SCHOOL PRIZES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1326, 11 April 1885, Page 2

SCHOOL PRIZES.

TO THE EDITOR. • Sir, —Would you kindly allow me space in the columns of your valuable journal to make a few remarks on the distribution of prizes to ehildren attending schools. It is customary, I believe, to assemble all the children, both the victors and the vanquished, in the same room, distribute the prizes to the successful competitors and make the usu«d congratulatory remarks suitable to the occasion, a great many of the children's parents and friends being present at the time. While all this is going on we have ignored the fact that there arer present dozens of little hearts almost bursting with chagrin and disappointment who are battling hard with themselver, to keep back the tears. Why not allow them to remain away ? or, better still, why not give them something, no matter how small? for it is very little that makes a child happy. Some say it excites the spirit of emulation within. Well,it may in some, but there are children so peculiarly sonsiiive to ridicule and defeat that it were a mercy to allow their absence on such occasions. I am not the only one that holda the abovo

opinions ; several purents have spoken to me on the same subject. Apologising for taking up so much of your valuable space on what may appear a paltry subject, I am, etc., T. BoWKETT. Geraldine, April 7th, 1885.