ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1410, 20 December 1884, Page 2

ASHBURTON HIGH SCHOOL.

Annual Distribution of Prizes.

The annual distribution of prizes to the successful scholars at the High School took place to-day. Mr W. O. Walker, M. H. R., Chairman cf the Board of Governors, presided, and the Rev A. M. Beattie, His Worship the M»yor and a number of parents and friends of-the pupils were also present. girls’ division. The Chairman said that it afforded him very much pleasure to preside at the first distribution of prizes to the girls’ High School. The success which had attended this division of the institution since its recent opening was particularly gratifying to the Boatd. and would no doubt occasion similar satisfaction to the parents of pupils The Board had recognised the fact that the endowments provided for secondary education were not alone for boys, but for girls also, and they had endeavoured to furnish the facilities for the latter to obtain the sound advanced education demanded by the circumstances of the age. He maintained that in the past it had only been by their superior natural ability that women had borne up against the disadvantages they suffered in the matter of education. Happily the present genera tion .recognised the necessity of placing girls on the same footing in this respect as boys, and that the talents of the former should not be alone devoted to domestic cares. He need, however, hardly say that the Board had no wish to see the special functions of women neglected in the pursuit of scholarly attainments, bat it would now ' be generally admitted that a girl with a liberal education was the best fitted to make an exemplary mistress of a house- | hold or mother of a family. | Mr Hogg, the headmaster, then read the followi g prize list : Mathematics—lst class: F. Wright, 1; 1 E. Wood, 2; M. Williamson, 3; 2nd > class :A. Shury, 1; L. Wright, 2; E. * Jones, 3. s German—E. Wood, 1: F. Wright, 2 ; ’ K. Wood, 3, 5 French—lst class :E. Wood, 1; K

Wood, 2 ; 2nd class : F. Wright, 1; 3rd class; M. Williamson, 1; 4th class: J Todd, 1 ; E. Jones,'2. Science —lst class, P. Wright, 1; 2nd class, M. Williamson, 1; E. Jones, 2. Latin—P. Wright, 1; E. Wood, 2 ; E. Orr, 3. English—lst class—E. Wood, 1; F. Wright and R. Wood, equal, 2. 2nd class— M. W Hiamson, 1; ML Todd, 2; L.

Hefford, 3 3rd class—M. Parkerson, 1. Music—G. Shury, 1; L. Wright, 2 ; L. Foley, 3. Attendance—E. Barratt, 1. Sewing—A. Fooks, 1 ; M. Saunders, 2. Mr Hogg said that the staff had encountered peculiar difficulties in establishing this branch of the school, but these had been in a grert measure removed, and the pupils had displayed a buoyancy and heartiness in their studies which augured well for the ultimate success of the division.

The Mayor said that he was particularly pleased to be present at the annual gathering, but expressed regret that several gentlemen who took a keen interest in the progress of the school, had been prevented aitendiog on account of business engagements. He had listened to the headmaster’s report with very much satisfaction, and he was sure that the facilities afforded by the school to Ashburton residents, which enabled them to keep their daughters at home and still afford them a first-class education, would be highly appreciated. The Mayor then proceeded to distribute the prizes, tendering words of encouragement to the fortunate recipients. The Chairman said that he wished to express the Board’s appreciation of the efforts made by the teaching staff. Messrs Hogg and Buchanan would address them in the other division of the school, but he would congratulate Miss Saunders upon the very excellent start she had made, a success which he had no doubt would stimulate her to even increased efforts in the future. boys’ division.

The Chairman said that he was agai

pleased to learn from the headmaster that this school had made satisfactory progress during the past term. The only fault the governing body bad to fiad with the institution was the comparatively small attendance, but this shortcoming was one for which the parents and scholars he was addressing were hardly accountable. He could not, however, refrain from expressing his regret that the efforts of the Board to provide a superior education had not received more general support. He h ped that the friends of the school would taka this matter to hea-t, and spare no effort to remove the difficulty which was one of the most formidable obstacles which encountered the Board in the efficient conduct of the school. It was hardly required from him to a»v anything in commendation of the education given in the institution. He conscientiously believed it to be thorough and good, the two essential points of a sound education. It was not necessary [for them to go. beyond their own colony to discover a remarkable instance of the value of a good education. They

had as Premier of the colony a self-made man who at a comparatively early age was not only at the head of his profession but at the head of the Government of the country, and whose brilliant accomplishments must be admitted even by Lis political opponents. ’

The Headmaster then read the following prize list:— Latin and French—lst class. Fish 11. Latin —2nd class, Buchanan I. French and Mathematics —2nd class, Low.

English—2nd class, Buchanan 11. English—3rd class, Butler. French and Latin—3rd class, Shear• man 11.

Arithmetic—3rd class, Campbell. Special arithmetic—Doherty. English Essay—Fish 1., 1; Orr 1., 2. Home-work—Gundry.

Rev. A. M. Beattie then handed the prizes to the successful students, accompanying each presentation with appropriate remarks of commendation and encouragement to the recipient. Tbo Chairman, on hohalf of the Board, expressed the obligation felt by that body to Messrs Hogg and Buchanan for the admirable manner in which they had discharged their onerous duties. Rev. 4. M. Beattie also spoke in the highest terms of the work done by the teaching staff, of which he had enjoyed some opportunity of judging. Messrs Hogg and Buchanan briefly acknowledged the compliment paid them. Mr John Orr proposed a vote of thanks to the High School Board, which was acknowledged by the Chairman. The Chairman then wished the pupils a pleasant holiday time, and the latter having given hparty cheers for “Mr flogg.” “Mr Buchanan,'?’ “ Tnc Chairman,” and “ The ladies,” the proceedings . terminated. I