Wanganui Collegiate School.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 12051, 19 December 1906, Page 6

Wanganui Collegiate School.

Last evening si large number of parents and Iriends of 'he students of the Colkjjidte School assembled in the dining hall where the annual priae giving ceremony w.,6 held. An impromptu stage was nicely arranged, and on this the principal (Mr Jbmpson), the teaching staff, His Lordsiip the Bishop <yi Wellington, Dr. iitv. T. B. Maclean were seated. The proceeding were commenced with the annual concert, the programme being as follows: — Song, "Forty "Years On," Mr C. H. Eitchie; glee, "The Brook," young and old students; two part song, "The Night Eells," students; glee, "Flowers of Summer," young and old students; c.iorv.e, "The Carnovalc, ' encored. This wtis followed by the School Song, Mr Leslie Pcci accompanying. Mr "Empson followed the above by reading his annual report, which was as fol-. lows: — COLLEGIATE SCHOOL REPORT. My Lord, — It is a groat pleasure to us to welcome you once more amongst us. The past year has been on the whole a quiet and prosperous one ; occasional breezes have caused the ship to roll a little sometimes, but she has arrived at the long looked for port of the Christmas holidays in a seaworthy condition, though somewhat in need of an extra coat of paint and a little re-fitting here and there. The crew has managed to weather the various dangers of overwork and infectious diseases without being any the worse for wear. To drop this methaphorical view, I am glad to say that the precaution taken tc guard against the various illnesses that have been so prevalent in the town, have been entirely successful, and that we have escaped Scot free; the health oi the boys could not be better than at the present moment. Several changes have taken pl<\ce in the staff since last Chiistmas. Shortly before the end of last year Mr Armour Wt, ar.d his place was ably filled by Mr C. F. McGrath, of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. Mr Comp.ton left at the era of the year, and after an intsrreg aam of nearly two terms, during which ye have to thank Mr Watson for acting as layreader, we were fortunate enough to secure the services of the Rev. V. Pririe, tvho has already proved a tower of strength tc tic in many ways. At the end of tho f.ret term we lost "Mr L. G. Atkinson, v. nc found it necessary, to our very great regret, to go to England for medical advice, and we have since heard that this advice has been of such a nature as to force Him to give up teaching. To fill his place wo obtained the eervic-es of jfr J. A. Neamo, of the London University, and we may consider onrselves jarticularl-v fortunate in having done so. Mr Watson has this term taken the balance of hi 6 former holiday, which was cut short, and has been on a visit to- Japan. To- make good this loss Mr J. Allen, of Pembroke College, Cambridge, jpined us in. October. We have also to regret the temporary absence of Mrs Atkinson, who, we all hope, will be able to 1 continue her duties next term. Mr J. S. Lomas is leaving us at tho end of this term to take up a good appointment in' Dunedin.. .He has' "Hone excellent service here, and we 6hall be the poorer for his departure. At the end of next term a still more serious lc» is to befall vs — ono which I do not like to think of— in other words, Mr Orford, aftei ten yearV work here, has determined tc leive us and to >-et up a preparatory school of his own in Canterbury. To fitly express r.iy feelings about kis departure would bo as diflicult for me as it would bo unpleasant fur him. and I will conteivt iiivii.-if willi saying that we have one anc all of ii 9 boon" the butter for kis manlj piv&. r.cc :-.i:io'igst us, and that I personally km uu'l'.r the deepest obligations to him for r.cvvu'cn nobly 'rendered, evtn, I fear*, at the oxrens-? of his health. As roeaidrj work,, the year has been a very Ldviy asticfactorv one. At^the Univcrsily examinations of lr.st "hriertmar eleven boys passed tho matriculation am" stlifitcrs' general knowledge, while F. N. B. Ecamioh passed the Junior Scholarship oxa in illation with credit, afterwards obtaining a Somes-Scholarship at Canterbury College. H. G. Brodie also pas3ed 14th out of some thousands of competitors for the Jurior Civil Service. This year a good many have been engaged in the University Examinations, and have, I trust, acquitted themselves creditably. They have workec" well with this end in view, as have many others without such an object. On the whole, there is not much to complain of in this respect, though, of course, the lazy, the careless, and the shirkers are always with us. We have to thank Mr F. A. Archer fo v kindly giving a dhalleHge cup for an annual esaay in the Lower School, and 1 als. the brothers of the late Mr Marshall fo: presenting the four volumes of the "Times History of the War" as a prize for an es say in the Middle School. Mr Barrticoai very kindly agreed to look over the essays and he has sent in the following results • — Upper School : Subject, "The World • 2000 A.D.," Mr H/ F. Christie's challenge bowl; (1) "A man's a man for a' that," G. G. Jackson; (2) "Probitas verus honoi est," N. F. E. Fobertshnwe. Middle School: Subjoet, "South Africa," the Marshall prize ; (1) "Qtio fas et gloria dnctlnt, 1 ' N. P. Batley; (2) "Fortnna favet fortibus," F. H. Cash; ($) "Magna cst veritas et praevalebit," G. W. Batley; (4) "Sociuc fi delis anchora tuta est," K. A. Elder. Lower ' School : si'ibject, "Earthquakes," Mr Archer's challenge cup; (1) "Corona niear Christus," B. B. Godfrey ; (2.) "Spero Meliera." C. M. Perry ; (3) "Nunc aut nun duam," R. W. O. Dalrymple : (4)' "Possun^ quia posse videntur." G. N. Bramley. M: Barnit'oat sa\s that the two essays in the Upper School were decidedly good, and showed both thought and industry. The

Middle School essays were very difficult to judge, and thow; from the Lower School were very even. The Marshall divinity prize lias been won by C. H. Eitchie; the Harvey memorial for maLlicmaticß falls to E. B. Gibbons; the Pennefather prize to H. G. Brodie; the Glasgow rrize for classics was won by C. Hi Bitchie; while the Old Boys' prize fell to R. B. Gibbons, but I have aleo assigned a prize to Robcrtsfcawe, who was only one mark behind. The Marshall exhibition, to be awarded to the boy who attends to go to some English university, and during his c.ay has done most to preserve the traditions of the pub', lie «cho<H>Jt>oy, has beeu awr.rde+to C. H. Ritchie; wlulflt Dr. Ansona prize, which he has again kindly given to the boy who best fulfils Mr Rhodes' requirements for # a scholaicbip, but is not ''going' Home, has, boon given to L. L. .ditchings. In regard to othor matters which Stem deserving of altentiDU. at the recent Con* firmatioir 67 candid;it:s were confirmed by ,\\\o Bishop la3t Friday, a number far in advance of anything we have had before; the service was more impressive, 'aa was also the early service on Sirnday morning. At the recent conVpelition for the Empire School Shootin? Competition our eight, with the assistance of Mr Price's coaching, managed, to make the highest score in- the colony, though we do not yet know what position we shall occupy in the whole list. All the institutions, both mental and physical, in connection ' with the school have been vigorously kept up. The Parliamentary Imion, the Mo&stown Sunday School, the workshop, ■ the Gymnasium, in connection with which I may say the boys have an average chest expansion of oins., and all the many other forms of activity. Sir John Gorot when visiting the school wa9 immensely struck with the exceptionally fine physique of the boys. The alterations/and extensions carried out by the Trustees early in. the year have been found a g/cat boon, designed as they were, not with the intention of enabling more bpys to be taken, but of providing better accommodation for those already here. We are losing some good men and true at the end of this term, thought not quite io many as usual. The vacancies thus created have been already considerably more than filled up, but the raw material ia a very diffeitfnt matter from the tempered steel, and tempered, I hope it is in the majority of cf.ees. It is always* griev- " ous to part with boys whom we have got to look upon as part of the school, and many of them I know have the same feei--ing. As you have already heard me say before, a boy's love and affection for his school almost entirely depends upon what he has put into it in the way of self-sacri-fice and consideration for others. These are not common qualities with boys, and it gives me real pleasure sometimes to think, either rightly or wrongly, that perhaps they may be commoner here than elsewhere. Finally, let me say a word to you who have not suceej>i'.ed in attaining any particular school distinction in spite of all your efforto. My oympathies ar© entirely with you, as you know. The gainer of the schclaie'iip, the winner of the prize, the maker ot the highest score, the scorer-of the. greatest number of tiies have their reward; they have realised their ambitions, and are to be heartily congratulated on doing so, and far be it from me to disparage- their succc€G, but thc6e are the ten-talent boys. What about the onetalent boys, who are not quick of brain, sure of eye, or speedy of foot, the boys who set a high aim before themselves, and fail in attaining it. It is far better to be beaten after desperate efforts in some groat contest than to win a victory that ccst nothing. To all such, to all who have struggled and "Seemed no painful inch to gain,' I should like to quote the following lives : We see the winner in the race, 'Tis but of victors poets tell ; Who knows but- in 1 a humbler place Buns one who has run just a-s well, Debarred by some slight accident, Withheld by freak of cruel fate, Fighting against diacoui'agcment, And grasping hope that comcetoo late. Victory may be dearly won — Bravo he who gained the foremost place, Yet bravest may, when all is done, Be he who ran the losing race. In conclusion, I wish to express my hearty thanks to all my colleagues, and especially I should like to mention Mr Harold, whcee untiring assistance in the gymnasium, the boxing, and the measuring is still invaluable, as it has always been in the past. (Applause.) His Lordship the Bishop, before delivering the prizes addressed those present, saying that he was j.lease^ to be there. He believed in the college with all his heart, and he was not alone in that view, for there were many old boys there, who had gone through the school and were pleased to see it again. He was glad to be there because the headmaster was one of his dearest friendH, and there were, he believed, no two persons in Wanganui who did a better work than Mr and Mrs Empaon. (Applause and cheets.) Last time ho was at the building, he said, he had prophesied that the building that the building that would now hold the boys would be a very different one from that which they were now in, but through various causes, he had not phophesied truly. His Lordship spoke in appreciative terms of the pains taken by the E-ev. Maclean in the finances of the school and general welfare, and the trustees looked upon him as their authority for direction in the school matters. The new buildings, the speaker mentioned would come as soon as the trustees could get them. Referring to the commission appointed to inquire into the tnfat, His Lordsbip stated that some wise suggestions, wore made, and these the trustees intended to carry out, • but there were some others they did not •lot mean to carry out, and they did not mean to do anything, if they could help it, that would change the character of the school. Speakine to the boys the Bishop seconded the remarks of Mr Bmpson which referred .to boys who did not get prizes. Difficulties had to be fought, and if a* boydid hi* duty that was the main thing. To the boys leaving the school, he saia that one of 'the " poorest prizes tfeey could get was that of getting 'Ac rirfr a« they could.-' While travelling recently, he had heard a great, deal of berlk jrbtnk money making', this being especially so iv America, where* on every train the one incessant subject of conversation was of the almighty dollar.He thought the Americans a fine people, but he believed they knew less of joy and rest than any other people in the world, and this he attributed to their quest for money. Personally he did not see any use in hoarding up money, and considered it the worst thing a person could do. The iov of life was not the making of money, but simply doing th© best that we could to make the world better. They should not- be talking about money making, or how the most money was made. He advisei them to have nothing to do with gambling. It was hard- to say whether, it was wrong ta play whiet, or each games, but fhey should have nothing at all to do with playing for money, not even for penny points. ' In conclusion he asked Mr Emrson to grnnt the boys an extra holiday, a request that the h'jadmae-> ter acceeded to, granting ato extra-., week. He thon 'distributed the prizes-,' as under, and tho -funet-ion wae concluded with the 3tnging of "God Save • the King," and cheeia for the Bieliop, Mr and Mrs Empson, the teachers and others. The prize list was as follows: — '

PBIZE LIST. SPECIAL PRIZES. Glasgow Prize. — C. H. Ritchie. Old Boys' Prize.— R. B. Gibbons. Mathematics. Harvey Memorial. — It. B. Gibbons. Pennefather Prize. — H. G. Brodie. Divinity. Marshall Memorial. — C. H. Ritchie. Marshall Exhibition.— C. H. Ritchie. Dr Anson's Prize. — L. L. Hitchings, Essays. Upper School.— Christie Bowl: V. C. Jackson. Middle School.— Marshall Prize: N. P. Batley. Lower School.— Archer Cup: R. B. Godfrey. Greek. VI. — Prize, C. H. Ritchie; prox. ace, N. Jl.J 1 . E. Rooertshawe. Divinity. VI. — C. H. Ritchie, R. B. <Jibbons. Matric. A.— A. W. Dclamore, J. F. Wilson. Matric. B.— A. Wheeler. A. R. W. Tate. Vbl.— W. Monkhouse, J. M. Davie. Vb2.— C. G. Lennard, F. C. Archer. Remove.— V. T. Crawshaw, X. B. Gibbons. IV.— R. W. O. Dajryrople, C. M. Perry. Ilia. — S. R. Archer, C f P. Livingstone. Commercial Work. Div. 1. — G. E. H. Beamish, C. Davic. Div. 2.— G. W. Batley, S. J. Howard. Div. 3.— N. B. Gibbons, T. K. Addenbrooke. Div. 4.— L. L. Cock and M. S. Chamber*. Science. , VI.— R. B. Gibbons. Matric. A. — Chemistry: M. A. Harding, T. Corry. Physiology: F. W. Mounsell. Matric. B.— A. W. Tate, A. W. Rutherford. Vbl.— K. M. Gresson, H. B. Maunsell. Vb2.— A. S. Allison. C. G. Lennard. Remove.— N. B. Gibbons, L. S. , Carmichael. IV.— C. M. Perry, A. O. Meyrick. Ilia.— C. P. Livingstone, J. D. Hewett. Geometry and Trigonometry. Div. I. — Prize, R. B. Gibbons; prox. ace, H. G. Brodie. II.— W. H. Bruce, B. H. Morrison. TTI.— P. B. Cooke, A. C. Nathan. IV.— H. B. Maunsell, S. T. Gray. V.— E. T. Perkins, D. M. Chambers. VI. — N. B. Gibbons. L. S. Addenbrooke. VII.— S. Wenley, S. C. Williams. Arithmetic and Algebra. Div. I. — R. B. Gibbons, H. G. Brodie. II.— G. Hartgill, A. W. Delamore. II.— G. W. Batley, F. S. Clare. IV.— H. J. Wilson. C. G. Lennard. V.— F. C. Archer, R. Matthews, and D. M. Chambers. VI.— V. Crawshaw, R. A. Lock. VII.— A. O. Meyrick, S. C. Williams. Vni.— W. H. Clarke and H. H. Godfrey. " English. VII.— R. B. Gibbons, B. P. ForsterPratt. Va.— W. A. Sim, D. G. Riddiford. Matric. A.— A. W. Delamore, F. W. Maunsell. Matrio B.— A. L^, A. J. Webber. Vbl.— J. M. Davie, If. McCauL Vb2.— A. S.>llison.,X. P. Batlev. Remove. — R. A. Lock, N. B. Gibbons. TV. — E. J. Chennjsslls, A. O. Meyrick. Ilia.— R. B. Godfrey, Bi.'H. Godfrey. French. VI.— G. C. Jackson, N. F. E. Robertshawe. Matric. A. — T. Corry, A. W. Delamore. matric B.— A. R^Blennerhassett, A. R. RuFnerforol. Vbl.— A. F. Bignell, J. M. Davie. Vb2.— W. F7 Knight, N. P. Batley. Remove. — H. C. and L. S. Addenbrooke. IV.— S. C. Williams, C. M. Perry. Ilia.— J. N. Lane, H. H. Godfrey, and R. B. Godfrey. Latin. VI.— C. H. Ritchie, R. B. Gibbons. Va.— W. J. Sim, G. M. Cleghorn. Matric. A— F, Ny Johns, R. W. Delamore. i i Matric. 8.--F. T. Clows, A. J. Webber, and H. E. Blennernassett. Vbl.— P. B. Cooke, 'A. F, Bignell,. andA. S. Allison. Vb2.— N. P. Batley, and C. B. Lennard. Remove. — Upper: L. Yonngh'usba.nd, H. M. Keesing. Lower: T. Parsons, H. C. Addenbrooke. IV.— S. C. Williams, A. O. Meyrick. Ilia.— W. H. Martin. Rheumatism.— The quick relief from pain afforded by applying Chamberlain's Pain Balm is worth many times tho cost. It makes rest and sleep possible. For sale by the Davies Pharmacy.