THE WAIMATAITAI SCHOOL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3807, 14 December 1886, Page 3

THE WAIMATAITAI SCHOOL.

ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES. Tho aniaial distribution of prizes took place at the above school, at Waimataitai, yesterday, and despite the fact that the weather was showery, the reunion was both successful and enjoyable. Willing and loving hand.", directed and guided by cool lieads, had been at work m the early morning, and had transformed the "long room " into a veritable bower of (lowers and everyreens, which made things generally wear their most smiling aspect. Shortly nfter 1 p.m. the children began to aastv.nlilo, and under tho guidance of Mr Walker, tho head master, and Misses Rowley, Fishev and D.mv, were marshalled m their proper ordi-r, and filed into tho seats reserved for them. Tho tempting array of handsome books piled one on the other on the tables on tho platform, flanked by the beautiful needlework and special prizns, had a most exciting effect on the children. The parents and other friends wore Be.ited m tho room, tho platform being reserved for members of tho committee, Archdeacon Harper, and a few ladies, soraa of whom evince> a deep interest m tho well-being of the school. THE FORMAL PROCEEDINGS. A |few minutes after 2 o'clock Mr B. Woollcombe (Chairman of, the Committee) rose, and having announced tho pnrposo for which they had met together, stated that tho prizes had been given on tho marksgained by pupils m aspecinlexamination held by tho school master (Mr Walker). In former years the prizes had been given on the Inspector's marks, but this year such a course could not be followed, owing to the new Inspector, for some reason or other, objecting to award marks to each scholar. However, he (the chairman), could vouch for tho accuracy and fairness of the examination held, each set of papers having bo?n gone through and inspected hy him prior to the final award;. The chairman added that so far as he was aware the Standard examination had not been so successful as m formeryears, tho new systemof examination militating somewhat against ti 10 net result, m the way of a falling off m passeK. Tho report had not yet been received from the Inspector, so that he (Mr Woollcombej, could not speak positively on other details of school work. In conclusion, the chairman taid that there were 225 pupils on the roll, the avernge attendance being a fraction over 180, and impressed upon parents and others the imperative necessity of sending children to school regularly. (Loud applause.) The Yen. Archdeacon Harper then rose amid applause, and said that at the request of the chairman he had a very pleasant task to perform, namely, present tho prizes. Before doinct thia, however, ho desired to congratulate the parents and friends of the school, on the proud position it had secured. He desired this compliment to apply not merely to the capital building they had got, but more as a tribute of worth to their excellent master, and his good stuff of assistants. He next spoke a few words to the children, telling them that rewards were not everything ; all should certainly do their best at school to discipline tha mind and the body. Soon boys would be leaving and entering on life, perhaps m shops, m offices, and on the farm ; girls would soon he going into service, be taking the places of their touchers, bo managing thi'ir own homes — and success would depend m very great measure m what they were doing now. Ho had looked about the rooms, and noticed that the pupils could write well, and draw capital maps, but something else was needed besides that ; boys should be truthful and honest, girls gentle, patient, kind and unselfish ; they should fear God, and do their duty to all with whom they camo m contact. If they did these things they would bo sure to get on. The Archdeacon's short addreis pleased the pupils very much indeed, and he resumed his seat amid groat applause. THE SCHOOL WORK. The work done by tho pupila was laid out m the different rooms, ao that parents and visitors might have every opportunity of inspecting it for theirselves. The writing and mapping wero excellent, and m speaking of it we cannot do better than give the report of the judges (Messrs W.Priest and D. M. Ross) themselves. It is as follows : — " The work set before ub is ao creditable that we dnsire to note special attention thereto. The first prize for writing is the best we have seen m any achool>yet. The first priza for mapping deserves special notice also, being a work of care and merit. The teacher may well feel pleased at the ' aiiecesa of his pupils, there being a marked improvement on that of last year." The girls' needlework was very creditable, but we should have preferred seeing it as it had left the makers' hands rather than as it came from the laundry, the mysteries of which are so good at hiding bad stitching and workmanship generally. PRESENTATIONS. Before the school broke up Mr Walker was made acquainted m a very pleasing, though startling manner, that the pupils about to leave their school-life behind them did not intend to bid good-b\e without giving him some token^ of the respsct and eßleera m which he is held by

t.liem. On Friday last the young ladie3 named below met him, and presented him with a very beautiful silver-mounted inks'aml, uccompnnicd by the following address : — 'I To Mi- T. A. Walker. "Dear Silt, — We, tho pupils of the VI. Standard of tho Waimataitai School, beg you to accept the accompanying inkstand as a slight recognition of our affection and gratitude for -the kindness that you have always shown to us since we have had the privilego of being taught by you. As many of us aro leaving the school, wo tako this opportunity of sincerely thanking you for the trouble you have takou m forwarding us m our studies. With beat wishes for your future welfare, we are, dear sir, yours affectionately, — Gertrude Cooper, Berta Wood, Etuel Turnbull, Annie Ciiai-jean, Annik Scott, Annie Wade, Clara Cunningham, Tina Mclntosh." Tlu boys gavo their master % very chastely designed silver pencil cage, and m accepting the souvenirs, Mr Walker assured the givers that their names would be ever f:reeu m his memory, and that he would take great care of their presents. VOTES OF THANKS. Before tho formal proceedings had concluded, Mr Woollcombo proposed a very henrty vote of thanks to the master and his staff, paying them a most flattering compliment m doing so. The muster having replied, the boys gave three lusty cheers for him, a like ronnd of hearty ones being given for " The Ladie?." THE PRIZE LIST. Tho prizes woro distributed by Archdeacon Harpor, tho names of the reoipienls being as follows : — GENKRAIi PBOFICIENCr. Slandnrd Vll.— Annie Scott 1. Standard VI — Roberta Wood 1, Gertrude Cooper Jf, Ethel Turnbull 3. Muidard V.- Herbert Bilton 1, John Mucintosh 2, John Pringle and Emma Blackmore 3. Standard IV.— George Murdoch 1, Isabella Scott 2, Kate Montgomery 3. Stnndurd ll[. — Sponcer Claphatn and Donnld Dorm 1, Chuiles Cooper 2, Annie Leslio 3. Mnndurd II. — John Cooper 1, Mary MeArthur 2, Charles ''asscll 3. Standard I.— Herbert Whcatley 1, Charles Pringle 2, Walter Bilton 3. TVRITING. Standard Vl.— Joseph Blacimore. Standard V. — Emma Bluckmore. Standard IV.— George Murdoch. Standard lll.— Arthur Williams. Infant Department. — Lily Webb 1, Thomas Macintosh 2. SPECIAL T-MZKS. 1 (a) Presented by Mrs Luxmore for the best litter written hy a boy, the subject being •' A Boy's Duty to Ilia Parents." — Percy Webb. 2. (J) Presented by Mr Hutton for tho bi'»t letter written by a gill, tho Jsubjectbeing " Tho Best Means of Securing Health and JJnppincfs m a Home." — Annie Chapman. 3. Popularity Prizo for Boys : Presented by Mr Bowie.— William TaDk. ■I. Popularity Prize for Girls : Presented by Captain Woollcombe. — Emma Bkckmore. 5. Good Conduct Prize (open to boys only) : Presented by Mrs Bilton to the best conducted bay m Standard V. — Herbert Bilton. G. and 7. For Arithmetic m Standard IV. — Joseph Btackmorc (presented by Mrs Tank), 1 j Clara Cunningham (presented by Mr Black more), 2. Presented by Mr Walker : Mapping, Standard VI. — Clara Cunningham. Geogrnphy, Standard VI. — Arthur Wilson, fnglish History, Standard V. — Percy Webb. Mapping, Standard V. — Herbert Bilton. Geography, Standard IV. — Isabella Scott. I resentetl by Mies Fisher for yearly marks — Harry Bla>~kniore 1, Maggie PrinEla 2. Presented by Miss Dorm, for diligence — Rose Wallace, Mivry Pinclross, Mary Stephens, June Hodge, and Clura Wilson. Presented by Miss Kowley, for general proficiency —Leila Rice. For Good Attendance. — Joseph Blackmore, Alfred Blackmoro, Henry Blakmore, Emma Hluck'morp, Annie Chapmiin, Marion Pringle, Mnrr thnithson, Willio Bowie, 1 ; John Pringle, 2. NEEDLEXVOBK. Ftandnrd Vl.— (Presented by Mrs A. Perry) — Annie Chapman. Stutidurd V. — Kmma Blackinore. Standard ]V.-I?abelI» Scott. Standard 111. — Kliza Lukcy. Standard ll.— Edith Cox, special (doll), May Fisher. Standard I. — Maggie Pringle. Special. (Presented by a gentleman, for darning and patching) — Gertrude Cooper. Special. — (Presented by Miss Rowley, for sewing marks) — Gertrude Cooper 1, Ida Mcc 2.