THE LAWRENCE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE GOLD MEDAL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 158, 16 February 1871, Page 6

THE LAWRENCE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE GOLD MEDAL.

(To the Editor.)

Sib, — From a report in your paper of the first monthly meeting of the new School Committee, I notice that a conversation took plaGe with reference to the competition for the next gold medal. I feel very much surprised and annoyed to think that this gold medal farce is to be repeated. In the first place, when it is remembered that a gold medal of similar value is one of the greatest prizes in the Universities of the mother country, the farce of the Lawrence School aping Trinity College, Dublin, or the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford and London, will become more apparent. In fact, I very much doubt if the attainments of any scholar in the Lawrence School merit a medal 4>f any kind, except perhaps a leather one, with stilts in it. Perhaps it may be argued that the Lawrence School being now a "grammar" school, takes a higher atatua than formerly ; but why tbe^ simple addition o£ two teachers, whose knowledge of Lindiey Murray is not too extensive, should transform a district school into a *♦ grammar" gchool, I cannot clearly raako out. if tho prizes were low in aum-

ber, there might be sjtne excuse, but when it is considered that one hundred and seventy-seven prizes were given away, I think it is time to cry, " Hold ! enough !" without further distinguish- ! ing the » King of the kids " by the presentation of a £5 gold medal, I think the object sought to be attained by the giving of prizes would be much better accomplished if this indiscriminate distribution of books were abolished, and the number of prizes reduced to one-third or onefourth. If, however, the present committee should decide that two hundred books should be again given away at the next examination, I would suggest that one hundred of them should be works on subjects connected j with education, and that they should go to form a library of reference for the teachers ; and this reminds me that the schools of Otago will never be what they ought to be, \intil a competent inspector is appointed, who can devote the lolwle of his time to a proper examination of all the schools, teachers as well as scholars.

And now, in the second place, I most strongly object, as a ratepayer, to the rates being voted away for a purpose of this kind, Indeed I think if the ratepayers were to take legal action in the matter, the Council would have to refund the money thus spent. What Avith the waterworks job and the defalcations of Lange, &c, &c, the burden of taxation is quite great enough, without voting away money for such a useless object as a gold medal. Besides, if the councilloi-s insist on giving another gold medal, let them put their bands in their own pockets and pay for it themsel ves. I will venture to • predict if this course is adopted, there will be no more gold medals. — I am, &c, Ratepayer.