THE WAIMATAITAI SCHOOL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 4121, 23 December 1887, Page 4

THE WAIMATAITAI SCHOOL.

The annual distribution of prizes m connection with the Waimataitai School took place yesterday. The attendance of pupils and friends was very large, showing the great interest taken m the school. The main room was nicely decorated, the platform being arranged at the eastern end On this the Boy. William Gillies was invited to a seat by Mr Robert Bowie, chairman of committee, who was immediately supported by Messrs Pringle and Blackmore, members of committee, Mr Lewis, also a member, attending as well. Several ladies, who take a deep interest m the school, were also provided with seats on the platform. THB CEBBSTONY. About 2 o'clock Mr Bowie rose and gave a short address. He expressed pleasure at meeting them all again, and explained several details relating to the examination. He was proud indeed of the progress the school had made during its five years existence, and congratulated residents on the great interest they took m the school. He trusted all the pupils would spend very happy holidays, and renew their school labours m the best of health and strength, determined to commence the year m a thorough way. He then informed the many ladies and children present that the Bey. Mr Gillies had been asked to preside and distribute the prizes, and he (Mr Bowie) bad great pleasure m introducing that gentleman. The Bey. Mr Gillies came forward amid deafening applause. He said it gave him very great pleasure to be present that day to distribute the prizes to the many successful pupils for the diligence they had displayed, and the application they had given to their several studies during the past year. He had observed that the committee m sending him the invitation to attend hod very carefully abstained from asking him to make a speech. He thought this very wise of them, for ho did not think the occasion was one for much speech-makiDg. For some of the pupils were eager to get possession of the handsome prizes before him, and other pupils eager to see these prizes distributed. To him it seemed tantalising for pupils to be detained listening to speeches, the greater part of which went above their heads and kept them for a time out of possession of their coveted treatures. From what he had said they would therefore gather that he did not intend to make a long speech. Mr Gillies then remarked that the present American Minister to England had said that the English people had quite a mania for speechmaking, und one thing that troubled the Minister greatly was that of being called on to make a multitude of speeches. To try and remedy this the Minister proposed that thoy should endow a chair of science to teach people how to " hold their tongues." (Laughter). He (Mr Giliies) thought it was a very wise thing to " hold their tongues," and quoted from one of Tennyson's poems lines bearing on the subject. Mr Gillies then expressed the wish that the school would turn out a good many learners and faithful workers, for all knew that it was better to be a worker than a talker. He then gave some good advice to the successful and non-successful pupils, hoped they would fight the battle of life m an honourable way and do their very best to acquire habits of application and diligence. Before concluding he said that he was inclined to agree with the Minister of Education m raising the school age, not on the score of retrenchment, hut on the score of humanity and education. In his opinion young people were better running about and kicking up their heels until they were 6 or 7 years of age before going to school, for then they made better scholars and more speedy progress m scholastic work. He joined with the chairman (Mr Bowis) m wishing all a pleasant holiday, and trusted they would como back to school renewed m body and mind. (Loud applause.) Mr Gillies then distributed the prizes amid continued applause, after which the usual compliments were passed to Mr Gillie?, to the parents and lady visitors, the committee, and last, but by no means least, the teachers of whom there were present Mr Walker, head master, Misses Kowley, Conn, and Fisher, mistresses. We have also to tender our thanks to the staff for the eourteoua assistance we received. The gathering broke up shortly after three o'clock, the annual treat being then held m the school ground, and proving most successful. THB PDPIM' WOBK. As usual the work of the year m the shape of sewing, writing, and mapping, was displayed m the different rooms, and waa eagerly looked over by the many visitors to the school during the day. The mapping was very good indeed, every map being well drawn, very clean, well printed, and written. In that department of scholastic work, the girls gave the boys a thorough beating, and showed exceptionally fine work m each standard. The writing was well up to the standard of school work generally, but the style of writing being not uncommon, calls for no special mention. We may here add, however, that Messrs Fraser and Prießt, the jndges of writing and mapping, muet surely have made a mistake m the award m standard 111. The specimen placed second was far superior m spelling, formation of words, and spacing tuan the cne placed above it. In the sowing room nrtleles ware to be found which at once shoved that Miss Ri/wloy has got a complete grasp of this subject, and v teaching her pupils the. very acme of sewing, namely, that pertaining to girls' linen and domestic needlework of the most important kind. At many schools too much time is devoted to fancy work, and many girls would far sooner crewel an apron or put Ffoniton lace on a cushion, than hem a packet handkerchief, or darn a stocking. At the Waimataitai school good, serviceable, plain sewing is made a speciality, and as a. result the pupils to much excel m it that their rawing cannot be beaten m the colony. Mrs Perry and Mrs Hassell, who kindly judged the sewing, were loud m their praises of its excellence, and frankly confessed that Jtjioy liad had a rcrv hard task set them to rtacido. Tho many lady visitors also spoke m the moit pleasing way of ovcry article. The natty «/$y embroidery was put on hera and a tuck lot m therp on the various garments, showed that the workara were well grounded, taught, and finished m the tirua^rj of needlework. THE PRIZE LIST. Tliis is na follows : — Standard I— o. Jor.eg 1, E. Binckmoro 2, F. Hawkins 6. Standard II — W. Lennon ], G. Knowles 2, W. Bilton 3. Btanciard III— 0. Hassell 1, F. Cooper 2, M, McArthur 3, A. Jfontgomeoy and B. Wallace (equal) I. Standard IV— X. Dorm 1, T. Rowley 'i, L.j Williams 3. Standard V— X. Montgomery 1, S, Clegg 2, J. Scott 3. Standard VI — J. Macintosh I and hoad master's special prize, E. lilackmoro 2, G. Clegg 3. Infants — Maud White a*id Apflip Macintosh (equal) 1, John Penman 2. BI'BCIAI. I'BIZEH. Kevins— Standard Vl— Kmma Binckmoro 1, und Mrs Arthur Perry's prize; Annie Wado i, Ami Mr Moo's pri/.e. Daruing — Ida lleo, winner of tho special prizca presented by Mrs Sliupyjera and Cuplain Woolcomljo. Standard V — Bella SoJtfc I, anil Mrs Lough* \irho ; Emma Hillary 2. Buttonholes — Jessie Meo. Standard IV— Berths Buuell 1, and Mrs

Rowley's prize ; Ada Sharp 2. Standard 111 — Tottie Knowles 1, Mary Me Arthur 2, Bosie Wallace (special.) Standard ll— Maggie Pringlo 1, Grace Hole 2, and Mrs Haasell's prize. Standard I — Maggie Montgomery 1, Maud Smithson 2. The special prizes given by Misa Rowley were awarded as follows : — Standard VI — Emma Blaekmoro and Ida Mcc (equal) 1. Standard V — Marion Pringle. Good attendance — First class certificates and prizes: Alfred, Ernest, Harry, and Emma Blackmore, Tda, and Hanson Mcc, John, and Marion Pringle, Mary, Maud, and Bobbie Smithson, Julia Penman, John Packer, and Harry Hobbs. Second class certificate — Charles Hassell. Mapping— Standard VI, special by Mr Bowie — Annie Wade 1, Emma Blackmore 2. Standard V, by Mr Blackmore -Alfred Blackmore. Standard IV— Charles Cooper. Writing— Standard Vl— Emma Blackmore 1, Annie Wade 2. Standard V — Alfred Blackmore 1, George Murdoch 2. Standard IV— Bethel Hassell 1, Lizzie Wallace 2. Standard III — Mardy Macintosh 1, Albert Cullamore 2. Arithmetic — Standard V — lsabella Scott 1 and Mr Mee'a prize. Standard 111 (mental arithmetic) -J. Copper 1, and special prize given by Mr Dorm. Standard II — Willie Bowie, for Inspector's marks m arithmetic Good Conduot — Standard VI — Emma Blackmore 1, and Mr Hobbs' prize. Standard V — Marion Pringle 1, and Mr lewis' prize; Standard IV— Ada Sharp 1, and Mr Tyrell's prize. Standard 111 — Andrew Stephens 1, and Mrs Stephen's prize ; George Berry and Ruth Hiskins, Miss Dorm's prizes. Standard I — Tom Purdom 1, and Miss Fisher's prize. Other Specials — Standard VI, for proficiency m geography, Emma Blackmore l,and headmasters prize. Far letter writing — Boys : J. Macintosh and P. Webb equal, awarded Mrs Luxmoore's prizes ; girls : Emma Blackmore 1, and Messrs Hutton and Co.'s prize. Standard IV — History, Lizzie Wallace 1, and head master's priae j singing, John Wilson 1, and Mr Clegg's prize. Standard III — Shirley Bice 1, and Mrs Shappere's prize. Standard II — General proficiency, Willie Bowie and Florence Bellars equal, for prizes given by Mrs Bilton.