HIGH SCHOOL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 490, 11 December 1869, Page 2

HIGH SCHOOL.

The annual distribution of prizes to the pupils of this school took place yesterday in the public class-room, in. the presence of a large number of visitors. Among thoße present were:— Messrs R. Wilkin, W. D. Carruthers, W. B. Bray, J. C. Veel, D.Craig, D. Graham, A. Black, J. Bird. The front of the porch and the interior of the room were tastefully decorated with evergreens, which, we were informed, was the work of the pupils. The general effect produced did them great credit, and we should also note that several specimens of drawing and penmanship were exhibited on the walls. The room was thrown open from end to eDd, and the awards were displayed on a table upon a raised platform. The prizes were distributed by the Rev. Charles Fraser, who addressed the visitors and pupils on the position which the school had for several years maintained. He expressed himself rs beiog glad of the opportunity of referring to the examination of the school some six months ago by gentlemen appointed by the Board of Education for the purpose. So far as the report went upon this school, the directors were perfectly satisfied with it, as being very correct and impartial. But there were certain peculiarities about the Scotch public schools which placed them at some disadvantage when examined by those who were unacquainted with these peculiarities. This was especially the case when the examination was confined to one or two branches. In such a school aa this the boys were arranged in classes, not according to their proficiency in Latin and Greek atone, but according to the average of their progress in these languages and in mathematics, history, geography, Knglish literature, &c. Hence boys might be found in an advanced class who were very far behind in the languages, and would make but a poor appearance when examined upon these alone. It was sometimes said that distinguished scholarship was a rare thing in Scotland as compared with England. If this was the case, it was not owing to the schools or the colleges. These provided the means for a thorough education, and Eent out their pupils qualified to prosecute *kpy branch of study which might be required. BClt- there were two reasons why scholarship (as applied to Greek and Latin) was not generally attended to. There was no demand or even opportunity for it. Ministers, professors, and members of the learned professions were so much engaged in the duties of their several callings, that they had no time for such studies. They were all, practically working men, and had not the learned leisure, nor the resources which would allow them to turn aside to such pursuits. This was simply the result of the poverty of the country. There were no great endowments for the encourgement of learning. The other reason lay in the practical turn of the Scotch intellect. Whether his countrymen sought to make provision for their families by amassing wealth, or to exert some influence upon the age in which they lived, they turned to other more effective means for securing their ends than scholarship. No doubt as the wealth of Scotland was increasing, so was its scholarship. And he hoped the lesson would not be lost upon this young colony, but that ample provision would be made by means of public endowments for securing all the benefits to be derived from a generally diffused education, thorough in all its branches. He. felt that those who, like the Directors of the High School were exerting themselves to introduce schools upon the Scotch system, were bound to shew that it provided for genuine scholarship of a high character, if only such scholarship were lequired. Mr Veel, who had examined the school at the instance of the Board of Education, expressed his high opinion of the school, and fully endorsed the remarks of Mr Fraser m

to the desirableness of having large endowments for the higher education made at an early date. ' I Mr Wilkin spoke in terms of warm apj proval of the measures which had lately been taken to elevate the character of the instruct tion communicated, and thought he might truly congratulate the directors upon the efficiency of the teachers, and the good results which had followed their efforts, $is shown by the examinations this year. .? Mr Fraser then proceeded to distribute the prizes according to the following list :— > TJppeb ' School. \ Class III — Upper Division — Classics-r-----Ist, W. H. Atack. Mathematics, Geometry —Ist, J. R. Thornton. Algebra— lst, J. R Thornton ; 2nd, Atack and Deans, equal? Mechanics — Ist, Thornton. Arithmetic — Ist! Thornton. French — Ist, Thornton and Atack,] «qual. Drawing— Extra prize — Ist, J. Macfarlane. Writing and Bookkeeping —J. Deans. English — Ist, J. Macf arlane. History (Modern and Ancient) —lst, Atack. Geography — Ist, J. Macfarlane and Atack, •equal. Natural Science — Thorton. Music — Beece. Class lll— Juniob Division — Classics— Ist, W. Recce. Ist Greek prize, W. Atack. Mathematics — Geometry — Ist, A. Davis. Algebra-lstJ.Paxton. Mechanics— lst,Davis. Arithmetic— lst, Paxton ;A. Hancock, equal. Writing and Bookkeeping— J. Bailey. English—C. Waters, history— lst, Waters and Davis, equal. Geography— Ist, Waters and Caverhill, equal. Natural Science — Davis. Class ll.— Classics — let, J. Wilkinson. Geometry— T. W. Wilkinson. Arithmetic— A. Dawson and R. Smith, equal. French — W. Wilkinson. Drawing —W. Sutcliffe. Writing and Book-keeping —A. Battray. Engliah— A. E. Bird. History— -T. W. Wilkinson and J. Wilkinson. Geography— J. Dawson. Class I. — Latin— C. J. Wilson. Arithmetic, Ist division, W. Brown ; W. T. Thomas and J. Wilson, equal ; 2nd division, J. Wilkin. Drawing —W. McFarlane. Writing— A. H. Anderson. English— lßt, T. H. Caverhill ; 2nd, W. McFarlane. History — Ist, H. E. Smith, Ist, Caverbill, equal. Geography — Ist, Wilson ; 2nd, S. Todd. Grammar — Ist, Brown ; 2nd, Caverhill. Lower School. Class lll— English — Ist, A. Atack; 2nd, F. Cranston. Geography — Ist, A. Atack; 2nd F. Cranston. Grammar — Ist, A. Atack; 2nd F. Cranston. Arithmetic — H. Grey, W. Barnes. Class II. — English — R. Wilkin, I. Isaacß. Geography —I. Isaacs. Arithmetic —H. Wilkin. Class I — Uppek Division— lst, Bankin; 2nd, Hobden. Geography —E. Osborn. Arithmetic — H. Beece Class I— Junior Di vision —T. Eowe, F. Hen wood. Geography — Rowe. House Phizes. R. Smith, H. E. Smith, M. Isaacs", Thornton, J. Macfarlane, W. Macfarlane. The presentation of prizes being concluded, both: pupils and visitors adjourned to the Slay ground, in rear of the master's house, 'here the corps of volunteer cadets attached to the school went through company drill, rifle and skirmishing exercise, acquitting themselves in a very creditable manner — much superior to last year, but still it must be admitted not without ample room for further improvement. A substantial collation was partaken of in the large dining room. The doors were open to all alike, and it is due to Mr Cook to notice the zealous courtesy he evinced in promoting the comfort of bis visitors. A swimming match afterwards took place in the bath adjoining the house, and after a smart contest, was artistically won by Thornton, Hancock pushing him very closely. Some other amusements of an unimportant nature were also indulged in, the company not separating until late in the afternoon.