STATE SCHOOLS BIBLE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13278, 1 December 1911, Page 2

STATE SCHOOLS BIBLE TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES

There was a large gathering at the School of Music last night to witness the annual distribution of prizes in connection with the examinations and work undertaken by the members of the above named Association. The body of the hall was filled by the pupils of the town schools, and the platform was filled with parents arid friends of the children. His Lordship the Bishop of Nelson presided. After a hymn was sung Mr McLaren engaged in prayer.

His Lordship said it was expected that Sir John.Kirk, who was visiting New Zealand, would have been able to be present to presido that evening, but that distinguished gentleman had not yet arrived in Nelson. He spoke of the good work Sir John Kirk and the late Lord Suaftesbury had done in connection with the Ragged Schools movement in England. He concluded by expressing a hopo that the children would not look Upon the Biblo half hour in the schools as merely a lesson. He pointed out that tho Bible containing the Gospel ,tlie good news of salvation, which" was so important to all mankind.

After another hymn had been sung, an apology was given for the absence of the Rev W. E. Lambert.

The Rev J. H. MacKonzie, the secretary, presented the roport as follows:—"In presenting our reports of the fourteenth year of our Association's work, which is an effort to crown our excellent national education with that knowledge which is supreme, there are no startling events to chronide. "Like the rising and shining of the sun, the work of the Association can be done without noise 01 excitement, and after this fashion our services to the- children have ljat>i, pursued. Our staff of lo Bible teachers has given faithful attention to work, and the children have continued their interest in acquiring an understanding of the word of God, which is the basis of all true and successful life. The syllabus of lessons for tlio year included studies from the dayt, of Samuel and passages from the good news as recordod by Matthew, witmemory portions from Luke XV and I Corinthians XIII. The cxamina-ti.j.., returns show that, while certainly children are not born with a knowledge of the Bible, seomething can undone and had been to impart that knowledge, that a measure of instruction has entered the gateways of the mind and promises to stay. We o* press our gratitude to Miss Lorimcr, lady principal of the Girls' College, for again preparing the examination papers for Standards 111 to VI. The oral testing of the lower standards was carried out in Brook street by the Rev J. P. Kempthorne; in Hampden street by the Rev B. L. Thomas, in Haven road by the Rev W. S. Lucas, and in Tasman street by the Rev W. E. Lambert. When breaking up day comos we hope to distribute to the infants about 400 floral text cards by which a truth at first hung up in the home may at last be huiij. up in the mind. Our best thanks art again tendered to the State teachers as citizens, to the school committees for the continued use of the schools, and to those'on the platform this ovening, especially to Mrs Crump for coming to present the prizes, and to our esteemed Bishop for travelling to town to occupy the chair. "Wo expected to have had with us this evening Sir John Kirk, the we>i known friend of London's ragged children, but though arrived in the Wominion he has not yet readied Nelson. Our Nelson system of Bible instruction in State schools continues to spread, and no district need hesitate to adopt a method which without violating the law of the land gives to our children the law of God. We desire for the young people, when the holidays come, a happy season foi themselves, and that the same may be made sevenfold brighter by their efforts to bring peace and pleasureto others."

Mrs Crump was then invited to prosent the prizes. Two girls (Winnie Johnston and Myrtle Eggers) stopped forward and presented Mrs Crump with a handsome bouquet of flowers. Tho prize list was as follows :— Brook street school, Standard I: John Blechynden 1, Eric Woochvara 2, Leslie Sharland 3, Hilda Andrews 4; Standard II: Robin Smith 1, Ruby Day 2, Lucy France 3, Doris Lockve'r 4.

Haven Road School, Standard 1: Kathleen Boyd 1 Gladys Riley 2, Jack Bowen 3, John Kidson 4; Standard II: Leslie Lipscombc 1, Agnes Moore 2, Edward Davy 3, Herbert Bunker and Ellen Jeliner 4.

.Hampden Street School, Standard I: Florence Snodgrass 1, Rahita Taylor 2, Leslie McConchio and Audrej Carmine 3, Max Lommer and Marmori Taylor 4, Sydney Mitchener special; Standard II: Frank Guinness 1, Alfrod Smith 2, Pearl Elvoy 3. Clarence Jeffrey and John Rodley 4. Tasnian Street School, Standard I: Earle Wimsett 1, Basil Home 2. Douglas Fleming 3, Alma Hughes A Standard II: Ivy Estcourt 1, Gough Rankin 2, Betty Hair 3, Bertha Ross and M. Hurley 4. Girls' School, Standard III: Violet Smith 1, Aileen Noblo 2, L. Hollyman 3, Doris Witten and Eva Eggers -1 • Standard IV: Margaret McNab 1 J. A. Taylor 2, Florence Reid 5, '" Riley 4; Standard V: Ethel Estcourt 1, Myrtle Davy 2, Joyce Robertson 3, Jean Simpson 4; Standard VI: Margaret Christian 1, Katie King 2, Marion Snodgrass 3, Gladys Thorpe 4. Boys' School, Standard III: Ogilvie Wimsott 1, Philip Harkness 2, John Adair 3, Frank Wai key 4; Standard IV: Alex Robertson 1, Alex Harkness 2, Kenneth Cook 3, Charles Kingsley 4; Standard V: L. Tiller 1, E. Pago 2, C. Knapp 3, C.Blincoe 4: Standard VI: F. Snodgrass 1, W. Stewart 2, W. Flowerday 3, H. Baumfield 4.

Mrs Crump afterwards addressee' the children.

Tho Rev John Crump, tho treasurer of the Association, presented a statement of accounts. Ho said there was now in hand £8 6s 9d, but there wert> some accounts to be paid. The Association had only a small circle of subscribers. He spoke of the excellent character of tho work done in the examination papers by the girls in the Sixth Standard. They would like to have increased the number of prizes given, but their funds would not permit of that being done. With increased subscriptions they might be able to increase.the prizos to six instead of four in each Standard. He spoke of the valuable services rendered by the Rev J. H. MacKenzie as secretary. Tlie Association was deeply indebted to Mr MacKenzio.

Hearty votes of thanks were accorded the chairman and Mrs Crump for presenting the prizes. The singing of the National Anthem and the Bishop pronouncing the Benediction brought the large gathering to a close.