AUCKLAND BLUE SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 608, 21 December 1871, Page 2

AUCKLAND BLUE SCHOOL.

PRESENTATION OF PEIZEa

An exceedingly pleasant evening was passed yesterday at Mr Taylor's "Blue School," Wellesley street, on the occasion of the delivery of prizes to those lads to whom they had been awarded. The house outride was tastefully decorated with a profusion of flags, and the suite of schoolrooms ornamented with fronds of the treefern and other graceful plants. The rooms and the verandah wtre completely crowded with pupils and their friends, who appeared to take great interest in tho proceedings. The Rev. E. N. Breo took the chair, and opened the proceedings by welldeserved commendation of the manner in which the school had been conducted, and the success which had attended Mr Taylor's efforts. Mr Taylor then read an address, in which he commended the boys, and cautioned them as to the rules of propriety and morality. He alluded to his treatment while conducting St. Matthews' School and to the success which had attended the establishment of this. He thought much good had been done by the institution of the Cadet Corps which he considered ought to be encouraged in every possible manner. The attendance had averaged 122. The school was conducted on undenominational principles ; no catechisms or creeds being taught, but the Bible alone being read and expounded. Three of the boys then recited Sam Welter's examination in "Bardwell v. Pickwick" in a highly creditable manner ; and N. Newbold recited the Czar Ivan in a manner which showed that if this lad perseveres, he will make a good orator. The Rev E. N. Bree then handed the prizes, making some appropriate remarks to each recipient.

The following is a list of prizes : — Fikst Class—First Division —Attendance, Thomas Townsend; highest number of marks, John Davis ; 2nd do do, D. Tudehope; for diligence. John Davis and Martin Trenwith; reading and spelling, James Symon; recitation, Neville Newbold; writing, Martin Trenwitli ; geography, Harry Smith; grammar, Charles Brown, senior; English history, Joseph Hanna; arithmetic, James Southcott.

Second Division.—Highest number of marks, Thomas Townsend ; reading and spelling, John Arneil; recitation, Stuart Hughes and William Mathieson ; writing, Charles Brown, junr.; arithmetic, Thomas Princo ; geography^ Charles Brown, junr. ; grammar Charles Brown, junr. ; English history, John Parker, and Thorn. Spraggon ; diligence, John McEwen. Second Class. —■ Attendance, William Dempsoy; highest number of marks, William Dempsey ; reading and spelling, Thomas Farquhar ; recitation, Willy Scon and Robert Duthie ; writing, George Brown ; arithmetic, Fred Bartley, geography, George Lowrie ; grammar, Willy Willdigg. Third Class. —Attendance, John Mudford and Alfred Bartley ; highest number of marks, George Waddel; recitation, Robert Adams and Alex Pilcutty; reading and spelling, Robert Mayne, and Robert Adams ; writing, Alexander Pilcutty; arithmetic, James Mulloy.

Foujjth Class —Small Children. —All have a gift, not being able to understand competition. The proceedings then terminated in the usual manner.