BLUE SPUR SCHOOL EXAMINATION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 204, 28 December 1871, Page 5

BLUE SPUR SCHOOL EXAMINATION.

The Fifth Annual Examination of the above school took place on Friday last in presence of the Rev. Henry Bull. Mr W. Grieve, Chairman of the School Committee, Messrs. T. F. Morris, John Hall, Thomas Hinde, and M. Drew, members of School Committee, and a large assemblage of ladies and parents of children. There were upwards of 60 children present. The examination waa conducted by the Teacher, assisted by the Rev. H. Bull, Messrs. Margetts, Morris and Carey. The examination was searching and thorough from the A. B.C. to the highest class . The youngsters acquitted themsal yes with credit to themselves and their Teacher, and frequent were the plaudits <>f the company at the shrewd answers given during the examination. The programme was wound up by the children sinsjing several pieces, which they did with fine effect. Mr Grieve occupied the chair, and at the close of the examination askeu the gentlemen present to give an expression of opinion on the day's proceedings. Mr Armstrong of Switzers (formerly of the Blue Spur) was called upon by the Chairman, and expressed himself quite astounded. He had no idea of the treat awaiting him ; an 4 consider d great praise was due to the Teacher for the excellent manner in which the school is conducted. He must have bestowed considerable care upon the children to enable those so youn'j to have given such correct answers ; and had great pleasure in proposing a cordial vote of thanks to the Teacher. Mr. Morris, said he had been highly gratified with the day's proceedings, said the examination was a decided success ; he had great pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks to the Teacher.

The Teacher, in reply, said that he had to regret that some of the children, upon whom he had bestowed mnoh care, had not stood so well as their fellows in this examination. It was a frequent complaint by parents that their child or children were not advancing as they could wish, and of course it must be the fault of the Teacher. He (the ""eacher) observed that this grievance of the parents was, in some cases, too well founded, but he had discovered from experience that it was impossible to conduct a class through all their exercises with any degree of uniformity; he may as well try to raise turnips of a uniform size and .soundness. The effo-t, he thought, would be aaifulile in the one case as in the- other. HJB (the Teacher) thanked, the ladies and; gentlemen fdr their company and for thoii- vojte of -thanks. • ' ; The followingwere the prizes, according to the numher , of marks, which! were handed to them by the Oh dnnan :— Ist Class— Jan.es Mo rli, John Carey, E. Kirby. j 2nd Class— F. A. Ross, Ellen O'Reary,' James Kelly. . ? 3rd Class — Jesiie Nicoll, Fred. ' Mai-- j i gette> Tixomas Redman. > ' ; ■ « '

4tll Ctl3i — VuiCviQfc liLuWA, I&VX Evans, Matilda Rosa.

sbh Ol.vss — Frank Nicoll, Johanna Drew, M- A Clarke

6f.h Ciass— James, Ross, Sara-h Evans, M. A. Speirs.

7ta and Ujwsr C!a^ — Jamij McKittie C-L..L_i'ijic r^u's, Mien vJlarke.

Special Pl-iz j given, by Mr.3 Grieoe for the oest reader girl : Vinney Moms.

Special Prize giveu by kir Grieoa for llis best reader boy : John Speirs Special Prizj given by Mr F. Pollock to the beot ooudacted boy : James Koss.

Special prize given by Mr F. Pollock to the best conducted girl : Vinuey Morris.

For sewing tlie only competitors wer© the Misses Morris. •

A book -wjs also give to every one of the non-successful.

The last part of the programme was now announced, aud was very welcome, as was evinced by the manner in which the announcement was received. It was the distribution of a plentiful supply of buus, cakes, lollies, and milk which had been provided fur the occasion.

The following ladies deserve the thank of the Committee and the Teacher : — Mrs Marge tfs fur c.ike ; Mrs Cousins, cake and milk ; Mrs John Cormack, milk ; Mrs Nicoll, cake ; Mrs A.. G Thomson, cake ; Mrs McLaren, milk ; Mrs Redman, milk ; Mrs Ross, milk ; Mrs McKattie, milk ; Mra J Smith, lollies ; Mrs Drew, milk; Mrs John Trerise, milk ; Mrs Speirs, milk ; Mrs T. E Williams, milk ; Mrs Taylor; Mrs Cousins, Mrs Kirby, and Trarise for beautiful bouquets of fl;nvers ; and to Mr R. Grieoe and Mr Thomas Ilinde, each a tin of lollies. Thanks were given to the Chairman and to the visitors, which brought the proceedings to a close. Four weeks holidaya were given to the children.