BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1916, Page 7

BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL.

PRIZE DAY. There w'as a good attendance at the Good Templar Hall yesterday afternoon, when the brcaking-up ceremony in connection with the Plymouth Boys' High School -was held. 'The stage was tastefully decorated with flowers, a distinct feature being the table, on which was displayed numerous trophies, com■prising shields, cups, belts, etc. Mr. D. Hutchen (chairman of the High School Boardjf presided, and there were also on the platform: Mr. C. H. Burgess i(Mayor), Mr. H. .T. H. Okey, M.P., Messrs. H. Trimble, P. W. Atkinson, J. S. Fox, K. P. Webster, R. VV. 1). Robertson, and Dr. Fookes (members of the Board), W. Bcwlejr (secretary), ilr. W". H. Moyes (Principal of the school), and several members of the' staff. Apologies were received for the absence of Messrs. 0. Samuel, M.L.C'., S. G. Smith, T. 0. Hirst, and Ballantyne.. In his opening remarks, the Chairman expressed his gratitude at seeing such a large attendance of parents, who took 'an interest in the schools. Mr. Moyes and his staff certainly" stood in need of sympathy and support, as they had experienced trying times during the year, first through a depleted staff, owing to masters having gone to the front or to" other schools, and-the impossibility of replacing thehm, necessitating the school working short-handed; then the'unfortunate outbreak of infantile paralysis at the beginning of the year generally disarranged the school. There was ' the great loss caused by the fire, which destroyed portion of the school building and the gymnasium. The school was greatly indebted to the Jockey Club for the use of its building, but conditions were quite unsuitable for school work. (Mr. Moyes, with his staff, had shown great resource ii} meeting and overcoming all difficulties, and for this were deserving of every thanks.

ANNUAL REPORT. The principal (Mr. W. H. Moyes) reported as follows: In presenting the thirty-fifth annual report of your school, I have to'record a year beset with difficulties. Early in the first tcrni the school was closed through a ease of sickness, and at the close of the second term the disastrous fire which destroyed the class rooms necessitated a second break in the' school work.

Alterations to the staff, owing to the war, have further increased our difficulties, and have left us short-handed for the greater part of the .year. Nevertheless, 1 hope this report will sliow that good work has been done in all departments of the school, and that, in spite of the consistent ill fortune that has attended us, everything possible has been done to counteract the disadvantages under which we have labored. It' is with deep regret that I have to report the death, from infantile paralysis, of Douglas Edward Candy, ("iood at games, hard-working in- school, and of a courteous and-kindly disposition, he was a great favorite both of masters and boys, and was, I hope, the type of boy that characterises this school. In the full possession of his faculties to the iast, he facecl the end with sp'endid (oura'ge and resignation, a'nd though the school is poorer for the loss o£ such as, he, the noble manner in which he accepted the .inevitable will always re-, main as an example to those who were fortunate enough to be numbered amongst his friends.

•Tlie .Roll.—-The number of names on tije roll again creates a record. Eightyfour new have 'been entered, and i during the year -243 toys have attended the - school. Of these 95 have been boarders and 148 day .boys. It will thus be seen that the numbers have indr&scd from 71 in l!ll>2 to-243 in 191' G. . Examinations.—The result of the November and December -examinations were quite up to expectations. Two candidates, L. 3. Eyre and V. S. Mo"M'iirray, were entered for the first terms universjty examinations, and botli were 'Successful.' J. K. Terry, C. Yates, A Huse, N. Quilliam, 0. Bayly, H. Lucena, A. R. Callander and R. Monteath passed matriculation, while partial passes were gained by D. Mackie, K. Brokenshire and H. Gibson. Three candidates, W. Alexander, D. Winfield and R. Monteath, , entered for .and passed the Public SerI vicq Senior Examination. The Public Service Entrance was passed by A. R. Callander, R. Monteath, D. Winfield, IC. Cleznow, F. JCin'e. E. Martin, J, Fouliy

and X. Elie'rm. Senior o\ationaf Scholarships were won by A. 1!. Calender, K L. Tansey and If. W. Atkinson, while G. Webster wqs the winner of both a Junior Xational Scholarship' and the Bayly Memorial Scholarship. I am glad say tliat the class foif\ University terms students has again been in existonce this year, and been attended bv four boys. One of these, L. G. Eyre, left us at the end of the second term to become a hiember of tile Expeditionary Force, and was therefore unahl" to sit for the examination at the e>:d of the year. From the high quality of I;is work during the'past two years wo had every reason to believe that he \voull have been successful had he renminbi at school. Of the others, V. S. AlcMurrny was successful in passing his second terms examination, and 0. Bayly ami J. K. Terry completed the first rear's examination in law. Four boys failed in matriculation and four in the Public Service Entrance.

The stafi'. —As Ihave already staled, the war lias been the cause of many alterations to the stall'. Mr. I\F, Ma'donald left at the end of the first term and Mr. Searle at the. beginning of the third term to join the reinforcements. Mr. A. Diprose resigned at the end of tlie second term in order to accept a position under the Wellington College Board. The vacancies caused by the departure of the above mast*" - ,? not yet all been filled, but ever;' endeavor will be made to engage a ful' complement of teachers before the school opens in 1017. Since war was dec'arci eight members of the staff havd volunteered for active service. J resr.'ei lo say that of these Mr. V. J. B. Hall lias made the supreme sacrili"9, and that Mr. E. H. Espiner has returned to New Zealand suffering from nry ser'ons wounds received in France. I would like to place on record my appreciation of the great interest taken in tbo school by masters who are atr.enfc on active service. Without exception, a : I continue to write to ( the boys who wore under them, and in spite of' the dangers by which they are surrounded their . thoughts are always with us. In particular I wish to thank Mr. C. J. ikmulyn a!nd Mr. H. V. Searle, nh > have both devoted a. consider-iVc portion of their military pay to the purchase -sf handsome challenge trophies which arc. to be awarded this afternoon. .At tlie beginning of the year, owing fo tlie, clif- . ficulty experienced in stalling. ;he upper school, it was decided to transfer Mr. C. CI. Bottrill from the preparatory department. He has therefore severed his connection with the preparatory Hiool, of which he was in charge, and has been attached to thq upper school sti.tT, The staff has more recently been enlarged by the appointment of Mr. F. \V. Christian, of the Ocean Bay school, and of Mr C. H. Wynyard. who was formerly as ' sistant master at Te Ante College. • , -The Curriculum.—With one or twe exceptions this remains the same ai that of last year. In history the ncr'iM covered in each form has been that.cx 1 tending from 17«57,t0 -1912, and an in creased number of boys took this °nb ject for 1 examination. As this is th period during which Britain eirieiwi a a world power, an endeavor has licc-i ' made to trace the causes and effects o 1 that movement. ' Hence.colonial liistor; and the relations existing between th ! Motherland and tjie colonies have beei an important section of the study, Fre queilt lessons, especially in the uppc ' forms, have been given dealing with th nature of and the necessity for Fmper ialism. It is hoped that, as a result those who have studied this subject nil take a more intelligent interest in tli great national problems which will un . doubtedly absorb our attention afti the war. Throughout the curriculun • the mother-tongue lias been made tli staple of instruction. A co-orflinatei course has been drawn up, with a'viev to developing a command over the lan ' guag?, first, from the standpoint o comprehension. and, second, from th standpoint of expression, both oral am written. An attempt has been made t instil a taste for literature. There fore all classics and set books .itndiei have been treated as literature, and no as quarries, whence may be obtainei material for parsing, analysis, para phrasing and other perversions of mas terpieces. An endeavor has also beei made to improve the.pupils' use if jra English. Crude pronunciations, clip ping of words (especially final "onson antsi, confusion of. vowels and otlie common faults have been dealt with Every lesson in evefy subject is a lea son in English, and this fact lias no been lost siglit of. Owing to the difli culties encountered by the school, w have been unable to do as much in thi respect as we l>ad planned and hoped But something has been done, and ncx year, we hope,, nijuch irtore will be done In addition to' tlie. general and -pceia instruction' in English, a three year; course in commercial English has bee: provided. This course includes commer cial correspondence, precis, indexing etc., and leads up to the Public.Servic Senior Examination. So far as pDssibl the courses in Latin, French and Englisl have been closely co-,ordinated, and. eac' language treated as a dialect of th great Aryan speech. Tlie agriculture class, continues to increase in number; thirty 'boys having attended the cours during the year. The work in . iqnnct tion with agriculture has now assume a new phase. A.ll additional eight acre of land have been leased, and thesi witlr the 1 five acres under cultivation have made possible an organised systei of combined •instruction in dairy scienc and agriculture. At present three cow are' being milked by the boys in th class, and tlie. milk is supplied to th boardinghouses. The work of ploughing harrowing, rolling, etc., is now bein done entirely bv the boys themselves and I feel confident tlmt the neiv ?y----tein will result in the boys gaining much sounder 'knowledge of . the pr:u tical side of farm life than has been tli case ill. the past. connection wit the agriculture, Mr. Falconer is intrc dueing a system of farm book-kcepinf which will enable a close comparison t ba made Tjetwcen the :ost of suppl; and the returns obtained. I desire t tender my thanks to Sir. Deem and t Mr. Barry, of the Agricultural Depart ment, for the great interest they liav taken in the work and for the valuabl assistance and advice thejp have so fre quently given. The School Institutions.—ln spite o the many drawbacks, it is gratifying t be able to report that all jtlie; selioc institutions have had a successful yeai Success in these departments of schoc life is, of course, largely due to the ec tfiusiasm displayed-by-the boys, but- i must be remembered that .without ur stinted ; labor on the part of the master very little could be-: accomplished, wish to take this opportunity of thank ing the numbers of my staff for th manner in which they have ungrudging ly given, up practically all their spar time in order to maintain the standar reached in past years. In shooting, tli success- achieved is worthy of specia notice. Owing to the want of rifles am to tlie-'diffinuitv of pbtainin# animun

tion, the work on the lon® range has I naturally suffered. Teams were, however, entered for the schools of. the Empire matches, and were fortunate in j gaining second place in the senior an.l in tho junior competitions. On the miniature range a special effort has ■bceen made, aiid, owing mainly to the able coaching of Mr. Searle, the various teams have reached a standard never before approached. Three, teams were entered for the Imperial Clialjengo Shield competitions, in which 323 teams from all parts of tho Empire compete;]. It is with a feeling of pride that I am able to announce that the Xew Plymouth High School was first for the Empire, both in the senior and in the junior competition, and also third in the senior. In recognition of this fine performance, Colonel Schumacher has kindly donated a special prize of £2O, in addition to the usual prize money. This is, 1 understand, the first occasion on which any New Zealand school has gained either first, second or third place in this competition, and the importance of the achievement is shown by the numerous congratulatory messages that have reached us from all parts of the Emjjire.

In football the chief interest was centred in the Te Aute College match, which was won by the school, after a strenuous game, by nine points to three. This win has proved conclusively that the standard of football in Taranaki schools is not below that of the rest of the Dominion, and that our fifteen, if given the opportunity, could reasonably be expected to make a creditable showing against the average secondary school teams of New Zealand.

The school library has this year received special atteni'on. Five hundred and thirty-five volumes, comprising largely books of reference, have been added to the shelves, with the resu't that the school now possesses a librarv that affords valuable help to the more advanced pupils. In this connection our thanks are dun to' Mr. F. Messenger, who kindly donated a set of the Encyclopaedia Britanniea, and to Mrs. D'Arcy Robertson, for the gift of a valuable set of books on English literature. It is still a matter for regret that tho library is not made more life Of by day-boys, and I hope that in futures parents will insist on their becoming subscribers. Not (he least important of the school institutions is ''The. Tarana,kian," which has just concluded the fifth year of its existence. In it a- consistent endeavor has.been made to realise'the true functions of a school magazine, and all extraneous matter has been excluded. It contains an authentic record of all school activities and events; and yje have tried to make "The Taranakian" a bond between Old Boys and the school and between Old Boys and Old Boys. We take this opportunity of stating that the magazine is not written by the masters.

Regular classes were held in swimming and life-saving during the first term, with the rqsult that the standard of swimming has noticeably improved. A large number of boys competed for tlia certificates awarded bv tlie New Zealand Amateur Swimming. Association, ■with the following .results:—V. R. McMurray was awarded a teacher's and honorary instructor's certificate, nine boy* were awarded the bronze medallion, 19 the certificate of merit, 01 the certificate of proficiency, and 4 the elementary certificate. The school has to thank Messrs Stohr, Christiansen and Schwartz for much valuable help, and also' Mr. Swanson, for a donation towards the swimming funds. The classes were under tlii- control of Mr. McKinney ami Mr. Diprose, to whose efforts much of the success achieved is due. The Preparatory School.—This section of the' sejiool has now '.reached its maximum strength. Sixty-two pupils have been in attendance during the year, itnd this number cannot be increased unless more accommodation is provided. Since the transfer of Mr. Bottrill to the upnnr i.hool this* department has been unde ;

:o control of Mr. -McKinney, who has been ably assisted by Miss K. Winfield, Fourteen pupils were entered for the recent examinations. Of these eight gained proficiency certificates, three gained competency, and three failed—a result which, I think, must be considered in every way satisfactory. Music.—During the year musical woik has' been continued with the closest attention. The useiof pianos in small and separate rooms has been felt to be of the greatest help, as one piano is. net distracting to another. Parents are reminded of the benefit to be derived from practical examination work, as when in conjunction with regular study it proves of tho greatest assistance. orchestra has been working with constant zeal, and., lias made great progress. In this connection I may add that the need of more instruments is felt and that should these be forthcoming there will be na difficulty in finding boys to make use of them. Thanks to the generosity of eral gentlemen in the town, I have been able to purchase a set of baud instruments at a cost of £.95. It is perhaps premature to make any remarks with reference to this, but from W'littt I have seen of the work of the hoys under Mr. McLeod, I am certain that in a few months a creditable ; combination will be forthcoming. Two bovs entered for examinations during the year. W. Traill, a pupil of Miss Pike, gained a pass in the rudiments of music, and A. Bothamley, a pupil of Miss Dowling, passed with honors. . / The Old Boys.—lt is with mingled' feelings of pride and sorrow that I once, again refer to tho" Old Boys. Pride in. the fact thai in this greatest war of all time so many have answered the call, and sorrow at the thought that many of them have left us never to return. The 1 number of Old Boys serving his Majesty continues to grow from month to month. Sixteen have given their lives for their King and Empire, and thirty have been wounded. The school will always ret' member with pride the response that Old Boys. have made in this time of trial. Their devotion to duty and their spirit of sacrifice will ever remain a living influence in the school. Xo refer* enee, to this gallant band would be' complete did I neglect to mention the school spirit shown "by the younger 01.1 Boys, who, although .under the military age, have given their lives gladly for the cause of righteousness. The school has been deeply touched to learn that Corporal Ronald White and Private George Bcndall, who met their deaths on thciv battle front in. France, had 'left bequests to their Alma Mater. Such a spirit is a sure sign that the school hits left her mark on her sons. A memorial brass has been placed in the school dining hall to Lieutenant Harper Leppor, who fell while fighting gallantly in Mesopotamia. Other brasses will be erect-, cd in' the near future, and I shall be , pleased to give information to any par- | ents who would like such a'form of com- 1 memoration. ' ,

In conclusion, I. wish to "'thank nil those who have so kindly assisted trie school during the year. In particular I desire to tliank Dr. and Mrs. Walker, Dr. Fookes and others, who, by' their generosity, have aiadje it possible fos

tlie Camera Club to replace most of tlio material' destroyed by the fire. On behalf of the boysT also wish "to express appreciation- for tlie assistance that has enabled ,'tbem to. make good a portion of the losses which unfortunately most of tliem sustained. . To the Board I feel that I owe a deep debt of gratitude. On not one occasion have my roqiie&ls, been refused, and, thanks to their.'enterprise, the school now possesses hoarding accommodation second to none in the-Dominion. Nor must I forget the prefects and senior boys, who have throughout the year worked indefatigably to place their school in the front ranfc. Lastly, I wish to thank the Press for the unfailing assistance they have, at all times given us. ' . | CHAIRMAN'S' ADDRESS. The Chairman said that Mr. Moyes and stall' deserved to be congratulated upori the successful work of the year. The record in the Imperial Shield competition must have been some consolation.for the difficulties of the year. He then' referred at some length to the need for rebuilding the Boys' School (reported elsewhere).

PRIZE, LIST (PREPARATORY SCHOOL Form Cb.—First, F. C. Gilmour; second, C. A-. McNeill. .Form Ja. —First, G. Walker; second, MncDiarmidl Form ll.—First, M. Lysons; second, B. Blundell. ■ Form lib.—First, S. Fookes; second, K. Neal. Form Ila First, W. Mackay; second, P. Griffiths. ' " Form lll.—First, 11. Barak; second, A. Candy. UPPER SCHOOL .Form Till).-—First in form, 45. Bedford; second in form, P. Guscott and R. Wills (equal); languages apd literature, B Hutchen; mathematicft and science, E. Bedford; histqry, K. Bedford; drawing, E. Knuckey; agriculture, P. Guscott. Form Ilia. —First in form, X, Waddle; second in form, C. A. 'Xoble; languages and literature, X, Waddle; mathematics and science, C. A. Xobl-'; history, N. Waddle; drawing, S, White; book-keeping, C. Hill. Form IV.—First in form, E. Boultdft; second in form, E. Reeves; languages and literature, E. Boulton; mathematics and science, C. Zinsli; history, C. McKay; drawing, E. Johns; bqok-kee'ping, L. Wood; agriculture, W. Heuson.

Form V. —First in form, H. Goss; second in form, R.Greiner; languages and literature, K. C. Roberts; niatheniati.'J and science, D. Doile; history, R/ Greiner; drawing, K. C. Roberts; boo!»\ keeping, C, Way; agriculture, R. Seown Form Vlb.—First in form, R. Kidd; second hi form, R. Lealand: languages and literature, R. Lealand; mathematils and sciehde, R. Kidd;' history, A. McHardy; drawing, Jf. C. Fookos. Form.yia,,—First in form, K. Brokenshire: second in form, C. C. Yates; dux medal, K. Brokeushire; general excellence cup (presented by Br. Fookes), V S. McMurray; head boy's medal, V, & McMurray; Bayly Memorial Scholarship. S. Webster. THE PRIZES. The prizes won at the school during tlie year were then presented, Mr. Okev presenting the certificates, which were awarded in lieu of prizes for wholtlstic attainment, and jlr.s. Hutchcn the sports trophic.®.

The Mayor congratulated Mr. Moyes i and the staff upon the rapid advance . that the school had made during the past ! few years—an advance that he thought would continue. They had an energetic principal and an .energetic board, and he i felt that they would overcome all lifHcillties and get the necessary Government grant towards the school. He then gave the lads some advice on the necessity of discipline, and urged those who were leaving) the sch'ool to be thorough in whatever they did. We were inclined, ho said, to take things too easily, and that was probably the reason why we ■were up against tlie present, trouble, because the other nations thought that we were too lazy and too fond of sport, though they had found their mistake. If' the war had not come on when it did, the Empire would have;had a. hard fight to get back the'commercial supremacy that it had gradually lost, Tt therefore depended on the present generation to, see that they worked as thoroughly as' their : eneniie's, and if they did. they would do more 1 than hold their own;' for fhc-y could beat the enemy. Mr. 11. ,7. Okey,-M.P., congratulated the, boys on the success achieved in shooting. He doubted whether the boys quite realised thtt responsibility that the war had placed on them. Owing to so many of the present generation being put •put of action, the boys were really advancing two steps, and they should be .prepared. Personally lie thought next ■year would tell wonders in connection with the war, The Germans were beginning to show that they had had enough, feut we would not give up before the enemy was properly beaten. '. There would be no peace before it could be guaranteed that it would be « lasting cue. Of course the boys might he wanted yet., so ijlicy should be prepared. After, ,the war .producers-would.be wanted, .ap'' it would .be ncccssa'ry to .double our .pro-, notion, ■■ So lie .w/is. pleased to learn tliajfc uuuiy of tile lftd&.liai) deefded to spend, their holidays tin farms. " . Mr. F, W, Atkinson impressed on the lads tne necessity ot learning to concen'tfate, and said that if he gave them a sermon lie would take for the text: ■'Whatever my hand;! find to do I will do it with all ,my might." He also pointed out that .the lads.,had the making of the Kelioaf j'trnditions, and thej' ,should aim. at something of which they could be proud. Dr. Fookes, as an old boy, contrasted the advantages enjoyed to-day with those of his time, and urged tiie boys Jo sec that the school did not. suffer at their hands. Talking to the lads about to enter the world as so many craft set upon the ocean, he stressed the need of steering clear of any obstacles they might see, also of submarines and tor- ' p.edoesy whij;hV-ithcy did not see; but ' which Would wreck their careers. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the programme.