PROPOSED HIGH SCHOOL AT ONEHUNGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12270, 14 May 1903, Page 6

PROPOSED HIGH SCHOOL AT ONEHUNGA.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. YESTERDAY morning Messrs. S. Barr (the chairman), and G. H. James (member of the Onehunga School Committee) waited upon the Premier on his arrival at Onehunga by the s.B. Eotoiti. Mr. Earr apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. D. A. Sutherland), who was serving on the jury at the Supreme Court. He stated that the Onehunga School Committee are anxious to have the Onehunga school gazetted a district high school, and Mr. James and himself had been appointed to wait upon Mr. Seddon to ask his assistance in giving effect to this desire. The Auckland Board of Education were in favour of the proposal, and had reported to that effect to the Bon. the Minister for Education. There ■were a large number of inhabitants in and around Onehunga who could not afford to send their children to Auckland, and the Grammar School Governors could not receive pupils under the scheme formulated by the j Minister for Education. Most of the scholars in the public schools passed the sixth standard at an early age, and when too young to enter employment, and there was therefore a Break in the education at the most valuable ! period of their lives. This constituted a very serious loss, both to the children and to the colony. There were upwards of 50 scholars who would beneft* by the proposed high school. Mr. Barr pointed out that .ither schools had been granted the privilege desired foi Onehunga since the hitter had made its application. Mr. Jame3 said the request had been assented to by the Minister for Education, and confirmee' by Mr. Seddon in a telegram last ' November to members of the Onebunga School Committee. The Onehunga Committee felt that it would be well foi them to take advantage of the Premier's present visit to obtain some information which would explain the delay. A high school had been granted to the district of Hikurangi, near Whangarei, and he thought Onehunga was entitled to the same benefits. ~ , The Premier, in reply, said he could not say what caused the delay to Onehunga. When the request was first made, be wired asking the Minister for Education, or someone in his department, and they replied that it was all right. He then telegraphed to Onehunga, sayinfe that the school would be established. Mr. Barr: It s on the strength of your telegram to us that we are here to-day. Mr. Seddon: 1 promised then to assist you in getting a high scaool for Onehunga, and I never break my promises if I can possibly help it. Continuing, the Premier said he was not aware that anything had occurred in the meantime to postpone the establishment of the high school. Be, however, would make inquiries regarding the matter, and would communicate with the Onehunga School Committee later on. He knew that Sir G. M. O'Korke was anxious to get th& high school •;or Onehunga, as he considered it was greatly n««e<ied for the children who had passed the afxtb standard. Fifty scholars, however, was rather a small number Mr. James said the number had decreased awwg. to the delay in gazetting the school. fue pointed out that suitable buildings alrm&9 Misted for the purpose of a high school *fr OSfihnnsa, equal to any in the colony. He rtMflfetfed that time would not permit Mr. Sedfel to visit the buildings, but Sir Joseph W&fd, who had seen them, would be able to jth* » description of them. Th* deputation then thanked Mr, Seddon l(fl Ms pToiftisftd assistance.