THE MAORI GIRLS' SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11643, 3 May 1901, Page 5

THE MAORI GIRLS' SCHOOL.

The announcement which we made yester- , day, that the Duchess of Cornwall would lay the foundation ston. oi the Maori Girls' School at Auckland, gave much gratification to those who have been endeavouring to promote this most laudable object. Yesterday tho General Trust Board of the Auckland diocese met at the Diocesan Office to consider, among other matters, the question -of a site, but nothing was decided definitely, except that it will be in the vicinity of the Native School, and on the St. Stephen's Estate. This will bo acceptable to those, who are interested in the project, and in (ho welfare of the native nice. The following is tho resolution which was carried at the last General Synod, and which to xomt extent explains the object of .he institution: — '•'That this Synod has hoard with iVL.rm approval of the movement on foot to establish tho Queen Victoria School for Maori Girls in Auckland as a permanent memorial in New Zealand cf oui late beloved Queen, and commends the effort to the sympathy of Church people in the province. We now wish to put this scheme into effect with as little delay as possible and ao appeal to the people of this country to assist in the effort. We urge the following reasons for supporting the scheme:—l. The claim of our j Maori sisters upon us for Christian education is 0 very Strong and very urgent cno. Successful efforts have been marie in various centra for the education oi the boys, but comparatively little has been done for the girls, It i« of little use expecting a higher moral and spiritual tone in the Maori ; kaingas if the women of the future are loft j without that elevating influence which only Christian education -an supply. 2. \ cry little has been done in the past by the women | of Now Zealand for their Maori listers. This will give a fresh opportunity before it is too late. 3. A school for Maori girls would be a most fitting memorial to our beloved Queen, in that it would carry out an object always dear to her heart, viz., the benefiting of the women of the native races over which she ruled. 4. Auckland has been selected as the most suitable position because (a) the largest number of Maoris (18,000) reside in that diocese, and it is the outre of some of the largest tribes: (ll) les.3 has been done for them in the way of education than for those in other parts; and (c) a small commencement has already been made there. 5. It is believed that the Maoris themselves will cordially sympathise with, and give assistance to, the scheme."