CHRISTMAS VACATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5534, 21 December 1878, Page 3

CHRISTMAS VACATION.

MOUNT COOK SCHOOLS, GIRLS' SOHOOL.

The scholara assembled in the upper school at 11 a-m. Alter" a few opening remarks by Mr. Jas. Smith, chairman of the school committee, the children sang a holiday song with great taste and precision. The Rev. Mr. Coffet apologised for the Inadequate accommodation at the disposal of the teachers, which greatly impeded the work of instruction, and hoped the Inspector would let that fact be borne in miud. The commiUee kept the necessity for fresh accommodation constantly before the Board (who carried the purse), and the result wa3 that when the school would reopen the addition to the building would be completed. Mr. Coffey addressed the children on the necessity of obedience at sohool, at home, and in the discharge of the duties of lif;. Girls especially, who were to occupy positions in subjection to meD, needed to learn this lesson. He did not altogether ap-

prove of giving prizes, because those who got none were often discouraged, and those who got them frequently regarded them as payment for work done. The right vitwwa3to regardthemas encouragement to industry. School work was designed to exercise the mind in the acquisition of knowledge which would be useful in practical life. He wished the children to remember that it was better to be good than clever, and if all could not bo clever all could aim at being good. Ho wished them all a pleasant holiday. Mr, Smith then presented two special prizes in the shape of a couple of large and beauti-fully-bound volumes of engravings, one on his own behalf, and the other given by Messrs. Hallenstein Bros, and Co. These were awarded to Margaret Cook and Bessy Sidey. He then distributed a number of prizes as follows :

Standard Vl.—Margaret Cook, Emily Brown, Alice Crabtree, Ellen "Wallace. Standard V.—Bessie Sidey, Bella Campbell, Nellie Hand, Minnie Donaldson, Maud Dorapsoy, Nellie Archibald, Josephine Sorwall, Knto Tait, Maria Dixon, Minnie Cook. Standard lII.—MUIy Wallis, Alice Bovis, Caroline Ulrldgo, Annio Brown, Charlotte Walker, Matilda Stockbridge," Agnes Bell, Gertrude McVicar, Edith Churchill, Sarah Fraser, Annio Slsson, Pluebo Doaaldson. Esther Brighten. Standard IV.—Grace Wallace, Lizzie Wallace, Janet Cuthbertaon, Fanny Scott, Eva Hand, Jane Price.

Standard lll.—Eliza Scolt, Elizabeth Brady, Emma Smith. Charlotte Fetharick, Lena Plimmor, May Flygor. Standard ll.—Emily Binge. Rachol Maboy, Call* Jones, Eva Cooder, Clara Backhouse, Edith Harris, Henrietta 'Warn, Carolino Treeby, Ellen Russell, May Phelps, Lilian Brighton, Elizabeth Leggett. Standard I.—Alice Fraser, Charlotte Foreman, Sarah "Watson, Mary "Watson, Agnes McKennio, Lucy Eagle.

Mr. Smith, on behalf of the children, made several presentations to the teaeher3. To Mrs. Torn, the head teacher, a beautiful timepiece ; to Miss Helyer, a writing-desk and dressingcase ; to Mis 3 Mauders, a copy of Tennyson's poems ; and to Mi3s Wal]i3 a dressing-case. Two of the pupils in the lower school then presented a handsome cake basket to Mrs. Swan who has been for several years a teacher in the school, and i 3 now leaving. Three cheers were heartily given for the teachers, and the proceedings ended by singiDg the National Anthem. BOYS' SCHOOL. The prizes were distributed in the presence of the teachers, Messrs. W. F. Cheeseman and Bussell, members of the Mount Cook school committee, Mr. H. Godwin, and Mr. Hutchison. The following is the prize list : Division I.—Clas3 1: "William Bussell, Bernard Sorwall, George "Robinson. Division I.—Clas3 2: Donald "Wilson, Henry Jones, John Ewing. Division I.—Class 3: Archibald "Wilson, Andrew Moar, Frederick "Webbo. Byron Brown, Alfred Warren, Henry Smith, Arthur "Wallis, Thomas Austin, Frederick Bull. Division ll.—Henry Coster, Robert R 033, Joseph Pudney, James Donaldson, Jame 3 "Waters, Robert Ewing, James Christie, Robert Miller, Daniel Christie, Charlton Morpeth, David "Watson, Francis Crowe, "Walter Billows, "William Warren, John Martin, Albert Howe. Division lll.—William Jewell. Percy De Castro, William Churchill, Theodore Morpeth, Arthur De Castro, Archibald Campbell, Herbert Edmonds, Frederick Rowden, Frederick Lowater, Stephen Stockbridge. Division IV,—William Coster, John Burns. Fred. Martin, John Gibson, Albert Hugh, Andrew Thompson, William Mdnto3h, George Reid, Frank Tonks, Frank Meacham.

Division "V.- -Samuel Wat3on, Robert Page, Wm. Kennedy, Allan Campbell, Charles Benbow, Cecil Nicoll, William Scott, John AVilliams, Alexander Held, and Frank Roach. Division VI. —Hugh Sculler, Hartley Emmett, Henry Backhouso, Evlyn 'Mscdonald, Robert Blair, William Rudman, John Campbell, Charles Startup, Benjamin Greaves, and Albert Green, Division Vll.—Charles Ralph, Arthur Rnwden, Alfred James, Herbert Kennedy, Frederick Warren, James Eagles, Alfred Phelps, Thomas Morris, Hugh Enuckie, and Thomas Rowell. Division Vlll.—James Blair, Georgo Watt, John Howell, George Goss, Henry Mitchell, Arthur Mitchell, John Flyger, William Legget, Robert Mclntyre, Walter Harris. Division IX. James Gavey, Henry Edmonds, Sydney Phillips, Frank Smith, Herbert Mitchell, George Burkett, John Clark, George Hancock, Henry Agate, Charles Archibald. Division X. —John Moffitt, George Pudney, Robert Clark, John Petherick, Eli Wright, Sydney Smith, Stephen Fuller, George Waters, William Folhu, John Macauly. Division XX.—Alfred Churchill, Vernon Smith, James Foster, Charles Bird, Peter Oakes, Frank Savell, Edgar Tonks. Joseph Austin, Thomas Vincent, Francis Wilton. Division XII —John Sheer. Arthur Heighten, William Barrett; Edward Tamplin, William Cameron, Thomas Pernn, William Young, Leonard Hammond, John Winter, Septimus Tripe. KINDER GARTEN" SCHOOL. The parents and friends of children were invited to a distribution of gifts, which took place at 3 p.m. The school was prettily decorated with flowers and evergreens. There were two large Christmas trees, containing over 1200 gifts, one of which bad suspended from its branches more than 300 dolls, purchased and dressed by the teachers themselves. The other tree contained miscellaneous toys, &c, given by parents and friends. The children sang several pieces, and went through Borne of their evolutions in the presence of a large number of guests, who were intensely delighted with the children's training. The large number of gifts were distributed amongst 520 children. The arrangements were admirably made by Mrs. Francis, the head teacher. THORNDON SCHOOL. The prizes to the children of the above school were distributed by the chairman of the committee, Jona3 Woodward, Esq., yesterday, in the presence of a large numbes of ladies and gentlemen, amongst whom were the InspectorGeneral of Schools, the Under Secretary of Education, and the members of the school committee. At two o'clock upwards of 400 nicelydressed, happy-looking children were assembled in the large room, which they had tastefully decorated with mottoes, evergreens, and flowers. Mr. Woodward having taken the chair, the head master said he had a little programme, consisting of school songs, rounds, and recitations to offer to the visitors before proceeding with the real business of the day. He also desired the chairman to award a prize, presented by Mr, Bowden, for the best recitation. The first part of the programme having been performed in such a manner as to win the marked approval of the listeners the chairman proceeded to distribute the prizes. He expressed his pleasure at what he heard and saw. Mr. Mowbray had certainly been wise to begin with singing, for after tho sweet music they had just heard it would be impossible to retain any sourness in their tempers. He exhorted the children in simple but forcible term 3 to work, not simply to gain a prize, but from a sense of duty. He reminded thelnon-prize takers that by the efforts they had put forth they had all obtained a prize of which no ono would deprive them, that was —Knowledge. He then addressed a few suitable words to each of the following prize-takers as they came up. List of prize-takers : the highest ponsible marks is 200 in the standards—

Class Vl.—Highest pass in Standard Vl.—Boys Louis Baraett, 197 marks: Charles Pownal], 137. Girls: Grace Lindsay, 162. Youngest pass in Standard Vl.—rred Bownall, 11 years 4 months, 170; Fred Belton, 11 years 10 months. 182. Best attendance—H. Bannister, 409, out of possible 423; 1\ Pownall, 406. Good conduct—Girls: Matilda Bannister.

Class V.—Highest pass in Standard V.—Boys: Alfred Oallaghan, 168 marks. Girls: Lucy Lolghton, 172. Youngest pais in Standard V.—John Paul, B years 11 months. Best attendance—Lily Curtis. 418, out of posaibla 423 ; Lionel Marks, 41*. Good conduct-Boys: Harold Bannister. Girls : Lily Curtis.

Class IV.—Highest pass in Standard IV.—3oya: Philip Eiddlck, 183 marks. Girls: Margaret Scutt, 171. Youngest pass In Standard IV —Harold Bannister, 9 years 8 months ; Geoxgo Johnson, 9 years 8 months. Beat attendance—William Reay, 404, outof 423. Good conduct—Boys: Thomas Poynter. Girls: Mary Jane Wyatt. Claas lll.—Highest pass In Standard lll,—Bobort Thomson, 176 marks;Edgar Bannister, 17S. Girls: JessU Grcig, 176. Youngest pass in Standard 111. Edgar Bannister, 7 years; Willie Grey, 7 yoars. Best attendance—Frank Sutherland, 307. Good conduct —Boya:, William Clapham. Giria: Mary Ann Taylor. Class 11.-Highest pass In Standard ll.—Edgar Cornwall, 200 (full marks); Albert Bright, 186 ; William . Fisher, 185. Girls: Mary Woolcock, 176. Youngest pass in Standard ll.—Albert Bright 7 years 1 month. Best attendance—A Murdoch, 407 ; Willte Curtis. 404. Good conduct—Boys: WUlio Curtis. Girls : Annie Nelson.

Class ll.—Highest pass in Standard I.—Boys: Geo. Cloke, 190. Girls: Henrietta Hall, 105. Youngest pass In Standard I.—Edith Glbbs, fi years 8 months B«t attendance— William Prince, 414. Cofld conduct—Boys: John Kelson. Girls ; Elisabeth Wiggins, u , °

~ \ IIWASI SCHOOL, ,?*. t<UD f' Nellie Cook, Mand Smith, John Archibald' f

Class II George Liflferton, Alice Aylward, Hathaway Fnttor, Janet Lewis. Class lll.—Jessie Clark, Emily Diddle, Samuel Tayler, J. Kirker. The distribution having been made, the Chairman said he had just been informed that there was an unrehearsed item not in the programme, and he would now call upon Master Leatham. A bright, intelligent-looking boy stepped forward, and in a neat, well-cxprossed little speech, presented the head master, in the name of the teachers and his fellow pupils, with an exceedingly handsome dressing case.— Mr. Mowbray returned suitable acknowledgments, expressing his fear that the children had mado too great a sacrifice in providing so handsome a present, especially as they had so recently mado a handsome presentation to their absent and highly valued friend Mr. Lewis (the senior assistant master.) Ho was not at liberty to say much about the late examination, as the Inspector's report was not yet published, but he was confident that the result would bo highly satisfactory to all, and would reflect" credit upon their jlass teachers, to whom he was himself deeply indebted. The Rev. James Habens said this was the first Wellington school he had visited, and ho was glad that he had come. He was quite sure that it would bo impossible to gather so many bright, happy, intelligent faces if they had not the benefit of a thoroughly good sohool. He was exceedingly pleased to hear them sing in such excellent time, tune, and good expression. They would be glad years hence that they had been taught to sing so well. .He was also much pleased with the thorough appreciation and intelligence shown by the reciters. He was satisfied from the reports of their Inspector which he had seen that while school life was sweetened with melody, other subjects, which ho might call the bread and butter of school diet, were well cared for. He congratulated the school on the number of passes in the higher standard, and the very high marks obtained. Some of the children had obtained the whole 200 marks in the, .standard examination, and one boy had-gai ed-19"' marks in the highest standard, which implied that the whole of their work was absolutely correct, a most unusual thing. With regard to the good conduct prizes, he should think from the orderly behavior he now witnessed that it had been a most difficult task to assign those prizes. He himself should be completely puzzled to say which boy was ' the best behaved, but then of course he did not see them every day. He had thought at first from the warlike character of the pieces recited that they would be a somewhat difficult lot to manage, but ho was now quite sure that such was not the case; on the contrary, he thought it quite possible for them to enter into a league next year to behave so well that the task of selection woidd be rendered all but impossible. (Applause.)

The Chairman then announced that he and Mr. Habens had awarded the recitation prize to Charles Eichardson. Two others, Charles Pownnll and frank Leatham, had recited with equal clearness and expression, but were net quite so word perfect.

After more singing three cheers wero given for the Chairman, the Inspector-General, and the visitors. Mr. Habens thought that Mr. Mowbray and the teachers deserved a cheer more than anybody else, and proceeded to show the boys how to do it in real English style. The National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close.

During the afternoon some brilliant selections were played by Miss S. Parsons and Miss G. Mowbray upon an excellent piano most kindly lent for the oceasiou by Mr. Dimant.

OHAKITJ SCHOOL. On Wednesday, the 18th instant, the annual school treat came off with great success.. A large number of valuable prizes were awarded to the successful candidates by the Ohariu school committee, for their hard exertions during the last twelve months, and for passing the examinations of the various standards successfully, for which the teacher deserves great praise and credit for the pains and care she has taken with the children during the. short time she ha 3 been at the above school. In spite of the weather being dull and damp various amusements were got up for the children. After the tea was over, the young people of the district finished up the day with a dance.