ST. MARY'S SCHOOL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 16, 18 January 1872, Page 2

ST. MARY'S SCHOOL.

The prizes at St. Mary's Boys' School were presented yesterday evening by his Honor the Superintendent in the schoolroom, which bad been neatly decorated for the occasion with flowers and scrolls bearing appropriate mottoes. Previously to distributing the prizes, his Honor addressed a few kindly words to the pupils, applauding those who had succeeded in gaining rewards for their diligence and good conduct, and encouraging such of them as had failed ia obtaining prizes on the present occasion, to redouble their efforts next year and not to be disheartened because they had happened to be unsuccessful this time. He also wished ; to make a few remarks to the parents i with reference to the Education Bill, introduced into the Assembly at its late sessiou. As it was originally proposed, he was sure it would not have given satisfaction to the people at large, but if the amendments, which it had been sought to make, were carried out, it would be very similar to our Nelson system and would, he was sure, meet with general approval. Next session the Bill would come on again for disoussioc, and it was certain that an endeavor would be made to prevent aid being given to separate schools, such for instance as that of St. Mary's. This he earnestly trusted would be defeated by the mass of the population determining that all classes of the community should be benefited b}' tbe Act. The Roman Catholics were a large body, and one that had always taken immense pains, and displayed the greatest zeal, in the. cause of education, -and it would be a matter for great regret should they be excluded from the benefits of any educational system that might be adopted. The prizes were then distributed as follows : — Fibst Class. — Ist prize, George Freeth; 2nd prize, Christopher Frank; composition, Henry Richards ; mapping, J. Wylie ; writing prize, presented by Mr. L. Broad, A. Berry. Second Class.— lst prize, Joseph Leach; 2nd, James Speed; home improvement, Henry Edwards. Third Class. — Ist prize, William Blick; 2nd Benjamin Solomon; general application, Joseph Brunette. Fourth Class — Ist prize, H. Bethwaite; 2nd, Alfrel Lucas; good behaviour, Charles Archer; ditto, presented by Mr. Severne, Clifton Lucas; writing prize, 2nd division, presented by Mr. James, Alfred Lucas. Fifth Class. — Ist prize, Alexander Frazer; 2nd, George Fleming. Sixth Class.— lst" prize, J. Hargreaves; 2nd, Charles Lucas. Three hearty cheers were then given by the boys for the teschers and the Local Committee, for his Honor tho Superintendent, and for Father Garin. Mr. Luckib, at the request of the Rev. A. M. Garin, then addressed a few words to tha boys, impressing upon them the necessity of atteodiug to the advice given them by the Superintendent, and trusting that at the end of the holidays they would |

have laid in a good stock of health, and would return to their school duties with increased strength and power, and hopiug that next year Mr. Richards would be able to furnish an admirable report of the manner in which which they had laid to heart the advice given them that evening. He would also wish them to thoroughly understand that their efforts to improve should not be confined to the time they were in school. Obedience to their parents was one of the most important duties to which they should attend, and one bf the first rules for the guidance either of a child or of a young man just going out into the world was that he should show obedience aud respect to those placed in authority over him. One thing be would earnestly warn them asainsf, namely, the use of bad language. They would be sure to meet with those who would set them a bad example in this respect, and a bad habit was only too easy to acquire, but he would beg them to look upon the boy who was in the habit of using foul language as one to be shunned by them. Mr. Richards thanked Mr. Luckio on behalf ol the boys for what he hadsaid to them, and would take the opportunity of saying tba-t he had no occasion to complain of disobedience on their parts, indeed, ho believed that a better behaved or more kindly disposed lot of boys it would be difficult to meet with. The Eev. A. M. Garin hoped that all the pupils would be found iu their places punctually on Monday next, when the school duties would be resumed, as regularity in attendance Was one of the essentials to success. He wished to remark that he had been very much pleased at the well mannered way iu which the gainers of prizes had received their rewards from the hands of his Honor the Superintendent, which formed so pleasing a contrast to the conduct on similar occasions ou which the newspapers had commented a year or two ago. One of the lessons that could not be too carefully instilled into the minds of children was that they should always show respect to those above them.