HAMILTON EAST SCHOOL.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1169, 23 December 1879, Page 2

HAMILTON EAST SCHOOL.

The prizes awarded at the annual examination of the children attending the East Hamilton Public School were distributed on Saturday afternoon, in the grounds of the Chairman of the local School Committee (W. Cumming, Esq.) There were many visitors and a large number of children present. A table having been set out with the prizes under a widespreading chestnut tree, the children gathered round, and the proceedings were opened by Mr Cumming, who said: Before the distribution of prizes is proceeded with, I will trouble you with only a few remarks. I have great pleasure, personally on behalf of the examiners and Committee, in bearing testimony to the marked improvement in acquirements and discipline during the last twelve months. The proficiency displayed by the scholars in their respective classes gives ample proof of the ability, energy, and assiduity of the teachers—Mr and Mrs Field, an** assistant teacher, Miss Allen—notwithstanding tho great disadvantages under which they were laboring, through want of sufficient Jiccommodation, which defect is now about to be remedied. Tendors for a large addition to the school building are at last called for, which when completed will enable the Committee (but I trust it will not be necessary), the crowded state of the school preventing heretofore, I to bring into force the compulsory clauses J of tfte. Aot, Lot me impress upon ttwso

parents present the duty of giving their | children the best education they can afford, thereby enabling them the better to hold their own in the battle of life. Regular attendance at school is a very important matter;, you oannot expect progress if children are irregular in their attendance, besides being unfair to the teachers. With the facilities enjoyed in this country for obtaining a thorough good education, and so directly cheap, parents should strain a noint, and put themselves, if necessary, to a little inconvenience to enable their children to attend regularly., The children have undergone a thorough examination' (occupying fully two days), in every respect highly satisfactory, In many instances the duty of deciding: who was entitled to first and second prizes was rather a difficult matter, but I trust that each unsuccessful boy and girl present will endeavour to outstrip the present prize-winners, so that next year many of them will not only come near, but will actually carry off a prize. With regard to their musical progress, for the short time they have been under Mr Bell, | I will leave some better authority to speak. If there are no other persons present who wish to say a few words of encouragement, the pleasing duty of distributing the prizes will now be commenced.inwhich Mrs Cumminghas kindly consented to assist, after which refreshments will be provided, followed by innocent amusements of different kinds for the children and others. The task of handing- the prizes to tho BUCcesstul oandidates was ailoted to Mrs Gumming, who came forward and said: Dear children,—lt gives me great pleasure to see so many happy faces before me, and to know that on the present occasion the little ones now present deserve both to look and feel happy, for during the past two days they have acquitted themselves most admirably at their annual school, examination, a fact which reflects great credit, not only on themselves, but on the conductors of the school. Indeed, ,the advancement made by their pupils • during the past year, the excellent discipline which prevails in the school, and the evident interest taken by the children themselves in their studies are the best proofs that can be given of the ability and care bestowed by Mr and Mrs Field upon their school duties, and nothing which I could say conld add to such evidence as this. That we all appreciate their efforts I will however sayf and wishing you, dear children, and your teachers a happy Christmas and merry holidays, I will now proceed to the distribution of the prizes. The prizes were thsn awarded "as follows :

AMTHHETio.~6th class, Mildred Baatable; sth class, Louis Luhrs; 4th class, Henry Honeybun; 3rd class, David JiUiott; 2nd olass, Sarah Franklin. Engush Histoby. —6fch class, Eva Allen; oth class, Lena Gelling; 4tb class, Bessie McDonald; 3rd class, David JililOljt. '

GEOORAPKV.-6fch class, Eva Allen; sth class, Louis Luhrs; 4th class, Agnes Nielson; 3rd class, W. Mahon; 2nd class, Elizabeth Oassidy. Laws of Health.—6 fch class, Mildred Bastable; sth class, Louis Luhrs; 4th class, Alfred LeQuesne; 3rd class, Alfred Steadman; 2nd class, W. Winter. "Whiting and Tbanscbiption. 6th class, Eva Allen; sth class, Isabella McDonald; 4th class, Clara Cochrane; 3rd claw, W. Mahon; 2nd, Isabella Murray. Reading.—6th class, Eva Allen; sth class, Lena Gelling; 4th class, Bessie McDonald; 3rd class, John Kenny 2nd class, Charles McDonald.

Dictation.—6th class, Eva Allen; sth class, Isabella McDonald; 3rd class, Alfred Le Quesne; 2nd, James Bastable. |_,nglisu Grammar.— 6th class, Eva Allen; sth claaa, Lena Gelling; 4th class, Bossie McDonald; 3rd class, John Kenny English Composition.—6th class, EvaAlien; sth olass, Lena Gelling ; 4th class, Alfred Le Quesne; 3rd class, Carrie Wallnutt; 2nd class, James Bastable. Spelling.—Gth class, Mildred Bastable; oth class, Isabella McDonald; 4th class, Aifred Le Quesne; 3rd class, Elizabeth Hunt; 2nd, Elizabeth Proctor. Recotation.—6th class, Eva Allen; sth class, Isabella McDonald; 4th class, Clara Cochrane; 3rd class, Elizabeth Hunt; 2nd class, Isabella Murray. Ist Class.—Prizes awarded to: Myra ?* an ?' Doughs Gelling, Alexander Mliott, Agnes KiUett, K. Backhouse, Albert Le Queane, A. Wallace. A B o.—Kllen Murray, May Field, A. Jackson, W. Revell, K. Gleeson, A. Palmer.

Regular Attendance Prize.—Boys--Ist,-Albert Le Quesne; 2nd, Alfred Peacock. Girls : Ist, Amanda Lees; 2nd, Rebecca Ngahiwi. -

Singing.—lst prizes: Eva Allen, Barstable. 2nd prizes: Neilson, McDonald A very handsome Japanese cabinet presented by Mrs Gumming to the best liked boy or girl in the school was balloted for by the childron. For a long time it looked as if the prize would have been carried off by Eva Allen, one ©f the elder girls, but towards the last the voting papers brought up the favorite boy (Robert MeKenzie) to the front, scoring 27 votes, Miss Allen numbering oidy 24. The prize was then presented, after soma appropriate remarks by Mrs Gumming. Mrs Dawson, we understand, has since expressed her intention of marking the evident appreciation of Eva Allen by her schoolmates by the presentation of a workbox. The distribution being over, the musical prizes given by Mr Thomas Bell, for the most efficient pupils in music, were awarded, and the children sang, " Our Own New Zealand Home" and other pieces with great taste, and in excellent tune. The musical instruction which the Board is imparting to our. public schools is already beginning to have a very marked effect in cultivating, a taste and talent for music, and, if carried out as it has been begun, will be very beneficially felt in the refinement of the next generation. One of the pupils (Mildred Barstable) then stepped forward, and presented a silver thimkle and case to Mrs Calder, with 'the following address:—" To Mrs j Calder. —Dear Madam,—l have much I pleasure, on behalf of my fellow pupils and myself, in presenting this thimble as a small recognition on our part of the trouble which you must have experienced in attending the sewing lessons, and giving us your invaluable assistance; and assure you we earnestly hope you may live long to wear it." To which Mrs Calder made the following reply:—" Dear children, —As it is so nearly bun-time, I must not keep you for more than a few words of thanks for the kind thought which prompted your pretty gift; and that it should, be a thimble shows me the high opinion you all have of a thimble, and so have I. I have always been glad to come over and see you at your work; and I hope that when we all meet after the holidays, thimbles and needles will abound, and that we shall work busily and heartily. In the meantime, I wieh. you all a very happy Christmas and bright and glad New Year." " Bun-time " had now arrived, and the children flocking to the lawn sat down in clusters and rows, and were waited on by the visitors with cake, tarts, buns, lollies, and fruit of various kinds, ginger-heer being also supplied ad libitum. "Buntime " cannot, however, last for ever, and that amusement being over the children proceeded to aid digestion by engaging in a variety of games, races, &c.,for whioh a number of toys had been provided. This Was kept up till nearly dark, and all J separated aftor enjoying a very delightful 1 afternoon, '