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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Private Schools

Private Schools.

Ladies' College (Mrs. Moore-Jones, M.R.C.P., M.M., C.M., S.K., London and Cheltenham, principal), Boarding and Day School for Girls, Remuera, Auckland. This first-class private school is situated in the beautiful suburb of Remuera, about three miles from the general post office, and can be reached by a regular line of omnibuses, passing the college grounds. The school is conducted on unsectarian Christian principles, and provides a standard modern education with a thorough home for the pupils. The house and grounds are unique in accommodation, and afford unusual educational influences. There is a large staff, which comprises the most talented professors in Auckland. Prospectuses may be obtained on application. Telephone 808.

Ladies' College and School of Music.

Ladies' College and School of Music.

Mrs. S. A. M. Moore-Jones, the Principal of the Ladies' College, has had a long and successful career as a teacher. She is a member of the Royal College of Preceptors, London, and holds first class English and New Zealand certificates as a trained teacher.

Melmerly Collegiate School is admirably situated in St. George's Bay Road, and every comfort is afforded to the pupils,
Melmerly School.

Melmerly School.

whose number averages about seventy. The curriculum taught comprises English literature, modern languages, Latin, mathematics, physiology, music, painting, and drawing. Pupils are prepared for the matriculation and Civil Service examinations. Moral and religious training is made a special feature, and the scholars are trained in the tenets of the Church of England; the Rev. G. MacMurray, M.A., vicar of St. Mary's, visiting the school fortnightly. Great attention is paid to the physical development of the pupils, who possess the advantages of a well-equipped gymnasium, which is attached to the school. An admirable staff of teachers, besides the principals, is engaged in imparting the usual curriculum—namely, Madame Bouillon (resident); Mrs Dewes (non-resident); Miss Lance (diploma in Honours, Cambridge) (non-resident); Mr. Wright (drawing); Mr. K. Watkins (painting); Dr. Thomas; Mr. Leslie Hunt, organist, St. Mary's, Parnell (music), and others. Principals—Miss Hall, Mrs Gordon (Cambridge Higher Local First-class, with Honours). Since the accompanying photograph was taken, considerable additions have been made to the school, which is now capable of accommodating a large number of pupils.

Miss Hull, Principal of “Melmerly” Girls' School, was educated at Mrs. Glover's school, Symonds Street, and afterwards became governess at the school of which she is now principal and which was established by Mrs. Clayton in 1877. Miss Hull succeeded Mrs. Clayton in 1895, and has been successful in retaining the prestige of this well-known establishment.

St. Mary's Convent (Rev. Mother Ignatius, superior), Ponsonby, Auckland. In the year 1850 seven sisters, under the direction of Rev. Mother Cecilia Maher, left their native place—Carlow, Ireland—to devote their lives to the foreign missions in New Zealand. They arrived at Auckland per ship “Oceani” in the same year. Soon after their arrival, a high school, as well as a parochial school, was opened in a wooden building adjoining the old cathedral, Wyndham Street. These were then the only educational establishments, and all denominations resorted to them, and availed themselves of the superior education given therein. The first boarding school, orphanage, and native school were also established and conducted by the Sisters of Mercy. Great success has resulted from the Sisters' teaching, their pupils having been successful in passing the Matriculation and Civil Service examinations, and the Trinity College examination in music—vocal, instrumental, and theoretical. St. Mary's Convent, Ponsonby, was founded in 1861 by Mother Cecilia Maher, when the present boarding school and high school were opened. The number of pupils attending these schools averages between seventy and eighty, including about thirty boarders. The Convent is beautifully situated close to the sea; the boarders thus have the advantage of sea-bathing, while the extensive grounds surrounding the Convent afford ample means of recreation. The children have also the advantage of a gymnasium indoors and a library. The “Star of the Sea” Orphanage is about five minutes' walk from the Convent, and overlooks the Waitemata Harbour. Here over seventy orphan girls are attended to by the Sisters of Mercy. The present bishop, Dr. Lenihan, has this orphanage under his fostering supervision, and is beloved by its inmates. The Boys' Industrial Home, Takapuna, is also under his care, the Rev. Father Purton, O.S.B., attending to the spiritual wants of the boys, though the entire working of the establishment is in the hands of the Sisters of Mercy. The Orphanage and Industrial Home are visited regularly by Government inspectors, whose reports page 212
St. Mary's Convent.

St. Mary's Convent.

have been very favourable. In 1881 new schools were opened in the Cathedral parish—a high school, parochial, and infant schools. A superior education is given in these schools as well as in St. Mary's, Ponsonby, and, indeed, every effort is made in all the schools conducted by the Sisters, to keep pace with the giant strides made by education in these climes. Rev. Mother M. Cecilia Maher sent a foundation to Wellington in 1861. Sister Mary Bernard Dixon was appointed first superior of this convent, her assistant being Sister Mary Augustine Maxwell. Mother Dixon was one of the band of sisters who volunteered to render their services at the Crimean War. After a term of fifteen years in the office of superior at Wellington, she returned to Auckland, where she spent the remainder of her truly edifying life until called to receive her reward on the 5th of August, 1895, deeply regretted by all who knew her. Mother Cecilia Maher also founded other convents and institutions as follows:—St. John the Baptist's, Parnell, in 1861; St. Joseph's, Onehunga, in 1862; St. Cecilia's, Otahuhu, in 1865; and St. Thomas', Thames, in 1874; the “Star of the Sea” Orphanage, Ponsonby, in 1876; and St. Mary's,
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Coromandel, in 1880. The present superior, Mother Ignatius, established the Boys' Industrial School and Home at Takapuna in 1894; and St. Leo's Convent, Devonport, in 1896. The parochial schools of the Sacred Heart, Ponsonby, which are taught by the Sisters, were opened in 1893. All these schools are flourishing and well attended.

Training College, Waterloo Quadrant, Auckland. Principal, Mr. William Malcolm. This establishment is conducted as a boarding and day school, both for general education, and for the civil service, education service, and the university. It occupies a pleasant position facing Government House, and commands a splendid view of the harbour. The college was established in 1892, and is attended by about seventy pupils. English, mathematics, and classics are the principal branches of learning taught, but any special subject may be included as desired.

Mr. W. Malcolm's Training College.

Mr. W. Malcolm's Training College.

Mr. William Malcolm, Principal of the Training College, Auckland, was born in 1839 in the Orkney Islands, where his father, also Mr. William Malcolm, was a shipmaster. Educated primarily at Stromness, and subsequently at Edinburgh, Mr. Malcolm obtained the honorary degree of F.E.I.S. in 1865. Before coming to New Zealand in 1870 in the ship “Chili,” he had held the important position of headmaster of a public school in Fire, and headmaster of the Grammar School, Stornaway. After teaching at the Spit school, Napier, Mr. Malcolm, in 1873, accepted the position of rector of the High School, Tokomairiro, Otago, and held it for some seven years. He was then principal of the Normal School, Christchurch, till 1890, when he took charge of the Hampstead School, Ashburton, retiring to establish the Training College in 1892. In Masonry, Mr. Malcolm is secretary for the North Island of the Grand Lodge, S.C., having at various times held all the important offices of the subordinate lodge. Mr. Malcolm has also been prominent as a volunteer, having been captain of a company in Stornaway, and captain of the Cadet Corps at Tokomairiro, besides being a member of the Hawke's Bay Volunteer Corps. He was for some time president of the Tokomairiro Bowling Club, and takes a general interest in innocent sport of all kinds. Mr. Malcolm is examiner under the Government for teaching and school management.

Auckland Commercial College (T. Harle Giles, principal). This institution was founded nearly sixteen years ago by Mr. Giles for the purpose of imparting to youths, outside the regular standards, a thorough commercial training. Mr. Giles had long been connected with the public schools as a successful master, but believing that the national system was too cramped, and fell far short of the practical requirements of everyday life, he determined to open a school in Auckland on thoroughly useful and practical lines. When a youth enters a commercial office he too often finds that he has to begin his education all over again. Mr. Giles' object was to remedy this serious drawback, and his anticipation that a school like his was needed, has been amply demonstrated by the flourishing condition of his establishment, as well as by many cheering letters which he has received from merchants and others, with whom many of his pupils are now associated in life. The scope of the college will be best gathered from the prospectus, in which Mr. Giles undertakes to teach his pupils:—(1) To write a good business hand by means of Mr. Giles' specially invented system, so long and favourably known. (2) To be correct and expert in the use of figures by the quickest and most modern methods, embracing a high state of efficiency in mental arithmetic. (3) To thoroughly understand the principles underlying book-keeping, by both single and double entry; and to keep and balance books by both systems. (4) To spell well. (5) To write shorthand (Pitman's system) at such a rate of speed as will make the knowledge of this most valuable branch of study an important factor in securing good business appointments. (6) To be efficient and expert in the use of the typewriter: the best and most modern machines are used. (7) English composition and practical grammar. (8) To correspond with case, fluency, and clearness of expression. (9) To perform with precision the thousand and one details of commercial routine. Mr. Giles also prepares candidates routine. Mr. Giles also prepares candidates for the teachers' E certificate, for scholarships, and for pupil teachers' examination. Morning and evening classes are held for adults, and are taken advantage of by those who seek to gain efficiency in business habits. Pupils may enroll at any time, and the quarter begins from the date of entry. Mr. Giles receives a limited number of pupils for private tuition at his residence. Mr. Giles was born in North Staffordshire, and is the youngest son of the late Mr. Henry Giles, C.E. After receiving a sound education, he filled several responsible position in London and Liverpool houses. His health, however, failed, and he left on a trip round the world, intending to return to England. But the climate of Auckland suited him, and he decided to make the city his future home, and, by founding his useful college, help on the great work of educating the youth of the Colony.

Mr. T. H. Giles' Commercial College.

Mr. T. H. Giles' Commercial College.