GISBORNE SCHOOL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 418, 18 February 1890, Page 3

GISBORNE SCHOOL.

ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES

The annual distribution of prizes in connection with the Gisborne School was made at the City Rink last night. There was a very large attendance of children, parents, and friends. Mr A. C. Arthur, M.H.R., presented the prizes, with the exception of the gold medal far the Dux of the School District.

Mr Johnston (Chairman of the School Committee) occupied the chair, and explained the object of the children being called together, and then introduced Mr Arthur, who was loudly applauded. Mr Arthur said he had a very pleasing duty to perform. He expressed his great belief in the system of giving prizes, and commented on the fact that the Matawhero School, of which he was Chairman, gave more money to that sort of thing, he had been informed by Mr Morgan, than was given by the Gisborne School. Children, he considered, required encouragement of the sort, as it greatly increased their energy. He would particularly urge upon parents the necessity for punctual attendance at school, because if frivolous excuses were allowed to keep the children away, it was very unfair to the masters, to the children themselves, and to those scholars who did attend regularly. He was very pleased at having an opportunity to publicly congratulate the masters and children on the success that had been made by the Gisborne School, and he then proceeded to pay a high compliment to Mr Morgan and the other masters and also to the children. He urged those children who had not been successful in obtaining prizes not to bo discouraged. Referring to the subject of scholarships Mr Arthur said he considered it very unfair that the country schools should be placed on the same level as the town schools, and he had been told that in Napier scholarships were given to be competed for by only those within a radius of eighteen or nineteen miles, which he considered very unjust. He also objected to tbe practice of having different papers iu different districts, because they were thus prevented from having a uniform rate throughout ;New Zealand. In conclusion he spoke highly of the system of education and the good effect tyhioh it was having and would have ><■ *- b (Cheers I,—

presenting the medal to Hedley Thorp jfion, Mr DeLautour made an excellent speech in regard to the system of education, a speech deserving of mare space then we can afford this morning. Hedley, on coming forward to receive bis prize, was applauded most enthusiastically, and cheers were given for the others who had gained scholarships. Mr Morgan made special reference to the subject of regularity of attendance, and while regretting that the work had been afpoted last yeqr by qp attendance which was hot co (Wgqiav as usual, he impressed upon parents and children tbe necessity of trying to have a good regular attendance this year, Regarding the sixth standard Mr Morgan said there was very little given in the way of prizes, as the standard had won over £2OO in scholarships. (Cheers.) The happy ceremony concluded with hearty cheers for Mr Morgan and tbe other teachers, and for Mainz Arthur, DeLautour, and Johnston. 4