A DAY AT WESLEY COLLEGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1472, 8 December 1881, Page 2

A DAY AT WESLEY COLLEGE.

Some of your readers may be aware that in connection with, the We-deyan Annual District Meeting there is an examination of the Maori students at Three Kings' College. This examination, however, ii not clothed with • the terrors to the examined, nor with the' dullness to the examiners and others, that one usually expects at examinations, , , The affair is more like a picnic than anything else. The Principal (Rev. T. Buddie) generally does his utmost to make all parties enjoy themselves. In past yeara an excellent dinner has been provided for friends from Auckland and the neighbourhood, mnA the vinitors have returned home conscious of having been well-treated, th« number of visitors has grown so large that it has beer found impracticable to provide for all ; therefore ife was announced this year that all who ohose could go, on condition that they mtde , provision for themselves. Wednesday, November 30, was the day appointed, and, being a bank holiday, many friends from all the country side assembled to hear the Maori examination, The day was gloriously fine ; vehicles loaded with people poured into the grounds about the college, and, as the ladies predominated, Three Kings presented an unusually lively appearance, so lively, indeed, that the English students wish their lady friends would pay them more frequent visits. The youthful ministers attending the district meeting had arranged a cricket match with the college students. This was played during the day, and resulted in a victory for the students. At 12 a.m. the examination commenced. The large class-room was crowded with visitors, conspicuous among whom were the Rev. W. Morley, the Hon. and Rev. S. Baker, Revs. J. Robertson, W. Gittos, T. Gr. Hammond, Gr. Hodgson, and others, clerical and lay. The Rev. W. Morley gave out the hymn, commencing "Hail to the Lord's Anointed," and the Rev. J. Robertson offered prayer. The Maori examination was commenced by the Rev. H, Dewsbury requesting tha students to read aloud a portion of scripture. This was done excellently, one ieature' worthy of notice being the correct emphasis placed on every word. Then followed a well sungchorus by the native students, after wliich the Rev. H. Bull put a series of questions dealing with scripture history. These were answered with a readiness that should put to shame many members of churohes. Another chorus, entitled "The word and the look," and then the Rev. G. Bond examined the students in the Wesleyan second catechism. The most zealous Scotchman could not have failed to be pleased by the ready, intelligent answers given to such questions as " What offices does Christ execute as Redeemer?" and "Wherein consists Christ's exaltation?" The students appeared to have a thorough grasp both of the English and doctrine of the catechism. Another lively chorus, "We rock away on the billows gay," and the Rev. W. J. Watkin conducted an examination in English grammar. Here the audience was frequently convulsed with laughter, both 'by the witty remarks of the examiner and the equally witty answers of -the Maoris. A chorus came next, "Hark the trumpet; sounding." The Rev. W. C. Oliver read the report of the written examination, which dealt with euclid, algebra, and history. The students have done well in these subjects, one taking in mathematics the maximum marks (100), others 90 and 80. One paper was pronounced absolutely perfect. The papers were'said to be as difficult as those given in civil service examinations. The hon. 'and Rev. S. W. Baker spoke of the pleasure he felt at being present, and at the result of tha examination. He thought that in mathematics the Maori students were Behind his students in Torfga, but that the Maoris were superior , in theijr" knowledge of English. He was of opinion that if native races are to be christianised the principal agents must be their own countrymen. The Rev. W. GittoB expressed a hope that the king country would soon be open to the ministers of the. Gospel. He intended as early as possible to visit that district in company with a native missionary. The Rev. — Logan, of the American Board of Missions, who haa been laboring in Micronesia (Caroline Islands), made a practical,! earnest speech dealing with mission, work generally. The Prince of Tonga also made a few remarks in Tongee, interpreted by the hon. and Rev. S. W. Baker. Mr Baker announced/ that -Tonga- would found an annual scholarship, of the value of £5, at Wesley College for Maort»s.tudents. The Prince of Tonga desired it, to be called the " Uga scholarship," in, memory of his lather, who died in Auckland two years since. This ended the examination, and the visitors wandered over the grdunda seeking shady nooks in which to sit while refreshing the inner man. Thus was spent a happy d»y'.\ AndAvhen at night the visitors returned,- tb.e-, young men and maiden^ , rthe fathers and mothers felt that the examination day- at Three Kings was worth remembering.-~[A Correspondent.]

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