WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5846, 24 December 1879, Page 2

WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

The annual distribution of prizes at this institution took place yesterday afternoon, and was presided over by Sir Wm. Fitzherbcrt, K.G.M.G. There was a large number of ladies and gentlemen present, and amongst the latter we noticed various miuisl.-rs of the leading Protestant denominations, the College Governors, etc. Mr. Kenneth Wilson, principal of the College, in opening the pr'-feedings, referred to the fact that {lie most valuable prizes could not be given till the end of the month, when the University examination would be over. The first business would be the reading of the school roll, as it appeared after the annual examination, the place of honor being given to those who had wmi special prizes. The first, given by Mr. Turnbull (XIS), was won by W. B. Harvey, be having passed the best examination in all subjects. The second, also by Mr. Turnbull (c€ 10), had been gained by W. H. Bichards for mathematics and natural science. The third and fourth prizes, by Mr. Levin (£5 each), hal been awarded, one for the best botanical collection and the other for zoology. The botanical prize had been won by Arthur Martin, his collection containing 290 specimens. lu the zoological collection of W. H, Field (the prize taker) there were 390 specimens. Mr. Wilson then read the list as follows : CLASSICS, MODERN LANGUAGE*, AND ENGLISH. Form V.—Harvey (prize) ; Richards, i. and hon. men. ; Field, bon. men. ; Crornbie, Nott, Kirk, i. ; Jackson, i.; Gair. Form IV.—Martin (prize) ; Morrah i. and hon. men. 4 ; Hutchison, Port, i.; Buffer, Fiddler, Holclsworth, i. ; Buchanan, Wilson, Hammerton, i.; Kebbell, i.; Morrah, ii.; Gisborne; Wallace. Form lll,—Barnett (prize); Pownall, hon. men.; Meek, hon. men. ; Harding, hon. men.; Kitchen ; Muir; Jackson, ii ; Young, 1 ; Hutchens ; Bishop, Holdsworth, ii.; Pauling, Taylor, Burnes, Hirschberg, Richards, ii.; Lewis, Stock, i.; Toomath, Lloyd, Whitehouse, Warron, McGregor, Young, iv.; Brandon. 3'orm ll.—Galway, prize ; Sanderson, i. and hon. men.; Russell, hon. men.; Manning, hon. men. ; Stock, ii. ; Cooper, Merlet, Reekie, Sanderson, ii. ; Anderson ; Morrah, iii. ; McLean, ii.; Lockie, Diver, Reeves, McLean, i. ; Cook, Hamerton, ii, ; Richmond, Fairbrother, Bull, McKonny, Lysaght, i.; Bolton, Thorpe, Richardson, Christie, i. ; Dransfield, Kirk, ii.; Hinton.

Form I.—-Kidding, prize ; Batkin, hon. men.; Young, iii. and hon. men.; Port, ii. and lion, men.; Wallis, Young, ii. ; Nathan, i.; Orornbie, ii.; Young, v.; L'-'vight, ii.; Krult, Nathan, ii.; Stuart, Holmes, Kebbell, ii.; Hatfiold ; Boyd, Christie, ii. ; Hamerton, iii. ; Caselberg. Girls’ Class.—C. Holdsworth (prize) : A. Barnett, hon. men.; M. McLean, J. Gray, S. Young, K. Nathan, F. James, P. My err, A. Fraser, L. McKellar, J. Do Castro. MATHEMATICS, FonaV.—Harvey (prize) ; Field,hon. men.; Kirk, i. and hon. men.; Kiclmrds, i.? Crombie, i.; Xott, Jackson, i.; Gair. I '.am IV. Wilson, prize ; Pori, i. and hon. men.; Tthlier, Hutchison, Holdsworth, i.; Martin, Morrah, i.; Kebbeli, i. ; Buchanan, Builer, Wallace, Hamerton, i.; Gisborne, Morrah, ii. Form lll.—Barnett, prize ; Hutchens, hon. men,; Powuall, hon. men.; Meek, hon. men.; Kitchen, Hirschberg, Burnes, Whitehou-c, McGregor, Pauling, Jackson, ii. ; Taylor, Young, i.; Holdsworth, ii.; Brandon, Bishop, Harding, L’oyd, Y- nng, iv. ; Warren, Muir, Richard?, it.; Titomatb, .Stock, i.; I.ewis. Form ll.—llussoU (prize) ; McLean, i, and hou. men,; Galwey, McLean, ii.; Stock, ii.; Merlet, Lookie, Cook, Cooper, Morrah, iii.; Manning, Bolton, Bull, Fairbrother, Sanderson, ii.; Anderson, McKenny, Sanderson, i.; Richardson, Thorpe, Reeves, Leokie, Liver, Hamerton, ii.; Dransfield, Richmond, Christie, i.; Hinton, Kirk, ii ; Lysaght, i. Form I.—Young, iii. (prize); Ridding, hon. men.; Young, ii. and hon. men.; Young, v.; Nathan, ii.; Hatfield; Crombie, ii ; Nathan, i.; Wallis, Batkin; Port, ii.; Krull; Kebbell, ii.; Christie, ii.; Lysaght, ii ; Stuart, Holmes, Caselberg, Boyd; Hamerton, iii. Girls’ Class.—C. Holdsworth (prize); A. Barnett, M. McLean, J. Gray, P. Yeung, K. Nathan, K James, P. Myers, A. Fraser, L. MoKellar, J. DeCaatro. NATURAL SCIENCE. Form V.—Field (prize), Harvey, Richards. Form IV.—Nott (prize), B. Morrah, Martin, Crombie, Hutchison, Jackson, F. Morrah, Port, Holdsworth, Wilson, Gair, Buchanan, Kirk, Builer, Ridier, Gisborne, Wallace, Kebbell. Form lll.—Kitchen, Richards, Toomath, Barnett, Whitehouse, Meek, Hirschberg, Holdsworth, Burnes, Pauling, Brandon, McGregor, Lloyd, Stock, Hutchens, Lewis, Pownall, Harding, Jackson, Muir ; Young, i ; Bishop, Taylor, Warren; Young, ii.; Rutherford. Girls’ Class.—Holdsworth, McLean, Barnett, -Tames, Grey, Myers, Fraser, Young, Nathan, DeCastro, McKellar. ANNUAL REPORT. Mr. 0. P. Powles, secretary to the Board of Governor •, '-km read the annual report to the Board of the principal of the College, Mr. Kenneth Wilson. The report began by stating that the results of several important changes made during the year bad been entirely satisfactory, except in one particular. At the beginning of the second term, the vacancies in the staff were filled up by the appointment of Messrs. J. P. E. Franck, M.A., and T. Gammell, 8.A., as second and mathematical masters respectively. The report spoke highly of the zeal and energy displayed by these gentlemen, it being mainly due to their exertions that the College had not suffered much more severely from having the number of its staff decreased at the time it was undertaking a large amount of extra work. Thanks were accorded to Mr. Kirk for having undertaken the conduct of the two junior forms and a class of girls, in addition to the regular work of his department. The second important alteration made was the establishment of regular classes for girls, which were carried on for two hours daily. The number attending had been small, but Mr. Wilson expected that after the Christmas holidays there would be a considerable addition. Mr. Wilson thought all girls seeking admission to the College classes should be required to pass a standard equal to the 6th standard under the Elementary Education Act; but judging from the experience of the last two terms he was afraid that the 4th standard was as much as could be at present insisted upon. The attendance during the past year had been 118, a steady increase having taken place, except in the evening classes. The latter would not be resumed next term, as they involve too large an amount of labor to an overworked staff. In the rearrangement of the work rendered necessary by the alterations in the staff, Sir. Wilson had availed himself of Mr. Francis’s high qualifications, to give greater prominence to English work in the higher forms. He felt tore that this change bad been an improvement, though he though* h likely that the English work done in in.’nation would have suffered from the fact tin:' the schedule of work furnished to the examiner represented the work arranged for the year rather than that actually done. Regret was expressed that it had been found necessary this year to leave the conduct of the

examination (except in English and Natural Science) to the staff. In Latin, the work as a whole had been decidedly satisfactory, v. hil * in French and German it had been better :h m imiiL He could not say much for the Greek, the weakness however, being accounted fur by th e fact that only from one to two hours a week could be devoted to its study. In m ithemarics the work was good in Euclid, in which half the boys got over 75 per cent, and ••-rv fair in trigonometry. In arithmetic and algebra two boys. Harvey and Kirk, did very well, but the r-.-st were weak. Harvey had Well earned his senior mathematical prize, not only by getting over 75 per cent of the total marks in examination, but by good work thr- ughout the term. The most noticeable fact brought, out by the examination was the way in which the boys who had gone to the College Well grounded in English and arithmetic, notablv the scholars from the primary schools, bad kept their relative superiority in tlit-ir progress through the school, thus affording strong confirmation of the view that it the College is to do its own work properlv, it cannot also do that of a primary school. It would be necessary in future to insist on the observance of the regulatim recently passed by the Board, viz., that all candidates for admission should pass an examination corresponding to the fourth standard under the Education Aet, or should prodr.ee a certificate of haring passed that standard. Those who could not do this would do little good at the College, and would be a hindrance to others. The regularity of attendance bud been well maintained, but punctuality was not what it should be. For the primary scholarship examination sixteen candidates presented themselves, thirteen from town and three from the country. The work of most of the boys was quite up to the standard of former years. The successful candidate was George Easton, from the Thorndou school. Uwiug to the delay of the Suez mail, the Cambridge local examination had been postponed till the beginning of next terra. Tin.re were twelve boys and one girl entered for it, and there were eight going up for the University Entrance examination, to be held on the 29th instant. NATURAL SCIENCE. Mr. Bowles then read the report of Dr. Hector upon the above subject, as follows : “I beg to forward the results of the recent Christmas term examination in natural science. Owing to my al*?:«uce the papers had to be prepared by Professor Kirk ; but I feel convinced that the questions set are of a much higher standard than would havo been ventured on by an outside examiner. The answers as a whole show that Pn•lessor Kirk has not misplaced IB confidence in the degree of proficiency attained by his pupils, as they show evidence of a familiarity' with the subjects greatly beyond that disclosed by any examinations 1 have previously conducted. '(’he total number of pupils entered for examination is SS, but of these, four did not present themselves. Fifth Form.—ln this form there were only three candidates, both in zoology and botany, the highest, VV. H. Feild, getting SS per cent., and the lowest 50 per cent, of the possible marks. This is most creditable, as I consider the papers set as equal to those for the B. A. examination. Fourth Form. —In this there were IS candidates in zoology, and 17 in botany. The highest, J. T. Nott, gets 71 per cent, of marks in both subjects, and 12 of the list get over 20 per cent, in botany, and 14 over 20 per cent, in zoology, which is the proportion of marks required to enable in any subject to count in th*- University entrance examination. The equality of attainment shown by moat of the candidates in zoology and botany is very remarkable, and demonstrates that both subjects are taught with equal skill and assiduity. Third form,—The examination in this form, in which there are twenty-three candidates, is restricted to Momentary zoology, and all the papers obtained at least twenty per cent, marks, and eight of them over fifty per cent., the highest, W. F. Kitchen, getting ninety-ono marks out of a possible 300. Ladies.—Ten ladles were examined in botany, and the answers to the papers set show that the introductioti of this department of tuition into the College course has been very mccessful, as nine of the candidate- obt dne : at least one quarter of the prescribed marks, the highest, Miss .Holdsworth, getting no less than ninetytwo per cent. The College has, in my opinion, every reason to be satisfied with the results of the education it has afforded in natural science during the past term. Not only has there been a largo ioorea-e in the number - f pupils in this subject, but the standard reached is very miii’li in advance of that ever attained at former examinations except iu a few individual cases.” ENGLISH. Tho Kev. W. If. West, examiner iu the above subject, then read the following report : -- In compliance with your request 1 have examined the pupils at the College iu all the subjects of tho English course—the V., IV., and 111. forms by sot pipers, and the If, and I. forms rica i:oce. An inspection of the papers set in English History, Physical Geography, English Grammar, Shakspere’s “ Merchant of Venice,” and precß writing will give a better idea of what was demanded from the pupils than any general description on my part. I have to report in terms of unqualified praise of the work done by the Y. form in all the subjects. So one obtained less marks in any subject than such a prescribed minimum as represents respectable attainments ; the majority obtained nearly three-fourths of the marks aligned to each paper. The answering of Harvey for fullness, accuracy, and neatness is worthy of special mention. The work of the IV. and 111. forms in the several subjects is, upon the whole, creditable. The returns sent in show that a good proportion havo obtained more than half matli in each subject. The only subject in which the IT. form showed to little advantage was that of English History. It would hardly be fair to criticise the work done by the girls' class, as it has been but recently organised. Some of the pupils have done the IV. and 111. form papers in a manner most praiseworthy, and I am sure that another year will show results as regards the attainments of the girls, and their ability to compete with all comers in subjects prescribed, of a surprising snd gratifying character. Two-tbirds of the pupils of the 11. and I. forms show a fairly accurate acquaintance with the work of the year. A few are below the mark, and a few manifestly deficient.

No teaching, however excellent, can give a boy capacity and inspire him with a love of learning ; and if a pupil has the misfortune to enter such an institution as the College with what knowledge he has, in a scrappy, unre. lated, and unusable form, it takes some time to cure him of the vices of his former training and put him in a more excellent way. The results of this examination as a whole unquestinnably show good teaching, and downright toil on the part of the pupils. It is sometimes urged that collegiate education takes too much account of classics and mathematics, and that English is thrust into an inferior place. I can testify to you that, as far as one can judge from examination results, the subjects of the English course receive a fair and just consideration. It is gratifying to me to find that Shakspere is one of the regular subjects of study, as I am of opinion that English scholars are made very much after the method of classical scholars—not by devouring grammars exclusively, but by a minute, patient, prolonged attention to the best writings of the great masters. The way in which the several forms have done the Shakspere papers is most encouraging. lam quite sure that to train a boy to read a play—noting carefully the meanings of the words, investigating the constructions, and observing the beauties of thought and expression—is putting him in possession of a critical method which may become immensely serviceable. I regret to find that no systematic instruction in the art of elocution is given in the College ; I think it is a matter that deserves some attention. It is not unreasonable to suppose but that in the coming time some of the pupils of this institution may be called te the work of public speaking, and it is highly important that they should be taught so as to have something to say ; and it is of some importance that they should be instructed so as to say what they have to say in a manner impressive and forcible.

Mr. Wilsos then requested Sir William I'itzherbert to deliver the prizes, and in doing so said they did not give many, bat they endeavored to make those given worth having. Mr. Wilson having added some remarks, recapitulatory o£ what had appeared in fau report, ..-^rf Sir William Fiizheebert addressed., the audience. He spoke o£ the gratification it.waa to him at being called upon to preside upon this occasion. He had always takes asgteat interest in the college, and that interest had not abated now that the college had become a more important institution. He considered it a very high honor to preside, for if there was one thing in which honor was done to a mto. it was in placing him in a position to show ma interest in the most important work of tho city. Of what use was oar talking, unless on t acts followed upon our sentiments, however neatly or beautifully expressed ■ the latter may be. He advocated the display of a certain

esprit de corps in connection with this, as with other important work, and he was there to exhibit that esprit de corps, which he hoped would ever animate him. He was gratified at the large gathering on the occasion, and he referred to the fact that the people would attend with “ their aunts, cousins, and sisters,” and all the rest of it, to see one horse c mpete against another for first place ; but such an occasion as that was as nothing compared with the importance of the present. These boys were the future men of the place, and if they fail it would become necessary to import leaders of thought and action from other countries. He had been very much interested by listening to the business-like manner in which the serious work of teaching had been conducted. Perhaps because of the necessity of the case this Institution bad tried to do too much, for it had not only done its special work, but had filled up a void that for a long time existed in New Zealand with regard to its educational wants. He was happy to say that this void no longer existed, for the work now being done by the primary schools throughout the colony was of an admirable character, and therefore such institutions as these need be no longer handicapped. He spoke by the book when referring to primary schools, for he had recently been favored with the perusal of papers of an examination at a primary school, and the arithmetic could not well be surpassed. He was glad some provision bad been made for teaching girls, and be hoped this would be regarded as the promise of something better and more effectual for the future. After some further remarks Sir William distributed the various prizes. Mr. Brandon, chairman of the Board of Governors, made a few remarks, in which he spoke of the exertions which Sir William Fitzherbert had made on behalf of the College. He hoped, by Sir William’s continued exertions, the College would soon be on a better footing. He proposed a vote of thanks to Sir William, which was carried by acclamation. Afrer some farther remarks from Sir William Fitzherbert and Mr. Brandon, the proceedings terminated.