NEW CENTRAL SCHOOL.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2075, 16 March 1922, Page 5

NEW CENTRAL SCHOOL.

OPENED YESTERDAY BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION A new era in the educational his- o tory of Palmerston North and the IH.- 1: minion was marked yesterday by the £ official opening of the new Central it School, when a large gathering as- c sembled * to witness the opening t ceremony, which was performed bj-, i the Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Edu- s cation. The Minister and Mrs. Parrjt were met at the station by Mr. J- A. I c Nash M.P.. Mrs. Nash, Mr. A. J. | , Mahon, (chairman of the School i £ Committee) and others. On arrival at j the school, the party was accorded a.j rousing reception. £ Mr. Mahon, in welcoming the Mm- ( ister, said Palmerston North had been I £ fortunate in that at the time the vote was passed, Sir Francis Bell being U then Minister of Education, the conn- ( try’s finances were in a good state. f They owed much to the Government 1 and Sir Francis Bell for their efforts on their behalf, and they could pride ( themselves on possessing the most , magnificent primary school in the country. Mr. Parr was also deserving of many thanks, for had he not assisted iii the matter of the particular kind of furniture required, the school committee would have had to flucl a • huge sum of money to equip the school along the desired lines. Mr. ■ Mahon also spoke highly of the ef- - forts of Mr. F. Pirani, an ex-chairman. ■ of the Wanganui Education Board, and Mr. Nash, for their work on be- | half of the Campbell Street. School. He also made reference to Mr. F. L. Watson, an ex-headmaster who had been known as a father of the school, to Mr. Watson he gave the credit of the very fine tone of the school, but in this respect, tiie work of Mr. Charles Warden, at one time one of the staff, must not bo forgotten. (Applause). Mr. Warden had taught the boys of the school in the past to play the game. Mr. Mahon then presented the Minister with a gold key, suitably engraved, with which to open the school, and to retain as a memento of the occasion. The Minister, before formally opening the school returned thanks for the gift. AN INSPIRING SIGHT On entering the large assembly hall the visitors were struck by an inspiring sight. Hundreds of children, the girls in dresses of white, and waving flags, were assembled in the gallery, and fairly lifted the roof with their hearty cheering. The official party, members of the Wanganui Education Board, together with the school committee and the visiting committee men and the headmaster, occupied the stage and several speeches were delivered and songs rendered by the children. Following the singing of the "Children’s song” Mr. Nash in a speech said all must feel very proud of tiie privilege of being able to assemble at the opening of such a fine school. He hoped the sight before them would be an incentive to the Minister to support the erection of assembly halls in all schools built in the future. Having traced the Educational progress of Palmerston North since the time of the old Central School, which was built on the site of flic Empire Hall,Mr. Nash said Palmerston North was determined to become a very large place in the course of ten years, and the population would probably number 25,000 people.* Campbell Street had now SSO pupils. Some thought this number was far too large for one school and contended 800 was sufficient. In time to come, not only would the foremost schools in the town have to be re-erected, but more buildings constructed. Owing to the financial stringency, little headway could be made in the Department at the present time, in the matter of new schools.which were required all over the Dominion. Mr, Nash congratulated the committee on its wonderful efforts, not only in the respect of the new school and its improvements, but on other matters, such as the baths.- Palmerston North had made marvellous progress from an educational viewpoint, and he hoped that Parliament would sec its way • to make' further grants, to the town within the next year. : Mr. Nash called for cheers for the i Minister and Mrs. Parr, and these were given lustily. The children then 1 sang “Land of Hope and Glory." The greater part of the Minister’s : speech was inaudible to the Press. • as be was suffering from a sevi ere cold and could not make himself , generally heard. ! Although the school cost a lot of > money, he said, he was very proud of ; it and was even more proud of the 1 fine body of children within its walls, i To him it was quite an inspiring sight , to see such a fine assemblage of oyer . goo young New Zealanders. The 1 Minister congratulated the headmaster 1 and children on the excellent sing- , ing. He would that there was . more singing in the schools of thisj ’ country, singing of the character hej had listened to. Passing on he refer--1 red to Mr. Nash’s requests for money. It would take a Rockefeller to satisfy that gentleman. . (Laughter) At the present time, the speaker was not ' Rockefeller. The main school he said | had cost £33.000, and the Infant Dei partment £IB,OOO. There had been , some criticism about the expenditure, but it must be remembered that the • school was the size of two ordinary ; schools. The Minister referred to a ! suggestion that the primary school age should be lowered to 12 years. On the contrary he said, it should be raised. ’ In conclusion, he wished the school j every success. (Applause.) 1 j Mr. W. A. Collins, chairman of the ; | Wanganui Education Board, also 1 spoke, but his remarks were entirely [ inaudible. . 1 After the children had sung Kipling s recessional, "Lost We Forget,” the headmaster, Mr. L. F. de Berry, in an appropriate speech expressed deep gratitude to those who had taken up- • on themselves the work of providing the beautiful school and referred to the high traditions built up in the past. It would be their endeavour to uphold those traditions. Master Collyer. head prefect, expressed appreciation on behalf of the children, and thanks to the numerous committees and people who had been foremost in the establishment of the new school. The function closed with cheers and the singing of the National Anthem. JUBILEE OF SCHOOL On the Ist of April it will be 30 years since the first school was opened 1 in Palmerston North and the occasion { will be fittingly celebrated by the old pupils. It Is their intention to arrange a Grand Concert, in the new Assembly hall on the above date and the programme will be contributed to