NEW SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 221, 26 September 1938, Page 16

NEW SCHOOL.

I MINISTER'S VISIT. PLANS FOR NORTHCOTE. MR. FKASEH WELL PIXASED. An inspection of the new school building and grounds at Xortlioote was made on Saturday by the Minister of Education, the Hon. Peter Fraeer, who wan accompanied by Mrs. Fraeer, Mr. W. jj. Lyon, Mr. A. G. Oeborne, the I Director-General of Education, Mr. X. T. I Lainbonnie. the chairman of the Auckland Education Board, Mr. W. J. Campbell, the secretary, Mr. I). W. Dunlop, the architect, Mr. R. J. Miller, and members of the board. Also present were the Mayors of Xorthcote, Mr. R. Martin, and of Birkenhead, Mr. E. J. Osborne. Mr. Fraeer congratulated the architect, Education Board, parents and school committee on the handsome structure. Mr. Lyon had urged upon him the replacement of the intermediate department by a new and modern building, and he was greatly impressed by the fine forecast of the principal, Mr. F. A. Gerry, of the future of the school. The institution was as good a school of its kind as was to be found in the Dominion, and no doubt would receive the support of everybody in the neighbourhood. Mr. Fraser mentioned that an investigation of the position revealed that it would take the expenditure of millions of pounds to place the schools of the Dominion in a condition that the children ought to have. The amount actually voted by the present Government since coming into office was £2,1.50,000 in grants all over the Dominion for erecting educational buildings. School - grounds should become t!;e centre of social activities in a district where adults also could wieely and beneficially utilise their leisure. As schools were only used for part of the day these might also be utilised for the development of adult education.