all departments of school life. More than ever they wished to impress on parents that they were primarily responsible for the education of their children and that while the teachers did everything possible for the moral, mental and physical development of the pupils, they claim to be only the assistants of their parents and never undertook to wholly replace them. Though so much was done to develop the moral side of education, more than full time was given to the boys’ mental and physical development. The full programme of secondary education leading up to matriculation, accountancy and Public Service examinations was given in their high school. In January last three boys received word that they had passed the 1928 Public Service examination, D. Davin (128th), T. Hanning (178th), and B. Butler being well placed in the list of 850 successful candidates. R. Stone, J. Pound, T. Murray, P. Kempton, P. Stokes, T. Rillstone, T. Cahill passed the intermediate by examination. All the boys in their high school had passed their school examination and had been advanced to a higher grade and this independently of what the results of this year’s public examinations might be. Twenty-five boys passed the sixth standard examination, and twenty-two of these gained Proficiency. This entitled all those boys to four years’ free tuition in the Catholic High School in either the professional or commercial courses. The physical training of the boys was provided for by regular instruction in hygiene, by physical exercise and games. The High School boys had a particularly successful football season, nearly all taking part in either the 4th or 6th grade competition. Full advantage had been taken of the school’s proximity to the municipal baths, and although none of the boys had been granted free tuition, over 100 had paid for and enjoyed their weekly swim. The present year. 1929 marked the centenary of the passing of the Catholic Emancipation Act by the British Government. By this Act the English people proclaimed their desire to grant to all his Majesty’s subjects the fullest measure of religious liberty. Coincident with this centennial celebration was the golden jubilee of the establishment of the Catholic School System of New Zealand as distinct from the secular system. They gladly paid tribute to the great bishops, priests, people and above all the religious teachers of the past fifty years who had built and maintained our Catholic Schools equal to the best in the land, not only in moral and mental training, but also in material equipment. They were determined also that this efficiency should be more than maintained and they would pray for the day when some enlightened statesman would give to each section of the community, its own money for its own schools and thus bring New Zealand up to the high standard of religious liberty prevailing in Britain, Canada, South Africa and most parts of the British Empire. The following received prizes, right of choice of prize being determined by order of merit:

Good Conduct (gold medal): John Pound. General Excellence, conduct, scholarship and sport (gold medal): Robert Stone. Dux of School, first scholarship (gold medal): Daniel Davin. Form Prizes.

Form V: John Pound—Conduct Ex, Divinity Ex, Speaking Ex, Latin, French, English, Mathematics, Science, History, Writing V.G. Thomas Rillstone —Conduct Ex, Divinity Ex, English, Latin, French, History, Mathematics V.G., Arithmetic, Science, Writing G., Speaking V.G. Robert Stone —Conduct Ex, Divinity Ex, English, Latin, French, Mathematics Ex, Speaking, Arithmetic, History, Writing V.G. Bernard Beadle—Conduct V.G., Divinity Ex, Speaking Ex, English Ex, French Ex, Mathematics V.G., Arithmetic V.G., Science V.G., History V.G., Writing V.G. Patrick Kempton—Conduct V.G., Divinity, English,. French, Latin Ex, Mathematics, Science, Arithmetic, History, Writing V.G. Patrick Stokes—Conduct V.G., Divinity V.G., Mathematics, Science Ex, Arithmetic V.G., English, French, Latin, History, Writing G. Thomas Cahill —Conduct V.G., Divinity V.G., English, French, Latin, Science, History, Mathematics, Arithmetic, Writing, Speaking G. Clifton Murfitt —Conduct V.G., Divinity V.G., English, Franch, Latin, History, Science V.G., Mathematics, Arithmetic G, Writing Ex. Daniel Davin—Conduct V.G., Divinity G, Speaking G, English, Latin, French Ex, Mathematics, Arithmetic, History V.G., Writing G. Form IV: Hilary Lister—Conduct Ex, Divinity V.G., Speaking G, English, French V.G., Latin G, Science V.G., Mathematics, Arithmetic, History G, Speaking G. Patrick O’Neil —Conduct V.G., Divinity V.G., English, History V.G., Mathematics, Science, French, Writing, Speaking G. Leo Crowe — Conduct V.G., Divinity V.G., Speaking V.G., English V.G., French, Mathematics, Science, Arithmetic, History, Writing G. Martin Davin—Conduct V.G., Divinity G, English V.G., Speaking, Mathematics, Arithmetic, Science, History, French G. Arthur Shep-herd-Conduct V.G., Divinity G, Mathematics, Arithmetic V.G., English, History, French G.

Form HI: Terence O’Connor—Conduct Ex, Divinity, English, French Ex, Mathematics, Arithmetic, Science, History V.G., Writing, Speaking G. John Murray—Conduct Ex, Divinity, English, Histop' Ex, Mathematics, Science, Speaking, Arithmetic V.G., French G. Rupert O’Brien —Conduct Ex, Divinity, English, French Ex, Mathematics, Arithmetic, Science, History, Writing V.G., Speaking G. Kenneth Rillstone—Conduct V.G., Divinity, English, Science, Mathematics, Arithmetic V.G., History, Speaking, Writing, French G. John Officer—Conduct V.G., Divinity, English, French, Arithmetic Ex, Mathematics, Science, History V.G., Writing; Speaking G. Arthur Drury—Conduct V.G., Divinity V.G., Mathematics, Arithmetic, Science’V.G.,. English,• French, History, Speaking, "Writing G. Thomas Scully—Conduct V.G., Divinity, French, Mathematics, Science, Speaking, History, Writing G. Maurice Deegan—Conduct V.G., Divinity V.G., English V.G., Speaking, Writing V.G., Mathematics, Arithmetic, History, Science, French G. William Robertson—Conduct V.G., _ Divinity V.G., Arithmetic, Mathematics, Science V.G., English, French, History, Speaking G., Writing V.G. Thomas Deegan—Conduct V.G., Divinity, English, French, Mathematics, Arithmetic, Science, History, Writing G. James Murphy—Conduct V.G., Divinity G., Arithmetic, French, History V.G., Mathematics, Science, History G. Standard 6: J. Searle, G. Meffin, P. Pound, C. Keppel, F. Mitchell, M. Hogan, M. Beadle, P. Grace, I. McSwigan, A. Nutsford, L. Hall, K. Mcßae, B. Butler, J. Cleghorn, N. Dawson, P. Mclntyre, H. Cockroft, J. Gaynor, E. Campbell, J. Fletcher, M. Frampton, M. Small, V. Vincent, W. Vincent, P. Burke, V. Soper, C. Nevin, J. Braxton. Standard 5: P. McCambridge, G. Martin, N. Cameron, B. Officer, H. Drury, J. Sawyers, J. Staunton, F. Fraser, C. Pasco, P. Morey, W. Donaghy, W. Fraser, Struan Robertson, G. Stratton, N. Grace, A. Chiaroni, Donald Robertson, J. O’Sullivan, Thos. Cook, C. Burke, W. Hales, Menzies McCormack, L. Campbell, J. Minogue, Rob. Mullan, Noel Ward, Alex Milne, Bernard Caulfield, T. Daly, J. Enwright, P. Clifford, M. Kelcher, K. Bradshaw, W. Forde, R. Kelly, L. Nevin, Hayden Frank. Standard 4: Jas. Ballantyne, Arch. Rogers, Brian Murray, Joseph Leonard, John Derbie, Joseph Robertson, Joseph Webb, Lawrence Hoffman, John Stapleton, Keily

Wood, William Dwyer, Thomas Small, Joseph Devaney, James Willis, Austin Montague, William Quelch, Phil. Connolly, Brian Ferry, R. Nutsford, Thomas Forde, Michael Fletcher, Noel Crowe, Francis Cusack, Peter Concannon, Walter Metzger, Desmond Perrin, Andrew Waddick, Patrick Davin, Graham Reidy, Thomas Fox, Robert Milne, Ray Baird, Wyatt John, Francis Daly, John Francis, Ray Cody, Stanley Soper. Standard 3: Patrick Burke, Matthew Keppel, Robert Traynor, Reginald Davis, Reginald Forde, James Sawers, Douglas Hislop, Michael McCormack, Joseph Stapleton, George Cameron, Desmond Cooney, John Willis, Thomas Stratton, Francis Canny, Martin O’Sullivan, Leo Ford, Michael Chisholm; Desmond Corbett, Edward Cockroft, John Small, Owen Daly, Mervyn Campbell, Edward Minogue, Stanley O'Connell, Theodore Waddick, Patrick Walsh, William Walsh, William Enright, Ivan Nevin. Standard 2: Patrick Fox, Patrick Lister, Noel Martin, Patrick McSwigan, Leo Connolly, William Donaldson, Brian Beadle, William Barry, James O’Kane, Peter Scully, Raymond Lyons, William Ciuneron, Michael Breen, Owen Drury, Francis Wills, John Dawson, Joseph Burke, Francis Ford, Gerald Corbett, Joseph Haberfield, Arthur Shaw, Alister Robertson, Roy Dunick, Cecil Francis, John Murphy, William Brown.

WAIKIWI ■ Great interest was evinced by parents at the annual distribution of prizes of the infant department of the Waikiwi School yesterday afternoon, the attendance being larger than at any similar gathering in the past. At the afternoon function the various prizes were presented by the Rev. W. J. Robertson. In the evening in the Waikiwi Halt the remaining prizes were distributed, the pupils of the school entertaining their parents and visitors to an enjoyable concert programme which reflected great credit upon the teachers in whose hands was the organizing work. At the evening function the chairman of the school committee (Mr. W. Carswell) presided and presented the prizes. In his opening remarks the chairman referred to the very fine manner in which the children had worked during the year, the results of the proticiency examinations which compared very favourably with those of other schools, showing the success of their efforts. Touching on feaures of the year Mr. Carswell said that the Department had made-a grant of os er £llO9 towards the remodelling of the school. The Southland Education Board had made arrangements for its staff to commence the work at the close of the present school year, and it was hoped that the work would be suffic-iently-advanced to allow the school to carry on as usual-at the re-opening, lhe recent carnival had ■ resulted in a net sum of £265 being available for the carrying out of improvements to the school grounds and with voluntary funds already in hand this amount would be increased to slightly oter £3OO. With the Government subsidy added, an amount ol approximately £6OO was available for spending on improvements and equipment. In conclusion Mr. Carswell paid a tnoute to the teaching stall' whose work had always been appreciated by the committee. In wishing the children the compliments of the season Mr. Carswell expressed the hope that they would come back to school refreshed after their holidays, and fully prepared for anomer year’s work. The Rev. W. J. Robertson supplemented the chairman’s remarks and reierred to the great improvement the renovation scheme Would make to the school not only from the point of view of accommodation for teachers and pupils, but also of its general appearance from the roadway. The ■ headmaster (Mr. M. J. Leith) also spoke, paying a tribute to the stall for the support he had received during the year and to the school committee for its interest at all times and its readiness to meet with any request. The speaker made special mention of the work of Miss H. Spillane, who was leaving to take up an- appointment in Christchurch, especially in connection with the girls’ basebail team and the organization of school concerts. Mr. Leith spoke highly of the work of Misses K. Prendergast and W. Bell, other members of the staff who were also leaving. At an interval in the evening the dux of the school (Master Leonard Shieffelbein) made a presentation on behalf of the sixth standard of a shaving outfit to Mr. Leith and of a razor outfit to Mr. W. R. Brash, first assistant. Following is the prizelist:

Standard 6: Dux of School, Leonard Shieffelbein; seqond prize, John Thomson. Progress: Nancy Brown. Athenaeum prizes: Iris Murrell, lan Robertson.

Standard 5: First prize,' S. Wilson; second prize, S. Kennard. Special: C. Churton. Progress: D. Sherrills. Temperance Essays: Olive Leith, S. Wilson. Standard 4: First prize, Helen Taylor; second prize, George Leith. Progress: Marion Tuffery. Special: Peggy Cheyne. 'Stand 3: First prize, Mavis Patterson; second prize, All. Tretheway. Special prize: Jean Taylor, Hugh Thomson. Standard 2: First prize, Edith Smith; second prize, Wallace Bell. Special: E. Cunningham. Sewing: E. Watts. Standard 1: First prize, Phyllis Tuffery; second prize, Rita Nunn. Special: Avis Jordan, S. Rewcastlc, L. Morris. Sewing: M. Campbell. Attendance prizes: First prizes—Class P: M. Forde, R. Robertson, E. Myers, E. Rance, M. Robertson, E. Forde. Standard 1: Rita Nunn. Standard 2: I. Russell, D. Saunders, J. Peach, J. Herman. Standard 3: M. Patterson, A. Patterson, G. Nunn, T. Valli, A. Tretheway. Standard 4: M. Tuffrey, E. Thomson, D. Burns, J. Myers. Standard 5; A. Kennard, S. Kennard. Standard 6: M. Sievewright, I. Robertson, G. South, L. Shieffelbein, J. Thomson. Second prizes: Class P: R.' Leith, 0. George. Standard 1: M. Herman, P. Merrett, D. McCartney, W. Watts, Shirley Sands. Standard 2: V. Robertson, C. Sparrow, R. Wilson, P. Peach. Standard 3: Godfrey Waters. Standard 4: G. Leith, E. Brighton. Standard 5 : M. Toshach. Standard 6: C. Mclntosh, M. Robertson, T. Spurrier, E. Herman.

ST. GEORGE Last evening, a large gathering of parents and friends were present at the annual prize-giving of the St. George School. The infant pupils and those of standards 1 and 2 had held their distribution of prizes in the afternoon, when enjoyable items were given by the kiddies. Mr G. R. Brown, the chairman of the School Committee, who presided at the evening’s function, expressed his pleasure at the large attendance of parents at the break-up which spoke well for their interest in the children and in the school. They were all indebted to the headmaster and his staff for the manner in which the work of the past year had been conducted. Taikings things on the whole, the staff had achieved praiseworthy success. He was pleased to be able to announce that the chairman of the Education Board, Mr A. W. Jones, had that night received a telegram from the Minister 6f Education in which he advised the granting of the sum of £370 to meet the cost of a new sewerage system for the school. (Applause.) Their thanks were due to, Mr Jones for his efforts in that matter.

Mr A. W. Jones, chairman of the Southland Education Board, who presented the class prizes to the successful pupils of Standards 3,4, 5 and 6 stressed to the children the value of school training. He assured the senior pupils that, although they might feel inclined to rejoice that their school days were now over, yet they would later miss the comradeship of their mates and teachers. He hoped the lesson they had learnt at school would stand them in good stead when they took their place in the world.

Mr G. R. Robertson, formerly headmaster of the school, presented the dux medal to Joyce Jefcoate, whom he congratulated upon her great honour. He hoped that when she attended the secondary school, she would win further honours and finally emerge as dux of the school. Mr J. A. Doig) who, in the absence of Dr. Stanley Brown, the president, represented the Southland Cricket Association, presented to Cuthbert Warburton, the picket captain, a handsome cup.

Other special prizes were presented, while the sixth standard pupils made a handsome presentation to their teacher, Mr Kinross in token of the esteem in which he was £eld by them. TLe prize-giving was interspersed with items by the pupils, whose efforts were warmly appreciated. SOUTH The prize-giving in the infant classes at the South School took place at the school during the afternoon, when the chairman of the school committee, Mr C. W.< Patton, presided. The senior prize-giv-ing and concert was held in Stobo Hall at 8 p.m. when a large number of parents were present. The chairman of the school committee again presided, and in his opening remarks asked the children if they knew what they were there for. Shouts of, “To get prizes, was the 'reply. Continuing, Mr Patton said there was one thing he wished to mention, and that was the lack of interest shown in the affairs of the school. Very few parents had been present at the annual meeting and election of the committee, and he hoped to see many more when the next meeting of householders was called. There was a considerable amount of work to be done in the grounds of the school and parents were going to be asked to assist. The committee, with the assistance of the board, intended to carry out some concrete work during the holidays while the children were absent, but the grants made to the committee were not sufficient for all the work required and the parents would have to come forward and help if they wanted their school kept up to a high standard. Concluding, Mr Patton said that he hoped' that they would all enjoy themselves and that those who did not get prizes would not be disappointed, but would continue to work hard so as to be among the first next year. An excellent programme, composed entirely of items by the pupils, was then presented. The infants appeared first with songs, recitations, dances and a playette. The standard 4 boys then gave several songs and a round, their singing being highly appreciated. The standard 4 girls also delighted the audience with songs, a recitation and folk and solo dancing and l then the standard 5 boys showed their prowess at physical drill. The programme concluded with songs, a recitation and a dance by the standard 6 girls.

Before the prize-giving ceremony commenced the chairman thanked the staff for the splendid concert presented and congratulated Mr C. N. Lawless and his staff on the results of the year’s work. There had been a large number of candidates presented for proficiency and competency and there had not been a single failure. Mr J. A. Doig then presented the senior cricket cup to the captain of the school cricket team. He congratulated the boys on their fine performance and said that they had much to thank their teachers for. Mr Doig also presented the senior Rugby cup, the junior Rugby cup and the senior seven-a-side cup. Mr A. W. Jones, chairman of the Education Board, presented the prizes to the senior scholars and in doing so said that he was pleased to be present to see them about to embark on their holidays. The South School had dpne particularly well, thanks to the teachers, and he hoped they would regard their teachers as friends for the teachers were their friends and were anxious to help -them. Mrs Pratt, of the South Invercargill W.C.T.U., presented the prizes for essays on Temperance and the Rev. J. Chisholm presented the Anzac Banner.

INFANT DEPARTMENT. Yesterday afternoon at 2 p.m. there assembled in the infant department of the South School a large and representative gathering of parents and friends on the occasion of the annual break-up function. The chairman, Mr Patton, gave the children a very interesting address. Mrs Garrett also addressed the parents and children. At suitable intervals in the proceedings songs were sung ’by the little ones. The prizes were presented by Mrs Patton, Mrs Lawless, Mrs Milne, Mrs Parkin and Mrs Garrett.

WAIHOPAI The various breakihg-up ceremonies of the different departments of the Waihopai School were held yesterday. In the morning the infants received their prizes. Mesdames R. M. Strang and D. M. Greig presided at the infants’ break-up at Waihopai and Messrs W. K. Tomlinson and J. Cuthill, members of the committee, at the Park School ceremony. In the afternoon the pupils of Standards L, 11. and 111. were first assembled and the prizes were distributed by Messrs W. Grieve and F. Tucker. A number of enjoyable items were given by the children. The senior break-up followed and as at the earlier ceremonies there was a large attendance of parents. The chairman of the committee, Mr R. M. Strang, presided. Mr Strang, in a brief address to the children, told them of the importance of tradition. He said that when the Manuka was wrecked there was an American on board who fervently declared after the disaster, ‘Thank God for the British sailor.” It was the traditions of British seamanship that enabled the crew and passengers to behave so gallantly. The Waihopai School had its traditions and all who attended the school should live up to the Waihopai motto, “Play the Game.” Referring to the work done during the year Mr Strang said that the committee was deeply grateful to the staff for its “ excellent work during the year. As an instance of the results achieved at the school he could mention that there had not been a single failure this year in standard six. During the past four years there had been only three failures in this standard—a remarkable achievement. The committee had been active in improving the school grounds, and it was hoped shortly to undertake an improvement scheme which would, give Waihopai a'very much larger playing area. The school prizes were then distributed by Mr F. Tucker, the Anzac Essay prize by Mr John Tait on behalf of the Returned Soldiers and the Sports’ Association certificates by Mr B. C. Galloway. Mr Galloway, also presented the cups won in the schools’ basketball competition by the senior and junior teams. On behalf of the pupils Mr Strang made a presentation to the first assistant, Mr Clapp, in recognition of his help to the pupils both in school and out. Before the ceremony concluded the headmaster, Mr D. M. Greig, expressed his gratitude to those who gave so generously to the prize fund and to the donors of special prizes. Waihopai’s prize-list has already been published.