OPENING OF PONSONBY DISTRICT SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5373, 5 February 1879, Page 2

OPENING OF PONSONBY DISTRICT SCHOOL.

The new school building erected by the Central Board of Educatiou was formally opened yesterday, and will receive scholars at half-past nine this morning, so that no time is certainly lost between the completion of the structure and its being applied to its special purpose. Although there was no set ceremonial, the inhabitants of the district were present in considerable numbers. A large number of the children made the class-rooms, school-rooms, aud school furniture appear quite lively with their criticisms. Mr. Malioney is the architect of the building, and Messrs. Mathews the contractors. The edifice cost £2700. The inhabitants raised £270 in aid, out of which sum was paid over to the Central Board. The School Committee consists of the following geutlenien :—The Kev. Mr. Bree (chairman), Messrs. Hughes, Devore, Gittos, Masetield, Field, Fleming. The building stands at the rear of All Saints' Church, and. though elegant in point of style and appearance, is shut out from public view. But this is, perhaps, its only disadvantage. CommodiouMiess is a much more important element of usefulness, considering the objects to which the structure is to be devoted. The frontage is 100 feet in extent, with two central gables surmounted by a handsome belfry. The interior is well lighted. The following figures will give a notion of its capacity in this particular. There are two teachers' rooms, 15 feet by 13 feet; two lavatories, 15 feet by 13 feet; two class-rooms, 18 feet by 23 feet; two infant schools, 40 feet by 23 feet; two school-rooms, 50 feet by 25 feet. The rooms are IS feet high, aud the whole of the interior is finished in a thoroughly workmanlike manner. There are play-grounds and external offices, and a sum of £70 remains in the hands of the committee, to be appropriated to the supply of any further conveniences that may be required. Colonel Haultain was present, in the room of Dr. Campbell, who could not attend, and might be said to represent the Central Board of Education. His Worship the Mayor, Mr. Swanson, M.H.K., and other influential citizens were also present by invitation. The attendance of so large a proportion of the ladies and gentlemen of the district might be said to indicate the interest taken by the people of the district in the occasion.

The Kev. Mr. Bkee occupied the chair, and in formally opening the school said : Ladies and Gentlemen,—l little expected that I should have been called upon to fulfil so honourable a position as that which I now occupy, or to have s the pleasing duty imposed upon me of opening one of the finest public schools in this diocese. Wo have much cause for thankfulness in this event—thankfulness to God, in the first instance, at the progress whick has been made in education, as a result of which this handsome structure has been raised—thankfulness to the Central Board of Education, who have throughout given us every possible encouragement, and behaved with great liberality—thankfulness for the energy of the retiring school committee, who have brought the undertaking to this happy issue. (Applause.) I hope that every parent in the district will not hesitate to send his child to this school. "We know that every child can obtain an excellent education at this school, and that even the highest education can be given here. We know, indeed, that the religious elements of education will not be obtained here, but that is a very large and difficult question, upon which I will not here enter. But secular knowledge will be obtained here, and discipline which cannot but be valuable to the objects of it through life. I would remark upon the unnecessary tension to which the young are sometimes subjected in the course of their educatiou. I hope that no one | will desire that everything should be taught ■ all at once. Let no one be misled by the desire | to force upon the young a premature development of the intellect. The consequence of such a course, if persisted in, will be mischievous, not only to the intellect, but to the general health of those whom it is intended to benefit. The local committee are subordinate to the Central Board. They have but little power of themselves, but so far as we have had experience of the intentions and sympathy of the Central Board, we have nothing but good to expect at their hands. I would say a word, which, coining from a person like myself, has something professional m i r ever been proud of my profession, and felt it a high honour to be a clergyman and minister of religion. In saying this one word I appeal especially to parents. I appeal to thorn, as they mil have to answer for it, that they do their duty to their children in their homes. If religious instruction cannot be given in schools of this kind, it becomes the greater duty of parents to see that the children are instructed in religion within the sanctuary of their respective homes. Let parents be earnest, caretui, and zealous in this matter. This duty has become the more important, for the Sundayschool, although an agency for good, useful, and beneficial instruction, is feeble compared with * e hfiiou9 sentiments which a parent can inBttl into the mind of a child iu the home, I

say to yon, parents, do your pect. (Applause.) y duty m 'bis Mr Bailet the head-master r «. , school report, from which we U'A fl" 1 U* ing particulars :-I u i 873 % the f0i1,,, children on the roll, with an Wore Hi attendance of 93. I,', l ß7 c j-UilJ Ponsonby Hall. The number' „f u e ' ! tc was ISS, but tlie girls wern flc &°lan proportion of two to five of ia owing to the insufficiency of a CK -,-„„ , Last year one boy had obtained a ;'!'' 011 - £30 a-year, being placed fourth "on ,K ?. o£ and the other candidates for a schoKr t- e llatacquitted themselves creditably 5 , *."P M "school mi-ht be said to have attained hi i" *" he mark. Thanks were given for tho *.1? Iltor raent afforded to the school by i,rc«.r,-f to be .distributed as rewards of m-rif la r &Ue > inhabitants of the district and individuVi' 1* ° a bers of the committee, also to Mr s w ,,; the interest he had manifested in the fot of the school, and for similar presents prc » fe - 4 ' Tho Chairman- moved the adoption r,- • head-master's report. Mr. Masefikld. in secondin" the n- .• paid a compliment to the head-master fa ??' diligence, energy, and successful conduc- V .v school. " •••<

Colonel Haultaw greatly regretted n Campbell, the Chairman of the Board'of FM cation, was unavoidably absent. Althou-lj l could not speak in any oiiioi.d can,i<-iiv a presenting the Board, he gladly acoeuterit?" invitation to be present. This sch.»o> £.j ' an object of special interest to the E-Juc-^ 60 Board, more especially that the Board founll the hands of the inhabitants of trio dj s 4 r :.. hearty and ready a response,—a feelin° V).' f ? was not so manifest in manv other dlstriVf A great deal of inconvenience ln-i, DoJonKf' been experienced by the school bein" 5 from Ponsonby Hall, which v.- >3 "renni for some other purpose. A school-rocra wa asked, which was to- cost the of £350. Bat the Board replied thS a proper school building should be e-'cc'ol and required the people of tha Uistriei to say whether they would themselves coatri bute towards that object. There was a coctri bution offered of £100, but the School Commit tee very wisely, foreseeing the great iucrejj that was taking place in the population, of tfc» district, thought it desirable to have a school that would answer their expectation ia this respect for years to come. (Applause.) It, Wl | proposed that a school building should b* erected, to cost £*2000, and the district raised another £100 in aid of this object. The result was to be seen. The chairman had said tint the school committee held a subordinate position, but that was also in a sense the case of the Central Board, foi money was the master. With money they could do much ; without, nothing. There was a prevalent feeling everywhere that they had the best right to assistance who did most t« help themselves. Wheuever they were prepared to do this they should ask—there was nothing got from public bodies without the asking. After asking many times, perhaps they would at last get, if not all they required, yet something ; and nothing wai got without asking. It was very satisfactory to see such an excellent system of education progressing in tbis colony. There wan nothing more attractive to those in the-old country who intended to emigrate than goodschoolsiathe country to which they had a wish to* proceed. People would not come to a country where there was no provision for the education of their children. This in itself was a good practical objoct to have iu view. And in thi« North Island of New Zealand there was a larger area of land available for settlement than some peopU were aware of. He heard from one cf the highest authorities euguged in the geological survey that there whs three times the quantity of land available for settlement in the North Island as compared with the South. He met Sir. Macandrew a short time ago, and Mr. Macandrew was a practical, shrewd, and intelligent man. " Well," said Mr. Ma«andrew, afterseeing the North Island," the conceit has been taken out of me." Mr. Macandrew naturally entertained the highest opinion of hi# own district." "But," said Mr. Macandrew again, "it only wants people here to develop the resources of your laud in the North Island to give it immense scope and power. Her# you have land enough to settle, only a lar?e, but a thriving, industrious population." (Applause.) That'population would be sure to come in a few years. But they would hardly be tempted to come, unless they were assured that there was in the countiy provision for the education of their children, so that they might form in future time

a part of an enlightened, happy, and pros perous population. A good education system will materially contribute to such a result.

His Worship the Mayor, in response to ih* invitation of the chairman, was glad to havt the opportunity of expressing the pkwsure he felt in being asked to assist at the evening of such a school. The thanks of the public were due to the Centra! Board, to the local committee, and to ill concerned in the erection of such a building for educational purposes. The people of Ponsonby, by their presence in large numbers on such an occasion, set a good example to th« public at large by shewing the importance which, they attached to such an. occasion. Fie sympathised wi*h the exhortation of thi chairman that the spiritual training of the children should not be neglected by those who had a primary interest in their welfare. The immediate purposes of these schools were the grounding of the children of the several districts in th« essentials of a good practical education, which would enable them to the duties :hey would be called on to discharge, to encounter successfully the difficulties with which they would have to contend, and to fulfil their part* as good members of the community aud useful citizens. (Applause.)

Mr. SwaKson, M.H.R., was next invited tc address the meeting. He said he had had hope« that he would not be culled upon to make a speech, as he was anxious to go away to sea some friends oft by the Zealandia. He remembered 34 years ago having to put into what i& now Cox's Creek in a north-easter, and to walk into Auckland. There was not a house to be seen anywhere, no road, but only a pig track along the ridge. If anyone had told htm he would be present at the opening of such a school building as they were now assembled in this place, he would not have believed it. It was a good school— one of the best he had seen. But he be allowed tc say that he did not consider it quire complete until he saw a good many more improvements in and about it. He could endorse the statement of Colonel Haultain, to the effect that those who asked nothing got nothing. Tfcej might be very sure about that. (Applause and laughter.) You must also ai>proach people from whom anything is to be got by shewing you are earnest about it, and the best manifestation of such a desire was a willingness to put their hands in their pockets, and doing something toward it. As to the other things ha would like to see ; ho would like to see a good school-master's house, —he would also like to see a good janitor s house, where they could have, say, some old military man to drill the children, to keep the place clean, and do various odd job 3 which need not be very hard work, although it would be very useful. In that matter of drill they could have their boys to know something of how they would have to behave if ever they were called upon to shew front to those whc would assail them. He would like to see the play-pjound much improved. The clay soil would be puddled in wet weather. He would like to see a few cart-loads of shells put on it; if not, gravel, but shells were to be preferred. He would like to see swings both for the boys and girls, and other gymnastic apparatus, .ind also good shade trees of different kinds planted round about. He would also like to see a collection of grasses, ferns, minerals, and shells,, and the native birds of the country in cases, and the children taught to know about them* Let there be flowers and ferns, and every natural object that would sugs €S * good and happy thoughts to the children, —objects which would enlarge their own views, and which would enable theni to be useful and instructive companions to others. He could also- endorse what had been said by Col. Haultain as to the attractions of a school to an intending emigrant. Theattraction cime nearer home. It was even a value to the land about where a good school was erected. He knew of four heads of families at least who had ccrne tc buy land in Ponsonby owing to the facilities afforded in this particular as well a3 other?. A good, well-conducted school was sure to create a greater demand for land m its neighbourhood. It would not be a b:ul pIA» to have photographs of their schools distributed in the old country, if ihey wished to attract a greater number of immigrants. There was another view of the subject which wa* worth considering. If they did not give their children a good education here in thf colony, they would never be able w compete with those youngsters who would be coming to the colony from tbe old country, where the means and appliances for education were so many and so perfect, according to ail accounts. The children of the colonists without education would fall to the rear; they would not be able to keep pace with their competitors. That was a view which greoter stress should be laid upon by those who were interested in the future progress of the colony. He was glad to see that fine buildings; to see the people turn out to encourage those who had contributed to raise it; to see the children who would benefit by it; and he would, in conclusion, say that anything that he could either say or do to assist the Central Board, or the local committee, or the teachers, they had only got to command him, and he would be at their . seivice. Mr. Swanson thanked those present for the attention they had given to his hurried remarks, and then lei* the room. The Chairman declared ihafc the school would be open for the reception of scholars on "Wednesday, the sth of February (this day), at 9.30 a.m.

A vote of thanks was passed to the chair* man, and the proceedings terminated.