TARADALE DISTRICT SCHOOL.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3264, 17 December 1881, Page 2

TARADALE DISTRICT SCHOOL.

The annual school picnic and distribution of prizes took place on Thursday 16tb instant in the Blue Gum plantation, kindly lent for the occasion by Cartvvright Brown, Esq., of Greenmeadows. The weather being hot the cool shade of the trees was most enjoyable, whilst tbe regular manner in which the plantation is laid out contributed much to the success of tbe sports and pastimes, in which all freely indulged. Over one hundred and sixty children were present, together with a considerable number of parents and iriends. Good things for tbe fuliftcation of the iuner man were provided in abundance, and to every one present it wa* an unmistakable holiday.

The prizes were distributed in the afternoon by the Key. Mr Rogers, and consisted of a large number of useful and attractive booKs, which (except Bpecial prizes) were awarded solely upon the results obtained at the Inspector's annual examination. Theseresults were so uniform throughout, and Bhowed such an advance upon ttmse of all "previous years, that tbe committee determined to marlits appreciation of them by a liberal distribution of prizes. There was no difficulty as to the " wherewithal," thanks to Mr Tiffen's annual contribution of £5 y

and to the liberality of the public of the district. Accordingly all who obtained 90 per cent, of marks or over received a first prize; 85 per cent., a second prize; 80 per cent., a third prize. To those who came short of this point consolation presents of drawing slates, books, and picture cards, were made, so that all received something, and there were no long faces. In addition to the above, special prizes were awarded as follows: — For grammar (given by G. Heslop, Esq.), George Hollins) for arithmetic (given by P. Dolbel, Esq.), boys, James Orr; girls, Jane Davidson and Mary A Waterhouse, equal. Though many of the prizes were valuable works, and excited much admiration, the prize of the day was Mr Heslop's special prize for grammar, consisting of a really superb volume entitled Pictures by Sir Edwin Lanseer, and containing a number of exquisite engravings of the great artist's most celebrated masterpieces, with a short descriptive account of each picture. After tea the children sang a number of school songs very prettily. Games and refreshments were indulged in till dusk, when, with rounds of cheers to the contributors, tbe school committee, and the teachers, the children dispersed to their homes.