CENTRAL SCHOOL AGAIN IN FULL SWING

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6835, 16 April 1932, Page 8

CENTRAL SCHOOL AGAIN IN FULL SWING

Reopening Ceremony of Decapitated Building CONGRATULATIONS OF MINISTER Tho remodelled Central school, decapitated as a result of the lessons learn ed in the Napier earthquake, was officially reopened yesterday afternoon by tho Minister of Education, Hon. R. Masters, M.L.C., in the presence of the assembled school children, members of tho committee and teaching staff, representatives of. tho Wanganui Education Board, and various local bodies, members of the teaching staffs and committees of other local -chools, and parents and well-wishers. Apologies for absence wero received from Mr. T. B. Strong (Director of Education), Mr. H. Atmorc and Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P. Rev. J. D. McArthur, chairman of the School Committee, presided and extended a welcome to Mr. Masters, saying that citizens were pleased to have him present to rcjoico with them in tno reopening of the institution. Mr. ivicArthur also extended a welcome to the other visitors and thanked tho Wanganui Education Board and its architect (Mr. E. E. Hodge) for tho valuable help that they had given in getting the school going again. Palmerston North, said tho Mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) had been very proud of the old Central school, which had been ono of tho finest of the kind in the Dominion, and citizens had had feelings of'regret when the official edict had gone forth that tho school would havo to be remodelled. It would have been nothing short of criminal on tho part of the department if it had not heeded the lesson given in Napier in 1931. Whilst New Zealanders were proud of their schools, they did not want money spent on buildings to the detriment of the pupils, for tho primary schools were the breath of life to the Dominion. Whilst Palmerston North had been proud of tho old Central school, Mr. Mansford concluded, he felt certain that citizens were going to be just as proud of the remodelled school. Mr. M. 11. Oram, one of tho Palmerston North representatives on the Wanganui Education Board, after apologising for tho ' absence of the chairman, acting chairman and secretary of that body, the former being ill and the latter in Wellington on board business, said that much as Palmerston North deplored the cause that rendered the decapitation of tho school necessary, ho thought that everyone would agree that tho department and the board had had no other course open to them. Palmerston North had educational facilities which any town might bo proud of. The Minister was filling a very difficult position; he was facing a tiino of great difficulty and stress, and everybody that had the interests of education at heart would have to support him in any steps that might be considered necessary, however distasteful they might be. “On behalf of the Wanganui Education Board,” Mr. Oram concluded, “I extend a welcome to tho Minister and assure him of our support at all times, and express the hope that all the boys and girls who go through this school will have a happy time and turn out useful citizens.”

“I hope that the boys and girls of Central school will be happy in the remodelled building,” said Mr. E. R. Hodge, under whose supervision the work was carried out, “and that they will receive an education here that will lit them for the future battles of life and make them worthy citizens. Would that we had with us to-day in the political affairs of the country that great statesman who had proclaimed: ‘The Dominion of New Zealand —God’s Own Country.’” Continuing, Mr. Hodge said ho wished there was more optimism in the country and less pessimism; the latter would not bring the country back to prosperous times. Every welleducated boy and girl was an asset to tho country, helping to swell the credit side of tho national ledger. In conclusion, Mr. Hodgo extended thanks to the foreman and workmen who had carried out tho remodelling, saying that they

to say, with reference to the relative importance of markings in judging Berkshire pigs, that the maximum .10 2>cr cent, of total points would only bo deducted in the case of a very badly marked pig. Tho letter stated further that the committee believed that judges were fully aware that tho conformation, quality and suitability of tho pig for breeding purposes, were by far the most important considerations and the markings relatively unimportant. The letter, however, added that the markings were a characteristic of the Bcrkshircs and that it would be a grave mistake to disregard them altogether. Tho committee did not feel able to express a definite opinion in regard to the difference between tho British type of Berkshire and that of Bcrkshircs of Canada and America, not being aware in w T hat details the standards differed.

The matter was discussed at length and it was resolved that the standard of excellence of all breeds bo brought into lino with the standards of excellence as employed by the National Pig Breeders’ Association. Deputation to Wellington. The secretary read tho minutes covering tho discussions and decisions of the conference which led up to the sending of the deputation which waited on the Director-General of Agriculture in Wellington on Thursday. The chairman reported on tho visit to Wellington (a report of which has been published) and asked if the council should have representation on tho special investigation committee it was proposed to set up. Mr. Gudopp moved that Mr. Russell be tho New Zealand Pig Breeders’ Association’s representatives on the proposed investigation committee and this was carried.

Then followed a general discussion concerning the action tho association’s representative was to take if the. inyestigation committee was set up,

had done their work well and had earned every penny they had received. Speaking at the outset to tho children, Mr. Masters said ho felt that in tho position ho was in that day, in a sense they wero his family; ho haa a very distinct responsibility so far as every one of the boys and girls was concerned, not only of Central school but of every other school of tho Dominion. jy

“If ever you hear any criticism of tho Minister of Education,” Mr. Masters w r ont on, “and you will hear plenty, I want you to keep it in tho back of your minds that whatever decision ho may come to, you aro always n: • first consideration in any changes that may bo effected as a result of the depression which wo are going through at the present moment. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to havo tho opportunity to come hero this afternoon and take part in tho official reopening of tho school. My first impressions of Central school were gained on a visit which I made as chairman of the Taranaki Education Board to schools in tho Wanganui Board’s district. When I came to Palmerston North I well recall having looked at this very fine structure and thinking, ‘what a waste of money.’ I was not so well up in educational matters as I am now, and. I remember going back to Parliament with a sense of jealousy more than anything else, and criticising the Minister of Education for spendiug such a large amount of money in Palmerston North. Since then it has been proved that tho expenditure mado at that time was moro thau justified. When I visited this school I never thought it would bo my duty as Minister to authoriso tho decapitation of that very fine building and later to perform tho duty of reopening it. What the Wanganui Education Board and Mr. Hodge and those associated with him have done reflects great credit on them.

“I want to make passing reference,” the Minister continued, ‘‘ to tho trials of the school committee during the timo when the school was more or less under a ban, and to the board and staff for tho way in which they have carried out their duties under difficult circumstances. After seeing the conditions under which the boys and girls and the teachers were working, it did not take mo long to sob that a grant should bo made to take tho children away from those conditions. Cabinet immediately realised the position and made a grant for remodelling. “Boys and girls, you have wonderful opportunities, but you want to remember that there aro a great number of people making sacrifices for you so that you can receive tho best education. I want you to bo loyal to your fathers and mothers and try to appreciate the sacrifices they aro making. Remember also that the teachers are making sacrifices on your behalf. Be thankful, cultivate habits of self-reliance and thrift, and apply yourself to your work. No one ever got anywhero in this world unless ho or she worked hard. ’ ’ Concluding, Mr. Masters officially declared the school open and granted a holiday for Monday. Cheers wero then given for the Minister and other speakers, following which those present.inspected the building.

CONCERT TO AUGMENT RENOVATION FUNDS. To augment tho renovation funds a very lino concert, organised by members of the school committee, took place in tho assembly hall last evening. Some of the city’s most popular artists contributed to tho programme, every item being vociferously received. The programme was as follows: — Pianoforte duct, Misses Roma Durand and Nora Croad; “Side by Side” and “Down Where the Glow Worms Glow,” Huia Quintette; imitation of a trombone, Mr. W. J. Robertson; humorous item, “The Mcanderings of Monty,” Mr. C. E. Luke; song, “Harmony Heaven” and tap ballet, the Alissi j Edwards, M. O ’Brien and A. Robson; songs, “Waiata Poi” and "Down Here,” Miss D. Stairs; musical monologue, “The Road of Ten Thousand Crosses,” Mr. J. W. Davidson (accompanist, Mr. F. McLachlan); “Inventions,” Mr. A. W. Pizzcy; sketches, “Tho Editor” and “Ef Yo’ Like,” Messrs J. W. Davidson and J. M. Pearson; song, “Pokarckarc,” Miss D. .Stairs; tap dance,' Miss Jean Curtis; uances, “Varsity Drag” and “Militarian,” Miss Gwenth Macnaughtan and. ballet; “Bridesmaids’ Chorus,“ the Misses Edwards, A. Robson, M. O’Brien, Bell and Carr; song, Mr. F. >. ollcrnmn.

_..0 accompaniments were played by „ Robson, Airs. Wollerman, Miss Aluirhead and Air. F. AlcLauchlan.

Air. C. Taylor, deputy chairman of ochool committee, apologised for the aoseneo of the chairman (Rev. J. D. AlcArthur) and expressed the thanks of the committee for the good attendance. Air. Taylor also proposed a vote of thanks to the performers, which was earned by acclamation.

Alcmbcrs of the ladies’ committee entertained the performers at supper.