The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-03-21 00:00:00

TRINITY NIGHT SCHOOL SUPPER.

The fourth anniversary of the foundation of the
night-school in connection with the parish of Holy
Trinity has arrived and passed, and the kind promoters
of the highly useful Institution have the gratification
of knowing that the session just concluded has been the
most successful since the school was first started. The
average attendance has increased in the four years from
54 to 73, and the number on the school books has risen
Irons 84 to 151 • while the unprecedented number of 97
have this year Passed the annul examination. All this
shows plainly that the efforts hitherto made by those
who have the welfare of the rising generation in Dor-
chester, at heart have been appreciated to an extent
which has been a reward to the founders of the
school far more substantial than any othcr expreesion
the scholars might have give.l of their gratitude. The
suppeg,with which the winter's proceedings are annually
terminated, took place on 'Thursday, at the Boys'
National School. The interior aspect of the room was
I extremely cheering ; tables arrayed in convenient
podtioes were spree') with a bountiful provision of "the
good things of this life," which kind friends
had liberally provided, and could not fail to give
pleasure. To say the room was nicely decorated is
needless, the adornment of the timbered ceiling and
walls of the room has always been a striking feature of
the yearly festival. At no former gathering, however,
have the decorations looked batter or the mottoes on
the walls been more appropriate. "May we all meet
Asian," "Thanks to all friends," "Welcome," “Improve
sue trues,- e li ea t CClDsosuu
circlets and iestoone of greenery and flowers were
placedlin the intervening spaces. The Union Jack and
Royal Standard hung over the mantel shelf facing the
door, surmounted by a crown flanked by the royal
initials' YR."Buntingin profusion was displayed in
all parts of the room and had a most pleasing effect.
About ei,ht o'clock the scholars, to the number of
97, aseembled and were kindly greeted by many of
their friends who had provided the repast. Amongst
the gentlemen present were Mr. J. F. Hodges, Mr.
J. F. Hodges, jun. Mr. Herbert Hodges, Mr. E.
Burnett, Mr. B. Davis, Mr, G. Penton, Rev. H.
Everett, and Rev. H. Jones, rector of All Saints.
The choir of All Saints, under the direction of Mr.
Robinson, attended, and, having chanted "Grace
before meat," the scholars, who are of almost every
age between twelve and twenty, commenced the
butinase of the evening with • hearty good will. The
kind services of Mr. J. R. Cooper, sided by his staff of
teachers, gave much pleasure in administering to the
requirements of those present Some very beautiful
specimens of flora, from the nurseries of Messrs.
Harris and Sons, were on the tables. After the
immense clattering of knives and forks, and the busy
interchange of jokes and laughter began to sabside,
denoting a parley in the recent onslaught on the
creature comforts before them, the tables were cleared,
and "Grace after meat? was sung. The cheers of the
scholar. here became loud, and would have been pro•
I mged, but the Rector kindly requested them to
desist from a repetition of such a manifestation of
thcir feelings. A sad event had occurred—he referred
to the death of Mrs, Falkner —the wife of one who
was mainly instrumental in founding this school, and
he hoped they would attend to his request, and keep
as quiet as possible. Mr. Everett then proposal "The
health of the Queen," remarking that the remembrance
of their Sovereign ought always to be kept uppermost
in their minds at a meeting of this sort.
The choir thou sang the National Anthem, in which
all joined. After a glee, "Hail, smiling morn," had
been given in firstrate style,
The Rev. H. Evretur said he was sure he might
honestly say that a very suocessful work had just come
to a clam Now that the concluding event of this session
had arrived, it gave him great pleasure to see them do
jail ice to their supper. It bed afforded him mingle)
feelings of astonishment and delight to observe their
enjoying themselves and demolishing everything before
them in so rapid a manner —(laughter). He ought now
to thank in his own name, and their own, the kind
gentlemen who had given the supper—(hear, bear)' lie
was quite sure they were thankful for the instruction
they received in that school, and he could only say be
was truly pleased to see the state miming forward to
assist in the work. Great alterations had been made
in the provisions for the conducting of night wheels.
Instead of their haring 24 nights only for instruction,
50 had been proposed as the future number of times for
attetdanoe, and ha would remind them that the
Government had determined on awarding the Grant
for efficients only. As an instance of the progress
visible in the affairs of the school he would remind
them that at its commencment the average attendance
wee 54; number on books, 85; sad the number who
passed the examination was 59. In the suoceeding
year they had increase) in dais following ratio &enrage
attendance, 15; number on books, 120; passed examin-
ation, 85; last year they stood thus, average attend-
ance, 71 ; number on books, 130; passed examination,
; and this year their position was average attendance,
7:3; number on books, 154; passed examination, 97. ,
Now from these figures all must agree with him that a
great deal of good had been done; hut still much re-
mained to be accomplished. He was decidedly of
opinion had It not been for the strenuous exertions of
Mr. Cooper and his kind teachers, they would not have
attained to sash efficiency. They ought to be thankful
to them for their kindness, as he felt sere they were.
Ho was grateful himself to see amongst then, so many
of the helpers to the success of the school. There, was
however, one thing he must weiu advert to—that
which had east such a gloom over the parish. That
event had deprived them of a friend, for Mrs. Falkner
was a truly energetic sympathiser in the welfare of the
school. And, be might say, Mr. Falkner was amongst
the first, if not the first promoter of the scheme for the
establishment of the scheol—(hear, hear). He would
again remind them of the restrictions placed upon night
eoheels by Government; more money was offered for
proficiency in tearing, but more work would have to be
done in order to earn It. Managers, teachers, and
scholars must all work to accomplish the end required.
He trusted that the time would speedily arrive when
night schools would no longer be required, or, if they
were, more would be taught in them. 41 they were
doubtless aware, the first night sohoo!s were started
for the benefit of men who were taken from school
when very 'memo, who had never bed the opportunity
of attending a school at all—but now many who had
just left school found an extremely useful supplemen-
tary education at the night schools now in operatioe.
He assured them that la this country at present a man
without education was of very little use indeed, and
the time would shortly arrive when education will be
of still geeater importance. Such a remembrance ought
to spur them ou to renewed exertions; as one induce-
ment to perseverance, tide little supper was given them.
He knew some people of iniluenos in the town said a
supper was quite superfluous; he did not believe it.
He was of opinion that a great many indorsements
were required t• m••• • bO7 persevere in Warning.
Too much encouragement could not be given and be
hoped the good and kind friends of Dorchester would
continue the liberality they had bestowed this evening

—(applause). .
"See our ears with f withered spray" woo next given
by the choir.
Mr. J. F. HODGES said he must oongratulate them
OD again being amembled tc,th. Re wee extremely
girl lids amber lad sot ambiliked. Hs vs. sun