OUR SCHOOLS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3530, 2 January 1900, Page 4

OUR SCHOOLS.

WOODBURY. The annual treat and distribution of prizes in connection with the WoodburyPublic School came off on Boxing-Day. The weather was beautifully fine, and there assembled one of the largest gatherings ever seen in the place. The committee had spared no pains to make the holiday enjoyable to young and old, and they had every reason to congratulate themselves on the success attending their efforts. The proceedings commenced on the school grounds at mid-day, when refreshments were handed round to the children. An adjournment was then made to the park, where various forms of recreation were in dulged in, according to the age and tastes of those taking part in them. While the school sports were being got off some of the seniors were indulging in a game of rounders, and it is needless to say that the newly-formed tennis-court was in constant requisition. At the request of the senior scholars two long-distance races of 440yds. were arranged—one for the boys and one for the girls. In these races the staying powers of the young colonials were well exemplified, and considerable interest was taken in the running of one girl, Lucy McKay, who reserved her energy with great judgment, and won by making a grand spurt at the finish. At the conclusion of the sports the sohoolgrounds were again visited in order to distribute the prizes. Mr John Fifield, the chairman of the school committee, explained the basis on which the prizes were presented, and called on Mr Flatman, M.H.R., to distribute them, concluding his remarks by saying that Mr Flatman needed no introduction to the Woodbury people. Mr Flatman addressed the parents and children at some length, dwelling on the necessity for regular attendance to secure sound progress, and exhorting the pupils not to forget on leaving school the knowledge they had already acquired. He said it would be a great benefit to education if the increase of five shillings in the education grant were secured, and stated that in the event of the matter coming before the House, he would have much pleasure in giving it his hearty support. Mr Flatman remarked that he noticed around him many young ladies whom ho remembered as having been prize-winners at school not so very long ago, and who were now wives and mothers; and what astonished him most of all -was that everybody else was growing old and he himself was as young as ever. After the prizes had been distributed, Mr John Fifield proposed a hearty vote of 'thanks to the teaching staff. He said that in spite of the somewhat poor attendance the school had done good work, as shown by the inspectors’ report, and he had much pleasure, on behalf of the committee, in paying this tribute to the energy of the teachers. Mr McLeod suitably acknowledged the compliment paid to the staff, and proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Flatman for his attendance. Cheers were given for the committee, the staff, and Mr Flatman. The committee supplied refreshments to the public at sixpence per head, and no doubt augmented the prize fund thereby, there being no. fewer than eighty persons at the first tables. The thanks of the committee are due to the ladies who looked after the tables, the most conspicuous in this respect being Mesdames Hammond, Elder, and Fifield. A dance was held in the evening, which was well attended. The following is the prize list: — Standard VI. Robert Webb 1, Emily Stewart 2, Rosie Ferguson 3. Standard V. Maggie Squire, Walter Harris, and Prank Reid (equal) 1, Daniel Glanville 2, Edward Squire 3. Standard IV.—Lottie Glanville, Emma Hammond, and Arthur Riches (equal) 1, Thomas Eaton 2, Arthur Hammond and Leonard Wood (equal) 3. Standard lll.— Lucy McKay 1, Joe Fifield and Percy Eao (equal) 2, William Dawson 3. Attendance Certificates—First, class: Eva Hammond, Arthur Hammond Lottie Glanville, Saddle Elder, Ethel Wood’ 2nd Class —Lucy McKay, Walter Harris’ Edith Hammond, James Eaton, Claude Glanville. Attendance prizes—Eva Hammond, Arthur Hammond, Lottie Glanville, Saddle Elder. Ethel Wood, Luck McKay, Walter Harris, Edith Hammond, James Eaton, Claude Glanville, Selby Webb, Richard Middlemiss. Special attendance prizes (presented by Mrs McLeod to the best attenders among the girls of the senior division) —Eva Hammond, Lottie Glanville. Sowing prizes—Emily Stewart, Eleanor Brown, Lottie Glanville, Minnie McClintock, Saddle Elder, Jessie McKay, Ann Brown.

HILTON. The annual Sunday School treat in connection with the above Sunday School took place at Mr Studholme’s, Kakahu Bush, on Thursday last, and proved a most enjoyable outing. The picnic was arranged, as usual, by Mrs Woodley, who has carried on this school for a quarter of a century ; and has earned the deepest gratitude of the parents and children by her self-denying efforts. For several years past she has been assisted by the Misses Griffith, who have proved themselves enthusiastic workers. The picnickers were favored with delightful weather, and spent the day most happily in exploring the old coal mines, climbing the hills, and playing at a variety of games. The ladies provided refreshments in abundance. About 3 o’clock the company assembled in a shady spot, when the Rev. Mr Todd shortly addressed the children and presented some beautiful prizes to them. A couple of hymns were sweetly sung by the children, and Mr Borrell gave a short and appropriate address. Miss Meredith then took a photograph of the teachers and children and another of the whole party. Hearty cheers were then given to Mrs Woodley and her assistants, to Mr Todd, to the ladies, and to Mr Studholme for so kindly granting his grounds for the meeting.