The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, News and The Echo. MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1902. THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 75, 31 March 1902, Page 4

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, News and The Echo.

MONDAY, MARCH 31, 1902. THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

For the cause that lacks assistance Fop the wrong that needs resistance For the future in the distance* And th<B good that -wo can do. ____ »

There appears to be some danger that the Governors of the Auckland College, and Grammar School are about to take a step which will seriously cripple the school. A short time ago. -when six members of the Board were absent on leave, a bare quorum of three resolved to ask the School Commissioners' of the Auckland Provincial District to offer for lease a piece of land adjoining the

One Tree Hill reserve, cm the side next Onehunga, upon the understanding that the Grammar School Board would tender for it, with a view to the erection of a boaxdiug-house. The land^is now advertised for lease for 21 years, with right of renewal, and we understand that the Grammar School Governors mtfet on Wednesday to consider the question of tendering. It is worthy of note the educational experts on the Board are emphatically against the proposal. They regard the necessity for bringing the boys a distance of six miles backward and forward to the school a fatal objection, not only

on the

ground of lost time, but of expense. They also are strongly of opinion that in providing for resident scholars an' effort should be made to bring the boarders into touch with the day attendants by means of a commQn playground, which would be easily ac-cessible-to the whole school on Saturdays and holidays.

The cogency of these arguments must, we think, be apparent to every business rn<an. How many parents would care to send their boys day by day from Auckland to a school at Onehunga? Yet this, reversing the ■journey, is precisely what is proposed under the present scheme, and that, be it remembered, so long as the

Grammar School shall.exist. Then, again, without a common playground undesirable distinctions must in the long run spring- up between the boy& in residence and the day scholars.There \yill also be a loss of that cpm.roon life which is of such inestimable. ; value in great secondary schools and universities. .. . '".. ~ Now, it so happens that the Grammar. School Governors have, a reserve of their own, close to Newmarket, which would admirably serve both purposes. It comprises eighteen acres, of which the greater part is unleased and could be immediately, utilised. The area is sufficient not only for present requirements, but for future extension. The land is volcanic, and capable of being- made a charming' place of. residence; it is level, thus meeting- the requirements of a common play-ground; and1 it is in close proximity to Mouilt ' Eden public recreation reserve* which will preserve it against the overcrowdingl of population in -We cannot understand why this .property does not unanimously command the upp/oval of the-Board, its advantages are so numerous and obvious. ~■••.' But whether the Board agree to erect a boarding' establishment there or not. it is sincerely to, bo hoped that they will not commit the folly of saddling the school with the expense of a costly establishment near Onehunga, which must prove a commercial failure and a source of constant annoyance and loss. This is a matter upon which the opinion, of educational experts like Professors Brown and Thomas should carry great weight, and both are emphatically against it, their opinion being shared, we believe, by other educational experts connected with the school. It is not yet too late to avoid a mistake which may. mean not merely a financial loss, but a decline in the popular character of an institution that now holds the premier place for scholarship among the great secondary schools of New Zealand. We trust that, a majority of the Governors will refuse to b« bustled into the acceptance of the scheme, and that if they are not yet convinced of the suitability of their own land near Newmarket, they will defer the question until inquiries may be made with a view to securing, another site. It cannot be too strongly . impressed upon them that their decision will seriously affect the future welfare and character of a school which was established and endowed with public lands for the benefit of the masses, and not Isr the advantage of a privileged class in the community.