NEW PAVILION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 263, 5 October 1936, Page 9

NEW PAVILION

GIFT TO HIGH SCHOOL,

PRESENTATION AND OPENING

Adding to the amenities of the Palmerston North Boys’ High School, the new pavilion on the school’s eastern playing field was formally presented to the sclicol, on Saturday arternoon, by the Parents’ Association and was later declared open by the member for Palmerston (Mr J. Hodgens). The presentation of the pavilion was made by the president of the association (Dir A. A. Langley), and the chairman of the High Schools Board of Governors (Dir M. H. Oram) accepted it. Owing to the wet state of the weather the gathering was hold in the school assembly hall, the speeches being made after afternoon tea had been enjoyed. Considering tire conditions, there was a good attendance.

In opening the proceedings, Dir Langley submitted apologies for absence from Dir and Mrs A. E. Dlansford (Dlayor and Dlayoress), Dir and Dlrs J. A. Nash, Dir T. M. N. Rodgers (president of the Old Boys’ Association), Mrs H. Palmer (a member of the Parents’ Association), Dlessrs G. Tremaine, 0. Dlonrad and Dim M. Aitchison (members of the High Schools Board of Governors) a.nd Mr J. A. Grant (chairman of the executive of the Girls’ High School Parents’ Association). Dir Grant stated in a letter that, passing the grounds dady as ho did, he marvelled at the changes since his days at the school, a.nd the latest addition “made” the grounds. It would be appreciated by the boys

in years to come. The building of the pavilion, proceeded Dir Langley, had entailed a good deal of work, and he wished to thank the lady members of the committee and Dlrs J. Dlurra.y (wife of the rector) for their active interest in the undertaking. Thanks were also due to Dir G. G, Wilson, who had not only drawn the plans and specifications free of cost, but had also acted as clerk of works on the building. The contractor (Dir W. H. Seward) had made a splendid job of the building and he had used even better timber in its construc-

tion than that provided for in the specifications. Indicating a beautiful pennant draped on the stage, the speaker said it was a gift from Dlrs C. A. Small and would fly at the masthead over the pavilion on suitable occasions. Tho subsidy from the Unemployment Board —only a few shillings short of £lO0 —had been of very material assistance in having the building erected. The previous chairman of the Parents’ Association’ (Dir A. Grigor), on vacating office, ha.d left a very nice nucleus to the building fund—£B0 —which had been of great assistance. Dir Langley then asked the chairman of the High Schools Board of Governors (Dir Oram) to accept the pavilion as a gift to the school from the Parents’ Association. VALUE OE PARENTS'' INTEREST. On behalf of the Board of Governors, said Dir Oram, he had the greatest pleasure in accepting such a splendid gift. To all the members ot the Board of Governors the work of the Parents’ Association had been an inspiration. There was nothing which helped a board so much as a strong and vigorous parents’ association. The board wished to develop the amenities of the school in many directions, hut they were restricted in finance. They had to refuse certain requests because either they had not the required money or localise the money they had could not be used for the particular purpose desired. That was why a parents’ association in such a school could be of such tremendous value. There was not a shadow of doubt that the old pavilion on the eastern ground had been something of an eyesore, and the new one would be not only of splendid convenience, besides adding to the appearance of the school, but it would stand as a monument to the work and enthusiasm of the parents of the pupils. SERVICE TO EDUCATION. Dir Hodgens said that he regarded it as a special privilege to be present and to take part in a ceremony which should express the consummation of work over many years, to raise £217 toward the erection of the pavilion. He knew what that sum represented, and one could not hut be impressed with the work and service that the pavilion typified. In New Zealand we said we had" a free education. AV.e knew that the Government of the day —whatever it was-—had definite ideas of taxation and would demand a certain tax, a proportion of which would be used for educational facilities. But that afternoon, in that gathering, it had been demonstrated that there was a certain facility the school could not secure without the parents of pupils making an additional sacrifice over and above that occasioned by the demands of taxation. We were particularly interested in the cause of education, yet when we realised the number of ladies and gentlemen throughout New Zealand who were working to provide facilities for education, in every section, from kindergarten to high school, we could ask what would be the position to-day but for the self-sacrificing work that these persons performed P The Government had to take note of that. It- was as if the

people said: “We are not satisfied with the appurtenances of the seats of learning in our country, wherefor we make special sacrifices.” All recognised the value of the great work that' had been done. There was an old British proverb which said: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” He hoped that every hoy having the use of the pavilion, with the facilities provided there, would appreciate what had been done and that they would never qualify for the appellation “dullard.” Mr Hodgens concluded by. complimenting the architect, tile craftsmen, and all who had had anything whatever to do with the erection of the new pavilion. He y expressed appreciation of t|ie work done by the Parents’ Association, and declared the pavilion open.

- HECTOR’S APPRECIATION. Appreciation was expressed by the rector, Mr Murray, of the great enthusiasm of the members of the Parents’ Association executive and he thanked them for the work they were doing for the school. He thanked also the parents generally, whether members of the association or not, for helping tlie school in various ways. He spoke in appreciation, also, of the granting of the Government subsidy for the building and of the labours of the architect and the builder. Thanks were due, in addition, to Mr T. R. Hodder (who was present), because for many years he had entertained both the school cricket and football teams at afternoon tea. To Mr W. P. Anderson, a member of the staff, who had taken a particularly keen interest in the school’s cricket, the speaker gave his thanks. Mr Anderson had supplied statistics which showed that tlje school had played senior cricket since 1910 and had enjoyed the honour of carrying off the championship. In inter-school games the school had won 35 matches, and lost 16, and all knew the debt the school owed Mr Anderson for his interest in its cricket activities. The school had a beautiful environment, and the new pavilion would now complete that picture. The gathering broke up after a vote of tlljnks had been passed to Mr Hodgens for his atendance.