PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 298, 18 December 1871, Page 2

PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS.

REPORT OF THE EXAMINERS. To E. Pollock, Esq., Secretary, Nelson College. Sir — We have conducted our examination of the candidates for the scholarships offered by the Governors for the competition of scholars of the town public schools.

The principles which guided us in the examination, were the same as were observed by us last year. A proportion of marl-s was allotted to each subject, and a fixed number was deducted for ea<*h mistake, except, of course, in case of the marks given to writing and to English composition. In the latter, oue examiner read the papers aloud, without giving the naniß of the author, aud the other assigued the marks. In the former, the papers were carefully arranged in the order of merit, aud marks were then assigned to each. The subjects selected for examination were the same as on the last occasion, except that abstract writing was this year omitted, as it was found at the last examination that few candidates attempted it, and none with success. Accordingly the papers given were : i, Arithmetic; ii, Dictation; in. English Composition. For remainder of news see fourth page.

The quality of the papers given in was generally better than at the last examination. There were fewer of those blunders in the sirapie rules, which then so much surprised us in the papers of some of the best candidates. Although only one succeeded in answering the whole paper correctly, the papers were without exception creditable. The spelling was generally good, and in many cases perfect. The papers were punctuated often with accuracy, and in some instances with taste. The writing was on the whole good, but some tendency to scratchiness was observable, probably caused by the habitual use of fine-pointed pens. In one subject there was some falling off from the standard of last year. In English Composition few of tbe candidates exhibited the power of reproducing the leading points of the narrative read to them in anything like their true order. Many salient points, and incidents necessary to render the story intelligible, were ommitted, while the composition was for the most part bald aDd clumsy. No paper gained full marks, and only three showed special merit, namely, those of the three competitors at the head of the list. While however last year less than half the candidates obtained more than 50 marks out of a possible 320, or (subtracting the marks [502 allotted to abstract writing, which was a general failure) out of 270, this year the lowest competitor on the list received 141 marks, a number which would have given him the third place in last year's competition. While last year the general average of the candidates was 88-5, this year it has been found to be rather over 129 3. Last year the average of the lower five candidates wss 23, this year the lowest six averaged 157. The improvement in the performance of the unsuccessful candidates we regard as the most satisfactory proof of the beneficial working of these scholarships; since it is evident that the masters do not confine themselves to preparing one or two of their best pupils for the examination, but that this competition has n salutary effect upon the pupils of the higher classes generally. We have insisted upon this marked improvement, especially among the candidates lowest on the list, not only because we feel sure that the Governors will be gratified to find that their liberality has been attended with these results ; but because we deem it only fair to teachers and pupils, especially to the unsuccessful candidates. We also hope that these figures may have some weight with the Provincial authorities in their decision respecting the Provincial Scholarships ; we are convinced that an opportunity was never given of doing more, or more widely spread good at even twice the outlay. These competitions have evidently been the means of exciting a spirit of emulation among the pupils of the public schools, of which the teachers have not beeu slow to take advantage. Notwithstanding the general goodness of the papers, we feel it our duty to say that the inattention with which the candieates regarded the necessary instructions aud formalities, was the least agreeable feature in this competition. The candidates were desired to write their names on the right hand upper corner of each paper. With few exceptions, they wrote them on the left, in the middle, or oftener not at all, until separately instructed. They were required to write the aoswer to each arithmetic question in a separate line, together with its number on the paper. Many jumbled all their answers into one unintelligible mass of figuree, and had to be compelled to write their papers out a second time. Doubtless mistakes may have been thus caused, but no examiner could have marked the papers as at first written with any confidence in his own correctness. The defeated candidates of last year, who appeared for a second time at thi3 examination, in every instance showed great improvement. The competitor who heads the list, Pollock, was himself among the number. Hodgson's name is second on the list. Having been entered, however, simply to familiarise him with the examination, and as his health is at present delicate, his father, Mr. James Hodgson, has resolved to withdraw him. Accordingly the scholarships fall to Pollock (255 marks), and Hunter (204). We are, sir, &c, W. C. HODOSON, Inspector of Schools. Feank Simmons, Head Master Nelson College. Nelson, December 8, 1871. The following is the list of candidates, arrauged according to the schools from whence they were sent up, together with the total number of marks obtained by each :— - Bridge-street .?■ School, Pollock, 255 ; Hooter, 204 ; Moyes, 194; Wijjzell, 188 ; Sadd, 187 ; White,, 184 ; A. Barltrop, 152 ; J. Barltrop, 148. j... Haven Road School, Hodgson, 221 ; Locke, 178 ; Demenr,|l4B ; Macintosh, 141. St. Mary's School, Frank, 177.