FOXTON STATE SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 35, 23 December 1879, Page 2

FOXTON STATE SCHOOL.

ANNUAL TREAT AND PRESENTATION OF V8.17.V5. The annual treat in connection with the Foxton State took place on Saturday last, in the Public Hall and paddock adjoining. The previous day had been selected by the Committee, but owing to the incessant downpour of rain, the fete was postponed until Saturday, when the weather was beautifully fine, though iutensely hot. At 2 p.m. tho children began to muster, and about half an hour later, THE SCHOOL SPORTS wero commenced. For these, ample preparations were made, a programme having been drawn up and published in The Manawatu Herald. The following are the events, with names of winners : — hoys. Race, 150 yards, for boys under 10 years. — John Whyte, 1 ; Jas. Cameron, 2 , T. Uarnett, 3. Haco, 200 yards — C. Robinson, 1 ; Geoffrny Smith, 2 ; E. Coombe, 3. High Jump.— W. Howe (3ft. 10in.) f 1 ; a. Smith (3ft. Oiu.), 3. Lonu Jump.— lt!. Coombo (12ft. Bin), 1,• W. Howe, 2. Hurdle Race. — E. Smith, 1 ; C. Robin, son, 2. Three-legged Race. — G. Smith and T. Cameron, 1 ; J. Whyte and A. Cook, •&. 2CO yurds Handicap Race. — G. Smith, 1 ; A. Cook, 2 ; J. Whyte, 3. GIKL*. Race, 150 yards. —E. Barnett, 1 ; E. Robinson, 2 ; Katie Gray, 3. Race, 2oo yards.— Emma Cummerfield, I ; A. Cameron, 2 ; hllen Stewart, 3. Stone and Basket Race. — Clara Evans, 1 ; E. Barnett, 2; Ellen Stewart, 3 ; Kutie. Gray, 4. 150 yards Race, handicap.— Ellen Stewart, 1 ; Emma Cummerfield, 2; Emily Trask, 3. Consolation Handicap , Race.— A. Camerou, 1 ; Katie Gray, 2. The whole of the sports were gone info with great spirit, the youngsters takiug the liveliest interest in them. Many of the races were keenly contested, especially amongst the boys. The jumping was also good. Shortly after 4 o'clock, the whole of tho children were marshalled by the master, Mr Hulke, and MARCHED IN TO TEA. This was laid out in the Public Hall, whii-h was gaily deou-ated with ferns, flowers, and bunting and presented a very gay appearance. 'J he tables were presided over by Mosdames* M'Lean, ] lavies, Hill, Tansley, and Stewart, assisted by Misses fjurgess, Howe, N. Evans, Nash, Robinson, Blachford and a number of others. The cakes, tarts, &c, were of almost endless variety, having been contributed by the ladies of the township, and amrjle justice was done, tbe children demolishing pile upon pile with amazing rapidity. After the scholars lnd refreshed themselves they again adjourned to the paddock, and the parents au<? fru-nds who wero so disposed enjoyed a ' cuiet cup of tea." This having been partaken of, the table 3, &0., wero in a few moments removed, and the Hall arranged for the PRESENTATION' 01' PHIZES. At 6.30 p.m.) the scholars were marched in, tho senior boys and girls 000-ipying the front soats iD the centre. Behind them a^niu were tho younger children, whilst rows of seats placed along the side 3 gave ample accommodation to the parents and other visitors. When the whole were seated, the building presented a most animated nud interesting appearance, there being nearly 300 present. The chair- was occupied by A. Gray, Esq , Chairman of the Local School Committee, whilst seats were also provided on the platform for Messrs J. T. Stewart and M'Culloch (mem • bers of Committee) and tho Wev. J. Duncan. The buaz of voices havinar been quioted by Mr Hulke, whoso whistle was instantly obeyed, The Chairman said he hoped the children had enjoyed themselves, and done justice to the tea, or rather to themselves. It had given the School Committee great pleasure to see them all so numerous, so tidy, and so clean. He hoped they would continue to be so. . The time of the present committee was nearly expired, and he hoped npxt year 1 they would get on 3 that would do better than perhaps the present one. The prizes for the sports were then presented by Mr J. T. Stewart, who, before doiuj* so, remarked that ho hoped those who had thi* j'ear won prizes with their heels, would next year win them with their heads. After tho sports prizes (which consisted of small books) had been preseutod to the winners mentioned, above about 30 of the senior scholars sang an ode, beginning, " 'Tis education's potent arm," in very good time and tune, the parts being well sustained. The four boys spenially commended for reeitatinn by the Inspector in his Masawatu Heiiald report, wero then called on and gave the following pieces : — Thos. Purc"ll, " Triumphs of our Saxon tousrue " Geoffrey Smith, " Old King Time ; " John Stewart, " Old King Time ; " Thos Cameron, " The Locust." The whole of the above recitations were excellently rendered, Cameron's enunciation and emphasis being especially well marked. The Chairman then aaid — We shall now call up the different scholars to receive their individual prizes, which are given to scholars in Standards 2, 3, and 4. You mvst bear in mind the prizes are given' in strict accordance with an official list given by the Inspector to tho Chairman of Committee (myself) of pupils in their order of moiit, on the official inspection on 12th December, 1879, by Mr Foulis, the Inspector of Schools. The Com-nittee have thought it advisable to give a few additional prizes, from information gained at the school, for general diligence und attention. These are especially for tho younger children, who arc outside the Inspector's Report. He then called upon tho Riv. Mr Duncan to address the audience, and present the prizes. The Rev. -T. Duncan said — Ladies and gentlemen, and children : I hive very great pleasure in acceding to the request of the School Committee to present the prizes awarded. As mentioned just now, must of them are awarded for merit, as adjudged upon information received from tho Inspector of Schools. It ia to be hoped those who receive them will be satisfied, and find them b>th instructive and useful. The prizes are of some value intrinsically,. in bo far as they represent a ccrtuin amount of money ; but their chief value is in so far as they represent rewards for excellence and good conduct. It is to be hoped that those who are successful this year will not relax their energies, but rather be induced to greater diligence and effort, so as to pass the next Standard a ye ir hence with the highest merit and honor. Children are now greatly favored in. the matter of education. Consider how much is done to promote your welfare — the excellont tea you received to-night ; the goodly array of priz.-s here on the table ;— these nnd many other things show that the Committee and public take a deep interest in your education. Your duty is to prove your gratitude for these favoms, by being regular <md punctual at school, by showing diligence at your work, and by

making every effort to Succeed ; and remember, too, it is your duty to give the teachers as little annoyance and worry as possible, on account of the deep interest they take in all that concerns you. Considering how much is done for you, we may expect you not only to be fair scholars, but persons possess d of a good education — fluent readftrs, good writers, correct arithmeticians, and equally proficient in grammar and geography. Children at scho>l should do all they can, not only to pivo pleasure to their teachers and parents, but also to fit themselves for good portions in life. I would remind you that not only should you be diligent at school, but also kind, honest, and truthful in all you do or say — courageous to do that which is right, and courageous to resist that Whioh is wrong. I would impress you with the thought that while you are indebted Tor many things to your parents and teachers, all good gifts come from your Creator and Redeemer ; that He gives you health and strength, and provides you with both the means and opportunity of gaining the education necessary to success in life. It is satisfactory to know that thn Foxton school holds a high position in the Wellington Provincial District, and it is to be hoped it will continue to do well. Foxton is to congratulated on possessing not only a good schoolhouso but also energetic arfl painstaking teachers. In conclusion, I would impress oil here, that it is their duty to do their best to promote the efficiency and succor of the school, to let all jealousies pass, and all differences be put aside, and work for the good of tho children. The rev gentleman then proceeded to present the prize, each scholar walking up to the platform es his or her name was called out by the Chairman, and receiving the book from the hands of Mr Duncan, who generally uttered some kind word of encouragement to the prizotaker. In order to make our report aa complete as possible, and to be a memento for tho successful scholars, we have published the name of the boo): in each case, as well a3 the winner. The following is TllE PMZE LIST. Standard IV. Thos. Purcell— Every Boy's Annniil Fred. Flower — English Circumnavigators Louisa Gruy — Swiss Family Robinson Charlotte Coley — Quecchy Clara Evans — Gems of Womanhood Kllen Ilowan— Lessons from Women's Lives Geoffrey Smith — Talcs from Soottish History Emma Cummerfield — The Rosevillo Family Standard 111. John Stewart— Famous Historical Scenes Thos. Cameron — Fame book Win. Howe — Captain Cook's voyages John Whyte— Memorable Wars of Scotland Alice Burr — Holiday Koepsake Standard 11. Louis Burgess — Every Boy's Annual Wm Stewart — Heroes of .tforth African Discovery Arthur Burr— Little Sunbeams Kutio Gray — Poems for Littlu Folks Lillie Cole— Tha Snowsweeper's party Alice Cole— Moss D.ile The above names are arranged in order of merit, as per memo, forwarded by Mr Foulia to the Chairman of tho Committee. The following special prize.s were awarded by the Committee upon the report published in this journal of the inspection. nRAWIN'O. Geoffrey Smith— Terrapin Island Ernedt Coombe— Noble Traits of Kingly Men Fred. Flower— From Nowhere to the North Pole Alfred Cook — The Woodrangers Joseph Flower— Will Weatherdown BKWIXO. Emma Cummerfield— Gems of Womanhood Ellen Howan — An Eden in England GEXEBAL DILIGENCE. The Committee also awarded prizes to the following little children for general diligence: — Annie Whyte, Lily Trask, Clara Burr, Ella Shenneu, Octavius Robinson, William I'urcell, Bertie Gray, Chas. Easton, John Howur., Frank iSavilt, and Henry Henn. The prize.s having been all distributed, the pcholars sang Hr Bracken's Now Zoalaud Anthem, and the proceedings closed by the presentation ofa slice of cake to each child.