DOWN SOUTH.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 2779, 22 October 1923, Page 5

DOWN SOUTH.

PROGRESS OF EDUCATION.

NEW BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL FOR INVERCARGILL.

TO COST ABOUT £35,000,

[Per Press Association.]

INVERCARGILL, Last Night,

A luncheon was tendered by tho Southland League and Chamber of Commerce to the Minister o.f Education (Hon. C. J, Parr) on Saturday., Speeches of welcome were given by the respective presidents, Messrs Brod. erick and Hoyles, who referred in a complimentary manner to the Minister’s great work for the cause of Education since taking over the portfolio four years ago. Mr Hoyles expressed the hope that, as a Minister of the Crown, he would extend his sympathy and support to any matters affecting the well-being of Southland, particularly concerning railway and postal facilities, which at present greatly handicapped the province. Being an integral part of the Dominion, with greater opportunities for expansion than many other districts, they only asked what was fair and reasonable. In the course of his reply, the Minister thanked them for t'hcir hospitality. He briefly reviewed the work of the Education Department, and referred to such questions as the consolidation of rural schools and giving opportunities to country children equal to those in towns, for sounder education, with a view to overcoming the present tendency to drift from the country to tho towns. He also made a few observations regarding the position of the country financially, both public and private, and sounded a note of caution against another orgy of extravagance and land gambling, which was likely to lead to a repetition; of the slump of 1920-21. The country was well round the corner now, and he hoped the recovery had not been too quick, which was sometimes dangerous. The recently published returns for the past six months had indicated that tho estimated revenue had been exceeded by £900,000, principally through the Customs, which indicated that larger importation was absolutely essential to keep the trade balance right. Datallers were, he thought, inclined to be a little too optimistic, and should exercise caution. There was no cloud on the horizon, but he thought they had better be careful of land values and Importations during the next twelve months. The railway returns for the six months just closed indicated a remarkable improvement over the corresponding period last year, to tho extent of £227,000. _ Subsequently the Minister laid the foundation atono of the new Boys’ High School, which is bjeing erected at a cost of £35,000. Various speakers referred t'o the steady progress made in education in the district, and tho Minister, in a stirring speech, commented on the necessity for secondary education to, fit boys and girls for their future life. Over twenty thousand scholars were being trained in secondary schools to-day, and of those in the primary schools who gained a proficiency certificate, 64 per cent took higher education. The new building will be one of tna oesfc in the Dominion, having ten class rooms with all modern adjuncts, and standing in an area of 18 acres. Tho Minister returns to Dunedin by Monday afternoon’s express.