MELBOURNE HOUSE ACADEMY.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 601, 13 December 1871, Page 2

MELBOURNE HOUSE ACADEMY.

The interesting operation of breaking up for tho holidays took place yesterday at Mr and Madame Winter's Melbourne House Academy, Xarangahape Road. The celebration of the occasion consisted of a bazaar, athletic sports, an afternoon tea for the papils, the distribution of prizes, and all was wound up by a very successful ball, At 2 o'clock the bazaar was opened, and was largely patronised throughout the day and the night, the proceeds being appropriated to providing appliances for athletic exercises in connection with the Academy and for prizes for the shorts.' There was a very beautiful collection of exhibits, and the greater portion was disposed of. The boys' athletic games commenced at three o'clock in the grounds at the rear of Melbourne House, and were watched by a large number of friends of the pupils and others. The proceedings were carried on with great spirit, Mr Winter having entered into the affair con amove. The following is the list of events and the prizes won: — Ist race: Once round the course, heats; prize, set of stumps and bales ; Frederick Jones. 2nd race : Ditto; prize, cricket bat; Lewis Jones. 3rd race : Ditto; prize, trap and ball; B Haines. 4th race : Hop, step, and jump, three trials ; prize, cricket bat; F Hanson. sthrace: Ditto; prize, cricket ball;" Lewis Jones. 6th race: Ditto; prize, box tools; W Vaile. 7th race: Bttnning high leap; prize, cricket ball; F Hanson. Bth race: Ditto; prize, trap and ball; Edgar Winter. 9th and last race : Ditto; prize, box tools; W Makin. After the conclusion of the sports, the children all sat down to a hearty tea, which they evidently enjoyed with a relish born of the active exercises in which they had been engaged. Thereafter Eev E. F. MacNicol, of St James' Presbyterian Church, with appropriate remarks, distributed the prizes awarded to the pupils for the recent examinations. In Madame Winter's school the following young ladies received prizes : — Ist Division—lst Class; —Phoabe Winter, Ist prize; Emma Jones, ,2nd,ditto; Alice Mann, Writing and Arithmetic.

2nd Division—2nd Class.—LillianEamsbottom, Ist prize; Louisa Jones, 2nd ditto; Jane Laurie, Examination Prize. 3rd Class. —Elsie Stretton, Ist prize.

4th ; Glass. —Polly Laurie, Ist prize.. > In ;; Mr Winter's school the following lads reoeived prizes :— , ;: Ist Class—lst prize, F. Hanson; 2nd ditto, E. Winter; >; > 2nd Class—lst prize, H. Wheele*; 2nd ditto, Wm. Wheeler. 3rd Class—lst prize,'B. HaiHes; 2nd. ditto, W. Vaile, 4th Class—lst prize, J. B. Beed. Punctuality and Conduct Prize—B. Norman.

At the conclusion of the distribution of prizes, a very interesting event took place, Mr MacNicol being called on to present a very beautiful ring, the spontaneous offering of the children of both schools, to Miss Winter, as a token of their affectionate feelings towards that young lady. The ring which is an expensive one, was made by Mr Kohn, jeweller, and exhibits his usual taste-. Mr Winter replied for his daughter, and warmly thanked the pupils, for their kjndness, -iU-(

| At nine o'clock besides Madame Winter's elder music pupils, a large party of friends assembled to " trip it on the light fantastic toe," which pleasant and exciting operation was kept up till this morning's sun began to show symptoms of making his appearance. There were fully one hundred ladies and gentlemen present; the schoolrooms were festooned and decorated as ballrooms ; asumptuous supper was spread and the utmost happiness reigned, as was to be expected when " youth and beauty meet to chase the glowing hours with flying feet." This popular academy, considering its recent establishment, is fast establishing a position for itself, and under the able conduct of Mr and Madame Winter we anticipate for Melbourne House an increasing and permanent success. j