The Evening Star SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14. 1372.

Evening Star, Issue 3065, 14 December 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14. 1372.

Those who have had opportunity of examining the work clone during the past year at* the leading schools of the Province —the Boys’ and Girls High Schools —will be fully satisfied that notwithstanding unexpected difficulties through change of teachers, the results in both cases 0 are satisfactory. We arc glad to sec an alteration made this year in the mode of rewarding merit. It was much needed. We do not undervalue a prize ; it is something to he proud of when gained, and tends to give a bias to the whole of the future life of the successful competitor. Wore there no other method of inciting youth to emulation, w c should most decidedly advocate the continuance of the prize system. But it has drawbacks that detract from its usefulness. Only one can receive a prize; or if, as in the case of the two leading girls at the High School, merit is equal, a prize must ho given to each; and that can only be done by dividing or doubling the value to place them on equal terms. But what effect has the system upon those who do not succeed F While successful effort adds to the strength of one that is strong, it has a deterrent effect upon another' that has striven for superiority with him and failed; and leads to supiuencss in those who feel they have uo chance to distinguish themselves. A prize is not seldom the representation of superior advantages rather than of better directed or more persistent work. The mere accident of one lad or girl having a friend or relative able to assist in resolving certain knotty questions, has not unirequently been the means of success. But even if accident had nothing to do with the matter, the emulation roused by the system was liot healthy. It was, in many eases, _ mixed with a sentiment of jealousy and injustice. Prizes, too, had begim to be so common that they became mere marks of personal regard rather than tokens of merit. Anyone examining the prize list of a school must feel conscious that many promising scholars were passed over in silence, Whose talent, industry, and ability deserved commendation. It had become necessary, therefore, to alter a system that had so few recommendations and so many draw backs; and wc have no doubt that the adoption of the plan of giving certificates of merit will prove of the utmost use. in proportion to its being impartially and judiciously conducted. It is so far an clastic system that, it provides moans of adaptation to recognising different degrees of merit, and excluding none where it exists. It fixes a minimum of attainments as a standard that all of ordinary ability should ho able to reach, and affords the opportunity of rewarding those by well-earned certificates, who had exceeded the required degree of excellence. We believe the plan will work well, pud as its influence is to exclude that which merely mercenary in human nature, and to incite to effort through moral motives, we look upon it as an improvement in system, the value of which cannot he too highly estimated. Of course wo speak merely of the fixed routine of schools. Whore persons deeply interest ed in special studies desire to incite to special efforts, the system does not exclude their kindly gifts, so that the one may fairly he engrafted on the other system; but the object of a school examination is not to show what a spasmodic effort is capable of achieving; it is. or should bo. an index of the attainments of each scholar during the year. We are glad to (ind from the report ot the Rector t bat (lie somewhat extraordinary results of the competition for New Zealand University scholarships will not ho allowed to rest. The treatment of the youth Solomon seems monstrous in the extreme. Having long ago grown very rusty in our classics, we may have forgotten the peculiarities of thought in dassieal minds, and cannot comprehend why a thorough acquaintance with Virgil, or Livy, or vSaiJust. or any other stereotyped old author jc/i. .gi.vtiquity, should he less estimable in a lad of fourteen years old than in one of fifteen .or sixteen. It is an evidence of superiority of talent that to our thinking is pro-1 eisely what scholarships were intended to reward; and if the talent js there, it does not matter whether it is contained in a casket fourteen or sixteen years 4<L In fact, our idea is that it is the more vftiwjWc in the one that has been so early matured, because it is more uncommon. We do not wonder that men wllO evince such symptoms'of ‘Coldfogoyism ” in the conditions they have laid down for awarding scholarships, should place an undue value upon what was aeeouuU'd learning in the days of their yraiidiuolliers- Will) lliem. (rue knowfed go is ligbtny esteemed. That science ivbieli gives man the uiasterv over matter, which annihilates physical difficulty k, Olearies the eartli with a -belt along winch. thought is ffashed tdinost instantaneously,; or contrives means by which the poorest ; men may enjoy luxuries and yunlVn-ts; once denied even to the richest, j is counted less valuable than the power to drink in the errors of the ancients along with the beauties which are undoubtedly to be found in their works. The world has too long bowed to the dicta of such antiquarians in learning. They can sec beauty in the Pyramids of Egypt- but none in a steam-engine, although the massive monuments point backward to a time of task-masters and slavery, of despotism and misery; while i:)ic other has been the result of free Vhought, free investigation, and free institutions. Tin's worship of (he ancients is discreditable to Jn an age that so infinitely surpasses them y jdl that is useful, noble, and good.

This morning, in the Mayor’s Court, John Johnston and George Williams were convicted of drunkenness before E. ff. Ward and James Munson, Esqrs., J. P.s The former was lined 10s, with the alternative of 48 hours imprisonment, and the latter. ss. or 24 hours. IS o other business was tran eacted

The Southland Times has been shown a specimen of copper ore brought from Moke Creek, in the Lake district, which seems to indicate that a vast amount of mineral wealth awaits development in the locality named. We believe that the deposit is so rich that in some places solid pieces of copper may be seen. A sample is to he forwarded to Dunedin to Professor Black, for analysis.

This morning, in Mussel Bay, a very large fish was caught. apparently having involved itself in inextricable difficulties. It was captured by Mr Fullarton, who observed it floundering in the shallow water, and threw a rope over it, thinking it to be a shark. We are told it is a sunfish of enormous size. Why it should be called a sunfish we cannot tell. It is neither round nor bright, but on an immense sca'e the general outline is that of a flounder without the encircling lin. It is six feet six inches from nose to tail. It has a dorsal and anal fin, from point to point of which the measure is eight feet six inches. The tail is rounded, thin, and the broadest part of the fish. There are two pectoral fins. The breathing apparatus and the mouth are small compared with the size of the fish. We can form no estimate of its weight. We understand it is to be exhibited in Dunedin. The tenacity with which it clung to life may be inferred when wo state that it breathed after being some hours out of the water.

No surer proof of Mr Hoskins’s popularity could be given than was furnished last evening, when, despite strong counter attractions, there was a house crowded in every part in response to his appeal for support. The ‘-Heir at Law,” with Mr Ho-Lins in his favorite and best character of Dr Pangloss was the piece de resistance ; and never have we seen it bettor played here. Miss Colville also recited in fine style Boll’s beautiful poem of “Mary, Queen of Scots.” in response to a vociferous call, Mr Hoskins came before the curtain at the end of the play, and briefly thanked the audience for the r patronage, remarking that the kindness he had received at the hands of the Dunedin public IvA induced him to remain hole longer than he originally intended; and that that kindness had never been _ morn strongly shown than in the warm greeting he met with the night previous, and in the large attendance which assembled round him that night. To-night “ Macbeth” will be played Mr and Mrs GW. Collier make their re-appearance on Monday, when will be produced Othello, with the strongest cast that has been seen here. Mr Collier as Othello, Mr Hoskins as lago, and Mr Douglas as Cassio.

The Anglican Synod of Dunedin was chiefly occupied yesterday with committee business. On the motion of the Hon Dr Buchanan, the Revs. E. G. Edwards, R. L. Stanford, and Messrs W. Mason and R. B. Martin were appointed diocesan nominators. It was resolved that it be an instruction to the clergy, churchwardens, and vestrymen of each parish carefully to consider during the interval between the present and next session of Synod any alterations in, or additions to, the statutes, regulations, and resolutions of the Diocesan Synod, winch may appear to them advisable, and report on the same to the Standing Committee by Eastertide, 1873. It was also resolved, on the motion of Mr Lubceki, that the Standing Committee be the Diocesan Board, for the purpose of considering the general fitness for the ministry of candidates for Deacons’ Crders till the next meeting of the Synod. The Registration and Revision B 11 was again considered in ( ommittce, and several clauses were amended. It was then passed through remaining stages. Mr James Smith introduced a Bill to amend Statute No. 2. It was read a first time, and its second reading made an order of the day for next meeting. The Synod then adjourned until Monday, at 4 o’clock. The entertainment given at the Headquarters Drill-shed last evening, for the benefit of Miss Webb, passed off successfully. The attendance, however, was small, and not at all commensurate with the many services Miss Webb has rendered to the citizens of Dunedin, which deserved a better acknowledgment at their bands. As it was, the audience was made up, in a large degree, of ladies and gentlemen from Roslyn and Mornington. We presume thejoccurrence, <m the same evening, of the entertainment at the Girls’ High School, an I Mr Hoskins’ benefit at the Theatre, accounts to some extent, for the small attendance at the concert. Apart from the purpose to be sewed, the programme was of itself sufficiently attractive to have drawn a good house, and the whole was gone, through in a highly creditable manner. The most noticeable features in the programme were the solos sung by the beurjiciare, who was in excellent voice, and received an enthusiastic reception, Her best song, and the gem of the evening, -was “ Thou art so near and yet so far,” Mr Marsden contributed in no small degree to the evening’s amusement, especially in his rendering of the song “Tell me, Mary, how to woo thee.” which he gave with great taste. The duet “The two cousins,” sung by Miss Webb and another young lady, the trio “The Maltese boat song,” and the song “Her bright smile,” were noticeable items in the programme. The comic singing by a gentleman amateur, and the instrumental performances by the band, added much to the enjoyment of the evening. On the wh'de. the concert last evening was amongst the best amateur entertainments we have attended for some time. We regret to bo compelled to call attention to the disgraceful behaviour of several wellkpown young men it would be wrong to call them gentlemen who _ completely marred th,e enjoy inept q,f those in their immediate vicinity, Jjj.dgipg’ by their ccduct last evening, it is quite evylpiii plf at ujey should be accompanied by a bear-Lader, they are utterly incapan C of looking after themselves.

1 he adjourt-cd meeting of the Governor s Reception Committee took place last evening at the City Council Chambers. The Mayor presided, and there was a very large attendance of gentlemen representing the various societies, trades, &c. Mr Cameron attended as representative of the Rands of Hope in and around Hnncdin, and stated that the children would join in the procession, and it was arranged that they should sing the, National Anthem at the arch either before or after the address from the citizens was presen,t'ei;V. After discussion, it was considered ad.yisaW, seeing that the address from the Mayor and would represent the whole of the citizens, jjihat the varies eopjetjes should not present addresses, so that oply pne will bp presented. It was suggested jtbafc thp Superintendent and Provincial Executive should peepive the Governor on landing at the ,Jcity, and wolli"we him op h e h®lf of the Rrovipce; and that the Mayor and Corporation should receive him at the arch, where the address will be presented. The arranging of the order of march and other details was left to a sub-committee, consisting of the Mayor and members of the Works Committee of the Council, and the following gentlemen, viz., the Commissioner of Police, Major Atkinson, Captain Wain, Mr BejsseJ, and Mr Cameron. It is piobable the following order of inarch (subject to alteration in detail) will be adopted :—The procession to i>.- at Rattray street Jetty; precede the GoVeftiov pad suite to the arch, where a halt will be'ulfcdo, >hc address presented, and the National ■ AnthOtn sung by the children ; the procession will then move on, and upon arrival at Fern Hillj will open out, and the Governor pass through. The •bub*

committee meets on Monday to arrange the programme, &c., and the General Committee on Tuesday at 7.30. A special parade of the No. 1 Company will take place on Monday evening. A meeting of the H.A.C.B. Society will be held every Monday evening, in future, at eight o'clock.

A meeting of the Antidote Division, No. 78, Sons of Temperance, will be held on Mo day evening, at eight o’clock.

Messrs Dowell and Hay have just completed their first prize : the addition being a lame chess-table on a carved stand. Twentylive varieties of bew Zealand wood are worked into it The fourth prize table is very artistic in design. Inspection will, however, give a better idea of it than description. Several colored photographic views of foreign scenery have been added to the collection.

It will be seen by advertisement that the Chamber of Commerce is appointed to meet on Monday Although it does not appear that anything beyond the usual routine of business is contemplated, two subjects might fairly be dealt with A suitable reception by the Chamber of His Excellency the Governor, and the extraordinary arrangement of dispatching the Mail via Suez eighteen days prior to the sailing of the P. & 0. boat from Melbourne

The Deutsche Verein, on the arrival of the Palmerston, on it becoming known that she was ordered into quarantine, held a meeting. at which it was proposed that a subscription should be raised by the German and Scandinavian residents in Dunedin, with fruit and other refreshing luxuries. Mr Schwrtz, and Mr Nees, the president, undertook to collect the necessary funds, and several boxes of fruit, etc., were forwarded to the Palmerston. The presents were ac knowledged in a letter to the president, and proved very acceptable.