THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 34, 8 February 1906, Page 3

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

A RUSH FOR FREE PLACES. At a meeting of the. Board of Governors of the Auckland College and Grammar School, held yesterday afternoon, Sir G. M. CPRorke, M.L.C., presiding, the question of providing accommodation for free pupils under the amended Education Act ■was discussed. Messrs S. Luke, P. M. Mackay, and Dr. E. Boberton were present. Mr Tibbs. the headmaster of the school, explained to the BoaTd that there would be a very large number of children at the school on Monday, enrolment day—he was almost afraid to think how many. There were already •242 applications for free place?, and he was not sure about the room available Mr Kidd. secretary, stated that 160 junior free pupils and S2 seniors were entitled to free place?. These included six National Scholarship holders, five Girls' High School scholars. 36 district scholars, and 113 national free places. The 82 seniors included 58 Government free six Education Board, and 18 district scholars. Besides these 17 applications %om holders of proficiency certificates over 14 years of age had been received. The. Chairman said that, the Board was entitled to grant admission up to ten per cent, of the total pupils to those over 14 years of age. There would thus be something like 30 free places available. Mr Tibbs said that a portion of St. Paul's Sunday-school had been secured, and this would provide room for two or probably three classes. Formerly the regulations regarding free places? provided that applicants should be admitted according t.o priority of application, but under the new regulations there was nonsuch provision, and he wished to know -what he should do on Monday next when a very large number of applicants would come forward. There tvpre 160 who must be accommodated—holders of National or Junior Education Scholarships or those who had qualified for frpe places at these examinations. It was obvious that they would not be able to take in all the applicants who would present themselves. He therefore suggested that there should be an examination of all who had not passed the scholarship examinations, and that the applicants should be admitted according to merit. Up was ■willing to conduct the examination on Monday next, and other masters had promised their assistance.

The members of the Board approved this course, and the matter of holding the examination was left in the hands of the headmaster. Mr Tibbs explaiae dthat he desired the direction of the Board on this point, because there, was bound to be feeling in" the matter anion": the unsuccessful applicants. It was decided that if Mr Tfbbs considers it necessary the Board "will hold a special meeting on the question next week.

Mr Tibbs stated that whDe in Wellington he had interviewed Mr Hogben, Inspector-General of Schools, on the matter, and be had stated that the Department desired that in allotting free plaers preference should be given to children from the bacfcblocks over those in towns. In reply to Dr. Eoberton, Mr Tibbs stated that he saw to objection to this c-onrse; and he was authorised accordingly

Three applications were received for the vacant position of junior assistant master and five for that of mistress. When the lists were being considered Mr Tibbs pointed out that with the accession of new pupils during the coming term he might find himself short-handed with the staff at normal strength. On the motion of the chairman, the headmaster was authorised to appoint an additional master or mistress or both should he deem it necessary.

The existing vacancies were filled by the appointment of t"wo former pupDs of the school, Mr J. D. Dineen being appointed junior assistant and Miss E. M. Griffin mistress.

The pressure at the school will be relieved in the course of a year or so by the removal of the girls' side to the Girls' High School, which i 3 to be erected on the Howe-street site. This site the Board of Governors at its last meeting requested the Auckland Education Board to convey to them, and yesterday a reply was. received stating that this would be done as soon as legislative authority for the transfer is given by means of a local bill next session of Parliament. The Education Board promised to facilitate the passage of this bill in every way possible. The Board of Governors thanked the Education Board for their prompt and favourable reply to the re- ! quest.