A NEW SCHOOL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9135, 7 February 1910, Page 4

A NEW SCHOOL.

We are pleased to learn that residents of the Western end of the Borough have not lost sight of the suggestion made in these columns some week ago regarding the need for further educational facilities in Palmerston. It is generally recognised that the existing local schools must be considerably enlarged or a, new building erected to accommodate the increased numbers of scholars coming forward-. The former course is not one that is likely to be adopted, and would, after all, only be a temporary expedient. It therefore remains for those taking an interest in the matter to concentrate, their efforts upon securing a new school to serve the western quarter of the town. A meeting has accordingly been called for Wednesday night, it which the matter will be discussed in all its bearings, and arrangements made for furthering the

project. Singe the matter was first mooted the Government's building grants to Education Boards have been greatly reduced, so that it is doubtful whether many of them will be able to meet the liabilities incurred during the nine months of the financial year that are past. The Minister for Education has stated that the grants for erecting new schools , and enlarging present schools on account of increased attendances are not affected by the retrenchment policy. He will have an opportunity in Palmerston of demonstrating the sincerity of his intentions. But, like all works that the State should undertake, the new school will no doubt have to be wrung from the Department by persistent and long-continued agitation. It will not be merely sufficient to ask for the school and expect it to be immediately granted. The residents interested will need to present their case in as convincing a form as possible, and in their efforts they may be sure of the support of

the public. We have reason to believt that the Education Board will endorse the request, and if a full statement of the reasons rendering more school accommodation necessary is prepared, the Minister will find it hard to refuse the school. However, the first move is to be made at the ' meeting to be held on Wednesday night in Blackbourn's Hall, and it behoves all parents and others interested to make the gathering as representative and influential as possible so that Palmerston's requirements may go forward with a convincing weight of public opinion behind them.