THE WEEK.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 297, 17 December 1870, Page 4

THE WEEK.

O Nelson schoolboys and schoolgirls have been holding high festival during the past week. To begin with, we had the annual eports at the College, when the boys distinguished themselves in all serfs of athletic games, which they had had the opportunity of practising. I say advisedly, those which they could practise, for it must Lave been a matter of surprise to all on the ground that there was no gymnasium. If there is one thiug that the schoolboy delights in more than another, it is gymnastic exercises, and no playground in England would be considered complete unless provided with poles, ciossbars, and fly swings. Why is it that similar conveniences are not provided here ? Is it because we pride ourselves on being *' colonial" in contra-distinction to English ? A fives court is also sadly wauting in the list of out-door amusements piovided for the boys. What do the Governors say to this? Some people may think, and I believe some do, that it is not. advisable to encourage sports of this kind among youngster.'-, because they may be indulged in at the expense of mental exercises. To those who are of this opinion I would say, read the examiner's report for this year, from which it will be seen that the lessons have bven by no means ueglected, although, as we saw on Tuesday aud Wednesday, some little time and attention must have been devoted to the improvement of wind and the development of muscle. Before concluding what I have to say about the College, I would venture to express a hope that the boys will bestow some of their attention during *he holidays to the noble address delivered to them by Judge Richmond. An occasional perusal of that during the fioliday time will go far towards improving their minds and elevating their ideas. To recommend the study of it to their seuiors would, I am sure, be superfluous. The Bishop's aud Town Schools have also celebrated their " breaking up," and I have no doubt many a little fellow went io bed last night with a light heart as he thought over the happy termination to which his year's labor was brought in the ■receipt of the well earned prize. I wonder why it is that the parents take so little interest iv the annual distribution of prizes. _ don't suppose there were a dozen of them in the Provincial Hall yesterday to see their little ones receive their rewards. Surely they cannot have forgotten their own school days, when the value of the prize they may have received was so greatly ehauced by being presented before •an assemblage of kindly sympathising seniors. They were complimented by Mr. Shephard on the cleanly, wholesome appearance of their children, and some •allusion was made to the sacrifices to which they must have subjected themselves in order to turn out their little ones so nicely and so tastefully dressed, but this is not enough ; the youngsters like to feel that father and mother's iuierest iv them is not confined to their personal appearance. They have done their little best to avail themselves of the opportunities that are afforded for improving their minds, and it would be no little encouragement if their parents would devote the hour or two occupied by the distribution of prizes to •displaying some symptoms of interest in the progress made by their offspring. I hate lecturing, but I do thiuk that there is room for improvement iv this matter, aud consequently I have given utterance ■to thoughts which I should like to see taken to heart by those concerned. I may as well mention here that the number of children receiving education in our Town •Schools is 878. The new arrangement come to by our volunteers for breaking up the existing companies with a view to forming one strong corps is, I hear, likely to meet with the approval of the Government, and no doubt something definite will be settled when the officers have had an opportunity of discussing the question with Colonel Harrington, who is daily expected from Wellington. The firing for the Provincial championship took place on Thursday, ■when the veteran Kent, of the Waimea Company, came to the fore once more, and won the coveted prize for the third time. I understand that the Harmonic Society proposes giving its usual Christmas 4_oficert on Thursday next, when the

*' Messiah", will be produced with the fullest orchestral accompaniment available. I wonder if we are to be condemned once more to sit on those abominable benches without backs. There are three clear days before the concert comes off, and I think the town carpenters are not so busy , just now but that one or two might be obtained to do the necessary work. I I don't know whose duty it is lo see to it, but I suppose I am safe in appealing to " the Government," everybody goes to them for everything. The printer has bound me dowu under heavy penalties not to exceed a column this week, so I must briug my gossip to a close. F.