THE RETIRING MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18670, 20 April 1926, Page 9

THE RETIRING MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

• to the eoiTO*.or "the pbbss." Sir,—Your article this morning is comforting to some, who have reason to recognise the apparent omnipotence of the Minister but fail to ; give him .credit for, omniscience- An instance of how he fell in about a year ago has lately been brought to my notice. About that time he was expected to visit Southbridge, which was protesting against the District High School being shifted to Leeston. A circular, which I have not seen, was addressed to the Southbridge and nearby residents, asking them to roll up on the occasion with their perambulators ■•*<* other eridences a large and increasing population. The effect on the Minister was disclosed at a meeting of the Southbridge Towi* Board at the beginning of the year, when the fol- . lowing letter was read from the Southbridge District Burgesses' Association :—"A telegram has just been received from Sir. James Parr to say that on-Wednesday, February 3rd, he will be in Southbridge to formally open the new school (primary). You will, of course, remember that about this time last year Sir James was here to personally go into the matter of shifting the High School to Leeston. He decided that it should stand for another year. Undoubtedly he was influenced by the large crowd that came to meet him. His final decision, will probably be.made this time, so on this occasion it is more important than ever to make a good showing, especially of women and children. If you cannot come yourself, please, use vour influence to get as large an attendance as possible; in fact, a large, number of conveyances will help to make a eood show. Can we count on voup" Comment is needless, but the North Canterbury 1 Board of Education may make a note of it.— Yours, etc., OLD ELLBSMERIAN",