Assembly Hall Opened

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 174, 26 July 1938, Page 8

Assembly Hall Opened

Acquisition for Girls’ High School CEREMONY PERFORM ED BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION Representing the happy culmination of long efforts, an assembly hall for the Palmerston North Girls’ High School haa now become an accomplished fact, filling a long-felt want at the school. The building was officially opened yesterday afternoon by the Minister of Education (Hon. P. Eraser) in the presence of a big assemblage. Mr. M. H. Oram, chairman of the High Schools’ Board of Governors, presided, and among those present were Mrs. Eraser, the Mayor (Mr. A. E. Hansford), Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., members of the Beard of Governors and Wanganui Education Board, City Councillors and representatives of local bodies, the Parents’ Association and the Old Girls’ Association. Apologies for absence were received from Miss C. B. Mills and Mrs. Rhodes, former principals of the school, and Mr. E. F. Hemingway, chairman jot the Wanganui Education Board. In extending a welcome to the visitors, Mr. Oram said it was a compliment tlfcit so many busy men had left their wefh that afternoon to be present. He wa*. glad to welcome Mr. Fraser, because it gavo an opportunity publicly to acknowledge the debt this district and fhe whole Dominion owed to him aince he had assumed office. All appreciated and admired his single-mindcd-nees of purpose and the hard work he had put into his job. The speaker believed there was no man who had held the office of Minister of Education who had done so much in a spirit of practical idealism; also that Mr. Fraser had made it one of his objectives, when taking over the portfolio, as far as it was humanly possibel, to place education above and beyond the sordid realms of party politics, and that he had done. When the time came for him to lay down his office, he would be able to look back on a great work nobly done. On behalf of the board of governors, the speaker expressed appreciation of the consideration the Minister had given to any requests it had placed "before him. The function that afternoon, Mr. Oram added, was tho fulfilment of a long-cherished ambition. Soon after the school became separated from the boys’ school, the staff and many others envisaged the time when an assembly hall would be erected. The staff, parents, ©ld pupils’ association and the pupils had worked hard for the day when they would be able to open an assembly hall, and he paid a tribute to the work of all these in raising funds for the purpo=° Mr. Hodgens said he knew the many years of work put in by all concerned to TTmkg the assembly hall an accomplished fact, and tho consummation of their efforts must be very gratifying to them. The pupils must appreciate the fact that they now had a hail to assemble in. Ho expressed appreciation of the manner in which the Minister of Education had always considered representations that had been made the speaker from time to time. Mr. Fraser was anxious to see that every facility should be given to make school life happy and congenial. Concluding, Mr. Hodgens trusted that all who passed through the school would have a happy and joyous time.

Congratulating all those who had been associated with the erection of the hall, the Minister made special reference to Mr. E. R. Hodge, architect to the Wanganui Education Board, who had been responsible for the plans, baying that ho had not soen anything which surpassed the building and few which equalled it. Bo also congratulated the principal (Miss E. E. Stephens; for the part she had played in the negotiations. The hall was up to his highest expectations, and in it he knew would be spent many happy hours. Music, drama, and other activities would benefit, and he congratulated the girla on th-ar singing. Right from the kindergarten to the tin vt rsity, New Zealand’s educational system must have the idea of equpping every child properif t-o become useful citizens and play their part in lif*, the Minister proceeded. The part that girls played in that conception of things had ©x te not been realised. When one looked round one saw boys’ schools with 6U acres of land and girls schools with only six acres. This came from the old idea that girls should come tc sc v *ooi, learn their lessons, and then go home again. The part that women must play in life had been foreseen in New Zealand, but in Great Britain and other countries they had to light for the right to express their citizenship. The economics of the nation were merely the economics of the home on a larger scale. We were living in a world in which it was necessary for everyone to understand the forces working round us, so that we could lead an intelligent and useful life, and it was the duty of the boys and girls in the high schools and colleges to get some idea of the working of those forces and how it was possible for people to live together in harmony. The powers of mankind over inanimate nature, if used wisely, would provide ample for everybody, but if used unwisely would lead to misery and unemployment, resulting in an inequitable distribution of goods throughout the world aud thus leading to enmity and warfare. Those were the problems that would confront some of the girls when they took their part in the world, and he suggested that they could not tako any better objective lhau to endeavour to build tho Jerusalem of a song they had sung, in this beautiful land of ours.

Declaring the hall open, Mr. Fraser said he trusted the building would be a source of happiness and blessing to everyone at the school. Thanking the Minister, Miss Stephen said it had been kind of him to mal e room for an event such as this. Bbi also thanked all who had contributed towards the hall. Although the

school had been using the hall for only a few weeks, several departments had already looked up. The singing had improved, and the drama and play-reading were far more enjoyable. The hall was in constant use already, and she assured all contributors that they could not have done anything more to increase the school’s efficiency or enjoyment than by making the hall possible. On behalf of the Parents’ Association, Mr. J. E. H. Mewett also expressed thanks to the Minister. Cheers for the Minister were given by the girls, who at stages throughout the proceedings rendered songs. After a display of physical drill, afternoon tea was served in the school, members of the staff and senior girls assisting. The hall is of most modern design and covers an area of 196 ft. 6in. by 4*ft., the actual floor space in the auditorium being 60ft. by 44ft. The contract price was £2796 10s, to which the Government contributed two-thirds, the balance being raised through the efforts of the Parents’ Association, the Old Girls’ Association, tho pupils and the staff. The structure is finished in roughcast material and is painted a deep cream, with green roof, in keeping with tho existing school buildings. Entrance is gained through large double doors, which lead to a commodious vestibule, ou each side of which are cloakrooms 12ft. square. The interior is most attractively finished m boarding, which is relieved at intervals by columns in heart of rimu. Particular attention has been given to ventilation and the provision of adequate light. On each side of the main hall there are no fewer than five windows, while there are two glasstopped exit doors. Twelve large electric lights of the inverted bowl typo provide the lighting for the auditorium for night performances. The stage width narrows gradually and effectively from its 30ft. at the front as it goes back to its full depth of 14ft., and on each side of it doors lead into dressing-rooms. At the rear, also with a door on to the stage, there is a supper room 22ft. by I2ft.