Matawhero Public School.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 907, 8 January 1881, Page 5

Matawhero Public School.

The annual examination was held in the Matawhero Schoolroom on Thursday, 23rd ult. The Rev. John Me Ara, with his usual kindness, came forward and conducted the examination, assisted by Mr Agnew Browne, who took a great interest all through. Standard 111. were the first called forward, and they acquitted themselves well, to the entire satisfaction of the rev. gentleman, who, all through, kept them pretty busy at their work, while Mr. Browne was putting Standard IV. through English History. It was gratifying to see the children so eager for their task, and not one was known to fag during the hours of fatigue. After the examination was over Mr. Agnew Browne, in an amusing address to the scholars, said that when he came to examine them he found that the children ought to be examining him, as they knew the subjects much better than he did himself. This seemed to please the School. Mr Browne wound up by telling them that he would next year offer prizes for sewing and knitting, and that he hoped that many of them would try hard for the awards, which would be of the same class as those givenjby Mr Russell, of Hawke’s Bay. Mr McAra then called on Mr McFarlane, who was one of the committee, and who was present from the beginning of the examination, to say a few words. Mr McFarlane, who was taken by surprise, then stood up, and addressed the children at some length, in an urgent manner, on the necessity of regular attendance at school; that it was impossible for the most earnest teacher to instil knowledge into his pupils unless they attended regularly; that coming one day and remaining away two, was no way to get on ; that children knew very little of how they discouraged their master in his work by stopping at home. He was much pleased in hearing such correct answering from the various Standards, and complimented the children on having such an earnest master as Mr Bolton to instruct them. Mr McAra then rose and said, he endorsed all that was saidbyMrM’Farlane, and that it was pleasing to him, as examiner, to find the Matawhero children do so well; and that it was partly due to the kindly feeling that existed between master and pupils, and that it was a good sign to see manifestations of such feeling existing in all schools without which, there can be, but little progress made. Mr. McAra illustrated to the pupils clearly, the necessity of induction in a good education, and compared a schoolboy to a mason laying the foundation of a great edifice. “He first lays the mortar, then the brick, securing it well, he measures it to try if it is in its proper place, the next layer is then put on in the same manner and so on, until it is raised into a grand fabric, but if the foundation is carlessly put together the whole construction will soon collapse and end in a complete failure.”

Mr. McAra then awarded the prizes to the successful competitors, accompanied by a few stimulating words. The following pupils received prizes for their work : —

Standabd VI. —Mary Parker, Ist prize for highest marks during the year, also for attention to her work, and good answering. Emily Baty, Ist prize for Composition and Spelling. W. Allen, 2nd prize for good general knowledge and Writing. Standabd IV. —G-. Brocklebank, Ist prize for good General Knowledge and attention to his duties, Mary Wall, Ist prize for Writing and Diligence. T. Howarth, Ist prize for Arithmetic and attention. Lena and Robina McFarlane, two handsome prizes, for Exercises and continued earnestness in their work. James OcDonald, Ist prize for good Attendance Jand Arithmetic. Alice Allen 2nd prize Reading and attention to her work. Kate Robb, Ist prize Reading. H. Weston, 2nd prize for Diligence and Perseverance. J. Wall, 2nd prize, General Knowledge.

Standabd lll. —Tottie Allen, Ist prize good General Knowledge and constant attention to her studies. Jane Baty, Ist prize for Writing.

Esta Wright, Ist prize for good General Knowledge. A. Skipworth, Ist prize for Arithmetic and good conduct. Clara Anderson, 2d prize, for attention to her work while in school. Bridget O’Donald, 3rd prize, for good general knowledge. Kate O’Donald, 4th prize, attention to her studies. John Wall, sth prize, Reading, Writing, and Spelling; this little boy, through perseverance, has obtained a high position in his class. Standabd 1. —Charles Wright, Ist prize, for Reading and Writing. Esta Benson, Ist prize, for good general knowledge, good answering, and attendance. Gordon Ball, 2nd prize, Reading, Writing, and attention to his studies. Tangi Coppin, the smallest boy in the school, managed to run away with a prize for reading and writing. Other prizes were awarded, but it would take up too much room to enumerate them, but I can say that they have all done well. Mr McAra then asked Mr Bolton to get the pupils to sing. Some very pretty glees and rounds were well performed by the children, accompanied by Mr Bolton at the harmonium. I may state that I have never heard better singing in any public school before; the pupils have been well trained, and are a great credit to their instructor. The Rev. John McAra addressed the scholars, and asked for three hearty cheers for the committee. He then proposed three more for Mr Bolton, their teacher. Mr Bolton said he was sorry the names could not be put in all the prizes, as they only arrived late the night before, but at the close of the holidays he would do so. He hoped they would enjoy their holidays, and meet again refreshed for their duties ; he thanked the gentlemen who came forward and took such a warm interest in their welfare, and proposed three hearty cheers for Mr McAra and Mr Brown. After the pupils going through the necessary drill they dispersed in single file, singing as they left, and no doubt anxious to get home to show their parents the results of their diligence. [Communicated.]