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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 13, 15 January 1874, Page 2

The twenty-fourth anniversary of these Bcbbols was celebrated yesterday, when there was a tea party in the afternoon to which 200 children and about 40 adults sat down. At six o'clock the prizes were distributed by his Honor the Superintendent as follows : — Erijje for good conduct, presented by the Rev P. Binsfeld, Emily Brunetti. — For politeness, pnsented by the Sisters, Josephine Frank. — General application, Mary Kealy. — Regular attendance and general knowledge, Elizabeth 1 eech.— Spelling, presented by L. Broad, Esq., Naomi Hih'le. ; First prize for einging, presented by Mrßuuny, Margaret Goakly; 2nd ditto, Mary Folckman. Prize for music, Emily Brunetti First prize for needlewood, plain sewing, Bridget Toole; 2nd ditto, Helen M'Artney. First Class — Ist prize, Mary Folckman; 2nd ditto, Mary Kealy. Second class — Ist prize, Christina Frank ; 2nd ditto, Annie Percy. Third class •— Ist prize, Agnes Pratt; 2nd ditto, Annie Davis. Second Division. First class — Ist prize, Alice M'Araiey; 2nd prize, Sarah A. Bullard. {Second class — let prize, Louisa Willi«ras; 2nd ditto, Annie Brimer. Third class — lft prize, Minnie Richardson; 2nd ditto, Alice Pratt. Special prizes : Ellen Coakley, for her efforts to improve; Annie Toole for fancy work; Ktte Hollis, for general improvement. Boys' School. First class — Ist prize J. Moynihau; 2nd ditto, Joshua Leach. Second class — I st prize, E. Green; 2nd ditto, P. Bond; 3rd ditto, H. Bethwaite. Third class — Ist prize, F. Allen; 2nd ditto, G. Shallcrass. Fourth class— lst prize, Jno. Carroll ; 2nd 1 ditto, Edward Mills. Fifth class — Ist prize, W. Fleming; 2nd ditto, John Wylie. Sixth class — Ist prize, George Edwards; 2nd ditto, Fred. Mills. Recitation, J. Speed; Mental Arithmetic, S. Sherwood; Penmanahip, presented by L. Broad, Esq , James Wylie. Special for progress — 2nd class, J. Brunetti; 3rd class, E. Buoiceridge I, J. Moore 2, M. Kiss el I 3; 4th clafee, wi fonv tic, James Carroll. His Honor then said that the pleasing duty devolved upon him of presenting to «r Richards on behalf of the boys an address and two handsomely bound book?, namely, " Mrs Ueman'a Poetical Works," and " Earth and Sea," from the French of Lonis Figuier. The address which was very neatly engrossed and tastefully colored by James Wylie one of the pupils, ran as follows:— "To C. A. Richards Esq.— Dear Sir; We your friends, on this day, the anniversary of St. Mark's Schools, of which you have been tutor for a number of years, beg your acceptance of the accompying small present as a token of our esteem and affection for you, and as a reinembranco from many of us who have been your pupils Wishing you a happy new year, We remain, sincerely yours, ("signed by the Rev. Fathers Garin. and Binsfclri and- a number of the pupils.)" Mr Kichard? in replying sai 1 that he could scarcely find words to thank the boys for this proof of their kindly feelings t iM-ar.'s him. He vr->-B quite ignorant up to that moment that such a surprise was in store /or him and therefore had no yet speech ready for the occasion, but ho wished to assure them that he accepted their present with ieelinga of the greatest pleasure nnd gratification His llonok then said that he had a similar duty to perform to Mr Severne to whom he had been asked to present an address and a copy of Kane's Artie Explorations. The address was in nearly the same words as that presented to Mr Richards. Mr Sevbknr thanked the boys sincerely for their kind thoughtiulneas towards him. The position of second master waß a most difficult one to fill, especially if he was not supported by the head maettT, but he considered himßelf most fOr.unate in having to deal with a gentleman like Mr. Richards. He felt highly gratified at the compliment paid to him on the present occasion by the boys, with whom he always endeavored to get oa in a friendly manner. His Honob, in addressing the children, said that it afforded him great pleasure every year to take part in the procaedings and to notice how the schools were progressing and the amount of good they were doing. On such occasions children .were not disposed to listen to a lecture, nor did he feel inclined to give them one, but he did think that the elders of the community deserved one. It was a very great pity that a greater amount of interest was not taken in the distribution of prizes at the various schools by the parents and the public generally, as he felt sure that it roust give additional pleasure to those who bad gained prizes to receive them in the" presence of theii" fathers aad mothers, and to have their merits recognised before a number of people. This absence of the elders was noticeable at all the schools in the province, and he would thereiore avail himself of the present opportunity of administering this little lecture to\he parents. Mr Bjioad, in examining the pupils, had noted down a few faults that he had noticed, but on looking for the paper on which he had written them he had been unable to find it. That they were not of a very grave character, however, he felt car tain, because he had utterly forgotten what they were. He hoped that the loss of that piece of paper was emblematical of the course of proceedings during the coming year, and that it would re impossible at the end of it to find any fault whatever. He had one or two remarks to make which he hoped might prove incentives to further exertions on the part of the pupils. To the boys he would say that several occupations and positions of honor and responsibility were opening up to them. There were the scholarships at the College and University which were open to all, and he should like to see |more competing for them. It was not only their monetary value that was to be coveted, but the social position they gave to those who gained them. Then there were the Civil Servico examinations, and he would specially mention the success that had attended young Richardson, a Nelson boy, who had set the Civil Service before him as the object of hie ambition, and had worked hard to attain it, and had passed so creditable an examination that he at once received an appointment. He would also remind the girls that positions were now opening to them which had hithtrto beeu reserved for the men, and in Nelson there was iilreudy a female telegraphist. Education would teach them that if they could not all be princes and rulers in the land it was open to them to make whatever positionß theyjraight occupy in life — whether as governesses, shopkeepers, or servants—respectable and to be respected. The Rev. Father Gariu was sure that all would join in tbanking his Honor aad others who were present for their attendance. We all wanted encouragement and external influences to incite us to do well that which we had undertaken, and they should therefore be thankful to those who interested themselves iv the cause of education. Prizes were offered to theoa to induce them do work, and he believed they were to be won by all who determined to obtain them. This was shown by Richardson's recent success, and that success should provean encouragement to them all. Ho hoped they would all return to school on its re-opeDJ[i)g, and atleuii diligently and regularly to their during the coming year, Clivers were then given for the Superintendent, Father Garin, and the masters, and the children dispersed to take part in out of door games until fhe exhibition of the magic lantern, which took place at & o'clock.

Waikato Railway — At the turning -of the first sod of this railway, the Superintendent of Auckland spoke as follows: — "I trust that tbe work we are about to begin will have the effect of stimulating the settlers who are here now. and of encouraging many others to come ami take up their abode amongst you — that, instead of seeing people coming here and going away from these districts daunted and alarmed, we shall have security that we shall possess the advantage of permanent settlement conferred upon us by this great undertaking. (Cheers.) And is it not so in nil other countries wherever opportunities for transit of goods and merchandise have been given to the people, that it has more than anything else attached them to their own country? Many of the American Slates are now dependent for means and opportunity of reaching the Beaport towns upon the railways that have been constructed throughout that country; and look what these things, this machinery of railways, have done for England, for Ireland, ami for Scotland. The benefits and advantages which we have left behind us why should we not enjoy here?- Should we wait for centuries to copy the example of our fathers at home? No, gentlemen; there is a desire, and I am proud of it as a colonist, to emulate the home country in carrying immediately along with us hand in hand the great civilising powers that, we have left behind us. Look at our colony now! — from end to end almost approachable in minutes of time by iho telegraph wires. By the telegraph wires we nre brought into communication with each other from the one end of the colony, and I hope shortly to the other end of it. We must l;eep pace with our people at home; we must bring to our doors the advantages which they are enjoying, if we hope that the people of England will come out and take up their abode among us. We want railways, we want telegraph communication, we wish to point to our coastal fiteamboat services, we want education, arid all those other advantages to be able to shew to them (hat there are here before them intelligent and thoughtful men placed over the affairs of this country. Gentlemen, I shall say no more to you, but I can tell you that when I first visited this district, thirteen years ago, to attend a great meeting ot the Maori inhabitants on the flat opposite, I little thought that within such a brief space of time I should be called upon to take part in the great work which we are about to commence this day. I ueed not say any more to you, for you are not ignorant of the advantages of this work. General and Provincial Governments are weak without tho co-operation and the assistance of the people, and we trust to you for that cooperation and assistance.'* An experiment made in England as to the best way to grow oaks from acorns, shows a great advaunage in plaoting potatoes between the rows, both growing better than if separate, and the oaks grow more in four years than they will in six years without the potatoes. It is a great object to have tbe oaks grow os fast as possible for five or sis years, after which their branches interlock, and then each tree Beems to try to outgrow the other, which is agreeable to the theory of the advantage of close planting.