NELSON TOWN SCHOOLS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume III, Issue 299, 18 December 1868, Page 2

NELSON TOWN SCHOOLS.

The presentation of the prizes awarded to the successful pupils of the several Town Schools at the recent examinations, took place yesterday afternoon at the Provincial Hall, in the presence of a very numerous assemblage of spectators, amongst whom we noticed the Right Rev. Bishop Suter, the Resident Magistrate, several ministers of religion, the Committee and, we are glad to add, a large representation of the parents of the pupils. The smiling faces of the children, beaming with health and expectancy, who nearly filled the Hall the boys being ranged on one side and the girls on the other, were 'a goodly sight to see.' His Honor the Superintendent took the chair at 3 o'clock, and after expressing his satisfaction at seeing so many children present, and complimenting them on their general appearance and on the proficiency they had made in their studies during the last half-year, as was proved by the results of their examination, referred to the judicious and -valuable nature of the prizes which he had been requested to distribute, and then proceeded with their presentation to the various successful pupils, a ceremony which occupied some considerable time, and was watched with no slight interest by the spectators, old as well as young. We regret that our present space will not permit us to give the list of recipients of prizes, which is necessarily of some length, but hope to do so on another opportunity. Mr R. Lee, one of the Examiners, then expressed his satisfaction with the results of the examination, especially as regarded the reading classes, but regretted that the Inspector should have taken so considerable a part in it; that the prizes had not been allotted according to the award made by the Examiners, who had been invited to conduct the examination, and also dis-

approved of the system of giving uniform arithmetic papers to both boys and girls. Mr J. E. Hooper, a member of the Committee, explained that the first and second prizes Lad been awarded according to the attendance during the half-year, and that the writing and arithmetic prizes had been distributed according with the recommendations of the Examiners. The Rev. R. J. Thorpe then proposed a vote of thanks to the Superintendent for his kindness in talcing the chair on the occasion, which was carried and duly acknowledged, his Honor calling upon the boys to give three cheers for their teacherSj a suggestion which it is needless to add that they readily followed, whilst a similar demonstration on the part of the girls, on behalf of their respective schoolmistresses, proposed by the same high authority, with the modesty so characteristic of the sex, was declined, and its performance was gallantly undertaken by the boys, who made the hall echo agaiu with their fresh, cheery^ young voices, and the proceedings were thus brought to a conclusion.