KAIWARRAWARRA SCHOOL.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXII, Issue 2613, 24 December 1867, Page 4

KAIWARRAWARRA SCHOOL.

Distribution of Prizes,

On Friday evening last, Mv Bowden, the Inspector of Schools, presented the prizes to the children of the Kaiwarrawarra School, in the presence of a largo number of tho parents and others interested in tho School.

Mr Bowden, the Inspector of Schools, opened the proceedings by dwolling on the importance of education in general, and said that in the course of his oQicial duties, it had come under his notice that the settlers in general, whilst evincing the greatest anxiety as to the bodily improvement of their children, and whilst taking every care that they should be well clothed, and well fed, overlooked the necessity to a great extent of promoting their mental culture at the same time, and he pointed out- to those present that mere strength of body without any culture of mind, was but of little avail j as in the long run, thoso whoso education had been attended to when young would inevitably outrun those who, though possessing strength of body, had received no education at all. Ho then remarked that some time ago he had been compelled to severely censure the Kaiwarrawarra district for their apathy and indifference on the subject of education, as shown by the state of their school-room, and by other things. But during the last few months a marked change had taken place, and public thanks were due to their present master, Mr Sims, who, instead of being discouraged and becoming faint-hearted on taking charge of such a disorganised school, had set zealously to work,, and, by the institution of penny readings, and by the kindness of Mr Eussell in giving a concert, had raised the necessary funds whereby, in addition to various improvements (pointing to the school maps) they could sco that the baro walls had been covered with pictures, not only ornamental but at the same time useful. J3ut though tho results were gratifying, he could not express his approval of the means by which these results hid been attained. Considering the liberal aid afforded by the Government, these schools ought to be self-supporting, and if the liberality of the Government was met by a similar spirit of liberality on the part of tho settlers in general, thero would be no occasion to have recourse to any irregular means of raising school funds. He then alluded lo the marked improvement shown amongst tho children themselves. When ho inspected tho school last April, not half the children attending tlio school were present, and ho found those whom ho examined very backward. Hei nspectcd tho school again last October when ho found every child on the roll present, and though still backward, he found considerable progress had been made. But tho progress mado since last October, as shown by the examination paper 3 placed in his hands by Mr Sims was not less marked than it was gratifying; he now found' children engaged on subjects which had they been proposed last October, might as well havo been written in Latin or Greek or any othor language. Ho then complimonted Mr Sims on tho tact and discernment exhibited in the selection of the questions contained in tho various papers and also on tho report with which ho had been furnished, from which ho then proceeded to show tho3O present tho exact position in each subject held by each child under an examination 5 after which, he briefly alluded to tho advantages conferred by tho late prorilnrnation of the district, and the gratification it afforded him to know that steps had already" been taken to carry out the preliminary requirements of the Educational Act, and expressed a hope that the work so well begun would bo carried on to a satisfactory termination. In conclusion, he bogged warmly to compliment Mr Sims on tho energy and perseverance exhibited by him Binco he had taken charge of the school, and remindod his hearers that the pi'esent satisfactory condition of their school had been, broughtjabout by the exortions of the present master to whom the thanks of all in the district were duo. Mr Bowden then concluded an able and effective speech, wliich. was listened to throughout

with marked attention, bjr asking Mr Sims if he had any remarks which ho would wish to offer in addition to those which had already been made. Mr Sims, in reply, said that any remarks from him after tho able speech they had just listened to, would be quite uncalled for ; in fact that the Inspector had so exhausted the subject as to leave him nothing to pay ; he would, therefore, only ask leave to say a few words «w* <*-ach child came up, so that Sir JBow<Je»-':migKfc foi-m. a conclusion what remarJjj^siSulu bo most suitable in each Cjas&~ w- *** ff^^ Mr Bowden then distributed the prizes, addressing a few suitable remarks to each recipient. Tho following is tho prize list, beginning with the lowost clas3 : — First class : 1. M. Cameron j 2. Clara Storey. Second class : 1. R. Cockburn ; 2. O. Cameron ; 3. B. Chew. Third class : 1. D. D. Cameron ; 2. Charles Storey ; 3. J. Thompson.

After the distribution Mr Cameron, on behalf of tho School Committee, thanked Mr Bowden for his kind attendance that evening.

Mr Sims, in tho absence of any other member of the Committee, seconded the vote of thanks, and assured Mr Bowden that he was deeply sensible of the kind remarks that had been made in reference to himsolf, which were all the more gratifying because totally unexpected ; it could not but bo a source of gratification for him to know that during tho time ho had had charge of the school, not only had his actions come under the observation of his superior officer, but that they had met with his unqualified approval. He could not sit down without acknowledging the attention which he had received at the hands of the School Committee since his appointment to the school ; whonevcr any citso had arisen in which he had required tho aid of the Committee he had always received the necessury authority on its being applied for. Three cheers were then given for tho Inspector, and three moro for tho boy who gained the first prize, after which the company separated evidently much pleased with the proceedings of the evening.