NEWS BY CABLE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3392, 21 December 1889, Page 2

NEWS BY CABLE.

ENGLISH. London, December '2O. The New Zealand Petroleum and Ironsand Company, with a capital of £85,000 is fully subscribed. The West End Club 'scandal will shortly come before Iho courts on summonses for conspiracy, FOREIGN. Lisbon, December 20. The Lisbon press acccse the English residents at Lake Nyassa ,of murdering Dutchmen and Austrians and also an attempt to murder Portuguese. , . AUSTRALIAN. Sydney, December 20, Heavy fogs have been experienced along tho coast and the steam collier Nooroowaran ashore in Wreck Bay, At present the vessel is uniujuredand there is every probability of her being floated off. , H.li'A Orlando, with Admiral Lord Scott, will sail for Dunedin on 9th January. It is intended to visit < Lyttplton, Wellington, Nelson, aud Auckland. After leaving New Zealand waters the Orlando proceeds-to Hobarfc. 1 ' Tho bush fires at Jerilderie have been extinguished by heavy rain, The Government have had under consideration for sprne days the qdestjon of a.duplicatg cable between this pqloijy and New Zealand, bu,t as yet no deoision has been arrived at. The matter will be considered week;

' Tha' Engineers Association liuve I have decided to call out the engineers belonging to W; Howard Smith limited, ou Monday next, unless they agre'C *° M>B dopnd of the.eiigineei's that the chief; eogiueer shall bo absolute in the ongiuaroow,.

St-. Patrick's School, Masterton.

■:'; The tUstribution of prizes in connection with |bo annual examination of; St, Patrick's School took place yesterday morning, The chair was occupied by Mr W. Lowes (Chairman of the Town Lands Trustees).' There were preson't-Dr Waiters, Messrs MoEwen (representing tho Town' Lands Trust), A. B. Bum)y,;A-. Stempa, several parents and friends of tho children, and Fathers'! 1 , arid J, McKemia." The children, who all looked bright and oltan were ranged 'round tho schoolroom, In the centre was a table covered with specimens of, needlework and knitting, In front of' the chairman was a table covered 1 with a choice selection of books suitable and for the purpose of presentation to the successful scholars. Bouquets of flowers helped to sot off j the various tables..

Pr Walters, of St Patricks College, who undertook 'the examination.of the school, addressed the scholars, and drew attention to. certain items he had referred to in his report, He urged the scholars to devote their time and give their earnest attention to the subjects in which it was shown they were not so ■ strong as they should be. Ho pointed out the present was the time for laying in a store of knowledge to carry them successfully,tlirouglilifoand urged'those who had not drawn a prize not to he discouraged thereby .but to apply tliemseivesmore diligently to their lessons. His remarks'met with frequent applause'. He then read tho following report:—- ■■■ . ■ . Examination of me Cwnouc school, MASrERTON.

At.the request of the Rev Father 1 McKenna, Purish Priest, of Mastertoir 1 I have examined the children attending the Catholic School, Sixty-three .children presented themselves for, examination, and duriug two days ; those were I 'passed in review in tho • different subjects,. The course emi braces m the high classes, besides ■ Christian Doctrine, reading audi spelling, grammar, geography, history I and English composition, while in the ( lower classeE instruction is confined to | , catechism, reading, spelling, and I table figures. A3 I kv9 furnished 1 Rev Father McKenna with tho notes 1 of.each pupil in tho different spec--1 ialities, together with the percentage J of marks reached by each clues, it ' will suffice to make here a few general remarks. The Christian Doctrine is well taught, some pupils I reaching a very high average, while j even the youngest oviucea good ! knowledge of their prayers, and the' t essential truths and precepts of! ' religion. Very good answering was I given in reading and spelling." Geography is very fairly known especially J by the fourth class, whose answer in , this subject close reached the satis-, i factory average of 80 per cent. A 1 good beginning-has been made in 1 English composition . with samo 1 results, English grammar is fairly known in the elements; the pupils, however, in the highest class rise even to some of the difficulties of syntax, In arithmetic the lower 1 classes show a marked improvement, ■ indicative of much care and trouble, ' displaying safe possession of tables, weights and measures, and tho elements of numbers, The higher I classes in arithmetic, are -still weak, I and must,. if they wish to maintain I he honor of their school, devote to . this subject, closer attention. I j found the school wellkept, the pupils i neat and cleanly dressed, and all ! around a general air of order, and I method which go far ta imprint. on } the pupils, who represent the school, J a special and lasting character for j good. The teacher, Mrs Carrick, has I shown great zeal for her children, j and has brought'the year to a satis- . factory conclusion. Felix J. Wattkhs I S.M.D.D. Rector St Patrick's College ' Wellington. The report was recoivedwilh rounds of applause. Father J. McKenna said before proceeding with tho prizes ho must thank Dr Watters for tho report just > presented. He knew very well when 1 he invited that gentlemen to examine j and report upon the school ho would do it thoroughly, and with a view to . help to promote the good of the school and to make it a success. The 1 report showed that ho had not come i simply to praise or pass lightly over 1 matters that required serious attention, He had pointed out tho weak . parts, aiid it was for tho scholars to set to work to remedy those- faults. [ He (the speaker) hoped when Dr , Watters came up for the next annual examination ho would find his advico . had been appreciated, and that the ; subject that proved weak with some this year would be.quite up, to the standard of other subjects in which they had passed so favorably, ,He must thank Mr Lowes for himself and on behalf of the. parents for undertaking the work of distributing, prizes, It was a serious duty to undertake where all expected prizos.and but a limited number obtained them, to keep order and good feeling in such a gathering. Their thanks wero duo to the Town Lands Trustees, 'of which body Mr Lowes was Chairman aud.Mr McEwen.who was present one of theirnumber. Theirschoolhad been treated in a very generous way by that body, and its members had shown an active interest in the .welfare of the. scholars, not only in allotting money for prizes but also in distributing the same to the children as was noticeable by the presence of two of their number that day. (Applause). He was aware that, unfortunately, the present was the last year that money could be obtained from the same source for the same object, the fund being devoted to scholarships, but they could not complain, as their pupils had equal chance of competing , for those scholarships as the children of other schools, 1 (Applause). Ho hoped the day was not far distant when a student from St, Patrick's school would compote and gain such scholarship. (Applauso).' In regard to tho prizes, as a matter of course where the number was limited and so many competed, there would be some disappointment, If such were not the case.the prizes, would prove but gifts, instead of a reward of ■ merit, The prizes they were about to give were of a substantial character ] equal to those of any priinary school. Those who were'not successful this ■ year must not despair, hut try and ' do better next year, and by attention and application put themselves ahead of the present prize takers, ~ Mr. Lowes' expressed the great. pleasure he felt in undertaking the duty so kindly ..asked of him by , Father McKenna. He was.very | glad of the honori It was the first ] time iu connection with St. Patrick's j sohool he had been called upon to j undertake such, and be was'going to ( say that lie hoped it , would not he Jho last. (Applause),' He had listened to the report of Dr • Waiters with exceeding pleasure. ■, In j attendance he was aware that some. others ,

I had iu being able to attend every day and with punctuality. Some also were, not quite so bright as' others in picking up their learning and consequently their records were not so good afl those able always to attend and bettergiftcd. To those students he would say don't despair; persoverance would go a great way to overcome any disadvantages, (applause.) He could only |re-ccho the hopes expressed by Dr Waiters that the defects pointed out by him would be overcome next year. He expressed liinisolf as highly pleased with the bright intelligent appearance of the children and also with thoir conduct which reflected great credit 1 upon their parents, their teacher, Mrs Carriok and on Father MoKenna. He then addressed a few earnest words to the children upon the necessity of | taking hold of the preseut advantages nt their disposal so thus gain knowledge so as to become intelligent men and i women capable of occupying positions of responsibility in their future life., If ;they.. neglected, the advantages now offered the same opportunity, would never be theirs again. There was one thing Dr Watters had pointed out: Those children who gave the best replies in their examination were most punctual and always in attendance at school. On the other hand the, careless attendants passed unsatisfactorily. He urged them "to try and be present every lesson time ns one day's absence gave the others that'much extra advantage and to the non-punctual ones he would say got up earlier in the morning if you haveany work to do for'your mothers, so br not to lose the precious hours of school (Applause). He expressed his gratification At the reference made to himself and co-trustee, Mr McEwen, but he could answer them that anything the Town Lands Trustees had "dono in providing them with .prizes was nothing more than thoir duty, aiid no more than what the school was entitled to. Certain provision had been made in the early days of the settlement of tho district for encouraging education irrespective of creed, and they, were now reaping the advantage of it pro rata with other schools of the district. Although assistance .would not be continued to them in the shape of prizes or picnics, they would bo able to take advantage of the provisions of the new Town Lands Trust Bill for, grants for scholarships (Applause).

Father MoKoniia said lie would lake (lie preseufc opportunity to express regret that the gentleman, who presided at the distribution of prizes last year (Mr A.W. Benall) was not able to be with them on the. present occasion, father Tom had waited upon him a few days ago to invite him to be present, but he was unfortunately absent from Masterton forafewdays.Hethoughtitonlyfairto malie the allusion as Mr Itenall had taken an ■actiye.interestin tlio school in the past. .' Tlio prizes were then distributed by the Chairman, Mr Lowes, who addressed to each recipient a few appropriate words. The respectful manner of the children and their polite "thank you sir" on receipt jf the award were very marked. We I append ft list of the fortunate ones who obtained prizes also tboso who received a certificate of "honorable mention" which does not carry a priza, At the conclusion of the ceremony the Eev J. MeKenna presented to Dr Walters, on behalf of the children, a very pretty library inkstand as an indication of their goodwill and a small token of their appreciation of of the trouble he had taken in corning suoh a long distance for the benefit of the school.

The present was acknowledged by Dr vVatters in suitablo terms. Ho. said he should keep the gift as a hating memorial of the kindly feeling and good heartedness of the ohildron of the school, Mrs Carriok, their teacher, Father Tom, and all connected.

Three hearty cheers were given by the children, and they were dismissed by the chairman, who heartily wished them an enjoyable time until tlioy re-assombled again. PRIZE LIST. Christian Pootrine.—First class, Maggy O'Leary; honorable mention, Florence Chapman; second class, M, O'Leary 1, John Council 2; third class, May Connell 1, Alice Chapman .2;, fourth class, Victor' Bell; fifth class, Nellie Collins 1, May Davis 2, M, Chapman 2; infant class, first division, Joseph O'Leary 1; Tommy Minogue 2; second division, Ellen Connol 1: Hettie Foy 2. Heading .and spelling: Sixth standard, J. Bell; fifth standard, J O'Leary; fourth standard, Mary O'Leary; thirdstandard,M. DeFraters, leading; Second standard, first: devision, B. Chapman 1, A. Chapman'; 2; second division, L, Jackson 1, V, Bell 2. Spelling: C. Hourigan 1, P. O'Leary 2 ; second division, V. Bell 1, L, Montgomery 2.

Standard I, Reading; May Davis 1, M. Chapman 2; spelling, M. Efodgins 1. N, Collins 2. Grammar and geography.—Sixth standard, Maggie O'Leary ; Fifth standard, John O'Leary; Fourth standard, Johanna Brzoska. Geography,—Third standard, Annio Chapman. ; Arithmetic,—Sixth standard, .Florence Chapman; Fourth standard, John Connell; Third standard, Annie Chapman; Second dans, Ist division, May Connell 1, A, Robinson 2; 2nd division, M. llulcahey 1, L. Jaokson 2; First class P. Carr 1, M. Hodgins 2.

Composition. Sixth standard, Maggie O'Leary ; Fifth standard, Annie Hourigan. History.—Sixth standard, Florence Chapman, ~■ ■ The prize for general knowledge .was awarded to Florence Chapman. Infants.—lst division, reading and spelling, T, Minoguel, J. O'Leary 2; 2nd division, J, Potter 4,, N.Foy 2.