THE GILLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 3690, 19 December 1874, Page 2

THE GILLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

We continue our report The introductory remarks of the Chairman (Air L, B. Cargill) were followed by nuisic-il selections (vocal and instrumental) and readings. The principal feature was the rendering of Locke's Macbeth music—a rather ambitious effort, but tolerably successful—in which Mr Pope sustained the pu-t of llecate, while Mr Thomson accompanied. Miss Burn played a pianoforte solo, “Home, sweet Home.” Mrs Burn then read her report: after which The Chairman said he expressed the feeling of those present when he congratulated Mrs Bum on her return from Victoria with restored health and strength ; and when he expressed great satisfaction at such a favorable report of the school, notwithstanding her absence from it for a time. He was also sure he expressed the feeling of those present when he said he believed the success of the school from the first had been in a large measure owing to the indefatigable zeal and ability Mrs Burn had displayed as principal. Everything connected with the school, since Mrs Burn had taken charge of it, reflected the utmost credit upon her ; and lie was sure that was the feeling of the public at large. One matter in which Mrs Burn had set the example—which had been followed by the district schools in Dunedin—was in reference to the distribution of prizes. Mrs Burn had wisely acted on the principle of restricting the prizes to a comparatively small number, so that the prizes given in the school were really marks of distinction. It would have been not ced that in the district schools the giving of prizes had been so far extended that they ceased to be of any distinction, and it came to be looked upon as a wrong and an injury if a child did not get one. The Education Board had lately interposed its authority to prevent the indiscriminate giving of prizes. The certificates of merit given in this school were really more valuable than prizes distributed in an indiscriminate manner. He thought higher of these certificates of proficiency than ef prizes; and he hoped they would be highly prized by those who gained them.— (Applause).

We supply an omission from the prize list published yesterday. Miss M. Thomson gained a first-class certificate in section B of B class.