PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 12975, 14 December 1910, Page 2

PRIZE DISTRIBUTIONS.

liOVS'^AXD GIRLS' COLLEGES..

The i>ii?v distribution and brcaking*ap reix-mouy i« tjonncctLOU witlx "tilts ]io\ s' and Girls' Colleges took place iii tho Assembly Hall at tho Boys' Culleye lust night. There was a very iu^o attendance 'of parants and IVicnds, many being unable to gain .admittance to the hall.

There weie ou the platform, besides the principals and staffs of the two Colleges, tbe following mombers of the lioard of Governors: Messrs John Graham M.V., F. H. Richmond, J. H. Cock, C. Y. Fell, G. A. Harkness, P. Best, F. W. Hamilton, and Dr Gibba and the secretary, Mr Ralph Catley. Mr Graham expressed pleasure at seeing so many present. He regretted that the room, large as it was, was all too small to adequately accommodate all who desired to be present- He> called upon air C. J. Hark? to take: the chair. . " . Mr Harley, who was received with* prolonged applause, said that the pleasure with which he presided over that gathering was increased by the fact thatin what now seemed the long, long past he himself was a boy attend- - ing the College. He was not going to give them a dry lecture on education, but would talk on things in general in connection with the College. He was somewhat at a loss in addressing a gathering of the pupils of both Colleges,, for he knew little about .the Girls' College, but he did know that it was a very successful institution. He was not. one who believed in the higtif?r education of women when it brought them into competition with men. It might be a fine thing for girls to- become independent and earn their own living, but he did not think it increased their womanliness. The best thing girls could' do, he thought, was to follow in the footsteps of their mothers and grandmothers, and become good, domesticated women. If they must take up professions it seemed to him that women wore best ; fitted to take up medicine and teaching. Dealing with the Boys' College, Mr Harley urged the boys to remember that they be-longed-to a grand institution.' .Though, Nelson College did not possces the hoary traditions of some of the English public schools, ♦it was venerable among New Zealand institutions, for it was founded as far back as 1854. Mr Harley sketched the early history of the College, and recalled the- .deep regret with which he saw the old building destroyed by fire in 1904. - With it he thought the educational glory of Nelson had gone for ever. ; He did not : think that the building could ba re-erected, bn account' of the lack of funds. But they had an energetic Board of Governors, and out of the ashes of the old' building there soon rose the present splendid odifice.. ■ Nelson College, he said,' had always been very fortunate in its masters, from the first principal, the- Rev. Mr Bagshaw, to the gentleman who now held that position, Mr Fowlar. (Applause.); : He urged "the scholars not to' regafd tlieu^ education as finished when they left College. Under present day conditions a boy could do little "more than get a. smattering of a higher education, and it berhored him to continue his studies after tis school life; if his educatiaa was to be of the value to hira it should be. Mr Harley recalled tbo love and reverence felt by the scholars in his day for the then principal, tho Rev 0". O. Andrew. When Mr Andrpw came to the College the institution had ; earned an unpleasant 'reputation, for the extent to tfbich corporal punishment was adminstered r th<*re. He could say that punishment of that sort was carried to ' ; quitri unnecessary lengths.. Mr Andrew from the-; first set his face against corporal punishment, and his appeal to tha better nature of the boys accomplished more than repeated canings had ever done before. Mr Harley eulogised the sports carried on at the College, and urged the boys to take their part in them- In this connection he congratulated Master McNab on winning the school cup on Saturday last. (Applause.) Another tiling he greatly admired about the College was the, good fellowship obtaining among the scholars."^ conclusion lUr Harley offered some good advice to the pupils of both Colleges, and wished them a merry Christmas and a" happy New Year. 'Mr Harley was loudly applauded on resuming his seat. . , , iMiss Lorimer, Lady Principal of the Girls' College, read the report as follows:— The total roll number lor tho 3'ear has been 180, and the total number of bbardars 37. •-- There have been no changes in the staff during the year ; but we are now to lose Miss O'Callaghan and Miss Nicholson, both of whom carry with them our best -nrishefe for Iheir future happiness. Two lICW mistresses have been appointed, Misa Farrow, M.A., of Canterbury College, another old Christchurch High School girl, and Miss Hind, M.A., of Victoria College. Each has had four years' experience in teaching* and both are vary highly recommended. The results of last year's examinations are as .follows: Two girls passed Matriculation, and eight Matriculation and Solicitors' Gsneral Knowledge,' a very gratifying result, . considering tho ' unexpected raising of the standard and the consequent slaughter of the innocents, of.

which' one heard so much all over the Dominion. We obtained 22 passes in the Junior Civil Service Examination: two young girls, Ethel' McNabb and Winnie Betts taking high places on. the credit list. Nineteen, gained 'the Senior Free Places: This year. Anna Fell and -Stella Derrick passed- first .roar's terms in four subjects and Ruth Walker in two. Early in July the general work of the Coll<-gp- -was inspected and that of the Junior Free Place pnpils of the sscond year examined by Dr. Anderson and Mr. GUI, M.A., LL.B., and sometime subsequent to their visit the following'; girls wero awarded Senior Free Flares, under clause 7 (c) : Gladys Baigent, Zita Bis•ley, Theo Clouston, Alice CoopCiT,. Florence Edon, Margaret Grace, Eileen """"■ Hair, Kathleen Leach, Ursula Lewis, •Mary Power, Henrietta Robertson, Varna Roiighton, Syhil Satchell, Laura SJieat, Ellen Vosper, Kathleen Warnock, Ida Win, and Edith' Woods. The following received extension of their free places for one year: Edith Eden, Rita Hodgson, Amuri Hunt, Ivy Kidson, May Joyce, Gwendoline Lewis, Jean Mackenzie, Connie Shields." Ethel McNabb, who has held a Junior National Scholarship for' three* "years, had it extended for another two by the Minister of Education, on the recommendation of the Nelson Board of Edu-, cation.- The Preparatory Department* consists of sixtean enthusiastic little girls, who acquitted themselves very well at the examination conducted by Mr. Crawford. The following IV Form Kins on the same occasion gained Sixtll Staritlard. proficiency certificates t Xvi jßogors, MaVi'ta Hadscn, Rona i Hamilton, and Gladys Frasßr, At Victoria College the following Old Oiris were successful in tho examinations for which they sat-. L. Rothweli, G. Saxon, G. Everett and I. Edwards, the last mentioned distinguishing herself by gaining first-class honours. The total number of present girls who entered .for outside examinations this year, exclusive of the degrea girls, was 53. Of these 19 sat for matriculation, 27 for Junior Civil Service and 7 for Continuation. We have more candidates than usual for Matriculation, they having entered in the boptV of getting through before the standard is further raised. What the results will be, remains to be seen. A General Knowledge paper was given again this year. I still have greatfaith in the>vaiue of •this paper, and understand from parents that it does stimulate the moro intelligent girls to take an interest in current events and to ask questions; " and it is doubtless good for some to learn through the medium of this test that "there* are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in their philosophy." The cookery classes hare, -during the latter ba)f of the ■ .year, been conduct-eel nnder much mor« favourable circumstances than former- .■ ly. Miss Sutherland-Smith and her v| pupils were very glad to pscape from ,:j their cramped and rather gloomy J quarters, to the bright, airy, and J

commodious kitchen so generously provided by the Governors. Hero the girls find it a pleasure to work. They have propar accommodation for both demonstration lessons and practical work, and learn to cook with a range as well as by gas. Over 100 girls have attended these classes. In connection with this subject, and with dressmaking, I should like, to state that the Department docs not encourage girls to take •eitue:- for a period of less than two y*ars. If a free pupil takes cookery t>;r hor first year and dressmaking for r tho second, neither of these subjects may be counted by me when making up the total number of units of work done during the two years of the Junior Frae Place. If, therefore, girls desire these units to cou«t towards obtaining continuations they must, for the first two years, keep to the owe : ; nl>ret or the other. The physical culture classes have, in the absence oa lenve of Miss \V. Greenwood, been omductod by MiEs B. Greenwood, who 3m proved a most energetic and enthusiastic instructr«ss. The girls have Joarnt what appear to the uninitiated sin nlinost bewildering varioty of exvrcises, judging by the effective display Riven at the School of Music. "Dr. Gibbs, who was kind enough to wcauiine for prizes reports that their : shoulders are more even than last year and their backs stronger, but he deplores the fact that girls will stick, their chins. out. "Chins in, means chests out," he says. I have heard threats of replacing the head boards, nt present used for marching, by bricks in the hope that they may produce something of the oase and grace of the Eastern women, who carry pitchers on their heads. Miss W. Greenwood, whilst in Sydney, observed that in the best physical culture schools a great point was mado of daportment, and who hopes to introduce, next year, a r.mber of new exercises which should ii;nprove the girls' carriage. I should *w «?l..ii if mothers would encourage *' ir fii;ls to do their exercises reguH:irlv ; for we find it impossible to give ai'ore than fifty minutes or an hour per nveek for this branch of thoir work, and iit should be BYjpplt>m&ntecl by tegular practice at homo if only for five mmmtes every night nnd morning. Drawling, taught by Miss Igglesden. shows :a decided improvement; for. Bhe is a • capable and encouraging teacher. The 'Christian Union, under the management of Miss Barter, has met regularly throughout the year, and good work has bean done in the Bible Study Circles, some of which are conducted by the girls themselves. The "N.G.C.," managed by Miss Kitten, is proving its worth in a very practical way, viz., by an increase in the number of subscribers. During the winter a successful entertainment "The Masque of Empire," in which about sixty performers took part, was given in the School of Music. A new institution, which J hope will bo permanent, is the Camera Club, founded to encourage girls in a hobby which gives pleasure to themBolves and to their friends. We have a dark room, and hold fortnightly competitions for which prizes are awarded. Coming to games. liocJfcy was played -with great vigour last wln *Hr> .*■"'? | teams competing in the maichefe, and | t»io Junior one winning ft cuallonee CUP prcsanfcxl by Mr. Harford. The Club was very fortunate in securing the services of -Mr. Spear as coacli, and a rood level field, where they might practise when the Botanical Reserve is not availablo is all they now have to desire. The Tennis Club has an increased membership owing to tho inclusion of more clay girls, some of whom aro making the boarders look to their laurels. The champion, Gladys Baigcnt, was the recipient of a handsome trophy, kindly given by Mr. Kirkpitrick. Croquet is 'beloved of the smallor girls, especially when the fly pole in not in action, and is -played also by those who arc not fond of vigorous'exercise. There has been no swimming this term, I am sorry to say, owing to the dilapidated condition of tho dressing shed at tha bathing hole. The City Council have, however, undertaken to have it repaired. Slid it will be in readiness for next term. Water polo, has been impossible sine*, the demolition of the Marine Baths, but we hope that in the near future the reproach that- Nelson has no public- baths, may be removed. Mrs. Satchell has managed hor department with her usual skill and judgment, the healthy and happy appearance of the boarders bearing eloquent testimony to the treatment tlw<y have received at her hands. The train girls deserve a word of commendation for the regularity with which they attend, and for the good places which many of them succeed in taking in class, in spite of manifest disadvantage. Our thanks aro due to the Old Girls for ji handsome donation towards the formation of a Reference Library, which will be among the most valuable and helpful of our possessions, also to all donors of prizes and all our friends and wellwishers. I dasire also to express m\ indebtedness to tho staff for the loyal and whole-hearted way in which they nave worked for the good of the College. 11l conclusion, I should like to say a word or two upon a statement which appeared in ycetorday's "Colonist," copied from a contemporary. It read, "The real and most apparent weakness in our educational system eeems to us the unfortunate distaste which it produces or induces for good,] healthy literature." By whom it was said or on what occasion, I do not; know. Like all sweeping statements^ it probably contains an element of truth. That many of the young peoplA of tho Dominion aro wanting in literary taste is probably a fact, but hyvv far the schools aro responsible for taat it is difficult to say. lam incline*! to Attribute ifc to two causes, firstVthe tendency to retard, cd.uca.tion fron/ the merely utilitarian point of vijpv, to study only those subjects wlujfh wilt have direct bearing on the t««ession chosen, and to regard^anji/ations as the be-all and ep^all; secondly, the excessive lp/ftf for pleasure, which leaves noyWme for reading more than the lightest -and most ephemeral of literature* Mx knowledge of secondary schools proper loads me to believe that we do not fail to instil into those pupils* who remain with us four or hve years a real and lasting tove of what is bwt in our literature. Net infrequently when our older girls arc leaving us* they say, as' some said yesterday : "We should like to come back for the literature," and in a few instances those who live near and can spara. the time have arranged to do so. tooling that no study is more conducive to true culture tha"h this, we have always tried to make a strong point of it, even when, perhaps, from tha examination point of view, it did not pay. H e were glad to see that the Department had this year introduced into the Junior Civil Service paper a question dealing with the identification of well-kuown quotations from English poetry. We regard this as decidedly astep in the right direction. Culture, however, as its name implies, is not the growth of a day, nor is it necessarily the product of a University courso.. It comes only to those who aro willing systematically to read and think in solitude. At school we can do no more than sow the seeds ; it is for you to see that they axe not choked by indifference or by excessive indulgence in social pleasures. We all need more leisure to be alone with our own thoughts and with books of the tight type. It has been well said that "cnl tire is a man's gift to himself which the world cannot gir«, neither can it take away "

Mr Harley then presented prizes to the successful girls as folfow*:— For General Excellence. Form VI. For Scholarship Work s R.<Karsten 1, 1. Gill 2, W.Betts 8 - For Degree Work: S. Derrick 1, A. Fell 2. • "•'■•■ Form V. A. : M. Lewis 1, D. Moore 2 T. Olayden 3, E. Woods 4. Form V. B : F. Moore 1. K. Brown 2. Remove A: U. Lewie 1. L. Shoat 2, H. Robertson 3. _; Remove B. : M. Joyce 1, F. Eden 2. Form IV. A: M. Ronghton 1, 0. Schwass 2, H. MoArtne\\3. _• ; ._ Form IV. B.: D. Cropp 1, K. Preparatory Division. Standard V: V. Madße; Standard IV. N. Robison; Standard H:, B. Lewis. . Sewing Prfceti: Remore A; V.

1 Roughton; Remove B : G. Bethwaite.; i Form IV. A: M. Roughton; Form IV. B-. V. Hammond. Cookery: E. Dodson, K. Saxon, h. Hair, G. Macmahon. Drawing: D. Everett. Dressmaking : B. Mead. . Physical Culture : A. Fell, B. Chivers, H. Bamford, K. Warnock. SPECIAL PRIZES. Mr; Fell's, for reading: Form V.: K. Boltou ; Removes : T. Gibson ; I'orm IV. : G. Frascr. Mrs. Mules's, for Scripture : Form V : D. Moore I, I. Ingram 2 ; Remove: C. Shields; Form IV. A: 0. Schwassj. Form IV. B: D. Cropp. . ■ Miss Greenwood's, for Physical Cul-_ ture: N. Robison. . Mrs. Nicholson's, for elocution: I. Ingram 1, M. Johnston 2. . Miß3 Igglesden's for brush-drawing: A. Cooper, E. Gibson, for progress. | Miss Baxter's for Practical Botany : j W. Betts. „ „ . The Principal's prizes for General Knowledge : I. Gill 1, K. Bolton 2. Mrs. Fred Hamilton's. GoodfolloAvship Medal, for the Lower School : R. Hamilton. . '" , . Mrs. Blechynden's Goqdfellowship priae, open to the whole school : A. 1' ell SCHOLARSHIPS. University (£lO for one year): I. Old Girls' (£lO for one. year) : S. Derrick. „ „ . Governors' Fees (£lO for one year) : W Betts. Special Boarding Scholarship £10 for one year) : R. Walker. Form V., A. (£5 for one year) : E. Wcods. "' ' _ Form V., B. (M for one year) : Won by Flossie Moore, who is leaving. Awarded to Kathleen Brown, proximo Barnicoat Essay Prize (£3 -to be spent in books) : R. Walker. BOYS' COLLEGE. Mr H. L. Fowler, Principal of the Boys' College, read his annual report as follows : — . The number of boys in attendance during the past year has been 217, or 12 more than in 1909. Ehe boarding department continues to make satisfactory progress, the figures for the last three years being 82, 95; and 11M. A similar increase, however, cannot bo expected every year; indeed, as a larger number than usual have, now reached the age -for leaving, I hardly anticipate that we shall do more next year than maintain the present level. Seventy-six new boys were admitted. Of these 49 held free places, bringing the number of free pupils to, 149, which is equivalent to about 73 per cent, of the total attendance, exclusive of the Preparatory Department. 'Hie work of the College has proceeded on the same general lines as in recent years. It is, of course, not the proper function of a secondary school to prepare boys for any -specific business or vocation, but it is feasible, after giving all a, thorough training in neatness and accuracy and the use of their intelligence, to select for the individual, out of the large number of possible subjects, those from -winch, ho may learn ihe Methods A3id the principles that wifl be of most benefit to him in his future career. In my last report I drew attention to the wprk done on our commercial "side,' but as there still prevails an idea- that the course of study in the College is mainly directed toward the professions' I would again jK>int out that this is not the case. Latin has been for some time an. optional subject, in. place of which a boy may take bookkeeping and commercial . arithmetic, letter writing and geography. These subjects form nothing more than an introduction" to a commercial course; but even of this introduction how small a number take advantage! It is perhaps enough for one who does, not aspire to become anything more than a small tradesman, or a clerk In

an office. What on© would Hk©-fco see is a little mor© ambition, a more general desire in our boys to fit them-bclvcs—-so far as this can be don© through a Bchool education, and outside of business itself— to occupy eventually the higher and more responsible positions in the world of industry and finance. With such an end in- view they should not only acquire a good knowledge of- our own language and literature, and some acquaintance with history, geography, mathematics, science, and at least one> foreign language^— all of which ar© subjects taught. in a good secondary school— but should,, also receive special instruction in the principles of political economy, in 'accountancy, in banking operations, and in the machinery of exchange in general. For the proper teaching of such higher commercial subjects the first requisite is a man. who has himself a wide acquaintance with business ,and is familiar with the methods and objects of commerce. We are fortunate in having such- a teacher in Mr Hampson, out of the small number of whose advanced pupils more than one is already reaping the reward of having gone through his classes.. If the Nelson Chamber of Commerce could see their way to recognise the in- I struction that is here given by establishing scholarships, or at any rateoffering prizes for profioiency in commercial work, it is quite certain that they would be doing much to encourage serious preparation for a business career, and he conferring a real boon: upon th© district. • For the considerable number of our pupils who do not'enter a profession: or -engage in commerce, but go on theland, it has not hitherto been possible, to make special provision, owing to the lack of a practical teacher, with- ] out whoso co-operation the theoretical instruction that coiild be given in the class-roonr n'ouM b© of little value. The e&rvicos of Mr Bruce ■having now.; been secured for the practical iside of the work, a beginning will Be made next term with a course in agriculture. Boys who take agriculturo will, as far as possible, do the ordinary subjects of tho curriculum, with the exception of Latin and French, and will go through a special course of elementary science, (botany, physiology, 'and chemistry), . bearing upon their future occupation. They will give some time to woodwork and drawing, and wjll pay particular attention to practical and experimental work in the field in connection with' the preparation of the soil, tne care of fruit trees, and the growing of vegetables: There will, then, be three courses of work upon which a boy can enter :— (1) Professional, or general (including Latin and French). (2) Commercial (omitting Latin). (3) Agriculture (omitting Latin, and Proncii) . WWeWer he seWb ile \\>'l\\ be enabled to sit for th© senior free place examination at the end of his second year. . . . ; In the examinations held last December and January the College more than hold its own. For matriculation the standard was somewhat unexpectedly raisedj so . that; several candidates sat -for the examination who had really no chance of success. Eight boys passed; four of -them, at tho same time passing the medical preliminary, five the solicitors' general knowledge, and one the engineering preliminary. P. Jory won a y junior University scholarship, and,'. Q..3..,. King ,a senior National scholarship on entrance to tiie. University,. while L. Bell gained "orodit,'. 1 . and three othera parsed matriculation ; and the solicitors' general knowledge . examinations on the sciiolarehip papers. Thirty- , seven boys passed the junior. Civil service examination, eight of them "with credit." During the team just ended nine candidates passed the

Terms examinations of Victoria College, R. Quilliam taking also the dual examination for the B.A. degree. Early in the year we lost the services of Mr Skolton, who had been in charge of the preparatory school lotover five years, distinguishing himseli both in that capacity and as senior •house-master by his devotion to Jus work and the interest that he took in every department of our school liie. His place has been taken by Mr A. E. Brockett, Mr H. D. Skiiuier. and Mr H. P. Kidson, M.A.. B.Sc, both of them old pupils of the College, have also joined-the staff . . Mr Fowler expressed his thanks to the donors of prizes. Referring to the school games, he said.the football team had been successful. The cadet corps last year won the secondary schools or New Zealand competition, and took sixth place in the shooting for Lord Roberts' trophy, which was open to all the schools in the Empire. (Applause.) All the boys were compelled, to take part in the sports and military training, aud he urged the parents to take an interest themselves in theie departments of the work of the College. BOYS' PRIZE LIST. Mr Havl«y then presented the prizes to the boys as follows :—- . Standard IV., best pass: I. Davis. Standard V., best pass: N. Quiliam. ■ , t. Standard VI., best pass : A. Drum7ii 11. (Standard VI.) : H. Mason '(Writing, Preparatory: N. Wastncy. Writing, Juniors : G. Cooke. . Reading, Preparatory: H. Wilkinson Reading, Juniors: T. Hudson. Woodwork, Juniors: L. Hinton. Commercial, Division" A. : A. Page 1 C. W. Thorn 2. Division B. : C. ketts 2. „.,.-, , Form 111., A.: C. Kidson 1, JB. : C S Dron 1, P. Clark and H- Chrisp (equal) 2. - Form IV., A.' D. Muir 1, B. McArtney 2, B. Tunnidiff 3. Lower V..- H. Shaw 1, A. Page 2, : M. Bartlett 3, L, Chaytor 4,V. Bosselmannfi. ' • _ Upper" V; :-G, H., Norman 1, R. D. Thompson 2,0. Quilliam 3, C. LangForm VI.: J. G'Connell I,' L. G. Bell 2. -.. .. . • SCHOLARSHIPS. "Richmond" (£l5-for 3 years)-: D. Harkness. . . "Newcome" (£l5 for 3 years) : G: Norman. .-■■■■.. ' College, special (£8 forl year) : R; D. Tliompson. .. . ■ College^ under 18 (£5 for 1 year): C.Langbein. College, under 18 (£5 for 1 year) : K. Saxon. Stafford," ior Modern History: C. Quilliam. .'•..-.■ - SPECIAL PRIZES. "Andrew Memorial," for Classics: L. G. Bell. Hairle's Bay OH Boys' Prize, for General Knowledge : <T. H. Shaw, Good Fellowship Medal: R. H. Quilliam. Principal's Prize: R. H. Quilliam. Moeller Medal, for -head of school : R. H. Quilliam. ' ' - - "Mr Fell referred to the warmth withWhich the boys had greeted Quilliam, the head of the school, and said the boys were fortunate in having been under his influcmce. Ho regretted the la'ct of competition on the part of the boys for the Simmonds prize for English literature. Mr Graham proposed votes of thanks to Mr Harley, the principals and staffs of the Colleges) He also expressed the G6v«rnors' ; "appreciatibn of the in-' terest taken.b y the parents in the Colleges . Mr Grah am paid a high tribute to the work both the principals and their staffs were doing. He.. specially mentioned the visiting masters, Mr • W. S. Hampspri and Heir Lemmer. Mr Graham expressed satisfaction at the commencement of instruction in agriculturo at" the College. The votes of thanks werei carried by acclamation, and~cheers were given for the principals and staffs, the Governors and tho.se who had taken part in the evening's' proceedings. Tlie function concluded with fcne singing of the National Anthem. During the evening a number of school songs were spiritedly rendered by the pupils of both Colleges underthe baton of -Herr Lommer.