TEMUKA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1982, 14 December 1889, Page 2

TEMUKA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Distribution of Prizes

The annual distribution of prizes at the Temuka District High School took place yesterday in the large class-room, which was tastefully decorated with yases of flowers, etc. Messrs E. Brown, W. G. Rutland and J. Cooper, members of the committee, were present, as well ns two or three parents and fiiends. The proceedings commenced by the children singing “ Hard Times Come Again no More,” under the leadership of the Hoad Master. Tho singing was capital, and reflected tho greatest credit upon their instructor.

The Rev. J. Dickson, after reading an apology for absence from Mr K. F. Gray, the chairman of committee, said, in yielding somewhat reluctantly to the request to preside he might say ha had much pleasure in being present in a civil and not an ecclesiastical capacity. The proceedings in conneution with an uodonominutional system of education should be free from the toast suspicion of sectarianism. All sound educationalists in the present atate of society recognised this. Even tho strongest advocates of tho Bible iu Schools were guided by the fact that all denominations profess to b .so their teaching on that great standvrd of right and wrong. There was no reason why members of all persuasions should not be present to offer their congratulations upon the good conduct of the school, and the gratifying progress made by its pupils in the knowledge of secular things. The mixing of all denominations taught mutual respect, and promoted a spirit of brotherly love that ought lo characterise every community. There was a strong outcry just now in soma quarters for denominational education. In the Home Country not a tew claimed that in those schools in which a particular denomination predominates a free hand should be given as to the particular religious instructions imparted. Those who opposed that say, and say rightly, “ The foundation of our system is 1 united, secular, and separate religious instruction.”' If any sect of religion wanted to guide ths religious training of the young then they bad tho Church, and the Bible class, uad the Sabbath school. Let them make use of them, and if they pleased they could on school premises take an opportunity out of school hours of giving religious instruction to the members of their own church, and then privately ask such questions and distribute such prizes as they ple>sed. But iu all the public proceedings of the school there should be no respect of persons. That was a sound principle, and he hoped they would always act upon it. It would bs a pity if anything should be done that would leave the impression that the education of the Stale was in tho interests of a particular party, or in the interests of Protestantism «s opposed to Roman Catholicism. If ouch ware dona they would be bound to make provision elsewhere for tho iostraetion of those who could not conscientiously agree with them. Mr Dickson then referred to the difficulties the scho'ol had been laboring uhdrr in the matter of the lengthened illness, and now regretted absence, of the second master, Mr Cross, for whose place it had been lonnd difficult to procure a temporary supply, and concluded, his remarks by expresewng the hope that the young people would make a proper use of their holidays, and not entirely throw aside their books and study, so as co come back to school unwillingly, aod with minds a blank; warned them against the evi's of cram, which our public school system, w ith its big lessons, severe examination, and enticing awards tended to generate, and asked them never to forget that thinking, not reading, made a man great; that some of the greatest men in English literature had read almost nothing, and that much of the reading of newspapers, magazines, novels, and books nowadays was an excuse for thinking. The prizes were then distributed, the bead master calling out the winners, and the chairman making the presentations. Tho following is the prize list:— Secondary Work. Matriculation ■ Class—Gertrude Alice Brown, S.H., Dux. Third Year Latin and Mathematics— Charles Meredith) S.H. Seoond Year Latin—W. J as. 11. Gore, S.H.

First Year Latin—Marion McOaakill. First Year Mathematics—Edwin McKenzie.

Standard Work.

Standard VII. (Prassnted.by F. W.Gurr, Esq., Samoa, formerly Assistant Master) Boys: Charles Meredith, S.H. Girls: Margaret Austin, S.M.

Standard VL—Boys s Francis Freddy; Girls: Annin Smith.

Standard V.—Beys: David Anderson 1, Pstor McCaskill 2. Girls ; Nellie Fenten 1, Margaret Findlay 2. Standard IT.— Boys : Donald McCaskill 1, Percy Rutland 2. Girls: Johanna Palmar 1, Elizabeth Cain 2, Alice Smith 3. Standard lll.—Boys : Amos Hope 1, John Philips 2, 0. Parkerson 3, B. H. Parkerson 4. Girls : Alice Hopkinson 1, Grace Greaves 2, Lottie Gaza 3. Standard ll.—Boys : Denzil Ardell 1, James Grant 2, Samuel Cain and J. Targuso t. Girls: Annie Mcßratney 1, Edith Maltingley 2, Mina Lyon 3. Standard I.—Boys : F. Mohrtens 1, Frank Haworth 2, George Nicholas 3. (4 irli: Mabel Ackroyd 1, Edith Oliver 2, Ada Beeby 3,

Preparatory Class I.—Boys: Frank Lee, Girls; Ellen Hopkioson. Preparatory Class ll.—Boys : Daniel Gibson. Girls : Lena Gaza. rfewma Pbizes.

The sewing prizes wore awarded as under

For the best work in the school—Ellen Cooper. Class I. (age over 14 yoata)—Jane Pilbrow 1, Florence Storey 2. Class 11. (age 12 to 14 years)—Ellen Cooper 1, Annie Tiinson 2, Muggie Findlay 3, Minnie Smith 4.

Class 111. (age, 10 to 12 years)—Ada Oldfield I, Lottie Gaze 2, Alice Smith 3. Class IV. (ag», 8 to 10 years)—Maud Howard 1, Mabel Ackroyd 2, Edith Mattingley 3. The recipients were well cheered as they proceeded to the tablo for their respective prizes.

The chairman said that they must all admit that the list of prizes was an exceedingly handsosae one. It was evident that a great diligenco had been displayed, and that it was rewarded. Tfaoae who bad not succeeded in obtaining prizes must not be downhearted, but let tbeir nouaucceas spur them on to future exertions.

The children then sang “Oh Father look open us,” after which the Rev. T. A. Hamillon was invited lo distribute the Bible-class prizes, Previous to doing so he took the opportunity of stating that although there for a special purpose he yet came as a civilim. tie had been a teacher for some years himself, and took the keenest interest in the progress of the school. He was pleased when the school received a good report, and sympathised with the efforts of their teachers. One thing particularly struck him, and that was their good behavior. It was a sign of discipline, WFen no stick was needed it was evident that the master, had obtained control over the children by moral suasion. He compared their school efforts with a cricket match, in whiolreach was to have an innings, and each was urged to go and do his best. They had not a game of cricket before them, however, but the great game of life to play, and they must do their beat at it. They could not all get priz s, and they must noc run away with ihe idea that because he or she did not get a prize that they were of no use in the world. He instanced Charles Darwin as one of the most unsuccessful boys, but who turned out one of the groatast of philosophers. Ho urged them to work with their hands us well as their heads, and gave instances of practical education as carried out ia Now York. In their holidays they might learn much by an inspection of the works of carpenters and blacksmiths, and if they occasionally had a row on the lagoon, or so forth, they might even there learn a great deal. He had again to thank the committee for their kindness in permitting him to again distribute the prizes won in connection with Bible Glass at the same time as those won in the public school. This, which had now been carried on for seven years, was purely unsectarian, the only object being to teach the facts of the Bible, It was decided into two classes, the first division being conducted by himself and the second by Miss Philips, who had kindly taken Miss Ladbrooke’s place. He desired to give her most hearty thanks for her self-denial. The majority of tbs prizes were given by himself, but he had received special prizes from Mrs Hayhurst, and Messrs Kayner, Pinckney, Outhro, and Dann. The prizes, which were all given for attendance, were then awarded as under Prize List.

Senior Division.—'Teacher, Rev. T. A. Hamilton. Boys : Ist priza, Ernest Cooper ; 2nd, Joseph Freddy; 3rd, Fred. Storey; 4th, Francis Freddy ; sth, Gao. Mehrtens. The first prize was presented by Mr C. J. Rayner, the second by Mr W, D. Oathro, the third, fourth, and fifth by the Rev. T. A. Hamilton. Girls : Ist prize, Mabel Wills ; 2nd, Alice Hopkinson; 3rd, Ada Oldfield; 4lh, Freda Barrett; sth, Ellen Oooper ; 6th, Florence Storey ; 7th, Johanna Palmer; Bth, Grace Greaves. The first prize was presented by Mr 0. J. Rayner, the second by Mr E. C. Dann, the third by Mr R. Pinckney, the iourth by Mrs Hay hurst, the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth by the Rev. T. A. Hamilton.

Junior Division.—Teacher, Miss Philips. Boys: Ist prize, Fred. Mehrtens; 2nd, Eugene Mann ; 3rd, Herbert Dunford; 4th, Joseph Davoy; sth, Pater Grant. Girls: Ist prize, Mabel Ackroyd; 2nd, Edith Oliver; 3rd, Annie Mcßratney j 4th, Emma Cooper; sth, Lily Timaon. All prizes in this division were the gift of the Rev. T, A. Hamilton.

The head master, Mr W. Bryars, BiA., then announced that the attendance certificates given by the Board of Education would be awarded. They were of two classes: first, for those who had never missed a single half-day, and, second, for those who had only missed five times.

The following are the recipients : First Class—Freda Barrett and Annie Mcßratney.

Second Class—Ernest Cooper, Joseph Freddy, G. Brown, Marion McOaskill, Emma Cooper, Arnold Mann, Elizabeth Newbury, and Herbert Lee. The chairman announced that the holidays commenced from date and continued for five weeks, reopening on January 20th, Mr Rutland moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr Dickson for presenting the prizes. This was carried by acclamation.

A similar compliment was accorded to the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, on the motion of Mr Brown.

The head master announced that Mesdames E. Brown, Allan, and Ashwell had promised special sewing prizes for next year. Hearty cheers were given for the head master and teachers, and the proceedings terminated.