South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), Monday 15 December 1862, page 3


ADELAIDE EDUCATIONAL INSTI-TUTUION

The half-yearly distribution of prizes connected vith the Adelaide Educational Institution (Mr. J. L. Young's) took place in the Assembly Rooms, on Saturday, December 13. There was a fair at-

tendance of tne relatives and friends of the pupils, and of others desirous of witnessing the pleasing ceremony. Several of the old pupils occupied seats on the platform. As on previous occasions, specimens of tne artistic skill of the scholars, evidenced in pencil and crayon drawings, plans plotted from the field-book, and maps of several countries, were exhi-bited upon a large board placed against the southem wall Many of these, and especially the maps and plans, were executed in a really credit-ible manner; although some of the boys, from the press of other engagements, were debarred rom bestowing on their productions the time and pains which are essential to complete success. The chair was occupied by Mr. B. H. Babbage, who in a brief but humorous speech introduced the business of the afternoon. He spoke of the benefits of education, and the great necessity there was that young men should diligently attend to study; then passing on to the subject more im- -mediately before them, he remarked that some nine years ago Mr. Young commenced with two scholars. His school however, had gone on and progressed, aud now it numbered about 130 scholars, thus showing from what small beginnings industry, intelligence, and integrity could carry a nan on. Like the Philsophical Society, which in nine years had increased from five or six to 60 or 90 members, the Adelaide Educational Institution was becoming as it were one of the institutions of the State. They needed only to glance at the list of Government officers, at the list of young men engaged in merchants' offices in town, and at those employed at posts where intelligence and integrity were required to see among them many names which had been paraded before the public on occa-sions like the present, and the owners of which had mounted that platform to receive prizes awarded by Mr. Young. Thus the good Mr. Young had done in organizing and establishing that large school was like to live after him, and the exertions he had put forth in connection with it were likely to leave their stamp on the intelligence of South Australia. Mr. J.L. Young then read his half-yearly report which bore satisfactory testimony to the general progress of the boys. The prize for industry (awarded by the old scholars), won by W. S.. Samson, had been well contested, and many of the other pupils had distinguished themselves very conspicuously. Among these were mentioned W. Robertson, W. Mackie, F. Martin, and W. Coulls; and in the second.class J. T. Fitch, who succeeded in carrying off the industry prize, for the first time awarded in that class. The boys particularized as deserving of special mention in geometry were First-class— F. Martin, W. Dixon, and S. Kingston ; second class— A. M. Woods, T. H. Bowen, and ?. Bee. Those who had given the greatest satisfac tion in algebra and arithmetic were W. S. Samson, F. Martin, G. Davies, W. Robertson, W. Gardner, B. Rosman, E. Samson, J. Calder, and J. Masters. In chemistry nearly all the boys had acquitted themselves well, the most attentive being W. Robertson, W. Coulls, W. S. Samson, and F. Martin. In natural philosophy F. Martin, J. Calder, W. Gardner, and W. S. Samson had distinguished themselves. In political economy, W. Robertson, W. S. Samson, W. Mackie, and J. Gurr. In history and geography, W. Robertson, W. Mackie W. S. Samson, and J. Gurr. Tho progress of the scholars in classics during the last half-year was rather un favourably reported on ; and in the absence of satisfactory progress it had been thought well to withhold the prize in the first class. The report of the German master, Mr. H. Greffrath, was also read by Mr. Young. It spoke in high terms of the proficiency of J. M. Solomon, who was also recommended for the first prize. Among others who had given general satisfaction were A. Murray, J. Murray, M. Jacobs, Wigg, Buik, and Fisher. Wigg was especially commended for the excellency of his penmanship. The report of the Rev. F. W. Cox on the draw ings and maps was also sent in. The result of it wiil be seen in the subjoined prize-list. The report on the surveying classes was generally satisfactory, although some of its members were alluded to as being irregular in their attendance. The winner of the prize for the best essay on India, offered by Mr. J. H. Clark, was not known, as all the papers had not been read through. The name of the successful competitor will be adver tised in due time. . W S Samson at the call of the Chairman, then read a paper on Roman history, which was stated to be one of the ordinary school papers. The following recitations were then given:— 'The Large Brave Heart,' G. Young; a German poem, 'The Earl King' M. Jacobs ' The Maid of Orleans,' (Southey) J.T. Fitch; 'The Bird.' (Gray) F Martin; 'Thanksgiving,' (Eliza Cook), Bullock; a German poem, '; Punishment of For gcefulness,' H. Bennett; 'Absalom, (Willis), Bowen ' Departure of the Senior Class of Yale College,' (Willis), W. S. Samson. As a whole the pieces were well recited; 'The Large Brave Heart' and ' Absalom' particularly so. The enunciation of the pupils was very dis-tinct although in some instances the delivery was wanting in expression, and their voices were too weak to fill the room. The absence of suitable action was also observable. . The distribution of the prizes was then proceeded with That for good conduct was won by W. Mackie, and the Chairman having presented it to him called on Mr. Caleb Peacock, to whom had been entrusted the task of handing over the In dustry Prize subscribed for by the old pupils. Mr. Peacock said in appearing before them as the representative of the old scholars he did so with mingled feelings of pleasure and diffidence -pleasure in having to present the prize, and diffi-dence inasmuch as it was the first time he had spoken in public. He remarked that the prize, towards which upwards of 50 scholars had contri buted, was intended not merely to provoke emu-lation among the scholars, but to show Mr. Young that, although they might be absent from the school in body, they were present in mind, and were keenly sensible of their indebtedness to him for the exertions he had put forth on their behalf. The awarding of the prize had been left to Mr. Young, who had the best opportunities of judging of the proficiency and good conduct of the several pupils. It had been won by W. S. Samson. He then handed it over to Master Samson, and, ad-dressing him, said it was their wish that, not merely should he be successful in carrying off the prize at school, but that he should be equally suc-cessful on entering the school of life, and in com peting with children of a larger growth. (Great ap--plause.) The prize has already been described in our columns. The inscription it bore was as follows : 'Adelaide Educational lnstitution. Old scholars' prize, presented to William Stephen Samson, for general improvement. December, 1862.' The other prizes and certificates were then dis-tributed as under, the Chairman accompanying the presentation with a few appropriate words :— First Class -Geometry— Prize. F. Martin; certifi cate, 1st W.Dixon, 2nd S. Kingston. Algebra— Prize, F'. Martin : certificate, W. Robertson. Arithmetic Prize, E. Samson ; certificate, J. Sinclair. Mental Arithmetic— Prize, B. Rosman. Chemistry— Prize, W. Robertson; certificate. W. Coulls. Natural Philosophy— Prize, F. Martin; certificate, J. Calder. Political Economy— Prize, W. Robert-son; certificate, W. S. Samson. Geography— Prize, W. Robertson; certificate, W. S. Samson. English-Prize, W. Robertson; certificate, B. Rosman, History— Prize, W. S. Samson; certifi cate, W. Robertson. Modern Languages— Prize, J. M. Solomon; certificate, M. Jacobs. Surveying —Prize, W. Robertson: certificate, R. Robertson. Drawing— Prize, 1st S. Kingston, 2nd C. Kingston ; certificate, A. M. Woods. Mapping— Prize, W. Robertson. Bookkeeping (awarded by J. Fisher, Esq., 3 guineas)— Prize, W. S. Samson ; certificate, H. Bennett.— Second Class-Industry-Prize, J. T. Fitch. Geometry— Prize, A. M. Woods; certi ficate, 1st T. H. Bowen, 2nd. T. Bee. History Prize, J. T. Fitch; certificate, L. A. Bristow. Geography— Prize, J. T. Fitch; certificate, W. H. Wadey.' Science— Prize, L. A. Bristow; certifi cate, J. T. Fitch. Latin— Prize, G. Woodforde. English— Prize, J. T. Fitch; certificate, L. A. Bristow. Arithmetic— Prize, H. Bennett; certifi cate, F. Rowe. Writing— Prize, E Linklater.— Third Class— Arithmetic— Prize, lst D. Fisher, 2nd E. Adamson. Science— Prize, V. Solomon. English— Prize, T. A. Rosman. Hjstorv— i'rize, C. A. Clausen. Geography— Prize, J. B. Blair. Writing-Prize, W.Crane. Mr. J. L. Young then made a few remarks with reference to school duties. The teacher's was peculiarly a sacred offlce-a high vocation. Often when he considered the responsible work he had undertaken, and observed that some of the boys under his care profited little from his tuition, a feeling of despondency arose within him, and he felt how really incompetent he was ; but the favour able reports he received of many old pupils, of whom he could truly say he felt proud, encouraged him to persevere. He hoped those at present under his care would emulate truly great men. He then returned thanks to the visitors, for their attendance and to Mr. Babbage for presiding. He also excused the absence of Mr. Clark. The Chairman intimated that this concluded the business of the afternoon. Three cheers were then given by the boys for Mr. J. L. Young. The Hon. J. M. Solomon proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Young. His task was truly a re-sponsible and an onerous one, and that he had acquitted himself well in former times was evidenced by the fact that many of his old scholars

were now occupying positions of trust. He con-idered Mr. Young was entitled to their thanks for his conduct in his profession of teacher. Mr. Samson seconded, and the motion was arried by acclamation. Mr. Young returned thanks in a very suitable manner, and the interesting proceedings closed, the boys suggesting -three cheers for the old scholars.