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THE SCHOOLS.

BREAKING-UP DAY.

DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES-

BRISBANE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS-

The annual prize distribution and break- ing-up gathering in connection with the Brisbane Grammar Schools took place in the great hail at the Boys' School at 4.15 p.m. yesterday. The very large audience included a number of the relatives and friends of the scholars, and the proceed- ings were of the usual enthusiastic charac- ter. His Excellency the Governor, Lord Lamington, presided. With him on the platform were-his Honour the Chief Jus- tice (Sir S. W. Griffith), Messrs. R. Ed- wards, and H. J. Oxley, Mr. R. H. Roe, M.A. (head master), Miss E. A. Fewings (head mistress), and the staff of masters. The Governor was accompanied by Captain Pelham, A.D.C.

HEAD MISTRESS'S REPORT.

The head mistress of the Girls' School read her report, as follows :

Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, To-day I present to you my second annual report on the work of the school, and al- though 1 cannot record any brilliant results 1 believe it has been a year of steady and earnest work, destined to bear fruit later in the lives of our girls.- The numbers on the roll have been--138 In the first, 142 In the second, 134 in the third, and 124 in the fourth quarter ot the year, giving an average of 1*1%. The attendance has been regular and punctual, and the conduct of the girls almost uniformly good, both in aud out of school. The'admissions have been sixty-six, of whom eight wero mere hirds of paEsuge, being in the school one or two quarters only, and four were old .pupils returned after absences. The average ago at admission has benn over liys years, out it should bu at least two years lower for girls to get the full benefit of a Grammar School training. The following table will probably prove iuterestlng and sugges-

tive :

Form VI.-Number of girls present, 8 ; average uge, 17 years 7 months ; average time in school, 4 years 4 months.

Form V.-Number of girls present, IG ; average age, 16 years ; a\erage time In school, 3 yiais 3 months.

Remove.-Number of girls present, 20 ; average age, 17 years ; average time in school, 1 year S months.

Form IV.-Number oí girls present, 29 ; average nge, 15 years ; average time in suhuol, 2 yean, S months.

Form ill.-Number of girls present, 23 ; averag-e age, 11 years G mouths ; average time io school, 1 year 1 month.

Form II.-Number of girls present,"1 20 ; avoragp age, 14 j ears 6 months ; average time lu school, 1 year.

Form I. -Number of girls present, 9 ; avei age age, io years ; average time in school, 11 months.

The Remove form was formed to meet the Leeds of girls who entered the school at a late age, and the experiment has been of i ca i educational value. Form I., a class of small gills, is also a new departure, and to mo U-e most encouraging and helpful bit of school life. The class most con rpliuous throughout the year for steady wijik ai.d esprit de corps has been Form V. Pilly one girl has been In the school seven years, and two five years. The average length of stay appears to be just two years, but I dlncprely hope, for the sake of our future women, that girls will come to us younger and stay longer. I deprecate the decrease in numbers during the second half of the year, owing partly to a lament- able idea that the Junior examination Is the aira of the school Instead oí an incident in Its life, and partly to tho approach ot summer ; but i£ parents would see that their girls took a rdhsonable breakfast be- fore starting, and allowed sufficient timo to avoid huiry in the journey leo school, the heat would do them no harm. In the Syd- ney Senior examination last year, L. Hiuton and A. Fewlngs were successful, L. Hinton gaining ihe medal for drawing, and N. 'Bourue the medal for botany. Twenty four giris entered for the Sydney Junior this year, and of these eighteen obtained cer- tificates. Had the examination been held at the end of our school year, probably nil the candidates would havo bean successful, and the quality of the passes bisher. I should welcome an annual examination of the school, by a delegate from an examining board, under the auspices of a Queensland University, aud the Institution of a Queens- land Junior examination, with such a group- ing oí the subjects aa would Jnsure the .foundation of a good general education. Scholars.-One of the trustees' scholars ?5-97-relinquished her scholarship through want of interest at midwinter ; two others terminate to-day. Last year's scholars aro doing well, and this year's have been awarded to R. Jensen, A. Taylor, D. Hinton. The majority of the State scholars are doing satisfactory work. The change in the lagulations, by which the number of scholarships ottered is decreased, will pro- bably eliminate cho unscholariy candidates ; but "I regret that the 'bursaries are not higher, aud that the scholarships are not to be awarded by merit, irrespective of sex. The Lady Lilley Medal has been won this year by our head girl. Ella Bourne. (Loud applause.) Class singing and theory c-f music have been made part of the ordinary curriculum. Four girls taught here gained certificates from the Associated Board of the R.A.M. and R.C.M. for pianoforte play- ing, and I am glad to notice a growing in- terest iu music throughout the school. The Wight Memorial Medal was awarded by the judges-Mrs. Chetwynd, Miss Suter, and Mr. Seymour Dicker-to Eva Davies. Miss Gilder, A.R.A.M., is going to England for a year, and Mrs. Mason, A.R.A.M., will supply her place. A painting class meets on Saturday mornings, under Mr. Rivers. A very successful dancing class was held by Miss Brown during the second and third quarters. A school kitchen has boen fitted up, regular lessons havo been given in the principles of practical cookery, and much more ia learnt In the kitchen than the recipes. A short course of millinery has proved restful und advantageous to some of the elder girls. Prizes for a sewing competition have been won by Ruby Barnes, May Brown, and Frances Payne. The winners In the tennis tournament were : Champion, H. Pairy-Okeden-(applause) ; singles, V. Newton ; and doubles, H. Parry Okeden and M. Foxton. I gladly express my pleasure at the improvement in the drill and gymnasllo work. Prizes for this and swimming will be awarded next half. Staff.-Miss Bosker left us at Easter. Miss Campbell resigned her position on her mar- riage. Miss Raymond returned to Eng- land, after four and a-half years' work ; and Miss Montefiore leaves us, I am sorry to say, to-day, to proceed to Europe. These vacancies have been satisfactorily filled. Misses Carson and Mackay have completed seven years' work, and aro much valued and deservedly popular members of Ftaff. ll.oud applause.) Our new second mistress, Miss Sellers, comes to us with high academic qualifications from Cambridge University, aud five years' successful experience as second mistress in one of the best High Schools in London. The school has sus- tained a severe loss in the death of Sir Charles Lilley, to whom we owed the in- calculable debt of gratitude for our very o^istence. (Applause.) Believing, as I do, that the happiness and honour of any coun- try deppnds ultimately upon its women, I connot but feel the burden of our respon- sibilities, and I therefore appeal to parents to regard the school as much more than a mere intellectual workshop, to interest themselves in Its lessons and general activities, the relations of teachers and pupils, and to co-operate with us in our efforts to give our girls not only well-stored minds, but " self-knowledge, self-reverence, self-control," and a teachable and loving spirit with which to go forward into life, continuing their own education for ithe benefit of the community in which ihey live. Mr. Roe has been an inspiring exemplar and colleague throughout the year. (Loud applause.) Many parents have given help- ful words of appreciation, and the trustees have met all my requests for the school so sympathetically that I can only gratefully continue to devote roy energies heartily to

the work which, though difficult, le oí the J

highest interest and importance to us all. (Prolonged cheering.)

His Excellency proceeded to distribute the prices and certificates won by the puphs of the Girls' School. They were as follow :

Upper School.

Form VI.-E. O. Bourne, Lady Lilley medal, form prize ; M. Rue, prizes for ex- amination, harmony, drawing ; M. M'l.uckie, proflciercy ; L. lire, integrity prize.

Form V.-K. Jensen, form prize, Latin and French ; A. Taylor, examination prize ; D. Hinton, examination prize ; F. Wall, profi- ciency, science, harmony ; J. Lang, profi- ciency ; M. Lethem, integrity ; G. Griffith, di awing.

Sydney Junior Local Examination Certifi- cates.-S. Brown, E. Campbell, J. Cowley, K. Dearnaley, 1. Finch, D. Gray, E. Griffith, E. Hall, D. Hinton, K. Jensen, F. Jones, E. Kennedy, L. Kerr, J. Lang, N. Roberts, E. Savage, A. Taylor, F. Wall.

Remove Form.-V. Bale, form prize, science"; G. Wilson, examination prize; W. Wheeler, examination prize ; M. Somerset, proficiency ; E. Leitch, proficiency ; M. Lacy, proficiency ; E. Davies, integrity.

Form IV.-J. Bilbrough, form pi Ize, theory of music ; E. Ward, examination, mathe- matics ; C. Roberts, examination ; I. Julius, examination ; M. Kennedy, G. Horton, M. Laverack, and P. Booty, proficiency ; R. Barnes, drawing.

Lower School.

Form III.-Mary Cartner, form prize ; J. Gilbert, examination ; F. Kennedy, ex- amination ; Madge Cartner, proficiency ; M. Browne, proficiency ; N. O'Brien, pro-

ficiency.

Form II.-D. Morisset, form prize ; D. Stevenson, examination ; proficiency, M. Finch, J. Dath.

Form I.-H. Hardie,-examination j J. Chapman, form prize.

Special Prizes.-Drawing : Upper School M. Roe, G. Griffith, R. Barnes. Lower School-M. Gill. Collection of Botanical Specimens : J. M. Stewart, E. 0. Bourne (aeq.), D. Hinton, V. Bale, E. Ilockings, com- mended. Sewing Competition : Upper School-R. Barnes, prize ; E. Hurd, highly commended. Lower School-May Browne, prize ; F. Payne, prize. Boarders' Prize : N. Atkinson. Theory of Music : M. Roo, F. Wall, J. Bilbrough. The Wight Mem- orial Musle Medal : Eva Davies. The School Scholarships (free tuition for two years) : K. Jensen, 1 ; A. Taylor, 2 ; D. Hinton, *3.

HEAD MASTER'S REPORT.

The hoad master read his annual report,

as follows :

Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, The year just closed has seen a decided advance In our numbers, which have risen from an average of 210 in 189G to an average of 241 for the past twelve months, a result due in great part to the largo number of Stato scholarships awarded in January ; but a3 all.the newcomers have been paid for In full the school finances have benefited accordingly. Owing to freedom from epidemics and floods the daily attendance has been good, 95 per cent, so that it has been possible to maintain steady progress in all parts of the class work. By the death of Sir Charles Lilley in September last, not only the Brisbane Grammar School but the cause of higher education generally, lost one of Its stanchest friends. He be- lieved, with all his heart, In the necessity for higher education, both as a means of raising the standard of thoughtfulness and refinement In 'our homes and as an Instru- ment for the scientific development of the material resources of our country ; and he possessed and used incessantly the power of impressing this belief upon those around him. The first movement in favour of the establishment of. the Boys'. School was warmly supported by him with liberal dona- tions and personal zeal. He was for nine- teen years a trustee, and for a great part of that time the active and honoured chair- man. To him was justly assigned the distinction of laying the foundation-stone -both of these buildings and of the Girls' Grammar School, the establishment of which as a separate foundation was a work which originated with him, and owed its accomplishment largely to his efforts. The trustees are placing a brass tablet in this hall under the stained-gloss windows to record suitably his great services to this school. (Loud applause.) An Important alteration has now been made in ithe State scholarships to Grammar Schools-the number being reduced from about ninety to twenty-five per annum. How this will affect us exactly must be left for the future to decide ; but the change is not unlikely to be an Improvement to us financially upon the previous state of affairs. In 1895 and in 1S96 we had to receive some fifty new Stato scholars each year, of which only half were paid for ; a considerable number of these would probahly, even with- out scholarships, have come to us as pupils paid for in full by their parents, and It is very possible now that, though our total numbers may show some diminution, our In- come will be Increased by the attendance of a larger number of paying pupils. 'The scholarships had become also too lightly valued from their award In such large num- bers, and had lost some of the distinction which they conferred upon the holders in the days of more limited awards. The Initiation of a limited number of bursaries for the board of boys from the country dis- tricts snould find general approval as a mea- sure tending to mako the Grammar Schools national rather than purely local Institu- tions. The removal of the restriction whereby tho holders of scholarships were only allowed to attend specified Grammar' Schools, without consideration of their parents' wishes or opportunities, recognises the principle that the scholarships are awarded for the good of the holders rather than for the benefit of the local schools. At a lecture given by me before the Teachers* Association at the Normal School in the middle of the year, I spoke emphatically against the habit of overworking young boya for these scholarships by long hours of extra teaching and undue tasks of home- work. It Is to bo hoped that the ambition of parents aud teachers will keep Itself within reasonable bounds, and that it will be recognised that these scholarships are Intended for boys of exceptional ability, and that It is both unwise and wrong to attempt to force a mediocre boy Into temporary prominence by excessive labour, which takes away from hlra the mental freshness and physical development necessary for his future intellectual progress. (Loud ap- plause.) Whether the now law which allows the establishment of Superior Schools at the discretion of the Minister for Education will ultimately benefit or injure us will de- pend in a ereat measure upon the manner in which its administration Is worked by the Department of Public Instruction. If It is used, as I believe it will be, not to run in opposition to Grammar Schools, but to supply the demand for higher education In districts where it cannot now be ob- tained, then it is likely to be beneficial, both to us and tho country, by increasing in our community the number of those who value and desire a higher grade of knowledge than the Primary Schools now give. If, on the other hand, the Superior Schools were to be used to supplant the Grammar Schools by supplying, an inferior grade of higher instruction free or at a nominal rate, I seo no reason to withdraw from my former apprehension that a serious mischief would be done to the causo of secondary education In the colony. The Sydney Senior results of last December had not arrived at the time of our last prize distribution, and their record falls, therefore, Into this report. We sent up five candidates, all of whom passed In an average of 9.2 subjects out of 10. Miss Bourne distinguished herself by winning the John West-(applause)-Medal and the Graham Prize for general proficiency amongst all senior candidates, as well as the Fairfax Prize for general proficiency amongst senior girls, and silver medals for ancient history and botany. L. K. Ward won the silver medal for Fronch-(applause) -and W. J. Monteith waa proximo accessit for the European History Medal. This is the first time on record that the highest place of honour in tho Senior has been won by a girl-(loud applause)-and Miss Bourne's triumph is na brilliant as It is richly deserved. We by no means claim all the credit of Miss Bourne's suc- cess-for until the last two years she was taught entlroly at the Girls' Grammar School, and In botany, for which she won a modal, she never recolved a single lesson at the Boys' School. Miss Bourne also won the first Queensland University Exhibition, and L. K. Ward the third. These results

wan» certainly good, and above our own.

average. For the Senior this year wap:

havo sent up oovea .candidates,.but the re- ? suits are not >et published. por tj,e , Junior we entered forty-six candidates ol whom.twenty-nine passed in an.average of 5.4 subjects out of 7. Seventeen, therefore failed-the largest number of failures ' on record ; but, on the other hand, the num- ber entered by us is.also the largest In' our record, amounting to one-nfth of the whole school, while the numberof passes (twenty nine) is unusually large also. Most ot these failures might have been avoided by,

my recommending the boys about whom: there w-as any doubt not to enter ; but I have adhered, and shall adhere, to my plan of urging all to compete who have.any rea- sonable prospect of passing, feeling sure that the work of preparation is useful, and. that even the disappointment of failure is profitable as a stimulus to rouse boys front the self-contented Ignorance .which doea not even aspire to a pass. It Is for this reason that I especially, desire to see..the Queens-, land Junior established with .the lowest qualification kept down to a standard within the reach of the whole of the Fifth Form of a Grammar School as the Sydney Junior. UEed to be. Owing to the large Junior classes the labour of the masters wa9 un-, usually heavy, since In these days of severe competition a very large amount of prac- tice in written examinations is essential ta success. The masters worked with more, than ordinary zeal for their classes, ana deserved better success. We obtained no medals, nor indeed did any Queensland Behool, but I believe our leading boys were rather above than below the average of tha: past few years. We have never specialised; to gain prize distinctions. Increasing competition makes it harder each year to get medals- without specialisation, yet I still hold that specialisation Ib more fit-'" ting for a university than for-a school.' The work of supervising these Sydney ex- aminations, at two different periods of tho year,- Is a heavy tax upon the ladies and. gentlemen who undertake this duty, and our. sincere thanks are duo to them and to Mr. Woolcock, the local secretary, for their un- failing good services In this, matter. The Lilley gold medal, our greatest distinction, has been won by Boyd ; tho silver of the Upper School by R. C. Roe, and that of tho Lower School by Burgess ; for all of these there has been good competition, and the winner has only .gained .his prize .by a creditablo combination of Industry and In- telligence. There has been a change this year in the classification of some of tho forms .In, the. Upper School. Instead of; dividing the boys of parallel forms, such as. IV.a and IV.b, alphabetically as hereto- fore, ' I have classified them according to merit, and consequently you will notice» that the award of honours is very unequal in ,the two sets.- Both systems of alpha- betical 'and merit classification have their, advantages and disadvantages. The better boys get on faster when taken by them-; selves, and the slower boys are often ablo to get a better grasp of their work when. travelling at their own pace. At the samo time these latter lose the stimulus which. the presence of the quicker boys at tho head of tho class often gives, and I am not: yet prepared to say that either, is abso-. lutely the best, though, on the whole, I am Inclined to continue the system of merit division in the'future. A parent, surprised me one day by saying that he heard if; a boy was to do -well at the school he needed a. private tutor to look after his home lessons. . No statement could be further from the facts. .Very few boys have ever, done well here who have had a. tutor at home at the same time. All that Is needed' .Is that boys should have a reasonably quiet room at home to prepare their.lessons, that' they should bo. sent to their lessons regiw larly, and that their work should not be^ Interfered With by the social functions ot . the home. ' If any boy appears to-ha-ve

either too much homework,, or too" llttlej I shall always be grateful to parents for call- ing my. attention to the fact, that the matter, may. be carefully looked into ; In the case of idle boys I shall gladly make arrangë ^ments for a. special home report each week. 'Quite enough time Is spent in oral teach-

ing at the school ; at home a boy has to undergo the drudgery of committing facts to memory and reproducing on paper -what he has been shown here. A tutor in moat cases is only another means of avoiding mental effort on the part of the boy, and, except in very exceptional circumstances, is better done without. The public spirit In the school games has not been as zealous or' self-denying as in some previous yearns 'There has been, indeed, a very satisfactory

increuse in the number of those who .paid their subscription to the Sports Club, so that there has been plenty of money for the pur- chase of material, and parents and friends of the schcol alike contributed generously, to the prize-list for the swimming 'races and the athletic sports, for wlilch7¡ our thanks are now publicly tendered to them. The prizes for'the athletic sports will be distributed to-day. The annual football, matches with Ipswich both fell through, the" one before midwinter owing to the un-, willingness of Ipswich to meet us, and the one at the close of the season in conse- quence of its necessary abandonment, at a few hours' notice, on account of Sir Charles Lll'ley's death. Maryborough brought down a football team to play us in August, and wero defeated ; and we havo this week sent a cricket team to Maryborough, where they have been rather badly beaten. Our cricket eleven was also defeated by Ipswich in the early part of the year, and the return "match, which was to, have been played last Saturday, fell through, mutíii to my regret and Mr. Cameron's, owing to our boys' unwillingness to abandon an engagement in B Grade of electoral cricket, in which they have hitherto been doing very well. I sincerely hope that these friendly contests with Ipswich, which have been maintained for the past twenty years.with the greatest regularity, will not again be allowed to lapse, from any causes, at least, which are avoidable. The cricket match with the old boys lu March was a very friendly reunion between past and present members of the school, and is now becoming a regular fixture much looked forward to by the present boys and masters. There are a very large number of old boys now in Bris- bane, and I feel that the existing arrange- ments for keeping allvo their interest inland sympathy with the school are wholly inade- quate, and that a closer connection between them and us would be a great source of strength to the school, and not without ad- vantage to thom. The cadet corps has done good work under the zealous Instruction of Sergeant-Major Freeman, our new drill in- structor. A strong company of fifty attended .the Easter encampment at Lytton, under the command of Captain Gross. (Applause.) Thero have been some eighty-five cadets'on the roll for the year, of whom twenty-three attained the position of marksmen. . The Commandant has obtained for us a supply, of Martini-Enfleld carbines, which should greatly improve the quality of our shooting when we get accustomed to the new weapon. The annual inspection was held by Colonel Gunter in the Government Domain In Octo-

ber, and Mrs. Gunter again showed her im-' terest in the corps by entertaining us on the ground after the parado. (Applause.) The boys were addressed encouragingly by the Commandant, and by Sir Horace Tozer, who impressed upon them the importance' of learning while young to serve their country; zealously and voluntarily, and his words de- serve the thoughtful consideration ; ol parents. The corps has furnished a large number of native-born officers for the De- fence Force, and has a claim for support not only as a useful discipline in a boy'B school life, but as a training and recruiting,ground in the scheme of national defence; Our science master, Mr. W. A. Hargreaves-, after four years of faithful and intelligent service, has, much to our regret, left ua for an appointment In tho laboratory of the Government Analyst. His place has been filled by the selection of Mr. A. W. Fletcher, who comes with a distinguished . record from the Sydney University, supplemented

by useful experience as a teacher . In good Southern schools. The evening classes, started by Mi*. Mason and Mr. Jones at the boginnlng of fee year, met with a fair mea-j sure of success, during the first six months,, but they have slnco been dropped, as, li) view probably of the fact that thero Is to be no civil service examination this Christ-, mo«, the number of pupils did not warrant their continuance ; but they will be started again at the boginnlng of tho new year if sufficient inducement offers. Of the. four candidates who entered for thla ex- amination from amongst these «vening students two were successful, and s third

obtained a certificate. These ciñeses are In- tended to supplement, and not to supplant, the ordinary civil service class in the school. Any boy who has passed the sjyaney Junior, and spends six or twelve months In our civil service class, ought to tina himself fully prepared for the needs of two examination. Five boys passed suc- cessfully from this class during the year. The difficulty with us íb to keep the boys here until they aro sufficiently mature in thought for the competition, the maximum age limit being 23. There has been a good spirit of industry in the school work during the year, as indeed was to be expected from the largo proportion of scholarship boys in the school. One fault has ap- peared to me sometimes noticeable, that the work seemed to bo done too mechanic- ally--that is, as a duty rather than with enthusiasm, to some extent by the masters as well as the boys. Moro than the mere performance of duties is needed ; there should bo a constant earnestness which an- ticipates duties and volunteers to do them; a kindliness and affection such as always surround a labour of love, and a pride in the school which calls forth constant self , sacrifico In its behulf. I can honestly say

that tlie display of these qualities I123 alwayr, been aimed at in the school manage- ment, even if they have not been sufficiently attained ; we shall not cease to strive after them in our future work ; and from the public on their part we hope to receive a warm-hearted sympathy in our aims, trust In our sincerity, and a generous measure of support. iPrclonged cheering.)

The following is the list of prizes for

the Boys' School, which wero presented by I the Governor at this stage ;- j

Lilley Medals.-Gold-Boyd ; silver | (Upper -School)-R. C. Roe ; silver (Lower School)-Burgess. v

Bowen Prize.-J. M. Newman.

Cockle Prize.-Boyd and Newman, aeq« Francis Memorial Prize.-R. C. Roe.

Form Prizes.-Form VT.-Boyd (gold medal). Form V.-R. C. Roe {silver medal). Form IV.a-Robinson. Form IV.b-A. II. Scott. Upper Modern School-Dyason. Form . Hl.a-Burgess (silver medal). Form IH.b-A. B. D: Brown. Form I.-Calow. Lower Modern School-E. H. Hammond. .Civil Service-G. P. Martin.

.Languago Prizes.-Form VI.-Boyd. Form iV.-Suthers. Form IV.a-M. V. Parker. .Form IV.l-Melton. Form ITI.a-Hamilton.

Form IH.b-Snow.

?English, History, and Geography.-Upper School : Set A-Jensen : set B-Bulgin ; set C1-Dyason ; set C2-Robinson. Lower School : Set Al-Hamilton ; set A2 Mlddleton ; set B-Armstrong.

Mathematics.-Upper School : Set A Boyd and "Newman (Cockle prize) ; set B R. C. Roe (Francis memorial prize) ; set DI-Robinson ; set D2-Hugall ; set D3 . g. Wilson. Lower School ; Set A-Middle-

ton ; set Bl-Chambers ; set B2-O'Hagan. ' Science.-Upper School : Set A-Boyd ; eet B-Avery ; set C1-Dyason ; set C2 Robinson. Modern School : Upper-Dya- son, Swenson, aeq. Lower-Dalby.

Practical Chemistry.-Seniors-J. M. New jnan ; Juniors-Oxley. "

Writing School.-'Bookkeeping í Upper School-Dyason. Lower School-Hamilton

and Shaw, aeq.

Drawing.-Upper School-J. C. ¡Ure. ?<ower School-<3owllshavv.

Greatest Improvement la. Writing.- j

Ö'Hagan.

. General Merit.-Vordan, F. Walker, > Mow- bray, ¡Broadbent, Maloney, G. F. M'Donald, Morton, C. J. Weedon, Coughlin, Dent, .Chadwick, C. W. Roe, Ward, Cannan. .

Shorthand Class.-Prizes presented by Mr. Schoch-W. Forrest, R. Moodie, V. Moody.

Gymnastics.-Upper School ; Set A Marsh ; set B-Avery ; set C1-Brundrit ; set C2-M'Dowall. Lower School : Set Al -Collin ; set A2-'Monteith ; set B-Burs- ton. ¡Best general gymnast : Seniors Marsh ; Juniors-Monteith. Best batting

average (prize presented by; Dr. R. Mac- |

donald)-'Jordan.

THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS.

His Excellency said : Ladies and gentle- men, and pupils of the two Grammar

Schools,-I think I may say that, so far, you ' have had tho plums of this meeting, and now you are coming to some of the rather dry bread. (Laughter.) I do not think "there are many here who have not received prizes. 'At any rute, it seems to me that I have had the pleasure of distributing a very con- siderable number. I havo to thank you especially you of the Boys' Grammar School «-for the very hearty and truly boylike wel- come extended to me when I entered this room to-day. (Applause.) I remember that ¡last year, when I had tho pleasure of being present on a similar occasion, I repaid your kindness very ill by inflicting upon you a rather lengthy speech. I do not intend to repeat that offence on this occasion ; and, moreover, It would take a very long time, (were I to go over, in detail, the two reports that have been presented this afternoon. 'As to that, I think I may be allowed, in the first place, to congratulate Miss Fewings and Mr. Roe upon the reports they have pre- sented to our notice. (Applause.) And, first of all, let me associate myself with those remarks in which regret was expressed for the great loss that this colony has sus- tained by the death of Sir Charles Lilley ; and when I say this colony, I speak moro particularly with reference to these two schools. What he did for them has been mentioned in the reports, and I need not again refer to it. In respect to the names that have been presented to our notice, once again we see the names which evoked so great applause last year-tho names of Bourne and Ward. (Applause.) And there is the name of Boyd, which, in two in- stances, has been loudly applauded by you this afternoon. (Loud applause.) I have a' remark to make now on another matter-a matter in connection with a paragraph on the second page of Mr. Roe's report, in ¡which he says that the public spirit in the school games has not been so zealous or self-denying as in previous years. On ¡he next page he goes on to say how very credit- ably the cadet corps has performed its work. While I regret the criticism Mr. Roe has thought fit to mako in the first place, I am equally glad to notice the praise that he has been able to bestow on the cadet corps. I regard both our public games and the cadet corps as playing a very essential part in the life of these schools, as in some degree teaching discipline. Discipline is most essential and necessary for us all, more particularly as civilisation crowds to- gether the life of our people. Games are really one of our national British charac- teristics. They inculcate lessons of cour- age and good temper, give birth to deter- mination to excel in the future. And, also, mo3t games teach us the necessity of com- bination with ethers, and there is, there- fore, some responsibility in the way in .?which we play. The method and spirit of our public games is, I think, diffe- rent from the method of almost any other nationality in the .world. Even those most akin to us, our American cousins-you will find among them a very different spirit animating all their friendly contests. There, they play to win at all hazards, and not for the sake of the game itself. A noticeable article was written by an American not long ago, In which he dwelt upon the varying charac- teristics of the two nations, as shown in ths« way in which- they appreciate games and sports ; and this American went on to say how he had seen a

team in America, defeated at their national game of baseball, throw tnem sclves on their faces on the grass and sob aloud in the anguish of the moment. (Laughter.) I do not call that a manly feature of play, and I do not think it is an example meet for you to copy. 'pur British sames teach us more solf-rcliañeo and self-control, and are carried out In a generally moro manly way. In the same paragraph to which I have already re- ferred, Mr. Roe refers to the fact that you have had plenty of prizes for these various sports. Now, I do not regard prizes as being very essential in our pastimes. We ought to play for the love of the game, and not with the Idea of getting some reward because wo play well. No doubt it is quito right that, when by our prowess we havo distinguished ourselves, our fellow-men 3hould give us some distinction, sonio certi- ficate of our-merit. I oniy wish to warn you against playing for the sake of the prize, and not playing for the good spirit which may accrue from any national game. And I think I may almost go on to say that the same principle may be extended to our work in school. The rewards in life are uncertain, and we must not lay too much stress on working for the salto of the re- ward. Let the reward como as a result, but not as the essential result, of the good work that wo may bo inclined to do. After all, what our school life ought to teach us most essentially is the means of framing our character aright ; and our character is I chiefly dependent upon how wo learn the

great lesson of how to endure and how to confront difficulties. The one duty of, life i is self-control. By that, you will get over 1 a thousand difficulties that may occur at i almost any hour ; whereas, the prizes of life

can come but seldom, and can be only very temporary alleviation of our lot of tho mo- ment. They are evanescent ; whereas, if you, lu your school 'life, take advantage of the duties and discipline imposed upon you, you will the more likely be able to con- front those difficulties that must, sooner or later, assail you-assail you frequently from unexpected quarters. I should like to say a few words as to the 'report as pres'ented by Miss Fewings. I must notice and 'make' 1 mention of a remark that lady made to me

before entering the hall, a remark which perhaps seems rather in opposition to what I have boen speaking about-namely, that she hoped the Girls' School would be the recipient Of moro prizes from outside for the next year. I believe that she told me that they had had no prizes at all from out- side this year. With that hint to the company, I must couple my own apology for apparently speaking in opposition to Miss Fewings's view. And I must still further - prove my consistency by hoping that I may be allowed to present a prizo to the Girls' School next year. (Loud applause.) I paid a visit to the buildings of the Girls' School before coming, hero to-day-I had not previously had an opportunity of doing so-and I must say that I was struck by the specimens of drawing that I saw exhibited, and 1 was also particularly pleased with the collec- tions of botanical specimens that were on view. I cannot conceive any more eugross

| ing or pleasing pastime for a lady than I thnt of turning her attention to botanical i research, or-if she pursues it thoroughly

one that will be of more extreme value to I herself. - I also learned this afternoon, for

the first time, that such practical subjects as cookery are taught In the Girls' School. That I conceive to be a very practical work, and one which Is particularly wanted in Queensland, where it may be the lot of those who aro girls now to go out to the distant stations. They should be, above all things, accomplished mistresees of a household. With these remarks, I think I may sit down ; but let me, before doing so, wish all success to the two schools. I trust that the pupils will understand' and realise what an important part of their lives they are now living-that they are really thö trustees of posterity, and upon their work depends the future of the coun- try. Once again I beg to thank you all, and to express my appreciation of the op- portunity afforded mo of being present on this occasion. (Loud applause.)

THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

Sir Samuel Griffith, who was very cor- dially received, said : Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen,-First, on behalf of the trustees^ let me thank you for your presence here this afternoon, and your Ex- cellency for the inspiriting and sympathetic address that you have given to the boys and girls of these schools. The hour of the day at which these meetings are held fortunately imposes a limit upon any speech I havo to make, even if I desired to make a long one. I have a few things I think ought not' to go unsaid on this occasion. And, first, I think it is my duty, on behalf of my colleagues, to refer to the death of Sir . Charles Lilley, who did so much for these two schools. Probably few now in Brisbane remember the original foundation of this school, some thirty years or more ago. Nor do I think that anyono connected with the original establishment is now pre- sent-unless, indeed, it may bo Mr. Ander- son. I was not myself intimately asso- ciated with that Work, for I did not become trustee till three yeara later. But from the time when I assumed the trust-it will bo twenty-seven years in a few weeks-up to the time of his death, I know that Sir Charles Lilley took the warmest interest In these schools. For nineteen years he was a trustee, and during sixteen of them I was his colleague. I know that Vno one worked harder than he.

I am afraid, indeed, that some of his colleagues let him do the greater part of tho work. All the credit of the establishment of this magnificent 'building, when we re- moved from the old school where the rail- way station now stands, was his-It was almost entirely the work of Sir Charles Lilley. No one remembers better than I do how arduously, sincerely, and continuously he worked, not only In respect of this school, but of the Girls' School also. Of that he was, in a >lruo sense, the founder. It was mainly owing to his zeal, his.energy, hie love for the cause of education that that institution was founded and brought to the state of efficiency at which it has now ar- rived. These two schools aro looked upon as the centre of the higher education of Queensland. But none of us who are connected with the schools are satisfied with the echools being the centre of higher edu- cation, because we all believe there ought to bo something higher yet. Still, at present they occupy that position. Whether a Uni- versity is established in this colony or not, they will still continue 'to occupy a position scarcely, if at all, less important than that of a University ; and these two schools, this foundation, these buildings will remain, as long as they stand, as the noblest monu- ment of the public services of Sir Charles Lilley to the cause of education in Queens- land. (Loud applause.) As Mr. Roe says, it is intended to indicate our appreciation by a memorial to be placed under the window yonder, placing there a formal re- cord of his services. But there is no icar of his name being forgotten while the Lilley medals and the Lady Lilley medals are dis- tributed yearly, as they will be. But for {.hose visitors who come hore, and for those who come after us, those to whom theso matters will be history, we will at any rate place on record something that everyone visiting the school shall see. There is no fear of Sir Charles Lilley's services fading

from the memory of any person now alive. What I have said on that subject naturally leads me to say a word or two on the matter of higher education. It Is-I have said it before, ai:J I will continue to repeat it ou every fitting opportunity until the objec- tion ia removed-It is a great pity that v.e have not done more for the cause ot higher education than has been done. There have, Indeed, been frequent efforts, more or less persistent ; but the work that can be done In that direction without the assistance of the Legislature is comparatively trivial. I deslíe again to express my regret, as chair- man of this board, as well as In my own individual capacity, that wc are not yet in a position to do a good deal of tho work for ourselves in Queensland that we aie still obliged to ask the University Of Sydney or of Melbourne to do for us. I hope that before long the sympathetic interest of tho Government of the colony will be enlisted in this matter, and that before his Excellency Is in this chair again in twelve months' timo some provision may be made to put the general system of higher education on a more satisfactory footing In Queensland. We owe a debt of gratitude, as I have had occasion to state on many previous occasions, to the University of Sydney ; but, at the same time, we are old enough now to go alone ; we should be masters in our own house now. I think that, at any rate, so far as i the supervision of higher education-such

as it is, such as it can be-without a Uni- versity, is concerned, we are competent to undertake it for ourselves. (Applause.) I have thought It right to say a word or two on these subjects, and I shall not refer to much else. The work of the schools during last year, as shown in the reports, has been satisfactory, and we have every reason to look forward to a prosperous year next year. The result of the change in the regulations of the Education Depart- ment with respect to scholarships we shall watch with much interest. I do not antici- pate serious injury hy reason of the change, and it may turn out to be béné- ficiai. I do hope that before long we shall succeed in enlisting the active sym- pathy of the Government in the work of higher education ; because I am satisfied that, without it, the work can never pro- gress in a satisfactory manner in a country situated as we are. I will not detain you any longer, but will conclude what I have to say by thanking the staff of the Girls' School and the staff of tho Boys' School for their faithful services rendered during the year, and" by assuring them of the sympathy of the trustees with them in their work, and of their entire satisfaction with the manner in which they have discharged their duties. I wish, you boys and girls who are coming back to us a pleasant holi- day ; to those who are not coming back, success Sn life. (Loud applause.)

This terminated the proceedings.

CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' COLLEGES | DISTRIBUTION OP PRIZES.

The aunual festival in connection with the breaking np of the Christian Brothers' Colleges at Gregory-terrace and Nundah took place in the Centen- nial Hall last night. There was n very large and fashionable assemblage. His Grace the Archbishop of Brisbane presided. Among the audience were Mr. Justice Heal and Mrs. Real. Dur- ing tlie evening a programme of four- teen items was gone through, and the excellent rendering of the various num- bers evidenced careful training on the part of the masters and more than ordinary ability on the part of the pupils. An overture, " Grande Marche Imperial," was very well rendered by an orchestra of nine performers, and the audience seemed to heartily appre- ciate the efforts of a class duet, en- titled "Music and Sfong." Master A.

Cameron was successful in his violin solo, " The Ilarp of Tara," and Masters E. Real, W. Crowe, and II. Macrossan met with wann applause for their reci- tations. " The Angel's Serenade," by the College Orchestra, was cleverly played, while a piano quartette, " Pairie Queen," by Masters llerbertson, Cain, Cullinane, and M'Sweeney, was har- moniously rendered. A class of sub juniors clearly enunciated the recita- tion " Mother of the Maccabees," and a piano quartette by Masters Bresliu, Lindsey and tlie Pfitzemnaier Brothers impressed the audience with the per. formers' musical talents. A glee and a chorus.were rendered by the singing class, and heartily applauded. An Indian club display by the seniors, and dumb-bell exercises by the juniors, were special features of the evening's outer tainment, while a selection from Sliak speare's " King .Tohu" was creditably interpreted. The characters were sus- tained as follow :-Klug John, Mr. B. Fahey ; Hubert, Mr. .7. Raper ; Falcou bridge, Mr. E. Breslin ; Salisbury, Mr. M. Byrnes ; Prince Arthur, Master M. M'Sweeney.

The schools' report slated that the number of boarders had averaged well over eighty for the year, and Hie num- ber of day pupils had largely increased. The report expressed surprise that the Government of the colony did not ex- tend to private schools and colleges the right of competing for and holding scholarships, as without any expense to the country the same work was being done by them as was done at the State schools. It was suggested that the Minister for Education might seo his way clear to allow the winners of scholarships to take them out in what- ever -secondary school they pleased within the colony, as Avas done in the Southern colonies. Of the thirty-six pupils whd had entered during the year for the various examina- tions, thirty-one had been successful, four had passed the Sydney Senior ex- aminations-T. Lehane, A. Bolton, E. Walsh, and S. Knapp. The first two qualified themselves to enter for medi- cine, and also the Science and Art De- partment, at the Sydney University. In the honour matriculation, the same two students got first and second places in second-class mathematical honours. Last March T. Lehane entered the Sydney University, winning at St. John's Col- lege the O'Counoll Scholarship of £00 for general proficiency. Of tlie twenty three who entered for the Junior ex- amination, twenty passed, meßt of them with great credit. Master E. Woods, for tlie second time, won tlie University medal for drawing. Por the Law ex- amination, O. Cusack and J. O'sullivan were successful. In the civil service four of the bojTs succeeded, oue taking first, another sixth, place out of the twenty-five offered for competitions. Two of the old scholars have been raised to the priesthood-Fathers Duhig and Burton. At the intermediate and final law examinations Mr. Enright, of Charleville, and Mr. Lennon, of Barcal- dine, passed most creditably. The J2i bernian Society had generously offered some scholarships, tenable at the college for competition amongst the sons of

members.

. DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES.

Archbishop Dunne, who was received with applause, said that the Christian Brothers lad been for a number of years in their midst, and more excellent proofs of tho re- sult of their labours could not be desired tban those shown by the report. In the Sydney University and other examinations the results had been most satisfactory. The teaching of the Brothers had not Leen con- fined to two or three, but had benefited the whole community. The self-sacr.hclns Hve3 of the Brothers waa a sermon in itself in these days of infidelity.

Mr. Justice Real proposed a vote of

thanks to his Grace the Arcbb'-mop for pre- siding. Ho reiened to the -very high en teem and admiration in which his Grace was held by all present, aud to the kindly and loving manner of his Grace, by which ho ku-. to ingratiated himself into a!i their hearts. He referred to the qucsuou of State aid to education, and forcibly ex- pressed himself as in entire favour of the State granting at least some modicum of help to the very excellent work belüg car rieö out by the Chrlstlun Brothers' School. Still, he believed that it was good for them to find the means for their own education. When tliey saw the noble manner in which tne Brothers were devoting their whole lives to the work Intrusted to them, solely for the love of God and the benefit of those children who came under their mlnis'.iM tlons, they could well realise what ine-itlin ablo benefits would accrue from an expanded and State-aided and protected system. The actual results of the worto of theso noble and self-denying men, and the splendid sys- tem of education carried out by them, wero in themselves sufficient answers to the bar- barism of the doctrine that so loudly cried down State aid to education on religious basis. In conclusion, he referred again to the kindliness of tho Archbishop, whose love' of thom and their children had brought him amongst them that night. (Applause.) .

The vote of thanks was carried by acclam- ation, and his Grace briefly replied.'

THE PRIZE LIST.

His Grace then proceeded to distribute the prizes as follow :

PRIZE LIST.

Senior University Class.-E. Woods, the Buchanan gold medal ; F. Masterson, first place ; J. Buchanan, second place.

Junior University Class.-Medals : 1, 'E. Shannon (Metric.) ; 2, J. Buchanan ; 3, E. Woods ; 4, J. Duffy ; 5, H. Marshall ; «, J. Maher ; 7, W. Williams ; 8, J. Fitzgerald. Prizes ; 1, J. Maher (Buchanan gold medal) ; 2, L. Marshall (Latin and French) ; 3, J. Maher (mathematics) ; 4, W. Williams ; 5, I. Fitzgerald ;.G, J. Bollon ; 7, F. Lonergan ; 8, W. Poole.

Junior University Class (second division). -Prizes : 1, A. Bolton ; 2, J. M'Caffrey ; 3, E. Real ; 4, E. Androws ; 5, S. Rooke ; 6, G. Armstrong ; 7, W. Thompson, li. Grenier, English and geography; T. M'Konna,

Latin and French.

Civil Service Class,-Prizes : 1, J. Dwyer (shorthand, English, and composition) ; 2, J. Gaffney (mathematics ; 3, M. Byrne (history) ; 4, J. Duf/y (geography) ; 5, M. Mogan ; C, M. 'Bonfield ; 7, B. Seaman ; 8, C. Quinn ; 9, E. Shannon ; 10, J. Gregg.

Elocution.-1, E. Real : 2, P. Crowe.

Gymnastics.-1, J. Maunsell (modal) ; 2,

J. Bolton.

Athletics.-1, F. nicklin (College Cup) ; 2, W. Heckeln.ann (Champion Cup).

Sixth Class.-Prizes : 1, R. ivloar ; 2, F. Byrne ; 3, J. Prudence. V. Markwell, drawing and mapping ; C. Gallwey, Christian

doctrine.

Fifth Class (higher division).-Prizes : 1, P. Dwyer (Latin, French, drawing, physi- ology) ; 2, E. Hickey (mathomatlcs and year's marks) ; 8, E. Masterson (Christian doctrine) ; 4, P. Chapman (history and geo- graphy) ; 5, L. Mossop (homo work) ; 0, V. Vowles (English and history).

Fifth Class (Junior division).-Prizes : 1, W. M'Conachie (mathematics) ; 2, R. Thomp- son (year's marks) ; 3, P. Carmichael ; 4, J. Shanahan ; 5, S. Andrews (Christian doc- trine) ; G, A. Carmichael (reading) ; 7, V. Heckelmann (grammar and geography) ; S, M. M'Dermott (second Christian doctrine).

Fourth Class (higher division).-Prizes : 1, T. Maher ; 2, J. Lonergan ; 3, R. Mac greaity ; 4, R. Sheppard ; 6, J. M'Conachie ; 0, B. Gallagher ; 7, W. M'Kennarley ; 8, J.

Carmichael.

Fourth Class (junior divlsion).-Prlzes ; 1, J. Wilson ; 2, Marie Toni ; 3, J. Quinn ;

4, J. Carroll ; 5, V. Watson ; G, F..^ar michael ; 7, A. Oliver ; S, J. Kelly.,' J. Sheppard (arithmetic), J. Bragg (regular"at- tendance), P..Murphy (grammar).

Third Class.-Prizes : 1, F. Carroll ; 2, II. Gallwey; 3, N. Macgroarty; 4, P. Carroll; 5, J. Keenan ; 6, I. Mullins ; 7, R. Overell ; 8, H. Dodd ; 9, J. M'Aulilfe ; 10, I. Leach ; 11, V. Gooley ; 12, A. Desmond ; 13, A. Mogan ; 14, H. M'Cready ; 15, B. Caunlffe.

Second Class.-Prizes : 1, G. Stein ; 2, B. Coll ; 3, T. Gorman ; 4, H. Tommassi ; 5, M. M'Kenra. ,,

- , g

CHURCH OF ENGLAND COLLEGIATE

SCHOOL. £ m

A large aud interested gathering of the members of the Church of England met at All Saints' Schoolroom yesterday afternoon to witness the distribution of prizes to the pupils of the Collegiate School. Bishop Webber opened .the proceedings, and was supported, by Bishop Stretch, Archdeacon David,

Revs. G. Frodsham, é. li. Bartlett/iuid Will ter Thompson. The Rev. U.'Frod sham briefly stated the history off the scliool. At Hie Synod in ISiXi a com- mittee was appointed to consider what steps should bo taken to establish a high-class school for boys and girls-a scliool where Church ol' England child- ren could bo educated on thoroughly Church lines. At tlie beginning of the present year, the promoters ol' the school received a generous offer from Miss Frances Stretch, B.A., offering to take the position of Lady Principal at a!'no- minal stipend. The committee decided to accept the offer, and accordingly, the Church of England Collegiate School for Girls was opened in All Saiuts 'Schoolroom on the 20th April, 1897. They were fortunate in obtaining 'Hie services of ¡Miss Connell, M.A., whose high University degrees and scholastic experience litted her for the position of vice-principal. The school 'was opened -with twelve pupils and full staff of teachers, to insure the standard re- quired for the higher education of wo- men. After three terms of existence, the pupils now number thirty, and the committee anticipate a largo increase of scholars in the term which will begin on the 1st of February, 1S0S. A board of examiners were appointed, composed of the following clergymen ;-Arch- deacon David, M.A., Rev. A. R. Bartlett, M.A., Rev. J. W. Ashton, M.A. (all of Oxford). Tliey reported the evidence of steady and capable instruction on the pail ol' the teachers, and of encouraging work on the part of the girls. It was upon the important fact of religious Instruction that the board of manage- ment had based their school. "The Church of England at last possessed an institution where definite teaching was given upon subjects of such vital importance.

Bishop Webber then addressed the children, and in a happy and humorous speech gave instances of ingenious and comic answers unwittingly returned by children at examinations, and paid a high tribute to the managing and teach- ing capacity of Miss, Stretch and her assistants. /

Bishop Stretch in his speech said he thought the school had made a good beginning, because it had been a slow one, upon the principle of making no more haste than good speed. It behoved the members of the Church to give their moral support to the school, and a substantial support by entering their girls as pupils. He instanced the good work done by these schools in Loudon and elsewhere, where the Church was the educator, and how many clover and noteworthy women had been edu- cated at the Clergy Orphans' Schools ? One of the great workers in those schools was Mr. Bernard Wilson, whom so many remembered in connection with St. John's in Brisbane. The Bishop urged the committee and teachers to persevere and work slowly and thor- oughly, not forcing the results, but giv- ing the system time to work.

Tlie prizes were then distributed by' his Lordship Bishop Webber, who spoke ?a kindly word to each recipient

The following pupils received prizes:

Fern V.-EngÜGh subjects, Gertrude Deuny : languages, Florence Shire ; mathe ma 'cr,. Mav Shirp ; Scriptur \ Etta Skln-fer.

Form iV.-English subject?, Gertrude Beg* ; languages, Naomi S'nJt ; niathe

ma..cs, IJ.i MoiPton.

Form III.-English subjects and lan- guages, Enid Denuey ; arithmetic, Joan

Buzacott.

Form I.-English subjects and French, Dorothy Ward ; Scripture, Alma Alford.

Miscellaneous.-General excellence, Ger- trude Eogg ; Scripture, May Shire ; essay, Bessie Moreton ; Gpecial essay, Joan Buza- cott ; German, Kate Sheldon.

After tlie distribution of prizes Hie pupils eiiterlained their visitors with songs and pianofoito music, showing much ability aud earnestness.

Among the visitors present were Rev. T. Jones and Miss Jones, Dr. and Mrs. Malley, Miss Maffey, Mrs. G. Harris, Mesdames Benson, Spooner, Alford, Gore-Jones, Moreton, Cardew, C. T. Graham, Boyd, Misses Graham^,Boyd, Hurd, Gore-Jones, Wells, Mr. Townson, Mr. Buzacott, Mr. Benjamin, and many others. t, , ,

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