PROVINCIAL and GOVERNORS' SCHOLARSHIPS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 4, 4 January 1878, Page 2

PROVINCIAL and GOVERNORS' SCHOLARSHIPS.

Examiners' Report. Nelson, Jannary 4, 1878. To the Chairman of the Nelson Education Board. Sir— We have the honour to lay before you the report of our examination of candidates for the four scholarships offered by the Governors of Nelson College and the Nelson k Jbiducation Board. The two scholarships open to town boys only and consisting of a free education at Nelson College for two years have been won by Barltrop, of Haven Road School, with 494 marks, and Allen, St. Mary's School, with 424 marks, out of a possible 600. Bond, of Hampden-street School, who came third with 400 marks, did better than several successful candidates of previous years. The winners ofthe scholarships open to boys attending country schools only, and consisting of an allowance of forty pounds a year for two years, in addition to a free education at Nelson College for two years, are Bullard, Motueka, with 408 marks, aud Keliing, Richmond school, with 358. In several important particulars this year's competition contrasts favorably, with that of 1876. The number of competitors was larger by a third, the quality of the work ' done being much better, especially in the .fown, where, it will be remembered, no boy gained the half marks, necessary to secure a scholarship. The contest also, instead of being practically confined in the town, as hitherto, almost entirely to one school, was, for the first time for some years, made more • interesting by foar schools taking part in it. The regulation of the Board, which ,last year fixed the upper limit of age for candidates, at; 15 years, has' excluded several promising boys, whose names had inadvertently, been forwarded by their masters. Richmond, 88 VaUey, and St. Mary's boys each lost a good representative owing to this cause, Bridge-street Ist Division being also deprived of five out of the thirteen boys whose names were forwarded to us by their teacher. Two other matters of detail are worth recording. In no instance did a candidato avail himself of the full time allowed for each paper, the majority leaving the room at least half an hour before they were required to do so. A3 very few questions Arere left ' unattempted this seeni3 to show that tbe papers set were, at any rate, not too long. Again, in no instance during the two days' examination, was it necessary for a supervisor to check or admonish a candidate, the behaviour of the boys being excellent throughout. The paper on Goldsmith's poem "The Traveller," was intended chiefly to test what may be termed the literary element in this examination. Last year only one boy from tbe town and six from the country obtained more than half marks for a similar paper on the ''Lay of tbe Last Minstrel." On this occasion all the eleven town boys and several country boys succeeded in getting half marks. It is gratifying to find that our masters have not been led astray by a modern theory of teaching, which affects to thrust into the background the faculty of "memory," as contradistinguished from "judgment." Nearly every candidate could reproduce, when required, the exact words of any passage referred to, nor, apparently, did the explanation of the meaning of any difficult passage suffer from the boys having been "crammed"— as the cant phrase runs— with the precise words of the text. Physical Geography— a new subject— has apparently been taken up with great zest by both masters and scholars, the very full and accurate answers given by so many of the candidates showing clearly how much pains had been bestowed in preparing them. A new feature iv the recent examination was the reproduction of a simple narrative in the candidates' own words, after it had been twice read aloud to them by the supervisor. Practice of this kind is exceedingly useful, being at once a test of punctuation, dictation) and the use of language; it is also an exercise for which abundant materials are to be found in every reading lesson-book. The reproductions of the two successful town candidates were highly creditable; and five of the country boys obtained half marks. It may be as well to state that though several boys evidently knew by heart the passage selected, and were able to quote almost the very words, they yet so utterly failed in spelling and' punctuation as to score only a few marks. Considering the importance of arithmetic as a means of mental cultivation and as an instrument in the business of life the Examiners have always assigned a large number of marks to this paper. Moreover in order to reap the full benefit of a two years' course at the College, the Examiners think the successful candidates should be so thoroughly grounded in Jthe principles and practice of arithmetic as to need only review lessons in that subject, and thus be able to

There is nothing like going away from home for news. The Christchurch I. ress says :— We hear that the Nelson Colonist and Daily Times newspapers are likely to be amalgamated shortly. Colonel Gorton, the man of branding-irons and broad arrows (says the Post) has resigned his position in connection with the Audit Department as Inspector of Stores. His resignation is spontaneous, and is the result of a determination on the part of Colonel Gorton to engage in commercial pursuits. It is very improbable that any successor to him wnl be appointed. We believe that Colonel Gorton joins Mr Stevens of Bull's Rangitikei, as a partner in carrying on the business of stock, station, and general agents. A household specific. As a household specific for xnaigestion, biliousnes, nausea, constipation, sickheadacbe, urinary complaints, and the many ailments which affect the secretive and discharge organs, as an agreeable appetizer, a promoter of sleep, a useful resuscitant, and a genial stomachic and carminative, no alcoholic cordial has ever yet been discovered which can compare in efficacy with Udolpho Wolfe's Schiedam Abojiaxig Sohnapps.— Advt.

devote most of their Mathematical time to the study of higher branches. Of the twenty-five competitors, five scored half marks. We have the honor to remain, Sir, Tour obedient Servants, W. C. Hodgson, 1 -,-. . J. Mackay, '[Examiners.

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