BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1032, 22 December 1883, Page 2

BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

The annual distribution of prizes look place this morning in the High School, j when there were present a large number | of ladies and gentlemen, parents and friends of the scholars. Mr W. 0. Wal- s ker occupied the chair, and among those t in attendance were his Worship the Mayor and Messrs J. Ivess, M. H.R., J. Orr, and the Revs A. M. Beattie and 0. H. Stan- ( dage. | Mr Walker called on the rector, Mr l Hogg, to read his report. , The Rector said that there had been a slight increase in the number of pupils during the past year, althoughjthere weio still not so many boys as might have been expected in an important district like this The conduct of the boys had been in most respects satisfactory. He expected that the boys of the High School would be able next year to compete for university and other honors. He had to acknowledge the valuable assistance rendered by the Rev A. M. Beattie, who had given considei able time and ca e in examining for the Latin and mathematical prizes. The other subjects had been taken up by the masters of the school, with the exception of English literature, which Mr Dempsey had examined upon. He then proceeded to announce who had obtained the various prizes, the different names being greeted with loud applause from the boys. In conclusion, he paid a compliment to the staff, which had worked thoroughly in harmony with him. Mr Walker read the following report from the Rev. A. M. Beattie : The Manse, Ashburton, December 21, 1883. —My Dear Sir, —At your own request I have this year taken part in Hie annual examination for prizes to be given to the most deserving and promising boys attending the High School. In handing to you the graduated lists of names in the different classes, I think it my duty to state to you in writing that it gives me great pleasure to express my satisfaction with the results. The only subjects in which I had to set papers were Latin and mathematics, and these papers have all been sufficiently testing, though not too severe, so that there is plenty of ground for 1 pronouncing a decision. Without entering into details, it is enough to say that the closest investigation of the written answers in both subjects reveals all that could reasonably be ex--1 pected from the young gentlemen ; and, at the same time, reflects great credit upon the rector and his coadjutor. I was especially pleased to find that there is a very healthy, vigorous, and yet kindly tone in the whole work going on in the school, and also in the playggound|outside. With God’s blessing, under such favorable cir-cumstan-es, both physical and mental poweis cannot fail to be rapidly developed. Wishing you every success in your arduous, yet most interesting and important work ; and in the hope that the day may not be far distant when our young High School at Ashburton may take rank among the “ Affiliated Instititutions ” of the New Zealand University. I am, yours very truly, A. M. Beattie.— Chas. Hogg, Esq.. B.A. He went on tnsay thatnothingwasmoreim--1 portant to a community than that theyoung r people of both should be well edu- ■ cated. At (he opening of the Industrial Exhibition the other day, a good deal was ; said of local industry, but in his opinion no local industry waaao important as the education of children, and every parent who did not |do !his best in this direction failed in his duty. It was unnecessary to enter into a defence of aecon lary ■ education in Ashburton, but he was soTy to see that there were some politi- : cians in New Zealand who argued that it was not the duty of the State to provide more than primary l instruction The latter gave children the rudiments of learning, but something more was wanted. In this colony, and indeed ' in every country in the world, the people > would not be truly great unless they were < educated in the best manner possible. ) Napoleon had said of his army that every soldier should feel that he carried a tnars shal’s baton in his knapsack, and the 1 same feeling should actuate our children. 5 But not only should the boys be con- >' sidered, but we 1 should, also think of our , girls. Mr Hogg had mentioned this subject last year, but unfortunately the funds [ were wanting and we should hare to wait. , Still, the carrying out of such a project depended mainly on the parents themf pelves, and if they wished a High School for girls to be established, the governing body would do their best to support it, f He would now call on Mr Ivess to distribute the prizes. Mr Ivess said it gave him much pleasure in acceding to the request, and he ! was sure that the Ashburton High School coulrasfed favorably with other institu- ’ tions of a like kind in the colony, conr sidering how short a time it had been es'abihol. * Each prize-taker then came forward in tu'-n and received a handsomely bound > book as a reward of merit.

Mr Ivess proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the examiners, Messrs Beattie and Dempsey. That their duties had been impartially discharged was shown by the manner in which the unsuccessful students received the announcement of each award. The Rev Mr Beattie sa’d that he was very much gratified to have found the school in such a high state of efficiency and so so good a feeling prevailing between masters and boys. The deprecated I the frequency and length of holidays in the colonies and assured the students that it was only by close application to work that they could reach distinction. Having had an excellent opportunity of estimating their worth he had much pleasure in proposing a vote of thanks to the Masters, Messrs Hogg and Buchanan. Mr Walker, on behalf of the Board of Governors, wished specially to join in the vote to the staff. Both gentlemen had proved themselves well qualified for the positions they held, and thus relieved the Board of much trouble and anxiety. Mr Hogg was glad of an opportunity to thanx the Board of Governors for the consistent courtesy with which they had treated him, adding very much to his pleasure and zeal in the discharge of his duties.

Mr Buchanan called attention to the significant fact that all their prize winners were also prominent athletes. While cultivating the mind the teachers had afforded their charges every opportunity for healthy physical development. He concluded a humorous speech by moving a vote of thanks to the chairman—Mr Walker. Mr Walker having responded and the boys given cheers for “ the masters,” “ the ladies ” and “Mr Walker ” the proceedings terminated. The following is the Prize List: Class I. Glass prize—Fish, secundtis. English —Fooks. Mathematics—Clark. Class 11. Class prize—Fish, primus. Latin—Buchanan, primus. English— Murray. Mathematics—Clark, secundus. Class 11. (b). Class prize—Buchanan, secundus. Class 111. Class prize—Shearman, tertius. Essay. Orr, primus.