DARGAVILLE SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 136, 11 June 1929, Page 10

DARGAVILLE SCHOOLS.

VISITED BY MINISTER.

THE HIGH SCHOOL BURDEN

DEPUTATION SUGGESTS CHANGE.

OPPOSED BY MINISTER

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

DARG AVILLE, this clay

The attitude of the Minister of Education (tlio Hon. H. Atmore) towards religions instruction was made abundantly clear when he was" speaking at a reception given in Dargaville last evening. Responding to complimentary speeches by the Mayor (Mr. F. A. Jones), Mr, V. Trounsou (chairman of the Hobson County Council) and Mr. H. W. Page (chairman of the school committee), the Minister said he was not in favour of the State teaching religion. "I believe that out of school hours any duly accredited person should have the right to instruct children spiritually, as we have been doing in Nelson foi thirty-three years, but the State must keep distinct from teaching religion. This morning Mr. Atmore was kept busy inspecting various schools in the town and district, including the convent, and receiving deputations. It was complained that the Dargaville primary school had outlived its usefulness. _ I lie Minister Was asked that additional accommodation be provided there and at the district high school. A further application, emanating from a householders' meeting, was • made that the hirvh school should be converted into a secondary school with a board of governors, this for the reason that the committee found the burden of expenses too great for the capitation allowed. A charge of £39 was made by the council for water for sanitation, an amount which it was found impossible to pay. In view of the Minister's inclination in the direction of introducing an agricultural bias to education, it was by Mr. Page that an agricultural course at the high school should be run in conjunction witli the experimental farm at the back of Mangawhare. Mr. Page also asked that £350 donated towards the purchase of a school site (subsequently abandoned) be refunded for developing the present site. Mr. A. Burns (chairman of the Education Board) said % thought the latter request was reasonable. It is understood that the Railway Department is prepared to take over the site for a railway station at Dargaville. The Minister promised to consider the matter of increased capitation. He pointed out that investigations were being made by an architect relative to the requirements of the primary department. When the High School was pressed for space extra accommodation would be provided. , A member of Hie deputation said the school was already pressed for space, and was using the science room as a class room. The Minister: They are doing that right throughout New Zealand. Ho admitted that the committee had a claim to £3»0, and said he would ascertain the intention of the Railway Department as early as possible. He was opposed to the proposal to make the High School a secondary school, .owing to the leaning towards unification control of education. He thought the committee should approach the County Council and endeavour to have the water rate remitted.

The Mayor (Mr. Jones) said the County Council would give the matter sympathetic consideration, but was very hard up.

The Minister: It appears an unfair charge, and a lot of other councils who are also in financial difficulties are making a concession to schools. If the children, were at home they would be using the water there.