DEVONPORT DISTRICT SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 5680, 31 January 1880, Page 5

DEVONPORT DISTRICT SCHOOL.

The completion of the new school building was formally celebrated last night. A concert took place in the schoolroom, and public addresses were delivered by the Hon. F- Whitaker, M.L.C.; Reader G. Wood, Esq., M.H.R.; W. J. Hurst, Esq., M.H.R. The chair was occupied by Mr. O. Mays. There was a very large attendance of residents of the district, and a'so friends from Auckland. The Orpheus Glee Club and a good string baud assisted in the entertainment. The Chairman congratulated the ladies and gentlemen of the district upon obtaining their new school-building. He was glad to see that State education had be n established iu the colony. He had been a teacher in the district 20 years ago, and in a very humble building. When he ceased to bs a teacher he continued to take considerable interest in education. He would not occupy the time of the meeting by any lengthened remarks. He hoped that every parent and guardian in the district would assist the school committee iu carrying out the provisions of the Education Act. There was a good staff of teachers, under the direction of the committee. 'J'here were some parents who as yet held their children aloof from the school." He could not say why. The committee, however, would consider liow they might carry out the full purposes so as to bring every child in the district not under instruction into the school. Orpheus Glee Club: Band March " Aux Flambeaux." The Hon. F. Whitaker said those who liadkuown the North Shore fo' - a great number of years could not help noticing the improvements that had taken place. Houses were built aud immediately occupied. Ho ba 1 been connected for a great number of years with the North Shore. He had chosen the North Shore in the early times as a retreat—for him, repose and quiet were necessary for recreation. But the North Shore soon became as much frequented as the other side of the rii-er, and he was obliged to retreat still further inland before the approach of population, even to the remoter district of the Lake. The whole of this part of the colony was rapidly advancing, and the impetus which had of late years been given to education, contributed greatly to that progress. Having got the Eiucation Act and the schools, they should be vigilant to see that the A'jt was carried out to tho fullest extent possible. Bo thought New Zealaud had reason to be proud of the efforts she had made for education. Of all the cjlonies, except Victoria, New Zealand had devoted the largest amount of money to education, and she stood equal with Victoria in this respect. But education had also become a pslitical necessity. The franchise had been so extended, that every man who resided in the colony for twelve months, and in the district for which he intended to vote six months, could have a vote. The fact was, that whatever the situation might be, the people were the masters of it. Ministers, members of Parliament, and public officers, were the servants of the people. The destiny of the country was, in fact, in ihe hands of the people. How very important therefore that the people should be educated, whether for good or evil the lot was cast. There was not a yonng man who heard him who might not occupy the position of Premier of the colony or Attorney-General if he should have only the determination, the capacity, and the application necessary 'to obtain such position. The character, of the know!edge which is required for the development of the resources of new countries required au educated people. Education hail acquired the highest practical value in these times. To entrust the management of the country to an uneducated people would be provocative of disaster sooner or later. Now the Education Act had been established, its results were before them. He thought those results had been most satisfactory. The success was even greater than could have been expected. The report for 1579 had not yet reached his hands, but he believed it would show even a greater amount of success than that of IS7S. Auckland had been for some time behind the Southern part of the colony. But in education, at all events, the province of Auckland was likely at no distant date to overtake the South. The people might be proud of the progress that had been made. In other respects Auckland had been less i favourably situated, owing to special circuru- | stances. In the South there was a different kind of herbage on the land. The people who settled there were able to put their cattle on the laud at once, and they could turn their land to almost immediately productive purpose. In Auckland the land was peculiarly circumstanced, besides producing a form of herbage which required some time, trouble, and expense to clear it off. But the time was rapidly approaching when in all respects Auckland would be abreast of the rest of the colony. Whatever changes might take place in the future it was satisfactory to know that the question of education had got into that position that no Government would attempt to destroy it. He wished to impress on those who were present that it was very little use to have a Government willing to assist and provide funds for education, to have an Education Department, or any machinery for the distribution of its funds, if the people themselves did not look after the schools. The efficiency of the schools was a iesponsiblity that rested with the pe'ople. He, therefore, trusted that they would elect, for their committee, the moat active-minded men, who would be frieuds of education, and who would sustain the system, so that every child in the colony might derive the greatest advantage from it. (Applause.)

Song, Mr. Spry; pianoforte selection, Miss Slattery. Mr. R. G. Wood addressed the meeting. He also thought that the district was to be congratulated upon their new building. Not many years ago a man who sought iuformation and knowledge must betake himself to some learned professor, where, after much trouble, toil, and expense, he might acquire what knowledge he desired. But so vast was the system ot publication of elementary works, tbat every bookseller's shop might bo said to have become a storehouse of information. Any person who would devote himself to study in these days might acquire an amount of real knowledge that could only have been acquired formerly with the greatest difficulty. The immense strides in all kiuds of improvement had been maiuly due to three men—to James Watt, George Stephenson, and Thomas Faraday. These men commencedtbeirpursuitof knowledge in the humblest ranks of the people, and surrounded by the greatest difficulties, yet they had conferred upon their country nearly all the greatness of which the present time was enabled to boast. Education— elementary education—wouldplace the power oE becoming such public benefactors witbiu the reach of every child who attended these schools. (Applause). Band: "German Stock Waltz;" Glee Club, " Spring's Delights Mrs. Revett, "I cannot sing the old songs;" Miss M. Slattery, pianoforte selection. The Rev. Mr. Bates addressed the meeting. He craved indulgence of the meeting from the fact that he had to follow two of the most practised public speakers. Those gentlemen had been trained under a system of education different from that in vogue at present. He could only hope for the present system that it would produce men of such knowledge and Bfcrength of moral purpose. He approved of the present system of education, and would not disturb it only to improve it. It devolved npon parents to send their children to school. Parents were bound by a moral obligation to send their children to the public schools, seeing that the State paid for the education to be obtained in them. He lioped the parents of that district would support the school committee in putting in force the clauses of the Act bo as to bring all children of school age within the influence of sound practical education. (Applause.) Mrs. Kevitt, song; Orpheus Glee Club, " The Chapel." Tbe name of Mr. Hurst was in the programme, bnt an apology was made for him, as he was suffering from indisposition. Orpheus Glee Club, serenade. The- proceedings concluded with the New Zealand National Anthem and " God Save the Queen."