OUR SCHOOLS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1988, 31 December 1889, Page 3

OUR SCHOOLS.

. .V ' ' v ST. SAVIOUR'S SUNDAY SCHOOL The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the above school took place on Sunday afternoon last at St. Saviour’s Church. There was*a large attendance of children, and a few ' parents and friends. After the opening services the Key. T. A. Hamilton delivered a brief address. He said that the books about to be awarded must be regarded more in’the light of presents than as prizes. They were practically gifts in acknowledgment of diligence rather than awards won in competitive examination. He pointed out that only by diligence would they succeed in after life, and the training they re- 1 ceived now would bear its good fruit in years to come. The Sunday School was not to be considered merely in the light of a place to spend an hour or so once a week: They came there to learn the truths and principles of their religion, so that in after life they might be able to give a reason for their Faith. Mr Hamilton then referred briefly to the festival of Christmas just concluded, The birth of our Lord, or as it was sometimes called the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, that is the taking upon Himself of the flesh with all its sorrows, was very properly celebrated by the Church, although many people disputed the accuracy of the date upon which the festival was held. The chief argument used by these objectors was that the shepherds at the cold season of the year would not have “ watched their flocks by night.” This was really no argument at all. In Syria, and he could speak from personal experience, it was frequently as warm in winter as the weather they experienced in a similar period of the year in New Zealand. The flocks, however, which these shepherds were watching were those which were kept all the year round for the service of the Temple, and no matter what the season they were carefully guarded. All other flocks were kept in the wilderness. The correctness of the fixture was, of little moment compared with the privileges which the fact of Christ’s birth accorded, but it was always well that people should have a comprehension of the two sides that were always presented of every question. Mr Hamilton then thanked the superintendent and the teachers for their services during the year, and announced that next Sunday they would be released from their work for the day. On the following Sunday the classes would be reorganised. The prizes were then awarded as follows: Standard Vl—Teacher, Mrs Hamilton. Boys: G* Langridge and T.

Wills 1, C. Opie 2. Girls : Elizabeth Palmer 1, N. Henderson 2, Ada Ackroyd 3, H. Ackroyd, 4, N, Wills and J. Pilbrow 5.,

Standard V.—Girls: Teacher, Mrs Wills Susan * Greaves 1, Nellie Fenton 2, A. Yoyee 3, A. Timson 4. Boys : Teacher, Mrs Gaze Wm. Fenton 1, J, Palmer 2, T. Edwards 3.

Standard IY.—Girls : Teacher, Mrs Langridge Mabel Wills 1, L. Mcßratney and G. Greaves 2, Mary Beeby 8, Jane Edgar 4. Boys: teacher, Mr Fendall —F. Radford 1, L. Goodeve 2, G. Mehrtens 3, Standard 111. Girls: Teacher, Miss F. Guy—M. Ackroyd 1, Lottie Gaze 2. Boys: teacher, Mr B. Langridg#—E. Lloyd 1, L. Radford 2, W. Higgins 3, A. Mann 4. Standardll.—Girls: Teacher, Miss A. Erwood—A. Mcßratney 1, Rosa Mackay 2, L, Radford 3. Boys: Teacher, Miss Sweet—Ernest Boulter 1, G. Claridge 2, G. Nicholas 3. Standard I.—Girls: Teacher, Miss Eliza Pilbrow —Lily..Timson 1, Ellen Edgar 2, Ada Bateman 3. Miss Rayner’a special prizes for attendance were awarded to Ellen Edgar, Lily Timson, and Nelly Beeby. R Division: Teacher, Miss Wills—Edith Oliver 1, M. Ackroyd 2, F. Ardell 3; Boys: Teacher, Miss LeMercier Frank King 1, Arthur Ackroyd 2, Arthur Davev 8.

Infants A.—Girls : Teacher, Mr A. Boulter Annie Nicholas 1, Mabel Radford 2, Minnie Hay 3. Boys: Teacher, Mr C. Horsman Wm. Mcßratney 1, Eugene Higgins 2, A. Olaridge 3, B. Lee 4. Infants B.—Girls; Teacher, Miss Ellen Pilbrow Neville 1, Qneenie Oldfield and M, Jackson 2, Lizzie Surridge 3. Infants C.~Girls: Teacher, Miss E. Greaves —M. Greaves 1, Eva King 2, E. Bryan 3. Boys: Teacher, Miss Ada Timsen C. Boulter 1, Wm, Boulter 2, C. Neville 3, H. Lee 4. This concluded the prize list. The certificates, thirty in all, awarded by the Diocesan Examiner at the recent examination, were then presented, and the younger children each received a choice commemorative card.

Mr Q-aze, the ex-Superintendent, then, fey request, gaye a brief address to the children, after which the proceedings terminated with the customary prayers, RANGITATA ISLAND -SUNDAY SCHOOL. The anniversary sermons in connection with the above school were preached by Mr Triverza, of Ashburton. The addresses were earnest and instructive, and were listened to by the congregation with pleasure and profit, On Christmas Day the annual treat was held, the weather being all that could be desired, and the attendance large. The tables were presided over by Misses Buck (2), Grainger, and Wright. After justice had been done to the good things provided, some games were heartily entered into, after which the school was cleared for a public meeting, which was presided over by Mr H. Wright, the superintendent, who, ofter some suitable temarks, called upon Mr J. Buck, the treasurer, to read the financial report, which was very satisfactory. During tha evening instructive addresses were given by Messrs T, Grainger (Methven), Barney, and Solomon, Tne Missas Grainger contributed a song, Mr H, Grainger presented the prizes to the children, with a few appropriate words. The choir also gave som* very nice selections during tbe evening, Miss S. Grainger presiding at the organ. Mr T. Grainger proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies and to all who had taken part in the proceedings, which was earned by acclamation. The singing of “We are Going Home,” and tbe pronouncing of the benediction, brought to a close a very pleasant day, all having thoroughly enjoyed themselves. HILTON SUNDAY SCHOOL. The annual treat in connection with the above school was held at Hakahu Bush on Friday last. The weather proved unusually favorable, and there was a good attendance. Abont 12.30 refreshments on the most liberal scale were handed round by a strong detachment of ladies, and partaken or with evident relish. Mr George Steven, headmaster of Hilton School was present, and soon had the young people busy at various games. A choice selection of toys was tastefully arranged, and esch pupil was presented with some pretty and useful article. Mr H. Skinner, chairman of the Hilton School Commitiee, in presenting the prizes at the request of Mrs Woodley, referred to the valuable service that lady had rendered the district in carrying on the Sabbath school in spite of increasing years and delicate health, but with untiring energy, during the last fourteen years. He urged upon the pupils the importance of regular attendance and strict attention to their teachers. A very neat little book was then handed out to every pupil attending the school. At the request of Mr Steven three ringing cheers were given to Mrs Woodley and her assistant teachers, Misses Rooke, Pawson, and C. Drake. A similar compliment was paid to Mr and Mrs Hay, who bad sent the children their best wishes and a handsome donaliou to the treat. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Skinner with much entbasiasin. After more games and more refreshments, a start was made for home. Among those present waa Mr Thomas Hughes, of the Papanui school, and formerly head master of the Hilton school, and Miss Meredith, of the Westport Girls’ School and formerly mistress of Hilton school, two of she most earnest and successful teachers in the public service, WOODBURY SCHOOL. The annual distribution of prizes took place at the above school on Christmas Eve, Mr Moore, of Geraldine, having kindly consented to distribute the same, Mr Dean, chairman of the school, who occupied the chair, on rising, said ft gave him great pleasure to see so many happy apd smiling faces, and briefly introduced Mr Moore, who made a lengthy address to ’ t ha children, and urged upon them the

of good behavior, tidy appearance, and strict attendance to their school duties.

Prizes to the numbsr of 99 wore then distributed, the chief ones being awarded ns follows ;

Standard Vll.—Elizabeth Uormack, 1 ; Alice 6lanvilie, 2. S undard VX Flora Webb, 1 ; Louis:; Healley, 2 ; J-na Ritchie, 3. , .Standard Y.—lda Webb, 1 ; Lily Glanville, 2 ; Augustine Godwin, 3, Standard IY.—Elizi Ri'chie, 1 ; Louisa Wooding, 2; John Macdonald, 3. Standard lll,—Alice Webb, 1 ; Robina McKenzie, 2; Joseph Webb, 3. Standard ll.—Athol Wsbb, 1; Angus Wilson, 2 ; William Carmack, 3. Standard I.—Thomas Groundwater, 1; Lily Stewart, 2 ; Herbert Cooling, 3, Seventy-nine extra prizes were distributed to the remainder of the scholars, after which the children loudly.applauded Mr Moore.

Mr Greaves, the head master, spoke at some length on the advantages of regular attendance and earnestness of purpose, and t impressed upon the minds of the parents the desirableness of keeping their children at school as much as possible, unless they wished them to become hewers of wood and drawers of water. Mr Greaves was greatly applauded. Mr Flatman, one of the members of the committee, also gave a short address to the children, the result being deafening cheers.

Mr Moore then told the children they should show their appreciation of the committee’s endeavors in giving them such valuable prizes, which was heartily responded to. Mr Dean, chairman of the committee, returned tbanks, and wished them all “ A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.” A vote of thanks to Mr Moore for the very able manner and kindness he bad shown on this occasion concluded the proceedings. WAITOHI ELAT. The heavy downpour of Monday afternoon, although doubtleia very welcome to farmers, went far to mar the enjoyment of the scholars •attending the Waitohi Elat School, who had 1 been invited to celebrate the festive season by joining in sports, etc., on the school grounds, Shortly after 3,2 o’clock the children began to assemble, and by about 1 p.m. some 70 or 80 of both sexes wero present, A large number of parents and friends, together with the members of the committee, also came to assist in promoting the enjoyment of the young folks. Every arrangement had been made for an elaborate programme of sports, but the ever increasing downpour effectually stopped everything in‘the shape of races, and it was quickly seen that the only pleasant place waa likely to be the schoolroom. Under the circumstances preparations for refreshment were pushed forward, and at about three o’clock Mr D. Cunningham, who presided over the Bohea, announced that the “billy boiled." Miss Cunningham promptly headed a bevy of fair damsels; whose own schooldays ooald not have been far distant, and the youngsters were.soon busy io discussing an unusually early but exceptionally good tea. This disposed of, the parents and friends, to the number of ebout thirty, wtre duly regaled, the merry din of the youngsters playing meanwhile on the verandah and in the side school, showing little trace of disappointment. They wore enlivened by some capital music supplied by Mr Thornley, junr., and were generally as merry as if the day was made specially for them. In due course, it being evident that sports were out of the question, the children were assembled in the schoolroom, and addressed by Mr Eraser, the chairman of the committee, who expressed regret that their festival should have been marred by unpropitious weather. The school, he was glad to say, had been steadily progressing, and he hoped that they would continue to appreciate the privileges of learning as they had done in the past, He then invited the children to come out in their respective standards, and seleet each a gift from a table spread with all sorts of toys such as children prize. It was found that there was enough and to spare, and the children evidently considered this method of distribution quite equal to a competition in which some were bound to lose. Packets of lollies and Christmas cards were also distributed, adding to thcLgenorat satisfaction, Mr Graham, the a very hearty vote of thanks to the committee who bad arranged the treat that day. Mr Eraser returned thanks on behalf of the committee, with whom he said the care of the ahildren, apart from their education, was not only a duty, but a labor of love. He expressed the deepest thanks for the services of the ladies who had assisted that day and on all previous occasions, and paid special tribute to Miss Cunningham, Three hearty cheers were given for the committee tnd assisting friends, and the gathering dispersed.