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f —— —--- - .PRIZE DAY AT…

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f —— — PRIZE DAY AT CLIVE HOUSE, OLD COLWYN. TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY. PRESENTATION TO THE HEADMASTER. The annual prize distribution took place at Clive House School, Old Colwyn, on Moaday. The weather being fine, the pioceedinga were conducted on the beautiful lawn attached to the ochcol. A large number of parents and friends were present when the proceedings were commenced. The Principal (the Rev. H. E. Mocatta, M.A.) occupied the chair, and was supported by Canon Russell, "icar of Todmorden; the Rev. J. J Stockley, vicar of St. Paul's, Burton on Trent; and Mr A. S. D. Smith, Cambridge. In his opening remarks, the Chairman wel- somed Canon Russell, who had kindly consented to distribute the prizes. Continuing, he said they had finished the school year once again, but this was rather an ever.tful year in the life of the school, for it was exactly twenty years to that term that he began work in that capacity on his own account. Twenty years was a long time to look forward to, but not such a long time to look back upon, as, somehow or other, the years slipped by and were gone almost unmarked. Du- ring that time a large number of young people had passed through their hands, and they had realised the great and grave responsibility which rested upon them. Even in a small school a cer- tain grave responsibility was placed upon the shoulders of the teachers. In his opinion it was a mark of the very greatest trust when a man or woman placed their childien in another's care (hear, hear). Children were most precious to their parents, and to hand them over to the charge of another was a very serious responsibil- ity both to the parent and the person receiving them. It was always wise to make careful search and enquiries before entrusting the child to the care of a schoolmaster. They had to do with the child for the largost part of his young life. He came to them for three terms in the year of 12 to 13 weeks each, and was at home about 13 weeks,so that the schoolmaster was entrusted with the major portion of his life. Many said that a schoolmaster's life was a very pleasant one, and that it consisted mostly of holidays. As a matter of fact, from the moment a term commenced, until it ended, the schoolmaster's life was ono CONSTANT FEAR AND DREAD of what might happen, and no one could take up the duties unless given time for recuperation. Twenty years of school life brought back to him faces of those who were now grown up men, and he could not recall one single instance of a boy bringing actual discredit upon his old school. That, he thought, was something to be proud of (applause). He would like the boys of the Pre- sent generation to realise that they had a tradi- tion to keep up, that they had something to look back to, and that there was something in their school which they should try to uphold. The old -boys came back and told him that they wished their school had always been in the present anu pleasant conditions. They could not imagine bow it was (hit they were not in Colwyn long ago, and he echoed that sentiment. They said the present boy was in surroundings which must make biin the perfect boy, so to speak, and had every- thing he could possibly require. As they looked around it certainly appeared as though the boys had everything to make their lives extremely pleasant. There was another matter which took him back, so to speak; next week he was going to marry his first boy (laughter and hear, hear). His old boy was now a barrister and a B.A. of Oxford (hear, hear). THE YEAR'S WORK. Reviewing the year's work, the Principal said it had been very successful, their only anxious moment occurring during the last term, when they had rathei a scare of illness, but, fortun- ately, it had only been a scare. With the excep- tion of one case the scholars had been exceed- ingly well in health. This was an important thing in school life, and the first to consider (hear, hear). A good many delicate children were sent them for health reasons, but on looking round it would be difficult to indicate a delicate ohild that day. He was glad to say they had been successful in passing some of their boys into public schools, and had further been successful in winning a public school scholarship (applause). The school should be judged by results, and that Bpoke for itself. Referring to the gymnasium results, Mr Mocatta said the winners were the same as last year, but they had been penalised six point for their previous win, which, he thought, only fair. As reg-ardel the shooting- competition the winner had scored 33 out of a possible 35, and shot so correctly that several of the bullets were in the same hole (hear, hear). He was a great believer in shooting for boys, as it taught them accuracy in that and other things. BUDS OF PROMISE. Canon Russell, who addressed the scholars, said he looked upon all the prize winners as buds in the g-arden, full of promise,—promise of flowers and fruit,—and he hoped that the boy who had won a prize that year would not let it lead him to relaxation, but that it would act as a fresh incentive for more vigorous efforts another year. Nowadays, everything suffered from competition. No matter what walk of life was chosen, men were compelled to jostle one another as they went along. He looked upon the boy who year after year carried off prizes in school as occupy- ing a very important vantage ground for gaining a position in after life. But parents were apt to lay too much stress upon the fact that their boys had won prizes. This, he thought, was the least important fact as a result of the year's Schooling. What fathers and mothers should look for most was not prizes, but the character. If the boy went home truthful, manly, straight- forward, he would be carrying the best prize of all, and he hoped the boys would remember that (applause). What they most appreciated was the change in character for the better. Some of the nicest boys were originally marked with a mal- formation of character, but there was nothing like school to take that out of them, and to make them good, healthy, and straightforward, as they ought to be. When Mr Mocatta spoke of 20 years' service, he spoke of a great deal of good which he had done to boys and parents (hear, hear). He ftli-e speaker) had his "baby" there at present. They used to say "the proof of the pud- ding is in the eating;" the proof of a school was shown by the way the scholars were turned out. He had had another boy there, who left for Hallbury (applause). THE PRIZE WINNERS. Canon Russell then distributed the prizes to the successful scholars, the list being as fol- lows:- I)ivinity.-W. Tinto. Classical.-Div. I., R. Beloe; Div. II., A. Lord; Snd Div. III., M. Drake (II.). English.—Div. I., W. Tinto; Div., II.. H Bubb. French.-Div. I., Budd Doyle; Div. II., A. Lord; Div. III., C. Wilcock. Mathematics.-Div. II., P. de Smith; Div. III., a Laing. Lower Form Prize.—E. Rareton. Drawing Prize (given by Mr Hutchings).—H. Laing. Gymnasium Prize.—Div. I.. W. Tinto; Div. n.,E.Rareton. Shooting.—E. Drake. Excellence during term and exam. work.-P. L. Stockley. Excellence in exam. work.—W. L. Robert- aha w. hooting Scores (possible 35).—1st. E. Drake, 53 2nd, H. Larng and J. Budd Doyle, 32 each. Gymnasium Competition.—Div. I.: W. Tinto, 62; M. Drake (II.), 61; R. Beloe, 60; W. L. Robertshaw, 59; L. G. Robertshaw (64 less 6) 58; D. Middlemost, 55; and IT. Lain" 54! Div. II.: 1, E. Railton, 62; 2, C. Wilcock, 61; 3, H. Butler, 60; 4, C. H. Russell and C. Grog-an, 59 each; 5, A.. Lord (64 less 6), 58; 6, J. Mac. Nicoll, 57; 7, H. Bubb, 56; 8, A. Newey, 54; 9, P. Stockley, 49; and 10, J. Barnicot, 47. PRESENTATION TO THE HEADMASTER. At this stage. Canon Russell intimated that to celebrate the "coming of age" of the school the younj men had banded themselves together for the purpose of marking their appreciation of the event, and of the Principal's services. They now desired to make presentations to Mr Mocatta on behalf of the "old" and "present" boys. Ronald Beloe, captain of the school, then stepped forward and in a few well chosen words formally made a presentation to the headmaster of a splendid revolving oak study chair, bear- ing on a silver plate the following inscription:- "Presented to the Rev. H E. Mocatta, M.A., by his affectionate pupils, on the 20th anniversary of Clive House School, July, 1908;" a silver-mounted leather writing-case with silver initials; an "On- oto" fountain pen, and an illuminated address, inscribed, "Presented to the Rev. H. E. Mocatta, M.A., as a token of their affection and esteem by" —then followed tho names of all the boys. In replying, Mr Mocatta saiti wuo presentation was entirely unexpected; he had not the faintest idea of it. He was most deeply touched and grateful. Proceeding, he said his work was not dodgery, but the greatest pleasure of his life. H boys were everything to him, and always would be. The only unpleasant feature was that they eventually went, away from him just as bo became most attached to them. and the hand- shake pf a departing :boy was almost like a sword thrust, for he left that a link in his life was broken. No matter how often they came to see him again, he felt that something had gone out of his life. In conclusion, the Headmaster again; sincerely thanked the donors. Three cheers were then called for the Prin- cial, which the boys responded lustily. The Rev. J. J. Stockley, who also addressed the boys, paid a tribute to the Rev. H. E. Mo- catta for the manner in which the boys- were cared for. To the boys his advice was to "play the game" properly all through their lives. If beaten let them not to show temper either in- wardly or outwardly. The prizes won at the recent athlete sports' were then presented by Mrs Robertshaw. THANKS The Rev. H. E. Mocatta thanked Canon Rus-i sell for his presence, more especially as he had come at considerable trouble, having been in his: bed on the previous Friday. He also thanked the Rev. J. J. Stockley, and all who had helped in the work of the school. He had been excep-' tionally fortunate both in resident and visiting staff, and deeply appreciated their efforts. He was also grateful for the reception they had re- ceived in Old Colwyn. The members of the singing class then sang "Let the Hills Resound," under the leadership of Mr Llewelyn Jones, F.R.C.O., the music mas- ter. Three cheers were then given for Mrs Robert- sbaw, and also to those who had contributed prizes ? Tea was provided on the lawn near the sports ground during which the boys gave a gymnastic display under Instructor G. Roberts. On Thursday, the boys made a presentation of a silver-mounted oak inkstand to Colour-Sergeant Instructor Jelly, in grateful recognition of his services, and testifying to their deep regret at his pending doparture from the district.

COLWYN BAY GENTLEMAN'S SAD…

THE PEOPLE STATE

LLANRWST COUNTY COURT.

I GIVEN AWAY. .'-I

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