HAMILTON WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1168, 20 December 1879, Page 2

HAMILTON WEST PUBLIC SCHOOL.

The distribution of prizss, as the result of the examination which has been going on for the last two days, took place yesterday afternoon in the schoolroom. There was a large attendance of children ; several of the. School Committee also were present, and many ladies and gentlemen — the parenta and friends of the pupils. The Mayoi and Mrs Dawson also attended — Mrs Dawson, indeed, as Mayoress, having been asked to award the prizes. Thesa were numerous, and had been considerably supplemented by the special ariffcs of individuals in the community. A handsome desk and workbox, amongst, the rest, had been given by Captain and Mrs Dawson for the best boy and girl in the school, and the novel plan was adopted of leaving the decision in each case to the children, themselves. Candidates therefore were balloted tor, and the prize-takers were Bessie Murray, among the girls, and James Harris amongst the boys, the latter obtaining 45, and the former 27 votes. Some handsome prizes for proficiency in music were also presented by th9 Government instructor (Mr T. Bell), and really his pupils were deserving of encouragement, for the pieces sang by the school its a whole were excellenty rendered, the time and tune being . remarkably good. The prizes given by Mr E. M. Edgoumbe— two .valuable books— were won by Frank Stewarfc and Helen Brown. The prizes having been all arranged on the centre table, the Mayor then came forward and said! : — Ladie3 and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure that myself and Mrs Dawson have been asked by the committee to present the prizes to the boys to-day, and I bog- to thank them for the honour they have doue us. At the examination yesterday I was very much astonished to find the proficiency the schools had attained under the very able tuition of Mrs and Mr- Murray and Miss Nicholson, and I think you will 'all agrse with me in saying that the people of Hamilton are most fortunate in having such advantages for their children, as it is evident Mrs and Mr Murray possess the qualities of imparting knowledge to a high degree* and apparently maintain great discipline and order in the school. 1 must compliment the children and their parents, not only upon the amount of knowledge they have acquired, but, also upon their very clean and tidy appearance. I will now leave it to Mrs Dawson to award the prizes. Mrs Dawson then proceeded to the task, but before doing- so said :— I wish to say a few words to the children before distributing the prizes. I have to thank the School Committee for the courtesy they lave shown me, in asking me to present the prizes, and I can only say it affords me very great pleasure in doing so. I was much interested and pleased with the examination of yesterday, and astonished to find the amount of general knowledge that had been acquired by the scholars. I was most struck with the reading and recitation classes as they showed that puich pains and care had been taken in their training. I wish therefore to congratulate Mr and Mi s Murray and Mis3 Nicholson upon the efficiency shown 1 by their scholars, and the general tone of order and discipline that pervades the school. Also, upon the cleanly and tidy appearance of tne scholars, which reflects great credit on the parents. When we look back upon, what public schools in Hamilton were a few years since, we must, I -fhinkj congratulate ourselves upon the real advancement that has been made in educational matters and the many advantages that are now afforded to our children, showiwg the advancement and prosperity of Ilamilton, which I trast may go on increasing. I would also congratulate Mr and Mrs Murray and the school in general on their very efficient School Committee who work so unitedly and well in every possible way for the benefit of the school. I will now proceed to distribute the prizes, and only wish there were twice as many to be given away, as in examining 1 the classes there were so many that did well, we found it difficult to decide whioh was best. The prizes were then awarded as follows : — Class 6. — Arithmetic i— Ist, prize, Frank Stewart ; 2nd, A. Scott. Spelling and Composition.— lst, Laura Salmon; 2nd, Frank Stewart. Writing.— Ist, Beoaie Murray; 2nd, A. Scott. Geography.—lst, Eliza Davis, j 2nd, 0. Roffey. History.— lst, lflllen Scott; 2nd, Horace Mofflin. Beoitatiou.— Ist, Frank Stewart; 2nd, Lillie Culpan. Beading.— lst, Lillie Culpan; 2nd, Bessie Murray. Map Drawing.— lab Horace MoflHo ; 2nd, Prank Steward. Ci,Aßs s.— Arithmetic.— lsfc, C. Boffey; 2nd, Napier Murray. Spelling, — Ist, Colina Brown?; 2nd, Mic. Jones. Writing.— lst, Mic. Jones ; 2nd, Bernard Brown. Geography.— lst Winnie Murray ; 2nd, Colin Brown. History Ist, N. Murray; 2od, Mario Gaudin. Recitation— lgt, Mio. Joneg • Flo Stewart. Reading.— Ist, Kate Mofliin ; Marie Gaudin. (2nd Division) Arithmetic. — Ist, Annie Martin ; 2nd, Fred. Odium. (3rd Division)Arithmetic— Ist Ed. Jones: 2nd, J. Wright. Class 4. — Arithmetic. — Ist, Fred Gaudin ; 2nd. Eliza Mayes. Reading. — lat, f J2. Andawion ; 2od L. Brown. Bedtafcion. — Ist, J. Andrews ; 2nd, E. Andrews. Spelling.— Ist, E. Hill ; 2nd J. Davis. Writing,— lst, J. Davis ; 2nd, J . Andrews. Class 3.— Arithmetic— lst, E. Barker, 2nd, E. Bauer. Beading.— lsfc, Oalderwood; 2nd, S. Lan . Writing.— lsfc, E. Bauer ; 2nd, Horace Stewart. Kecitation.—lst, M. McSweeney; 2nd, E.

Davey. SpeHiuc— .lst, \Y. Andrews ; | 2nd, Richard Bradley. Geography.lsfc, Agnes Taylor ; 2ad, E. Barker. Class 2.— Arithmetic- Ist, M. Cul : pan; 2nd, Thomas Quinn. Beading.—--Ist, M. Culpan ; 2nd, VV. Kay. Writing. — Ist, Fanny McPhereon ; 2nd, Harriet Howe. Recitation. — 'Ist, F, Bauer ; 2ml, F. Davis. Spelliug.-ljfc, F. Davis ; 2nd,- W.Kay. 7 Class 1. — Arithmetic— lot, Ellen K : ug ; 2nd, Ma,rs Hall. Reading.— Ist, .Waller Gaudin; '2nd, Lena Jones. Recitation. -Ist, M. Hume; 2nd, fie,b. Hunter. Writing. — Ist, K. Salmon; 2nd. F. Smith. Singing Pbizb3, presented by T^ A. Ball.— Girls : Ist, Beasio Murray ; 2nd, Lillie Oulpan ; 3rd, Laura Salmon. Boya : Ist, Frank Stewarfc ; 2nd, Horace Mofflin. ,8b wore.— Glass .1 : lab, Helen Brown ; 2nd, Lillie Hunter. Class 3: Ist, Flo Stewart ; 2nd, Laura McPhereon. Cl&bb 3 : lafc, Lizzie Hill ; 2nd, Adah Hall. Class 4 : lsfc, Agnea Taylor ; 2nd, Ruth Wyatt. Class 5: lafc, Adah Barker; 2nd, Mabel Culpan. „