HON. H. ATMORE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19851, 12 February 1930, Page 16

HON. H. ATMORE.

FINAL DAY IN CITY. REQUESTS FROM SUBURBAN SCHOOLS. The Hon. H. Atmore, Minister for Education, concluded his stay in Christchurch yesterday, when he again made a comprehensive tour of suburban schools, and heard requests from the authorities for various improvements required at the respective institutions. Primary schools in the Canterbury Education Board's district were visited in the morning, while in the afternoon a visit was paid to the Sehvyn street Kindergarten, tho Marist Brothers' School, and St. Bede's College. Accompanying the Minister on his morning round were Mr \V. Johnson, representing the Education Board, and Mr G. renlington, tho Board's architect.

St. Albans Requirements. At the first school visited in the morning, St. Albans, the Minister was met by the member for the district, Mr 11. Holland, the chairman of the school committee, Mr E. Billcliff, and the headmaster, Mr J. E. Thwaites. The requirements of the school were placed before Mr Atmore by the chairman of the committee. He pointed out that the building was a very old one, and should be replaced at the earliest opportunity. A new house for the caretaker was also required. Mr Atmore said that the requests would be borne in mind when allocations for such expenditure were being made, and he assured the committee that he would give them every consideration. The Minister made a short address to the assembled pupils and staff, and as in the case of every school visited, he asked for a whole holiday to be given the children at a later date in honour of his visit.

Described as one of the best examples of primary schools in the district, the Minister had plenty to interest him at the Waimairi School, a modern brick structure built with the object of giving the maximum hygienic conditions for pupils and teachers. He was met by Mr R. J). Rule (chairman of the committee), Mr G. Radford (deputy-chair-man), and Mr T. C. Wilkins (headmaster). He was shown over the building by the last-mentioned. At the Upper Riccarton School, the Minister was met by the secretary of the school committee, Mr Winter Cole, and the headmaster, Mr J. Mot tram: The requests here were in the direction of increased accommodation for the pupils. It was stated that a rest-room, built out of residents' money, was at present being used as a class-room. Improved sanitary arrangements were also urgently necessary. Mr Cole, after welcoming the Minister, said that it was hoped that he would give favourable consideration to the request for more accommodation. They especially wanted an infant room.

Mr Atmore assured the committee and pupils that their requests would receive consideration when the Education Board stated its requirements. Now that he had personally visited the school he realised that there was much wanted.

The party then proceeded to the Prebbleton School, where the Minister was welcomed by the children. Messrs 6. Miller and >G. L. Downey, representing the committee, and C. W. Kibblewhite, headmaster, met Mr Atmore, while Mr H. S. S. Kyle, member for Biccarton, was also present.

Mr Miller said that the need had been felt for a long time for a resident headmaster. At present the school' staff came out daily from Chriatchurch. Mr Kyle said that he- hoped that the visit of the Minister would result in a grant of money for the purchase of a residence for the headmaster. A suitable property had been selected by the committee. He was sure that th© school would improve if there were a resident master. Mr Atmore said that he desired that country schools should have equal facilities with town schools. The first representations in regard to the procuring of a resident master would have to be made to the Education Board, but when tha request came before him he could assure the committee and pupils of sympathetic consideration.

The Kindergartens. The first call in the afternoon was at the Selwyn street Kindergarten, where Mesdames T. E; Taylor and W. Peppier, and others interested in the kindergarten movement in Christchurch, discussed with the Minister the needs of the pre-primary schools in the district. At the Selwyn street School there were 268 children on the roll. It was stated that since the inception of the movement half the expense had been shouldered by its workers and sympathisers. An increase of £1 capitation was asked for, while the necessity for a new kindergarten site at Park road was also stressed.

The Minister was very interested in the working of the institution, and stated that the requests would receive favourable consideration.

Marist Brothers' School. At the Marist Brothers' School, corner of Moorhouse avenue and Barbadoes street, the Minister was met by Dr. Kennedy, Administrator, and Mr H. T. Armstrong, member for the district. Mr Atmore was shown over the very fine buildings by Dr. Kennedy, and afterwards addressed the children and the Brothers.

Mr. Armstrong, introducing the Minister, said that it was the first occasion upon which a Minister for Education had visited the School. "The Hon. Minister is broad-minded enough to believe that boys and girls, irrespective of creed, are entitled to the same consideration," said Mr Armstrong. "He is now acting just as he urged other Ministers to act whep, as a private member of the House, he was anxious to advance the cause of education."

"I. wish to assure you that I am interested in you just as much as any other group of boys and girls," said Mr Atmore. "I refuse to consider class, colour, or creed, from -the standpoint of for all of you are to be the men and women of the future. The feeling that you are to be regarded as in a - separate class is passing away, largely because now so many of the priests and brothers are JVew Zealanders by birth. I believe that all can draw closer together, and every boy and girl in the Dominion should have equal advantages. Only by refusing to divide you into sects, will it be possible to have a united nation."

St. Bede's College. The Minister's final visit of the day was again to a Catholic School, St. B«3do's College, the boys' secondary school, at Papanui. The Kector, the Key. Father T. A. Gilbert, and Mr B. W. Hawke, M.P. for the district, welcomed Mr Atmore. The Minister inspected the very fine buildings at the college, and addressed the upper forms in the assembly hall. Father Gilbert and Messrs Hawke and Armstrong introduced the Hon. Atmore. Mr Hawke said that in such a college, with its 35 acres of land, it was possible for the teachers to pass on a great deal of valuable agricultural knowledge, and the college was turning out many farmers. Mr Armstrong told the school that Mr Atmore,

m his visit to Christchurch, had set a precedent in visiting denominational schools. I Mr Atmorc, in his address, said that he had always fought for tEe right of each to follow the teachings of his religion, and the State should'never interfere. New Zealand was now developing a distinctive type—the broadshouldered and light-flanked boy. In the development of his intellect, he B hould have, too, such advantages as would enable him to maintain his superiority, and those advantages should be available to all. With these objects attained, it was essential that the highest ideals should direct and control body and mind. "Your denomination is keeping pace, and sometimes outpacing the efforts of the State in the direction of education. We must have religious tolerance, because, after all; each denomination has the common object of turning out good citizens." Father Gilbert thanked the Minister for his visit to the non-Departmental schools, and said that it w-i a comforting thing to hear such words of encouragement from the Minister. All boys, he said, were to be members of one community, and the educational system of each denomination was attempting to turn out only the best product.