The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1871.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 288, 6 December 1871, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1871.

The time has once more come round for the examination of candidates for the scholarships offered for competition by the Provincial Government, that of the boys of the Town sohools having taken place on Monday last, when, we understand, the excellent results of the system were shown in a most, marked manner. Last year the number of candidates was 4 nine, on this ooeasion it was thirteen, including several

of those who were rejected at the previous examination, and wb.o showed that they had, during the year, improved to iin extent that cnuld scarcely have been anticipated. In order to show the beneficial effect, that these scholarships have exercised in the direction of creating a spirit of emulation among the boys, and of inducing them to turn to the best account the tsleii its with which they have been gifted, and the means of cultivating them that have been placed at their disposal by our educational system, we may state that those who at the examination just coucluded stood lowest on the list were quite equal, if not superior, to all but the best of the candidates- of last year. In saying this we must not be understood to be speaking in a depreciatory tone, of those who on that occasion camo to t\e front, but. we mention it with considerable satisfaction as affording a proof of the great strides that, have been made by those of the pupils who have since thai, time beeu preparing themselves for the cornpetition. It is not that the first selected candidates were in any degree deficient in ability or in knowledge — as is sbowu by the fact that they now occupy distinguished positions at the College — but that during the time that has elapsed since they were fortunate enough to secure the coveted prize, a higher standard of excellence lias been attained in our schools, both masters and pupils being spurred on to renewe-1 exertions; the former in thu-hope uf being able to furnish from among those under their tuition one, at least, of the successful competitors ; the latter with a view to obtaining for themselves a high and houorable position, valuable because it is the well earned reward of persevering study and application, still more valuable in that it provides the gainer of it with the means, otherwise unattainable by him. of increasing his store of knowledge, and of cultivating to the best advantage that intellect with which Providence has endowed him. In arithmetic, we are told, the improvement was specially noticeable, the mistukes being considerably Wen, while the papers were much more difficult of solution than was the case last year. j-Ooe particularly favorable sign in this department was that all the candidates showejj themselves to be thoroughly well grounded in the first elements, and gave evidence of being intimately acquainted w/th the whole of the primary rule?, not /me of them failing in the preliminaries, jjs occurred ia two or three instances at/the previous examination, when some^f those who could readily work out a sifm in the more advauced rules were completely at a loss whpn tested in anythiog so simple even as enumeration. There is no reason to believe that the progress achieved during the year is confired to scholars at the Town schools, but we may reasonably suppose that those in th/a country districts have to an equal eitent taken advantage of the facilities afforded them for improving themselves, urged on, as they no doubt have been, by the hope of gaining the great prize, and it is, therefore, with no little regret that we learn that there is a possibility of the scholarships for country boys being discontinued, owing to the falling off in the Provincial funds consequent upon the action taken by the-G-eneral Assembly in reducing the capitation allowance. Of course the local Government is not responsible for this deficiency in its revenue, as it was entirely at the mercy of the Assembly, but, if it be correct that it is seriously meditated to practice economy in this particular direction, we would earnestly impress upon the Executive that in so doing they are breaking faith with those who, for the last twelve months, have been straining every nerve, and devotiug the whole of their atteutiou towards qualifying themselves for the reward that they have been led to believe awaits such of them as shall most successfully pass through the ordeal of a competitive examination. In addition to supplying the means of obtaining a superior education to such of the youth in the Goveroment schools as shall prove themselves most worthy of it, the granting of these scholarships has had another most beneficial effect, in the direction of breaking down tho barrier that, previous to their establishment, apparently, if not really, existed between the College and the common schools, the latter now being looked upon — as it is most desirable that they should be— as feeders of the former. The founders of the College never intended it to be a mere class institution, .but ono at which the representatives of all sorts and , conditions of youths might receive a superior education. It is our business to see that this be done. If an elite is there to be recognised, let it bo the elite, not of wealth or of social position,' but of intellect. To this end the Goveroment scholarships ore tending, and for this reason, quite as much as for any other, they are conferring .an inestimable benefit upon the Province.

Over the Falls and Out on the Ocean — The third rlmpter of 1 1 *Is veracious histniy appeared in the Australasian of Nov 25;b, and ,will be published by us to-morrow evening. All Saints' Church. — We see by advertisement that Divine Service will be held in eh is Church on this evening, and every successive Wednesday evening throughout Advent season. Resident Magistrate's Court. — Several cases were heard in Court this morning, in which the Government sued for the recovery of moneys expended iu bringing oui from home tho friends and relations of residents in the Province. In most of them judgment was deferred, and we shall reserve our report until the decisions are giver. Reporters of Court proceedings are frequently annoyed past all endurance by requests from the defendants in police and petty ilebis cases to "keep their names out of the paper." Even the Melbourne Argus is subject to such annoyances, but this is how flint journal serves such requests : — " Wo lia ' e^, re " ceived the following letter from a correspondent: — ' I was, unfortunately, brought before the St. Kildu Court (his morning for illirenting a dojr. WouU you be so kind m not to insert my name iu your paper, aud oblige yours obediently— John Matson, Melbourne, October 17th.'" — The idea is a good one, and may possibly be acted upon some day iu Nelson.