MASTERTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2843, 9 March 1888, Page 2

MASTERTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

A considerable numb?? of ladies and gentlemen assembled in- St Matthew's school tliis morning (Friday) to wit, ness the presentation of the awards made after a recent examination of the students. The chair was occupied by Mr W. H. Beetliam, and the proc^,

ings commenced with the following report delivered by the Principal: " Gentlemen.—l have the honor to submit the reports of tho examiners on tho late examination for tho Silver flfedal, presented by Mr Beetham, The test lias been of a very crucial character, embracing ovory subject in the school curriculum, and the examiners have spared 110 labour to find out the student who was really entitled to this distinction. For this purpose, written examination was considered scarcely mi equitable method, for it is notorious that 'a boy may make great capital of a written paper, and be quite at sea in a viva voce, and vice versa; hence it was decided, where feasible, to hold a viva voce test, and the result in my opinion, and in that of the examiners, has been eminently satisfactory. The written portion of the Latin and French examination was conducted by Mr Bennett, of Nolson College, and viva voce in the same subjects by tho Rev. W. B. Paige, M.A. The following are the reports of tlieso gentlo--111011 " The College, Nelson,

" February 16,1898. "A. E. Crawford, Esq., , 11 Dear Sir, jfe "At your request, I have duly Examined the Medallist candidates in Latin and French, and beg to submit to you my roporfc 011 tho same: Latin,—ln this subject, the syllabus of work embraced was that contained in Smith's Principia. Of tho papers submitted to 111 c, some were really excellent, whilst the work of the other candidates was far above the average, considering the short time since the subject was first faced by them. lam greatly pleased at the intelligence displayed in translating English sentences into Latin, and in short with tho general accuracy of the work submitted to me. French.— Tho questions in this subject are confined to elementary Accidence, with sentences to be translated into French. The general character of the work was again quite satisfactory. Several marks were lost ! ( by the omission of accents, two of the candidates totally ignoring them. 111 conclusion, I would take this opportunity of congratulating you on the Ipfexccllent progress made by your pupils in the above sublets, and have not tho slightest hesitation in saying that you havo done wonders with them, considering what a short time they have been with you. " I am, " Yours faithfully, " A. P. Biimn." " Masterton; March 2,1888. "DearMr Crawford, — Having, in accordance with your request, examined the pupils of the Masterton Grammar School in viva voce Latin and French, I have great pleasure in bearing testimony to the evident carefulness bestowed on their instruction, and to the thoroughness and accuracy of your system. And I entertain no doubt that if your pupils remain a reasonable time under your tuition, they will be a credit to themselves and &to their instructor. Wisuing you ™ success in your endoavors to supply a much-needed want in Masterton." "I am, " Yours truly, " W. E. Paige." From these you will see that in these branches the success of the school has been in the highest degree satisfactory, In the Mathematical and science departments the proficiency displayed by all students was, if possible, of even a more sterling character. • This portion of the examination I was compelled to tiiko myself, and it was only by the closest marking I could detect superiority, so near were three or four boys to the maximum. The subjects of examination were Euclid (two books), Algebra, (up to and including quadratic equations), Arithmetic, and the experimental and mathematical sciences (including mechanics, optics, sound, electricity, and elementary astronomy), The instruction in these branches was prac- ** tically illustrated by out • door IP demonstrations with the theodolite and sextant, such as measurement of heights and dista ces, determination of latitude by the sun, etc., and the interest displayed by the students was unflogging throughout, as manifested unequivocally by the examination papers. The following is a synopsis of tho examination. Specially commended, Algebra.—Hume, Boddington, von Stunner, Moore. Euclid.— Hume, von Stunner, Moore. Latin, von Stunner, Caselberg, (sen), iliunc, Caselberg, (jun). French,-Caselberg (jun), von Stunner, Hume, Moore, Bagge. Arithmetic,—Caselberg (jun», Boddington, Hume, Caselberg (sen). Bagge. History, von Stunner, Hume, Bagge. Experimental, Science,—Moore, von Stunner, Caselberg, (sen), Boddington, Mathematical Physics,—von Stunner, Boddington, Moore, Caselberg (sen). The j result then is that. Von Sturmer is Mr! . Beetham's silver medalist, and CaselH berg [jun| proximo accessit. Caselberg [jun], then is awarded my prize. p ■ It should bo mentioned that Hume was not a competitor for the medal, in consequonce of the shortness of time since he joined the school. The Chairman then presented to von Sturmer the silver medal given by his brother, Mr G. Beetham, M.11.R. (Applause). Ho warmly congratulated the recipient of tho award, and his parents, and he also congratulated the colonists of New Zealand, who wore interested in the training of bright boys, upon whom, in the .futuro, they might have to depend for the good government of tho country. If such boys availed themselves of their present opportunities they would all bo proud of them in the future. (Applause). He also spoke a few ■ words of sympathy andcncQuragement j to unsuccessful competitors for the prize. Caselberg, " junior, was then called to tho platforn&'and received from the Chairman, amid applause, a handsoma copy of the Vicar of Wakefield, being tho Principal's prize. The Rev. Mr Paigo proposed ut vote

' of thanks to Mr G. Beetham for tin great interest he had displayed in tin Grammar School, as well as in tlieii primary schools. Tho want of such r school had long been iolt in Masterton and was now established under favorable auspices, From his personal examination of tho students he was in a position to stato that tho school derived an exceptional advantage from Mr Crawford's teaching, which was thorough in its character, and.was in strong contrast to much of tho cramming which now-a-days went under the niimo of education. (Applause.) Mr Paytmi in seconding tho vote of thanks siid Mr Beetham had merely doiiH his duty in presenting tho medal but this gentleman had a happy knack of doing this on all occasions. He drew attention to the strong claim which tho Grammar School had 011 the Town Lands Trust for recognition and expressed an opinion that it had only tobopressedtobereeognized. The Trust was fouuded tor educational purposes, and was now strong enouph to make or mar a school like the one in which they had now met.—Applause. Mr Boddington in moving a vote of thanks tc tho Chairman, expressed his satisfaction as a parent with the educational results of the school. Ho had tried to establish a higher class some years ago in connection with the Masterton public school, but as they were aware the class died a natural death. He endorsed the remarks made by Mr Payton respecting the Town Lands Trust and trusted that in the interest of tho district they would call public attention to tho question.—Applause. Mr F. G. Moore seconded tho compliment to the Chairman, and the' proceedings terminated with a holiday to the pupils granted by the principal at the request ol the Chairman,