BERHAMPORE SCHOOL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2501, 30 June 1915, Page 4

BERHAMPORE SCHOOL

OPENED BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION. The new Berhampore School, in Brittomart Street, was officially opened, by the Minister of Education (the, Hon. Jas. Alien) yesterday morning, in the presence of a large gathering. The Minister, who was accompanied by Mrs. Allen, was met on arrival by the chairman of the Wellington Education Board (the Hon. J. G. W. Aitken) and there were also present: Tlio Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), Messrs. R. A. Wright, A. H. Hindmarsh, and 11. M'Callum, M.P.'s, I<\ Bennett (the new schoolmaster), J. P. Shand (chairman of the School Committee), and members of the Education Board and School Committee. The Minister's arrival was the signal for the National Anthem, to be sung by the scholars, and Mr. Aitken then welcomed Mr. Allen. For the Education Board and School Committee he said they felt highly _ honoured that at such a time and with so much on his shoulders as Minister of Defence and Education, that Mr. Allen should have spared time to open the school. As Minister of Education they fully realised the good grip lis had on the educational system of New Zealand, and realised that the measure he brought down in the last Parliament was an advance upon any pleasure of education previously in existence. He thought he could say that the Act would go very smoothly and sv-eetly. As instancing the advance in the educational advancement of the City during the last ten years Mr. Aitken said that tho board had had to rebuild the Wellington South School, and also erect new schools at Northland, Maranui, and Ngaio. and provide additions to seven scnools. Ten years ago they had 5992 children attending the schools within the Wellington City, and to-day they liad 7630. For the new Brittomart 'School they already had enrolled 236 children, and that number would have been exceeded had the school opened at the beginning of the term.

The Mayor, in introducing Mr. Allen, said that it was essential that if they were to be a progressive people they must have a sound, broad system of education lying as the basis of their life. The new school was another evidence of their progress. He could say on behalf of the people of New Zealand —and it did not matter what Government had been in power—that they had ever given a wide system of education, commensurate with their position as people of a great country and a great Empire. 111 that respect he would be failing in his duty if he did not say how much he appreciated the work of Mr. Allen.

Mr. Allen, before opening the school, referred to the pleasure he felt at being present, and said that it would be a sad day to him, when the time came, as inevitably it would come some day, when he had to give up the work connected with the educational brandh. It had been the greatest pleasure of all his work. He only regretted that ho had not had more time to give to the matter. The Education Act of last session was, he thought, an advance, at anyrate it "had the effect of putting the teaching profession, and education, on a higher standard, and he thought that when they saw this year's Estimates they would realise so far as money went, and money after all was not everything, that Parliament had not been backward in making better provision, for iieir teachers and for inspectors' arid .education generally. (Applause.) He had 110 doubt that it would find reflection in the good work of the teachers. Mr. Alien addressed those present on the possible outcome of the war, as reported elsewhere. He then opened the school with a gold and silveu key, presented by the contractors, Messrs. Sanders Bros. Ho thanked them for t'lio key, and for faithful work in the construction of the building. On the motion of Mr. Shand a voto of thanks was then carried to Mr. and Mrs. Allen, and cheers were given for them, the Mayor, and the School Committee. The visitors were then entertained to morning tea.