THE TIMARU PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 3511, 30 December 1885, Page 5

THE TIMARU PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The annual distribution of prizes to the children attending tbe Timaru public schools took place on Dec. 1 5th at the Main School. As usual the occasion was quite a " red letter " one, and caused nearly as much excitement among the parents and friends of the scholars as it did among the scholars themselves. The Infant School was the place of assembly, and the teachers and scholars had gone to much troublo to make the room look delightful to the eye, the walls being gaily decorated with flowers and evergreens, and brilliant festoons of flowers hung gracefully from the arches and mouldings of the ceiling. The other rooms m the school were also prettily furnished, and the work done by scholars neatly and tastefully laid out o" the desks. From a general inspection of the work on view the visitors seemed well satisfied, and tbe remark was made that, taken altogether, it showed much improvement on that of last year. Shortly after one o'clock the Infant •School children, under Miss Oellatly, assembled m their room, and were presented with a small prize each by Mrs William Jones iwif-ofthe i haircnan of the School Committee). This over, thoy wore dismissed to their homer, and the tandard boys and girls were marched m. In the centre of the room were tables on which were arranged the prizes, and these were really the centre of attraction for *otne minutes, the handsomely bound volumes, the beautiful cabinet*, pretty work baskets, &c , fairly taking the children's breath away. Mr William Jones (Chairman of Committeei presided, and •as accompanied by Mr Richard lurubull, M.H.B. for rin.aru ; His Worship the Mayor (Mr John Jackson) ; Mr Ingram, and the Kers. Dean, Foster and Bairclowgh, and Mesdumes Jones, Jackson end Miss Jones occupied seats at the table. Mr H J. Wood, the Head Master, superintended the arrangements generally, and was ably assisted by Mrs Grahatne, the Head Mistress, Mr Wake, the Second Master, and their admirable staff of assistants. When all— children and • isitorg had got seated, tho V. and VT. Standard uirls and boys sang a glee very nicely, for which they were very loudly applauded. The Chairman then ro*e and said before introducing Mr Turnbull and the ther gentlemen he would like to tell them h w pleaded he was to see so many smiling young faces about him. He was also glad to see so many parents and friends present, for it showed that they took a great inte eat m the education of tho young, and wero anxious to encourage them all m their power. Ho then said no doubt all wero aware that there had been several changes m the teaching staff during the year, and doubtless from this cause alone the school must have been working at a great disadvantage. Not-ithi-tandingthisit would be teen from the Inspector's report that the school was m thorough good working order, and there was a higjier percentage of passes this year than formerly. This, he was sure, should be satisfactory to all parties coni-orned, and he took occasion, on bohalf of the Committee, to oxpreßS entiro satisfaction with the Head Master and the teaching staff generally of bo<h the Main and Side Schools. He thon cdled on Mr Turnbull to address them. (Applause.) Mr Turnbull was received with loud applause, and said ho only hopd his address would give them as rouoh pleasure as their singing had given him. He intended to speak to them on one or two subjee s, and would do so carofully, recognising as he did that he might be speaking to embryo chief justices, very learned doctors and divines. ' c would first of all remind them o c what was duo by them, not only to tho teaching staff, but to tho Committee that controlled the school He felt that tho important services rendered to the community by committees and teachers were not sufficiently recognised. Ho had peculiar views on thes* subjects of education, and to his mind, next to ministers, no one should receive more reverence than those engaged m teaching the young. Teaching required much patience and endurance and teachers had not to bo " woary m well doing." Ho was sure those engaged m tuition at tho Timaru school, however, had reason to bo thankful to the Committee for tho excellent manner m which they conducted its affairs. Ho then spoke of the Education Act and said though ho was going to kick holes m it, he w u'd point out that it had ono sad defect m it, viz , thoy were not allowed to utter one single prayer to the Giver of Divine wisdom ; and bearing this m mind, he said it wa> truly wonderful to sco '>ow excellently the ohUdron »ere taught and how well tbey got on. He reminded them that neither knowledge nor learning gavo wisdom. To show what wisdom was he would quote an extract from the " Book of Wisdom " (m the Apocrypha), m which Solomon set forth what wisdom was m these. words :—" She is the breath of tho power, of God, and a purs inflaenco flowing from the glory of the ' Almighty. She is tho brightness of the overlasting light, the unspotted mirror, of the powi-r of Gad, and the imago of his goodi DOM, . t*ho taacbe* tewporance and prudenco- ' and justice- and fortitude. She knoweth things of old, and conjectureth that which is to ooti>e. ' She knoweth the lubteltics of speeches, and can expound dork sentences. S^he forseetli signs uad wonders, and the •rents pf seasons and .times. She cannot be I obtained oxcept God gives her, and that was t a point of wisdom to know whose gift she i was | therefore I prayed unto the Lord -and ) boKrugatHimtoelvßhjßr untome,'' Ho was

t sure all the boys and girls were doing their best to" acquire knowledge, but he asked them to also see that thay got wisdom as wel He then spoke of the vast changes machinery was making m the lab >r market, and advised the boys to learn, if possible, one or two trades— to have "more than one siring to their bow." It was a fact b-coming more and more apparent, that those who desired to get on ia this world Bhould learn as much of trades and business as possible, so that they could, if necessary, not only earn independence m their own country, but g» to foreign countries and hold their, own. Speaking to the girls, he said their services would always be much more appreciated than tbe boys. He would remind the girls, however, of Thomas Fuller's lines : — Ah I happy age when ladies learned to bake And whan kinga' daughters knew to knead a cake. Bebeooa was esteemed of comely hue, Tot not so nice her comeliness to keep But that she water for the camels drew. Rachel was fair, yet fed her father's sheep. But now, for to snpply Rebecoa's place Or do as Rachel did is counted base. Our dainty dames would take it m disgraoe. There was nothing base, he assured them, about honest 1 ,bor. They should do all the; were called on to do thankfully and honestly j do it " with all their might, and get rid of that abominable thing called '• false pride." And ever treat with respect those employed to teach them. He concluded by thanking them for listening to him so carefully, and wished all the boys and girls who were lea* ing the school — going to start the batt'e with the world - ovory prosperity, and hoped the time they had spent at the school had not been thrown away, (Loud and prolonged appliuse) The Chiirman then called on the Head Master. (Mr Wood) to Hddress them. After stating how tho prizes had been awarded Mr Wood took tbe opportunity as Head Master to thank his staff of teachers for the heart-, way they had worked with him. • wing to frequen' changes m the staff the school had not made sucn progress as he had hoped, but he looked forward to tbe coming session producing etter results. He strongly impressed upon tbe parents present the necessity of sending their children regularly to school, so that, their teaching and that of the class they were m should not be interrupted. Mr Wood sat down amid loud applause. Jhe pupils then sang a solo and chorus, after which Airs Jones distributed the prises, commencing with those awarded to the girls. A« each succe-sful pupil stepped up to the table the applause was loud, more especially when the "big " prize-takers made their ap pearance. The distribution over, His Worship the Mayor, m a neat speech, move t a vote of thanks to the teac ers, and m concluding wished tbe pupils " A merry Christmas and a happy .New Year," hoped they would spend their holidays joyously, and come back to school with renewed vigor. (vppUnse) After vl r Wood had returned think-, the Rev. Mr Dean, m c, singularly happy Bpeech, moved a similar compliment to the Committee and their Chairman, and the singing of another glee and " three cheers for the 'i cad vl aster," given by powerful young lungs, brought the school year 1885 to a close. he following is the prize list (a copy of which was corteously supplied by the Head Master) : — BOYS' BCHOOL. Dux iv Standards— Arthur Boys (Mr Jones' prize) . Standabd VI. Profi iency— Arthur Boys 1, Robert Irwin 2, Harry Peters and Harold Fussell (equal) 3. Condct-James Mitchell. Writing and.Singing—William West. Mapping and Drawing — Edwin Hibbard. Kecit tion — Cecil Tuwnsend. Chemistry — Stephen Wilson Arithmetic— David Ihomson. Class marks Charles Collins (Teachers' prize). Neatest Exercise 800k — Louis Cabot. STANDARD V. Proficiency — Fred Kdhn and John Parr (equal) 1 Mr Wagatoff's prize), Alfred Boytand Robert Webster (equal) 2. Conduct— Thomis Sinclair. U riting -William Hell (Mr. Pearson's prize). Mapping — Alfred Boys. Drawi g — George Stubbs. Cheniistr> — Edward Uoldgate. Heat Exercises — Charles Ball. Standard IV. Proficiency— harles Home 1, William McKenzie 2, enry Leugott 3. Conduct — Win Stubbs. Writing and Mapping — dcorge West. Drawing — Geurge Wade. Exercise BookGeorge Anderson. Standabd 111. Proficiency — Percy llalthus 1, John Finlay *nd William Armstrong (equal) 2, Kred Oxby 3. Conduct — Henry * slier. Writing — lames Parr. Exercise 800k — George Gardner. Standard 11. Proficiency — Fred Malcolnvon 1, Ham Harksou and Alfred Verdon (equal) 2. .lame* Bruce 3. Conduct— Walter Kurby. Writing and best Exercise Book— Frank Wade. Standakd I. "roficioncy Thomas Leguo t 1, Thomas Sutherland 2, William Taylor 3. Conduct Krnest Weatertaan. Writing— Thomas Anderson. GIRL ■-.' SCHOOL. Dux m Btand*rds — Miss Mary Oxby and Mias Mabel Henduraon (equal;, ,Mm JoW nrize.-). Standabd VI. General Proficiency— Mary Oxby and Mabel Henderson (eqoal) 1, Ella Gardner 2. Alice Uibbard 3. tJonduet - Maud Kerr. Writing — H leaner Dean. Mapping— Lily Gardnor (Mr Small's prize). Drawing Lily Gardner. Recitation— Mora Loui.-a TliJl Science— Mary Kerr (Mr H. J. Wood's prize). Geography — Fanny Townsend (Teacher's prize). Neatest hxercise Book And Class Marks— lsabella Rennie. BT4NDAU) V. General Proficie cy— Annie Oxby 1, Jane Webster ?, Mauirie Bennett 3. Conduct— lizzie Coe. Writing — ~arah Salek 'Mr Pearson's prize). Mapping and Drawing— Letilii Hassell Science — Sarah Gooch. Neatest Exereiso Book-^arah Salek. Standabd IV. General Profioiency - Kate Do «• 1, Hetty Williams 2, Ada Parks 3. Conduct— Lottie Oxby. Writing -Flora Clarkson. Mapping — Daisy Ostler. Drawing — Edna Dale Grammar— lda Sibly. Heat Exercise Book Elorrie EHU. Standabd 111. General Proficiency— Clara Shrimpton I, Sarah Burgess 2, Mary Necklen 3. Conduct —Kate Barton. Writing -Sarah Burge.-s. Rocitation .Nellie Cameron. Neatest Exercise Book— Bella Bowman. Arithmetic — Chorrio Watkins (Teacher's prize). Standabd 11. General Proficiency — Nollie Thompson 1, Amy Haigh 2, Maggie Johns 3. Conduct Gerty Bnrd. Writing— Hvelyn Westerman. Neatest Exercise Book— Alice McGill. BEWINO rBIZHB. Standard VI. Plain Sewing— Louisa Flora Hill. . Fancy Sewing — Elsie Bfubbs ant! Marj Kerr (equal). Standard V. — Plain sewing — Ella Irwin. Fancy sewing-— Ella Irwin and Florence Uoldgate. Standard IV.— Plain sewing— Mary Coe ; Hetty Williams commended. Fancy sewing —Violet Girdnor. Fanoy sewing (Mrs Jones' prizo) — viartha Halford. t^tanlard III — Plain sowing— Elf rida Hoskins, Nellie Witoh highly commended; Fanoy sewing (Mrs ••nrdner'a prize) — Lottie Hlaekwcll; Lena Harvey highly commended Knitting Minnie Hitch. Standard If. — Plain sowing (Mrs Jackson', rizo — Annie Grigg, Daisy Kn wles. Fancy work— Gertrudo Jacksou 1, Maudo Runciman 2. IHFUJT fiOHOOL. Standabd I.— Oibis. General Pro(l<sien>y' F.liza Gurney 1 Sarah McCahou 2, Ada Salisbury 3.. Writing — Kllen Johns. Conduct— 1 izzie Taplin Sowing — Mary Auld.- Object Lessons — Nellit Falgar. Kecitation— Era Piisstuoio. CtAfcsl.— Botb. Genenl -Proficiency- Fleming Ross nur Aleck Cnthbert '<-qn I) 1", James Fleming ant Fred Chapman (equal) 3. <jHbmi, Creqo.iil Proficiency Minnie McTlroy 1 LUU» • -IcCahon and Mary Koss (equal) 2 Object lessons— Maggie Cowley. Gr, as II. — Botb. ' Gen tal Proficienoy — Willie H"» kvvoU. - •"■ . Grati. General Proficiency— Eliza Rob aion. Ob jeet Lessons— Tasinan Smith and Cbarlott Gardner. Conduct — Willie Priebt ajd Mom Turnbull.

Class TlL— Boyb. i General Proficiency— Frank Foeter. Giblß. , General Proficiency— Mabel Jones. Object Lessous — Reginald Willi»in« and Annia Thornton. Conduct — Maggie Gedje. KeciI talion— Jessie btrauban. Class IV.— B'iyb. Gtnera Proficiency - John Andenon. OIBLS. Ethel IJadfield. U ject Les«ons — John Burgoss. Conduct — James Forbes and Mary Millar. .; Class V. — Bots. General Proficiency — WJlio Finlay. GlBLt. General Proficiency — Liziie Petersen. Object J •etaons — Thomas Brasseil. Conduct — Charlie JPuUiter and charlotte Dineen. SIDE SCHOOL SIANOABD T.— BOYS. Proficiency — W. Barton 1, W. Brehaut 2. Cond ct— W. Hamilton 1. Drill— Uarry Kerr 1. Drawing— T. Shute 1. Stand aed 11.I 1 . General Proficiency— i. MpKeniiel, Jacob Uill 2. Conduct — John I icken»ou I. Drill — W. Newton 1. Drawing— Jag. legg.l. Pbimes Class. General Pnfieieucy - George Grandi 1, Conduct— Heginald Verdon 1. Stakdaed 1.-— Gists. General Proficiency — Frances Grandi 1, Beatrice Bennett 2. Special prize - Esther Steward. Conduct — Maggie Jones 1. eiewiiig — Kate Sinclair 1, Hdith Hollis 2. Standard 11. General Proficiency — Jeannie Blair 1, Rmily Puttick *. Conduct— Mary Dow 1. Sewing— Annie Stewart 1. Fancy Work — Harriet Hope (presented by MUs Mollroy). Pbiheb Class. General Proficiency— Jaaunia MTaggart 1. Conduct — Ciai-y irwiu 1.