Walton.

Matamata Record, Volume XVI, Issue 1442, 17 July 1933, Page 1

Walton.

OPENING OF SCHOOL GROUNDS.

Board Chairman’s Advice. When addressing the residents of Walton at the official opening of the fine new playing field at the Walton school, Mr. A. Burns, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, urged them to continue to take an interest in the school. Although Walton was only a small district there was no reason, he said, why the Walton school should not produce scholars who would make a name for themselves in after life. He reminded them that the acting-Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, had attended the Matakohe school, North Auckland, which was no larger than the Walton school; and that Sir James Parr, a former High Commissioner, used to attend the Waihou school, not far away. “So you may have some of the most brilliant men of the future from this school,” added Mr. Burns. “It is the duty of parents to see that their children have the best of education. It is becoming more and more important to have a good education to succeed in life.” Now that the Walton residents had provided such an excellent ground for physical culture in the Walton district, he hoped that they would not cease their efforts on behalf of the school. The school should be the centre of local effort, because (Continued in Next Column)

there was no worthier cause than to provide the best for the children. “ The work you have done will be here for generations,” added Mr. Burns. “It will benefit the people yet to come. This ground will be here for years, and you can take credit for your work with the thought that you are benefiting the children for years to comq. You will feel that it has been time and money well spent.” Mr. Burns suggested that residents could support the committee in beautifying the grounds. It was their own school; it belonged to the people of Walton; and when they did anything for the school tiey were doing something for the c l ren, and there could be no better task. He had much pleasure in declaring the school ground open.