MANUTAHI SCHOOL.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1131, 28 December 1883, Page 2

MANUTAHI SCHOOL.

Annual Treat

(From our Correspondent.)

On Friday, Dec. 21st, the annual treat, distribution of prizes, and breaking up of the school for the Christmas holidays took place. The forenoon being very wet, tended to mar the out-door sports. This to a great extent was made up for in the shape of an excellent spread given in the school-room and provided for the children by the ladies of the district. There were very few gentlemen present owing, no doubt, to the fact of a very large sale of stock and farm implements being held in Hawera by Mr Jackson, where many of our settlers had gone. Quite a number of ladies—mothers and friends were, however, present. The teacher, Mr Thomas, had the choosing of the prizes, and I must say he used great care in their selection. Some of the best prizes costing as much as 10s, were given to the best in high standards and for various degrees of proficiency. There was no feeling of jealousy amongst the youngsters, as each had been rewarded with a prize in usefulness and price according to their several degrees of merit, Mrs H. S. Peacock distributed the prizes. As each recipient came forward, Mrs Peacock urged them to persevere and hold their own in the school, while those who wore not so fortunate she encouraged to persevere, and next year to obtain first prizes. The little ones were evidently as well pleased with the kind words of encouragement as with the gifts. During the afternoon Din istmas carols were sung by the children, the visitors being well pleased with proficency shown in this branch. The following is the prize list : Prizes for marks earned during the year : sth Class—Ethel Gibson 1, Fanny Gibson 2, George Peacock 3. 4th Class—Mary Curtayne 1, George Morgan 2, Miriam Morgan 3, Mary Lister 4, Margaret O’Neil 5, Wm Edwards 6. 3rd Class—Arthur Lister 1, Norman Peacock 2, John Curtayne 3. In general information there.was, a separate competition. Seniors : Ethel Gibson ; juniors, Arthur Lister. Rapid arithmetic— sth class Fanny Gibson, 4ih clahS Margaret O’Neill, 3rd class John Curtayne. Spelling competition—sth class Ethel Gibson, 4th class George Morgan, 3rd class Nonnap Peacock,

Recitation—sth class Fanny Gibson, 4th class Mary Curtayne, 3rd class Norman Peacock, 2nd class Ronald Peacock.

Good conduct—girls’ division- Mary Lister, boys’ division George Morgan. Regular attendance—John Curtayne, who was present 433 times during the year. Mrs Peacock gave a special prize for the best bun made by any girl attending the school, this fell to Ethel Gibson, Several prizes were also given to the infant classes-

On the breaking up of the school, Mr Thomas left for Marton to spend the Christinas holidays with his parents.