TRINITY COLLEGE EXAMINATIONS.

Evening Star, Issue 22144, 26 September 1935, Page 7

TRINITY COLLEGE EXAMINATIONS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Having read the letter in last night’s * Star ’ by Nancy Lee, 1 feel moved to protest. I myself sat the Associate Trinity College examination, and found Mr Alexander Watson one of the most courteous gentleman I have met, and I have sat ten (practical) Trinity College examinations altogether in music and elocution. My nerves are rather bad, and I know another very nervy girl who sat, but both of us were immediately set at ease by Mr Watson, On my entering the room Mr Watson smiled and said “ Good afternoon,then told me to sit down. I felt all right at once, though I was very upset when I wont in, as I had been waiting half an hour, though Mr Watson was not at all to blame for this. If Mr Watson questioned one candidate on her choice it is very unusual, and I know of no others of whom this question was asked, unless he did it to put the girl at her ease while she was waiting, and conversationally, not as a question. While I was waiting he said, “ I see you have chosen the

‘ Alcestis.’ Did you know Gilbert Murray (the translator fi;om the Greek) is dead?” This was not an official question—merely a remark as I waited, but there was no criticism at all of my choice.

lit the answers to my questions I made several very bad, quite inexcusable mistakes which would have given Mr Watson every opportunity to be sarcastic bad he wished to be, but be just passed the answer over, as he obviously realised that to correct me would be to cause me considerable embarrassment.

The only thing I have to complain about was the fact that he came to the South Island first and we were not prepared for him. This lias never to my knowledge been done before and should not have been done without fair warning. However, Mr . Watson has been examining for Trinity College for years now, and will probably continue to do so if it is fortunate enough to secure his services for a further term. Whether I have passed or failed I would make none but the most complimentary remarks about Mr Watson’s examining methods.—l am, etc., T.S. September 35. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I feel that your editorial footnote to my letter dated September 23 under the above heading calls for correction. You speak of only one candidate having shed tears; that is incorrect. You state “ an attendant is i in the room throughout ihe whole of

the examination, etc.” I must refute that statement, too. A candidate was taken by the attendant as far as the door of the examination room and was left to enter the room herself, and throughout the course of the examination the attendant did not come into the room. This is one instance. I must in self-justification correct the misstatements which you state were given you from official quarters.—l am, etc., Nancy Lee. September 25. DUNEDIN CHORAL SOCIETY. TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —May we suggest to the committee of the Dunedin Choral Society that it repeat at its next concert the two beautiful .choruses from ‘ In Praise of Bach ’ ? These were most admirably delivered on Monday last, and many who were unable to attend on that occasion would appreciate the opportunity to hear them on October 5.—1 am, c te., - Subscriber. November 26.