BISHOP'S SCHOOL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 303, 20 December 1872, Page 2

BISHOP'S SCHOOL.

The annual distribution of prizes took place, at the Bishop's School yesterday, the Rev. G. H. Johnstone, presiding in the absence of the Bishop of Nelson, who is at present on a visit to Marlborough. After a few preliminary remarks from Mr. JOHNSTONE, . Mr. Lee, who conducted the examination this year himself, stated that he had been led to do so, not altogether by the absence of the Bishop but because he thought for several reasons the master was a fit examiner, and he was desirous of making himself even more intimately acquainted with the relative powers' and attainments of every boy in the school; cpecially of th<s lower school, which was mostly under the supervision of the assistant master. He had examined by papers, and was enabled to ascertain, as was always done by a searching examination,.nofc only what boys had done best, but where there were failures and inaccuracies ; for it was no credit to a master to have a ftw forward boys and to leave the junior boys neglected. Indeed the successful boys of a school gave the master the least trouble — nay, often the least consideration; and if it were not for the drag put upon a class by the load of mediocrity and dulness, teaching would be a pleasing pastime, and the success of it marvellous. With a few exceptions, the age of the boys at present in the school did not exceed 15, and this accounted lor the standard of the school not being a higher one. He had endeavored to make the . work, as useful as possible, and as advanced as was coasistent with accuracy and soundness. Throughout the past year regular and systematic lessons bad been given in physical science properly so called. The sutjects treated included the laws and properties of matter, forces, the physical and chemical properties of heat, and the composition and properties of light The subjects of instruction in which a specific division had been chosen were as follows : — Latin — Virgil, Cffisar, Smith's Principia, Parts I and 11. French— Voltaire, Hall's Reader, Aim's and Delille's Exercises. Physical Science — Laws of matter and motion, heat, light, and sonnd. English — Cowper's Task; Book I and 11. English History— XV £ Century. Drawing — Practical Geometry and Freehand of simple objects. Algebra — Equations. The paper which was most completely answered was in Arithmetic, E. Hounsell answering correctly and with readiness of method, 19 questions out of 20 set. The Latin and French was an improvement on last yeat's work. The paper on Cowper's Task proved difficult for a considerable part of the class examined, but it was hoped that much more would be done in this subject another year. The Scripture paper was generally well done, though there were some marked exceptions. From the prize list it would be seen what boys had acquitted themselves best; where several boys came well to the front, all their names were given. Mr Lee then read out the list as follows (the boys whose names are ia italics received prizes) : — Upper- Form. Holy Scripture — C. Burton, E. Hounsell, J. Robinson. Latin — E. Hounsell, W, Johnston, James Robinson. French— E. Founseil, W. Johnston, J. Robinson. English — E. Hounsell. Arithmetic — 8. Hounsell, J. Robinson, H. Farquhar. General Progress — F. V. Waters. Writing — Charles Wymond. [Lower Form. Holy Scripture— J. Taylor, F. Hounsell, F Greenfield. Reading — F. Hoiinscll. F. Greenfield. Writing— Lawrence Webster, J. Taylor, John M'Artney. Arithmetic — F. Greenfield, J. M'Artoey, L. Webster, and W jhettany. General Progress— W. Bellany. The Rev. G. H. Johhstone then proceeded to distribute the prizes, which he did with much kind feeling and great humor. The Rev. R. J. Thorpe thanked Mr. Lee for the care and earnestness he had exercised in his work. He alluded to the difficulties and wearying work of a teacher, and thought that it was a matter of congratulation that we had amongst us a school, which with the many schools of the Colony, was doiDg good and faithful service in the interests of the State. The Head Master thanked Mr Thorpe and the parents present for their kind sympathies, and assured them that their good wishes would go far to encourage him in his daily life among the boys. The interests of the parents and master were identical, and he hoped the mutual feeling between them would be always most friendly. He thanked Mr. Pickett for the pains he had taken with his singing class, and Mr. Campbell for his temporary services; and although it was desirable in the interests of the school that a more experienced master should succeed him, he hoped Mr. Campbell would not regret having gained his first experience there. The boys sang several rounds after the distribution of prizes; and, considering the time they have been learning, did fair credit to Mr Pickett's careful teaching. Cheers were given for the Bishop, Mrs Suter, Bishop Hobhouse, Mr Johnstone, Mr Guerin, and the Masters. We are requested to state that it has been found desirable in the interests of the school to appoint a more experienced assistant teacher, and one who will be a gain to the school sis a Professor of French. M. De Montalk will undertake the duties on the re-opening of the school (January 20th.) He is a gentlemen of large experience and ability as a teacher of French and English. He was formerly Inspector of Protestant Schools in France^ and for the past four years a teacher of English subjects in the Wairarapa.