A NEW SCHOOL

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 80, 1 October 1924, Page 9

A NEW SCHOOL

MOUNT VICTORIA GIRLS'

COLLEGE

LAYING OF FOUNDATION-STONE

GOVERNOR-GENERAL ON AD VANCE OF EDUCATION.

During the four years that I have been in New Zealand there has been a wonderful growth of educational establishments. This is the fourth in Wellington with which I havo been associated in laying the foun-dation-stone. The others have been the Marsden Girls' College, the Technical College, and the Wellington Boys' College. I think that is a sign that New Zealand does not ne-

gleet the education of its children.

These words were froiii the GovernorGeneral (Viscount Jellicoe), who yesterday afternoon performed the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of what will be known as the Mount "Victoria Girls' College. Bright weather favoured the function, and there was a large attendance of the public. His Excellency was accompanied by Her Excellency Lady Jollicoe, and those present included Mr. W. I?. Ward (chairman of the Board of Governors), members of the board, the Chief Justice (Sir .Robert Stout), the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. R. A. Wright), the Director of Education (Mr. J. Caughley), Mr. J. Howell (director of the Wellington Technical College), Rev. James Paterson, and many others interested in the subject of education. Apologies for absence were received from the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education, and other Ministers of the Crown.

In the course of his introductory remarks, Mi*. Ward expressed the pleasure that all felt at the fact that His Excellency, who was a very busy man just now, had been ablo to spare a day on which to perform the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the new college. The term "laying the foundationstouo" was something of a misnomer, as they_ would observe that already very considerable progress had been made with tho erection of the building. Ho would not refer to the events that led to the building being placed in its present position, beyond remarking that it was to be hoped that those people who saw danger in tho proximity of the school to the boys' collogo would bo false prophots. Under their system of education, college authorities wore unable to undertake tho construction of buildings on thoir own, but they had to go cap in hand to the Department whenever a building was required. They had been successful, however, in obtaining tho necessary grant from the Government, and in that connection he thought the people of Wellington owed a debt of gratitude- to Miss M'Lean, their worthy principal, for all tho work that she' had done.

NEED FOR ANOTHER SCHOOL.

Thero could bo no question but that another school for tho secondary education of girls was very badly needed in Wellington, as the present building was very greatly overcrowded, and had bcou, in fact, for very many years. Thero seemed to bo some uncertainty ais to tho purposes for which tho now building was being erected. The . new school, ho might point out, was to be a distinct en tity. Although its management would be under tho control of tho presont .Board of Govornors, :in all other respects it would bo distinct. It would have a separate head mistress, a sepivrnto staff of assistants, and it was possible, although nothing had so far boeir decided, that it would havo n specialised curriculum. When tho contractors loft tho job, advertisomouta would bo inserted in tho newspapers for a head mistress and four or fivo assistants. Tho namo which had been chosen for tho now school was tho Mount Victoria Girls' College. Thero was no doubt that Wellington was spreading in a southerly and easterly direction, and it was only natural that tho now school should bo in its present position. i\lr. Ward concluded his remarks by referring to tho impending doparturo of Their .Excellencies for England, ami Btresaed tho fact that during thoir sojourn in tho Dominion they had endeared themselves to tho hearts, of all. They could only oxpross their sorrow at their departure and wish them all happiness and God speed in the Old Country. (Applause.)

GOVERNOIi-GENEKAL'S REMARKS.

His Excellency remarked that it was with feoliugs of very great regret that Lady Jelhcoo and ho viewed their approaching departure from New Zealand but he was vory clad that tho function that afternoon had beon included in tho last of the duties that he would perform. He fell that ho was actually assisting iri the construction of tho building, as he had an idea, that uidess he placed tho foundation-stone in its proper placo tho building would fall to pieces. (Laughtor.) l'robably the contractor would nut agree with that view. (More Inughlor.) Ouo of tho tilings that had struck him during the four years lie had spent in Now Zealand was tho wonderful growth of educational establishments. Aflcr romarking that, that was tlio fourth ceremony of a similar naturo he had performed in Wellington, Ilia Excellency said that that, fuct indicated that Now Zealand was not neglecting tho education of its children. That did not only apply to Wellington, for ho had performed similar ceremonies all over Now Zealand. It was undoubtedly a sign of the progress that Now Zealand was making. When ho came out to New Zealand the Dominion led tho way in tho matter of State grants for education. He was looking at somo figures just tho other day, and ho had noticed that the State expenditure per head on education had increased from 15s in 1904 to 50s in 1924. That showed what had been done to ensure that the childron of tho Dominion were receiving an excellont education.

EDUCATION MINISTER'S TASK.

"I notice constantly in tho papers " oaid His Excellency, "that Mr. Parr 'is getting a very bad time from tho various educational bodies. Of courso that is quite right—that is what ho is thero for. (Laughtor.) Sometimes I feel very sorry for him when he has to hide behind the rest of tho Cabinet Ministers, and say that tho Finance- Ministor or somebody else won't allow him the money he would liku to spend on education."" ]t waa a fact, however, that much was heine dom> for the children of New Zealand, and it was. their duty to see to it that they took full advantage of the opportunities thai were afforded them. He did hope that the Girls' College would prove to bo an institution where tho girls learnt to become really true citizens of the Empire. Ho hoped they would learn what was the most important factor in life—character. Without character, all that they could learn in the schools would bo of lilll ß avail. In a town he had recently visited lie had spoken to two of I lie most [.•ruminant, tncii, win? hail ntliiiiUqO <ilwt they Uiui left tehuul at tlie uge of fuui'-

teen. Of course, he was not advising them to do that, but if ever they did he would stress on them the importance of self-education.

IMPORTANCE OF HOME LIFE.

In these days of rapid means of transit, said Viscount Jellicoe, there was a tendency to get away from home life. He thought that was a tendency that needed checking. It was home life that really made for happiness. The mothers, it should be remembered, had the greatest possible influence for good. Ho did not think there was anything moro he wished to say, apart from wishing success to those who would be educated in tho college. He hopod that they would take full advantage of the opportunity that was afforded them, and that their lives would be full of happiness.

OTHER SPEECHES.

Miss M.M'Lean, principal of the present Girls' College, exDressed her personal satisfaction at the fact that the new building was at last in the course of construction, and she thanked all those who had assisted in bringing that result about.

The Mayor (Mr. R. A. Wright) remarked that for years and years Wellington had been something of a Cinderella in the matter of educational grants, but he was glad to know that in recent years they had had aeveral new buildings erected. Hia personal opinion was that if he were able Mr. Parr would very glady spend ten million pounds in the cause of education. He expressed himself as being strongly in favour, of girls receiving as good an education as that given to boys. Sir Robert Stout, in remarking that education was the foundation of moral'i& ™[ c. Tved V l. interesting fashion to the difficulties which they laboured under in days that had passed, and dwelt on the happier state of affairs that existed to-day.

After the ceremony, the visitors were entertained at afternoon tea, and this brought a very pleasant function to a conclusion.