STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1919, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(rroni Our Own Correspondent.) (All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.) ST. MARY' SCHOOL. VISIT OB 1 BISHOP AVERILL. Nor. 13.

The annual gathering in connection witli St. Mary's Girls' School was held in the Parish Hall yesterday. The building was packed and great interest Vas taken in the entertainment given by the pupils, the speeches and other proceedings. Mr. Young, chairman of the Board of Governors, who presided, said that owing to the epidemic, two years had elapsed since they had met in a similar way. At the commencement of the year the school had been amalgamated with . the girls' school previously eonducted by Miss Stanford, at New Plyj mouth. This had given them the ser- ! vices of Miss Stanford, and the advantages of this were shown by the steady progress of the school. She had handled what might have been a very difficult position very successfully- There was at present a regular attendance of 2G boarders and a like number of day scholars. The previous year's gross revenue had been between £ISOO and £'l6oo. but last year it had increased to £2600, and he was pleasen to say that they were making er.<?s meet, though the institution, like others, liad been hit by the increased cost of living. Miss Stanford's motto had been "Work, work, work," and she had always been ready to do anything that would help the school or the church.

Miss Stanford submitted the report, which stftted that on the death of Miss Fleming at the close of 101S, she had, at the request of the Bishop and the Board of Governors, accepted the position of head-mistress. She had realised how devoted Miss Fleming had been to the school, and how far-reaching had been her influence on the characters of the pupils. At the close of 10] S there were 37 pupils on the roll, of whom 20 were boarders and 17 day pupils. Of these, 23, including f) boarders, had returned, and there was now 43 pupils, o! whom 27 were boarders. Excellent health had been enjoyed by the girls. Severals pupils from the middle schools would sit for their proficiency examinations in December, and six girls had been successful in the musical examinations held by Mr. Hathaway. These were Helen Atkinson and Averil Larson (harmony and rudiments). Helen Atkinson (advanced), Averil Larson, Hilda Lowrie, and Leah Keeling (practical). Since the erection of the new building it had been possible to devote more time to games. There were two grass tennis courts and one asphalt court, and the former were now used during all recreation hours from 630 a.m. It was the aim to make the girls self-governing during recreation hours, and prelects had been appointed to ensure discipline, j Parents were asked to insist that their girls should be punctual and regular during school terms, and were earnestly I advised not to take them away except. | for absolutely necessary things. Tl'.ey were also urged to allow their girls to remain at school longer than at present. .It was impossible to over-estimate the benefit of the last t.wo years at school—

from 10 to IS—when a girl was given a position of responsibility among her companions. There hart been more changes in the personnel of the staff during the year than had been usual, and she hod to thank both Misses Hamerton and O'Carroll, who had helped temporarily at short notice. To Miss Callinhromns and Miss Bates she owed a debt of gratitude for faithful work and loyalty throughout a very difficult year of transition. ITcr sister's work, more especially among the juniors spoke for itself- During the year, Miss Callophromas had received her B.A. degree. ■ The P.ev. Howard said Ihe school had just completed its fifth year. When they started they had only one pupil in view and the possibility of another later on. From this small beginning it had. grown till it was ah example in tone and character, and was worthy of respect and support, for it tended to the welfare and progress of the town. The amalgamation with Miss Stanford's school had been greatly to their advantage. After referring to Miss Stanford's high qualifications for the position, the speaker added that she had been a real link between the church and the school. Archdeacon Evans congratulated Miss Stanford and her staff on the success of the school, and the pupils on the excellent entertainment they had given, and stressed the great value of the assets of the district, among which were Miss Stanford and St- Mary's School. Bishop Averil], who was received ivith applause, said he felt it a great- privilege to be present. He had attended several similar gatherings in the Hall and had watched the development of Ihe school. He rejoiced in knowing that they had got a firm footing in Stratford, and. he hoped, in Taranaki. and trusted they would go forward with renewed energy and zeal. He congratulated the Board of Governors, and especially Mr. Young, on the progress made. He sympathised with them in their past anxieties, and rejoiced in their present prosperity. They owed him some gratitude for the appointment of their present headmistress, whose school at New Plymouth had been conducted on right lines. He congratulated her and her staff on the success with which they had passed through the difficulties had dangers of the transition period. What they had heard of the prosperity of the school showed that it was now thoroughly established. Thoughtful people were realising more and more that they must have something better than secular education, which liermit.ted what, was most important. If they were sroing to take their part in the empire they should give greater prominence to religion. Our present State system was

with some a kind of fetish, but the growing demand for education, including religious instruction, was shown by the increasing demands upon the Anglican schools. Touching on polities, the Bishop said that what they only needed at the present time were men of character, and he wanted to see men of good character returned, no matter what party tlicv belonged to. They wanted men who were prepared to give religion and Almighty God their proper place, and who would back up church schools. (Applause). The short dramatic performances "The Abbot" and Bluebeard" were most creditable, particularly good work bcinc done by Miss M. Besley and Miss K. Grant in the former, and by Miss JWcFargie and Miss M. Johnson in the latter. The selection by the toy land was remarkably good, and other items were given by Misses Till, Atkinson, A. Knuckey, M. Besley, and K. Grant. Songs were also given by the senior and junior pupils. At the conclusion 'ftfterconnti* ssmi-