South Taranaki News

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1926, Page 2

South Taranaki News

(From Our Own Reporter.)

Telephone Ho. 596.

P.O. Bex 133.

HIGH SCHOOL YEAR ENDS

PRIZE-GIVING CEREMONY. MANY REWARDS OF MERIT. The end of the school year at the Hawera Technical High School was marked by a prize-giving ceremony, followed by a pleasing programme of dances and items given by the High School pupils at the Opera House last evening. There was a large gathering of parents and others to witness the ceremony, and the member for the district, Mr. H.. G. Dickie, M.P., performed the duty of handing out the many and handsome trophies and prizes to the successful students. The trophies made a formid--1925, 5; City and Guilds of London Inable array on the stage. , On the stage were Messrs. H. G. Dickie, M.P., E. A. Pacey (Mayor), and Mrs. Pacey, R. S. Sage, chairman of the Board of Managers, H. Trimble, chairman of the Stratford Technical High School Board of Governors, A. Gray, headmaster, P. O. Veale, dairy scientist and. members of the boai’d and the staff. Mr. Sage, who presided, briefly addressed the gathering and Mr. Gray delivered his report. Mr. Dickie gave an interesting review of education in Taranaki, and pointed out that 95 per cent, of the children attending high schools in th© Dominion were receiving their education free. “I should like to see a dairy school established in Taranaki,” said Mr., Dickie. He had opposed the establishment of an agricultural college and hoped the time was not far distant when a dairy school would be opened in Taranaki. Mr. Trimble paid a tribute to the work of the school in encouraging students to take an interest in dairy science. The Mayor congratulated the students on their successes, stating that the school was one to be proud of. He was looking forward to the time when the name of the school would become known throughout the district. After the certificates and prizes haa been awarded, Mr. Sage made reference to the projected departure for England of Miss Earle, th© home science mistress, who had received word of her transfer under the exchange system. On behalf of the staff of the sehool he made a. presentation to Miss Earle. The first part of the programme was concluded by the presentation of handsome bouquets by girls of the school to the -Mayoress (Mrs. Pacey) and lady members of the staff. THE PRINCIPAL’S REPORT. The headmaster of the school (Mr. A, Gray) read his report as follows: “The numbers taking the various courses during the year were-: Literary, senior 33, intermediate 31, junior 42, total 106. Commercial: Senior 21, intermediate 38, junior 34, total 93. Agriculture: Intermediate 2, junior 11, total 13. Home science: Senior 2, intermediate 3, junior 9, total 14. Engineering: Senior 7, intermediate 5, junior 20, total 32, making a grand total of 258. “It will be noticed that the numbers taking the commercial course are high, and some would argue that this means a plethora of clerks in the future. However, it must not be imagined that every student joining the commercial class is destined for office work. Many parents prefer to give a general education along these lines, and to meet this demand the commercial curriculum of next year will contain more general subjects, for first year students at any rate. I am afraid a number take up commercial work because they think it easy. Next year we must endeavour to disillusion these young optimists. “One of the most encouraging features of the year has been the work of the agriculture and dairy science class. As is generally known, in addition to the work received at school, the students of this class have been visiting the Dairy Federation laboratory for two periods each week. Mr. Veale has kindly provided me the following report on the work done:— DAIRY SCIENCE. "Throughout the year instruction has been received by the dairy science class from the scientist at the laboratory. The work covered has included an introduction to bacteriology, and a study of types of bacteria, methods of cultivation and examination. The principles and operations of sterilising have also been studied, and practical experiments performed. On the chemical side, the constituents of milk and dairy products have been examined, methods of analysis studied, and some of the simpler deter-, minations carried out practically. All of these operations have had actual reference to the routine work being per-

| formed at the laboratory, thus having it I higher educational value than the mere pacts as derived from books. “As a result of this training, which is essentially practical in nature and which brings the class into actual contact with the scientific control of dairying, it is considered that the boys will derive a knowledge of facts and methods which will be invaluable to them in future posts, such as factory managers or dairy scientists. The day is fast approaching when every dairy factory will need its own qualified scientist, and there is no reason why the Haw-era Technical High School should not supply the needs of the whole of New Zealand.” “There is no doubt that the federation is going on with the scheme of training scientists, and parents may confidently enter their boys in this course, continued the report. Since last year end the following examination successes have to be recorded: Matriculation solicitors, 1925, 3; partial pass matriculation, 1925, 5; teachers’ D examination, partial pass 3 groups, 1925, 1; partial pass 2 groups, 1925, 1; partial pass accountancy preliminary, 1925, 2; commercial accountancy, 1925, I; junior scholarship, 1925, 2; junior free place on scholarship papers, 1925, 5; City and Guils of London Institute, 1925 1, 1926 6; Government shorthand and typists examination, 1926, 1; shorthand, third class theory certificate, 1926, 6; second-class theory certificate, 1926, 4; speed, 80 words per minute, 1; 70 words per minute, 1; 60 words per minute, 3; P.S.E. or intermediate examination, 1925, 26; senior free place granted by department, 1925, 37. IMPROVING EXAMINATIONS. “This raises the ever-recurring question of the value of examination work. Personally, I consider that examinations of one kind or another can never be abolished. The method of examining may alter, and in future the onus will be thrown on the examiners more than it has been in the past. The element of luck must be eliminated as much as possible, and the tests widened in order to effectually reveal the knowledge of candidates. Life is one series of tests from the cradle to the grave, and school preparation for examinations is a good training for participation in more serious tests in later years. “In this connection the action of the University Board of Studies, in eliminating from the matriculation syllabus agriculture, dairy science, and, I think, physiology, is hard to follow. It draws our attention to the fact that curricula and regulations are too often arranged without adequate consideration of the needs of country students. This is most serious, and I think it quite time that we who live in the smaller towns and in country districts emphatically brought our case before the proper authorities. Talk without action is useless, and the matter is in our own hands.

“During the year the only change on the staff have been the appointment of Mr. Veitch as part-time commercial instructor. and of Mr. D. Gower, as stud-ent-teacher. Miss Ward, who has been drawing instructress for the last five years, has accepted an appointment in Auckland, While for next year Miss Earl is exchanging with a teacher from an English school. On the whole there has been a splendid keenness on the part of the members of the staff, and I fully expect this year’s results to be such as to reward them for the work they have done. Personally I wish to express my thanks and appreciation for their loyalty and co-operation. “During the year a branch of the Navy League has been formed at the school. I think the importance of this is not quite understood. It is a big Empire matter, and parents should see to it that every boy and every girl become a member. Enrolment is, of course} quite voluntary. ON THE PLAYING FIELD. “The year’s sports record is most gratifying. Football under Messrs. Thomas and Howard, hockey under Misses Earl and O’Rorke, and basket ball under Miss Britland have been played most enthusiastically and successfully, while of th© summer games cricket, under Mr. Thomas’ supervision, has made a wonderful advance. The Silson Cup match was m’arred by rain, but a very high standard of play was reached. The school wishes to express thanks to those parents who provided homes for the visiting Feilding boys. It must be gratifying to those teachers who spend so much of their own time with sports to know that their efforts are having an effect on the sports side of the community. Cheevers, who was our cricket captain two years ago, was one of the fine team which won the Hawke Cup, while Eric Owen has represented the province at football during the past year.

“On the girls’ side, too, there has boon a moat encouraging advance in this direction. Some of the prominent hockey players of the various clubs of South Taranaki are our old girls, while several .who have attended training colleges have been selected to represent their various institutions in inter-college matches. On the running track, also, a great deal of success has been attained. Our school sports, both boys’ and girls’, produced some very fine performances. The school relay team have so far an unbeaten record in open competition. Their success is due largely to their fine cooperative work. Wills, the school ehapipion walker, promises to carry his successes much farther, and the sehool looks to him to win championship honours in open competitions. BAYLY SCHOLARSHIP SUCCESS. “Perhaps the outstanding individual performance for the year was the winning of the Bayly Scholarship by E. Thomas. This boy put up a fine record, as also did several others who competed from oui- school. I wish to thank those parents who allowed their boys to attend this, competition. Some fine work has been done by the cadets, largely owing to the efforts of Mr. Heward. There has been developed a splendid group of n.c.o.’s, and it is inspiring to see these boys at work, and to note the seriousness with which they accept their responsibilities. “During the year the girls have received tuition in dancing from Miss Hughes-Johnston, of Wanganui, who has gratuitously given her services. The school is much indebted to this instruction for what she has done. I know parents will appreciate what the staff is doing in regard to all these activities. I fear that the departmental authorities do not attach sufficient importance to these efforts. •’

During the year the activities of the board have been manifest in the improved appearance of the front of the school grounds. A fine fence has been erected and a lawn laid down. A large amount of the success of the school is due to the sympathetic co-operation of the chairman and members of the board. “It has been a cause of great pleasure to me to note the interest which the old boys and girls have exhibited in the school. They perhaps hardly realise how the present pupils appreciate what they do, but I can assure them that their efforts have helped a very great deal, THE EDUCATION SYSTEM. “Recently much has been written and doubtless much more will be heard concerning- alteration to our system and education reform generally. Without mentioning any controversial matters, 1 may say that, no methods (new or old) will eliminate the necessity for work. All of our special prizes have been allotted for working—consistent effort. I feel that there is an idea in some quarters that education sometimes makes boys disinclined to work. If that is so then we have failed; but I cannot think it is so. Education should show our young folks that there never was greater necessity for hard work, manual or mental. I firmly believe that a properly educated man will break stone or shovel gravel better than an uneducated one. I would say to all of our girls and boys: Y’ou will never get anywhere without work—first, last and all the time.” After the prize-giving ceremony, the stage was cleared and a bright" programme of folk songs and dances, and exhibitions of physical drill were given by pupils of the school, which provided an entertaining end to a very pleasant evening. The prize list was as follow: — CERTIFICATES. Fourth year certificates. —Violet Death, Ellen McDonald, Vera O’Connor, John Sargent, James Standish, Catherine Sutherland, Joan Tonks, Leslie Walker, Vincent Walshe, CU s certificates (scholarship).—Agriclt: i : Form IV., Gordon Castle; Form 111 Leonard Herbert 1, Ronald Evans 2, Weeden Nicholas 3. Commercial: Form V, girls, Winifred Johnston 1, Marie Whitelock 2, Monica Evans 3; boys, George Nicholas 1, John Tonkin 1, Dudley Wills 3. Form IV: Girls, Bonnie Ryan 1, Ina Haybittie 2, Eileen Tulloch 3; boys, Alistair Macßae 1, Colin McDowell 2, John Herbert 3. Form HI: Girls, Dorothy King 1, Pearl Toy 2, Queenie Beale 3; boys, Roy Miles I,Ronald Hancock 2, Terence Keenan 3. Engineering: Form V., Rex Beatson 1, Eric Gane 2, Vincent Walshe 3; Form IV., Raymond Hemsley 1, Ronald Milroy 2, Charles Curtis 3; Form 111., Raymond Kehely 1, Frederick Rodie 2, William Dymond 3. Home Science: Form V., Jean Sproull 1; Form IV., Hilda Franklyn 1, Elsie Preece 2; Form 111., Mary Kelland 1, Joan Harley 2, Pearls Gane 3. Literary: Form Va., girls. Joan Tonks 1 and dux (medal presented by Mr. Pacey), Violet Death 2, Ellen McDonald 3; boys, Leslie Walker 1 and dux (medal presented by Mr. Pacey), James Standish 2. Form Vb: Girls, Rita Sanson 1, Jessie Hensen 2, Doreen Bell 3; boys, Oscar Shield 1, Richard Sargent 2, Reginald Brett 3. Form IV.: Girls, Wynne Hall 1, Audrey Harding 2, Elsie Rudge 3; boys, Malcolm Morrison 1, Allan Angus 2, Lloyd Westwood 3. Form III.: Girls, Jean Allan 1, Vera Shield 2, Jean Oxbrow 3; boys, Clyde Griffin 1, Clive Sage 2, Hugh Westwood 3. Form VI.: John Sergent (special mention), Special prizes donated by Mrs. A. Coleman for consistent work:—Home science, Jean Sproull; commercial, John Gower; literary, Alex. Clement; engineering, William Amon; agriculture, Gordon Castle; beet junior n.c.0., Charles Clement. Essay competition (Forms Va and Xb). —Joan Tonks. ATHLETIC SPORTS TROPHIES. Senior championship (girls).—Ethel Wards (rose bowl). Junior ehampionship (girls).—Llsie Rudge. Senior championship (boys).—James Standish (cup). Intermediate championship (boys).— Herbert Barker (cup). Junior championship (boys).—Ronald Thomas. Steeplechase (fastest time).—Colin Sturrock (medal presented by Old Boys’ Association). Relay Race (medals). —Robert Morrissey, James Standish, Ray Murdoch, Vincent Walshe. Hockey. Intermediate divisional championship, coffee urn, won by the literary division. Football. Intermediate divisional championship, cup presented by Mr. Good, literary division. Shooting (Lady Godley Cup). George Nicholas. . Primary . School Championship (athletics) .—Medals presented by High School boys: 1925, Colin Smith (Whareroa); 1926, Eric Smith (Hawera). Swimming. Senior championship (girls), Grace Nash (cup). Junior championship (girls), Zelda Spragg. Senior championship (boys), Vincent Walshe. Junior championship (boys), Owen Brown. * n Shorthand prize, presented by Uie Hawera Chamber of Commcrecy-lna Beamish. Writing prize (ditto). —Dorothy Kin,-,. Prizes presented by Mr. R. L. Sage for cowsistent work. —Phyllis Death and Bertram Duke. Prizes for prefects having greatest influence (presented by Mrs. Wright). Ellen McDonald and John Sargent. Head prefects’ badges.—Ellen McDonald and Vincent Walshe. Medal presented by High School Obi Girls.-192{L E. Wards; 1926, P. Ekdahl and Eric Smith.

ON THE BOWLING GREENS. The rinks to participate in the match between the Park and Hawera B teams on Saturday at the Park green are as follow: Hawera B.—Dillon, : E. JSquire, Morpeth, Bull (s); Maulin, Stannard, Potter, M. J. Squire (s); Hobbs.. Janson, Shaw. Foy (s); McDonald, Familton, Winks, R. Hicks (s). Emergencies: Joll, F. OU. J. Syme. The Park rinks will be chosen from the following: W. Grant, Barnett, Villars, Murdoch, Quin, Butler, Ashton, Parkes, Dillon, A. Grant. Mqrgan, Good win, Brett, Curtis, Wills, Bilton, Con nell, Maloney, Quayle, Kendall GENERAL ITEMS. At the annual meeting of the Hawera Municipal Band on Wednesday, the chairman, Mr. E. Dixon, stated that the cost of sending the band to the contest in February would be nearer £2OO than £l5O and he pointed out that if the hiqney were not donated it would have id lie collected. ,Th©, tweiity-sixth, annual meeting of the Egmont Sheep Dog trials whicji wgs

to Oe.a held, last night lapsed for want of a quorum and was fixed for January 15. In the list of vice-presidents of the Hawera Municipal Band the name of Mr. E. Morriessey Was inadvertently omitted. PERSONAL ITEMS. Mr. J. B. Murdoch, who, with Mrs. and Miss Murdoch, has been on a five weeks’ trip to Australia, returned to Hawera on Wednesday after a very pleasant holiday. Mr. F. Gillandcrs, who has been in England and Scotland for about eight xionthe, returned home to Hawera by last night’s express.