At the distribution of prizes at the opening of the Auckland College and Grammar school, on the 6th instant, the Hon. John Hall, who was present, gave an address which might advantageously be taken to heart by all the schoolboys in New Zealand. Amongst other things the Premier said — Now, boys, that I am on my legs, I have a word to say to you. I have boys of my own, and I know what boys are. I have been a boy myself. (Laughter and cheers.) You have heard from Sir Maurice O'Rorke that these prizes should be an incentive to you to fresh exertion. That is quite true. But there is something else that should also be an incentive to renewed energy — that is pride. I mean of course a proper pride. (1) Pride first in that great Em pire to which we all belong, (2) pride in the colony in which you were born, (3) pride in the city and town in which you live, and (lastly) pride in the school of which you are pupils. You have a head master who haß just come from home, and who knows what English boys are. If you take a pride in the colony in which you were born, you will prove to him that New Zealand boys are every bit as good as English boys. (Cheers.) And you need not be satis fied with thut, but you may show him that New Zealand boys are a great deal better — (laughter and cheers) — better at their lessons, better at their games, and above all better in their general conduct. When you have done that to his satisfac tion, you should show him, not only that the New Zealand boys are quite as good as the English boys, but you should show him that the Auckland boys can beat the other New Zealand boys in these respects. Then, I say, last of all, you should prove to him that the boys of the Auckland Grammar School can surpass the boys of the other schools in these particulars. Do you ask me how are yon to do that? Talent, no doubt, will help you. But only sojie of you are talented. That is a gift and blessing if properly used. God made those boys clever. But it is not the main thing. 