THE STATE SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1441, 28 August 1915, Page 3

THE STATE SCHOOL.

PRIZE ESSAYS, AND LECTURE BY MR. J. W, POYNTON, S.M. Last month, Mr J. W. Poynton, S.M., delivered a very interesting and instructive lecture at the State school to the pupils of Standards IV., V., and VI., on “Light.” At its conclusion, Mr Poynton offered three prizes for the best essays on the subject of the address, Yesterday Mr Poynton announced the winners to the assembled scholars, and submitted the following report in connection therewith : “There were sixteen essays from pupils of Standards V., VI., and VIE, of ages ranging from twelve years and one month to fourteen years and three months. The address was on a subject which must have been quite new to nearly all of the competitors. It was short —of about twenty minutes duration —on a rather abstruse branch of physical science, and dealt with such matters as the nature of sound, musical tones, size and velocity of sound waves, analogy between sound and light, ether, velocity of light, phenomena of colour, length of light waves, reflection, refraction, absorption and decomposition of light, and the formation of the rainbow. It is very remarkable that so many points dealt with in the lesson have been so clearly grasped by the youthful essayists, and it is a tribute to their intelligence that their compositions contain so few errors and so many proofs of their intelligent understanding of the things explained in the address. I would not have considered this possible if I had not this proof of it. It shows that very young persons can readily comprehend and appreciate the great discoveries which have been made in the realms of science, and which, if imparted to them, would be all through their lives of profound interest and utility. I have gone carefully through the papers three times, and feel much pleasure in awarding the prizes to ; First, Florrie Chalk (13 years and 6 months), St. VI., “Elementary Physics” (Wright) ; second, George Aim (12 years and, r month), St. V., “Light” (Sir H. Trueman Wood); third, Arthur Baker (12 years and 9 months) St, VI., “Physics” (Professor Balfour Stewart). Not one of the papers could be called bad. By another examiner, some of those not winning a prize might be placed in the second or third' place, so the losers should not be discouraged. Very good ones were those of Ainslie Wilson, Henry Morgan, Sarah Henderson, Fiona Spring, Alice Rhyud, and J. Kent-Johnston. In order to.* encourage further interest in the study, I have added to each prize a small, but very powerful, pocket lens in a nickel mounted case. This will enable the possessors to study the structures of flowers, the organs of insects, and many forms of life present In stagnant water. As an explanation ut the reasons why a lens magnifies was part of the lecture, it is appropriate that the prize-winners should each receive one. It will remind them of the beauties ol the phenomena to which they have been introduced.” The result was received with prolonged applause by lire scholars. Mr Poynton then delivered a lecture on the eye. Mr Jackson, head teacher, offered two prizes for the best essays on the lecture, previous prize winners lo he de barred. Mr Horn blow, on behalf of the Committee, staff, and children, thanked Mr Poynton for the interest he has evinced in the school, which the children carried with enthusiasm. Dr Maudl also paid a tribute lo Mr Poyuton’s handling of such an abstruse subject in language which the children could not fail to understand. Mr Poynton, in acknowledging the expressions of thanks, said he was only too pleased lo create an interest among the children in such subjects. The three winning essays will he published in a subsequent issue.