LINCOLN DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11748, 24 November 1903, Page 10

LINCOLN DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

The Lincoln District High School was formally opened yesterday afternoon by Mr H. W. Pervman, Chairman of the North Canterbury Board of Education. Tlie interest taken in the institution was shown by the large and representative gathering of resident- of Lincoln and district. Mr W. Bartram, Chairman of tlie School Committee, iv opening the proceedings, referred to the presence of representatives from all parts of the district, the 'chairmen of the district School Committees, the Chairman of the Education Board, and of Mr J. Rennie, a member of the Board. The establishment of the District High School was first mooted by the Springston Committee, which forwarded resolutions to tbe Lincoln Committee. ' He apologised for the absence of Mr C. Lewis, M.H.R., Mr O. Mcßean (chairman of the South Springston Committee), and <Mr R. Macartney (chairman of' the Tai Tapu Committee).

Mr Peryman congratulated the residents of the district on their enterprise in securing secondary education for their children. He referred to the necessity of keeping abreast of the times in educational matters, and expressed his gratification that the school would commence with twenty-three pupils. He hoped the parents would support it by sending their children regularly, pointing out that unless the average of attendances was 80 per cent, the Government grant was decreased. Speaking of the progress made in education, he said that the present state of the dairying industry was due to advance, in science and the application of scientific methods. He hoped they would teach shorthand and typewriting, and if they wanted a. typewriter they had only to call upon him and he would give the 'first pound towards it. Mr Rennie said that for many years he had taken a great interest in secondary education, and seven years ago he had endeavoured to establish, a High' School in the district, but tlie Boaard feared tliat it would injure the primary departments. Although fees- would have been paid, he considered that the school would have been an advantage, at tbe cost of sending children to the city High Schools was great. Mr J. Laweryj Chairman of the "Springston Committee, said that when his committee were considering the establishment of the District High School they had thought of having it at Springston, but they had put _s(de that' feeling,' as they had considered Lincoln the more centrally situated school.

Mr J. W. Prebble (Chairman of the Prebbleton Committee) and .Mr A. J. Bell (Chairman of the Weedons Committee) also spoke. Mr Peryman, on behalf df the Education Board, and the School Committee, then, formally declared th© school open. Votee of thanks to tb_ Chairman, to tlie Springston Committee, to Mr Peryman, and to the ladies who supplied afternoon tea wei* v c_rried by acclamation. Afternoon tea was then taien under the trees.