FEATHERSTON SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 188, 18 June 1879, Page 2

FEATHERSTON SCHOOL.

■ ' V The distribution of tlio Board of Education's prizes to the successful candidates in" the State School at Featherston took place in the Odd Fellows' Hall, on Monday afternoon. The scholars first paraded the township, headed by their baud, and, on arriving at the hall, quite filled the room. Among those present we noticed many ladies, Mr Pharazyn, llev. W. Brown, and 1 the members of the local committee. Mr W. Cnudy, in the absence of Mr Cox (for whom Mr Gurr apologized) took the chair, and called on the head-master to address the meeting. Mr Gun said ho was pleased to sue so many visitors on an occasion of which Featherston might justly be proud. It was not only that the school had carried live of the sixteen prizes for the Wellington Education District, but the fact that all the children were well up. This the late examination showed, whenl26 candidates were sent up for standards and 121 passed, showing only five failures, and three of these were under eight years of age, aud.wei'c not expected to pnss. In looking orer the report for 1878, it will be seen iiiat out of I'2 or l!j subjects commented upon by the Inspector, Featherston holds a. favorable position in 11, Thorndon School had 10 mentions, and no other city school more than three or four. This shows that the school compared favorably with the rest of the district. He regretted that an invitation had not been given to Yt'aihenga to join them, in this distribution, as that school had done work equally good with Featherston. In fact, it was creditable that the Wairarapa, although not representing one-fourth of the children in the district, had taken nearly half the pri'.res given by the State. He thanked his teaching staff for the manner they had seconded his clforts to place the Featherston School in a leading position. Mr Pharazyn rose amidst cheers, and said, as a resident in the district, he felt proud of the result achieved by the Featherston School. Mv Gurr had proved himself a teacher equal to the work of organizing and sustaining a'large school, and he congratulated him and his assistants on carrying oil'the largest number of prizes. As their member in the Education Board, he felt a great interest in the school, and was sure that its influence for gortd would be felt beyond Featherston. The Rev W, I'rov/n s.iid that the school reflected great credit on the esteemed head-master, in fact, everything connected with it was on r model principle, from tlie organization ant arrangements to the deportment of tlu scholars. When leaving the old country, he felt considerable anxiety for the educa ii.imil welfare of his children; but i; Featherston may be'taken as a specimei of State Education in the colonies no one need be anxious on that account, for he was sure the advantage was in favor of tlu colonies. Mr Parker, on behalf of tlu local committee, said they were proud o: their school and teacher. He was oftei in the school and everything was always in good oreler, and good results must conn i'roia such a.systeni. He hoped Mr Gur: would not leave them, at least for sonn time to come. Mrs Pharazyn then made the prescnta l ions, consisting of six valuable volumes accompanying each with a few words o kindly encouragement, in the following order Norman Gurr, Natural Piiilo sopiiy, and David Craig, English Liter;: lure, both Ist prices in iitli standard Charlotte Jackson, Africa, 2nd prize sti standard. Elizabeth Yule, Rambles ii Norway, 3rd prize, 6th standard,. ane iLu'jarct Yule, Cookery, 4tli prize, Gil standard. Each scholar was entlmsiassi wily cheered, and after each the bam played. The proceedings closed with vote: of thanks, cheers for all concerned, aiu the National Anthem. GREYTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE A meeting of the Committee was held a the ollice of the chairman (Mr Lock), oi Monday evening. Present—Messrs Bar nard, Fenlon, Hornblow, Wakelin, am Bock. Minutes of previous meeting were reae and confirmed. The visiting member reported state o school as satisfactory. A letter was received from Mr Le ! slating that advance:: could not be allowed hut that 75 per cent, would be paid oi work done, The head-master's report was reai showing that tiie conduct and attoudane of scholars had greatly improved and tlia seventeen new scholars had been r.dmittci during' the month. Tlw average daily at tendance being 1!!9, and the highest oi any half day 150. He hoped that tin alterations would be completed before tli end of the midwinter holidays. Some o the boys had obtained permission frou their parents to use their horses and cart to (ill up some hollows in the play-groum with gravel. He stated that two prizes value half a guinea each, had been offerer by Or Smith fur the best scholars ii classes ij or (>, after the midwinter ex animation. He wished that a few prize might be obtained for other classes. It was resolved that from 12 to 18 prize be procured to be given at the discretioi of the head-master for progress, rcgula attendance, and good conduct, It was a! ;o resolved that Messrs Wake lin and Gray go over the specification sub nutted for alterations to school and maki any alteration necessary in it. It was resolved that an application hi made to the jiliication Board for auothe: small grant for the purpose of buildim two double lire-places. The meeting then adjourned. CLARE VILLI! SCHOOL COMMITTEE A meeting of the Committee was licit oil the Kith inst., at 7 p.m., iu the school room ; Messrs Biiirstow (chairman), Fi.sk Smith, and Tayh r being present, The minutes of the previous meetim were read and confirmed, The chairman repartee! that the gravel ling from the Cemetery road to the sc'noo house, the painting of Ihe railing fence ii front of the master's residence, and tin papering of the rooms in his house hat been elulycompleted and paid for. Tlu chairman further reported the receipt o: the capitation fee to the ."Ist ult., malum the total balance in hand Ll9 Gs. On the motion of Mr Fisk, seconded bj Mr Smith, the Chairman and Mr 'Ayloi were deputed to arrange with the school master, Mr Barry, for the erection of i shelf or other suitable accommodation or which children attending the school miglii deposit their luncheons, On the motion ol Mr Bairstow, seconder' by Mr Smith, Messrs Fisk and Tayloi were deputed to see to the immediate completion of the shed for the protectior af the female children jn inclement thcr. The Chairman tabled an account foi school supplies and cleaning, of schoolroom, which was directed to be paid. The Chairman further reported thai with the sanction of the Board a monitoi had been appointed to assist in the educa lion of the younger children. After a short discussion as to the expo' dicncy of an entertainment prior to the winter holidays, and a vote of thanks te the Chairman, the Committee adjourned.