CLOSED DOWN.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 87, 13 April 1927, Page 8

CLOSED DOWN.

NEWTON EAST SCHOOL

A HISTORIC INSTITUTION,

OPENED IN 1573.

After 64 years of a very useful life the Newton East School in Belgium Street was closed down to-day, and provision has been made for the transfer of the children to surrounding schools. The passing of the old school will bring much of a reminiscent nature to many Aueklanders, as thousands of children have been educated there, and at one time the old school was looked upon as one of the leading institutions of its kind in Auckland. tor many years one fatal defect in connection with the school has been recognised. The buildinggs were on opposite sides of the street, although possibly that was but a minor disadvantage in the days of early Auckland, when motor traffic and the attendant dangers to children were unknown. Likewise the site was cramped, and there have not been the facilities for play which are recognised as a requirement for any modern educational institution. Known originally as the Xewton No. school, it began its history with a roll of 210 scholars. The teaching staff was Mr. W. J. Edwards (headmaster), and with hirn were associated Miss Taylor, Mr. G. Thwaitcs, who in later years was headmaster of the Epsom school, and Miss Hark is. The first school committee consisted of the Rev. A. G. Purehas (chairman), Messrs. J. Warren, Jas. Crawford, Robert Stevenson and H. Ridings. The original site was 3 roods 2ti perches in extent. Last year the attendance at the school was 400 pupils, but as the children have been gradually transferred, the roll of late has been decreasing. The school began before tlie Education Act of 1877 was in force, and some of the old records were destroyed at a fire that occurred at the Auckland Post Office in 1874. "No decision has yet been reached in regard to disposal of the site," said the chairman of the Auckland Education Board (Mr. A. Burns) when that subject was mentioned this morning.