Marlborough Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1880.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 180, 10 December 1880, Page 3

Marlborough Times. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1880.

Two scholarships at Nelson College and two book prizes (given .by Sir Julius Yogel), are now open to scholars attending the Marlborough national schools and will be competed for on the 3rd January next. The boy who passes the best examination will get a scholarship tenable for two years, the second best boy a scholarship for one year, and the third on the list will receive one of the books given by Sir Julius "Vogel; the other Vogel prize being given to the best girl. We have no doubt there will be a large number of competitors and we hope to see them pass an examination creditable to themselves and their teachers. To Mr John T. Robinson it is due that there are two scholarships to be competed for instead of one. On the death of Walter Conolly the holder of a Marlborough scholarship at Nelson College, his father, who, though he has taken no part in politics has always evinced- a deep interest in education, recommended that the vacant scholarship should be given (for a year) to the holder of the other Marlborough scholarship—E. Robinson—whose term will expire at Christmas. This suggestion appeared to meet with the approval of members of the Education Board, and would in all probability have been carried had not Mr Robinson written to Mr Conolly declining to accept the vacant scholarship as lie had other views for his son. Whoever gains this scholarship—and these scholarships are not to be measured by their money value alone—will have, in a great measure, to thank Mr Robinson for it. A boy who gains one of these scholarships commences his College career with a certain amount of prestige which gives him great advantages, and if afterwards he makes fair use of his opportunities the chances are that he will become a successful man and make his mark in the world. That such may ho the lot of many a one of New Zealand’s sons is the earnest wish of all real friends of education and those who in any way contribute to the attainment of this object are conferring on the country a substantial benefit which presents a striking contrast to the conduct of those who make the subject of education in our national schools a peg on which to hang up the political hat, and a vantage ground from which they can strike back-handed blows at an opponent. The prizes which are offered by Sir Julius Vogel though obviously not of the same value as College scholarships are well worth the winning. They ai’e mementos of the thoughtful care which the donor lias always entertained for New Zealand, and we are sure that the recipients -will prize them highly. The decision of the Board to award one of them to the "irl who passes the best examination 0 will be regarded with general approval. In the Old Country youngladies now pass the same examinations as young men do for University degrees and the learned professions, and it has been demonstrated at Cambridge and elsewhere that the fair sex can hold their own in these intellectual contests. There appears therefore no reason why the same set of examination papers may not be submitted to the youtli of both sexes, and it is understood that in the competition for the Vogel prizes here that such a course will be adopted. It will be an interesting comparison between the papers of the best girl and the best boy at this examination,

and if the result is satisfactory it may give a stimulus to some of our leading local men to give similar prizes at ft future time. The examination papers are to bo set by Mr Hodgson, the Inspector of Schools, than whom no one could be found better fitted foi' the duty, and from Ill's long experience he will be able, we apprehend, so to frame the questions as to elicit What the pupil really knows on any given subject. One of Sir Julius Vogel’s prominent characteristics, and one which has contributed not a little to liis rise in life—and he is a “ selfmade man is the command ho has over the English language. He writes and speaks grammatically and well, and has made his mark in politics and with the Press mainly on this account. Now the art of writing correct English is one which should be especially cultivated in our schools and colleges, and if it were made a prominent feature at the ensuingexamination we believe it would have a good effect and it would certainly be in accordance with Sir Julius Vogel’s ideas. We look forward with much interest to the result of this examination, and hope to see scholars from all parts of the district competing. In no previous year have there been such incentives to competition here, and we feel sure that parents and guardians, teachers and pupils will unite in making the best use of the opportunities offered.