BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2378, 19 December 1908, Page 5

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES

The prizes won iby the children attending the ißifo'.o classes at tlietlieboi no School were presented yesterday morning. The proceedings opened with the -Lord’s Prayer, offered up by the Rev. F. W . Ghatterton, the children reciting after him. ■Rev. (Mr Ohntterton announced that the original intention had -been for the Rishop' of Waiapu to present tho prizes, but as his 'Lordship was not feeling very ,welß, Archdeacon Williams had consented to act in his ■stead, and he was sure they would all be glad to see him and give him a hearty welcome. The following report was then read:

The .'Bible Classes in the Gisborne schools which were started ilast year, ha ye been continued throughout the present year at the same hour, viz, from 9 to 9.30 once a week. Twelve voluntary touchers have carried on the work in Gisborne and six in Kaiti and Mangapapa schools. The attendance at the classes has been a little larger than lust year, the' average for the last six weeks in Gisborne schools and in Kaiti and Mangapapa being 536, 200, and 128 respectively. While this is satisfactory, there are still too many children who do not attend the classes, apart from those who have conscientious objections. We hope that with the cooperation of parents, which we have a right to look for, the numbers attending will increase year by year, for it has been sufficiently shown that the scheme can be worked 'without any violation of the. Act, and with the cordial approval of the large majority of parents, respecting at the same time the consciences of those who cannot take advantage of it. An examination an the Scripture (lessons was held last week, and the results showed a marked improvement on the previous year. The prizes to be distributed to-day are awarded to those who got the highest average in attendances and examination taken together. We wish to thank the headmasters and State school teachers for their courtesy and consideration sat all times, which have enabled the classes to be carried on without a hitch.—F. W. Chatterton, Secretary Bible Teachers Association. Archdeacon Williams said that it gave him very great pleasure to be present to distribute, although that ■pleasure was tempered with regret that his (father was -unable to be present. They would all no doubt realize how important it was to know something of the subject matter of the Bible. References and illustrations from the Bible were quoted nearly every clay and the person who did not know his Bible could not be said to bo properly educated. It was also important for the children to attend the classes, as there they would find what would build up tlieir characters and make them good citizens of the Dominion, a.s religion was ran essential part of good citizenship. The Archdeacon further referred to the marked improvement in the results of the classes, and said that lie hoped for still further improvement. Hie trusted that the children bv tlieir attendance and ,interest in the classes would encourage those who voluntarily gave up their time for the purpose of conducting the classes (npplause). The following prizes were then presented by Archdeacon Williams:

Examination: (Awards based ou marks and attendance) ; Standard VI, Girls:' (1) Doris Le Quesiie (full attendance), (2) Helen Morice; boys: (1) Fred Brown (full attendance). (2) Hubert File. Standard V, Girls: (1) Mildred Nice!, (2) Alice How Chow and Norah Morgan; hoys : (1) Charles Bull (full attendance), (2) Charles Allen (full attendance). 1 ' Standard IV, Girls: (1) -Jane Scaly (full attendance), (2) Violet Smith (full attendance); boys: (1) Eric Le Quesne (full attendance), (2) Vif ham Wildish, (full attendance'). Standard 111, Girls:' (1) Freda Ludwig (full attendance), (2) Bose Schwahe (full attendance), and Mary Bull (full attendance): boys: (1) James Morice (full attendance), (2) Douglas Dawson (full attendance). Standard 11, -Girls: * (1) Dorothy Maekay (full atendance), (2) Millie Adair; boys: (.1) Benito Morris, (2) John Jones. ATTENDANCE PHIZES.

Standard VI, .Girls: Ilia Bushnell, Ruby Hatbcrail, Rosina Johnstone, Merle Lawless, Laura. Seymour, Louis Parker, Edmund Davys, Harold Moore, Leslie Morice. 'Standard V: Kate Ambridge, Winnie East, Luuncelot Davys, Cecil Ellory. Standard lV> Ethel Glassford, Alilen Tarr. Standard III: Alice Ambridge, Olive Atkinson. Lucy Grattan, Myrtle Harries, Eva Hepburn, E-lsio Hyham, Alajoric Hooper, Ivy Howartli, Mav Kennedy, Ruby Poole, Lily -SeaJ-y, Rita Davidson, Elsie Clayton, Harry Allen, Thomas- Adair, Harold Bull, Alfred Coleman, AVeslev Johnstone, Victor Long, Leon aid Lenteill, William McKcag-ue, Leonard Nioholls, Nigel Oatridgc, A r al Steele, Robert Thompson, Roy Walker, Sydney AYildisli, Albert AVhite, Bert Maxkio. Standard .II: .Frances Davidson, Mary Dempsey. Gertrude Kinnimont, Ei’sie McDonald, Muriel Miller. Standard I : For most regular attendance—those not missed more than three‘times: Nelson Ibbotson (missed once), Talbot Smith, bred ■Schwabe, Fred iStep-henson, Percy Simeon, George \ r igis, Mary Davidson (missed once), Emmie Elliott, Dor-ice Hawkins, Minnie Hatherell (missed once), -Olive Morgan, Cassie Oatridgo (missed once), and Ha tel Iliton. . - Rev. - Mr Ohatterton said that he wished, on behalf of the Bible teachers, to express their thanks to Mr. F. J. Rowley, headmaster, and other members of the teaching staff for the kindness and courtesy they hnd shown. He also paid a high tribute to the discipline, maintained in the school, and said that it had been a great- pleasure to teach in such a highly moral atmosphere. All the Bible teachers were greatly indebted to the member's ol the teaching stair (anolauisc). , , . „ . , Mr F. J. Rowley briefly returned thanks and said that he was very proud to hear the remarks regarding bho discipline in the school. He knew the discipline was good, and thought, that the position was very satisfactory. Wherever. the children of the Gisborne school would be in after

life, ho hoped they would always remember that they .were old Gisborne •boys and girls, and show by their actions that tlieir present discipline was not merely a temporary phase, but that it had a permanent effect. The management of all the classes in the school -was excellent, and he would like to express liis thanks to Rev. iMr Ohatterton and the other Biblo teachers for their kindly interest and endeavors to ‘benefit the children (applause). Rev. Chas. Griffin proposed a vote of thanks to Archdeacon Williams for presenting the prizes, and the motion was passed with acola;mation. Archdeacon Williams replied, thanking those present, and at his instance a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Bible teachers.