NEWTON EAST SCHOOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12270, 14 May 1903, Page 7

NEWTON EAST SCHOOL

The opening of the newly-added classroom at Newton East School was made the occasion of a pleasant little ceremony yesterday afternoon, the formal part of the function being performed by Mr. James Muir, chairman of the JBoard of Education. A number of the senior scholars (boys and girls') assembled in the new classroom commodious and well-appointed where Mr. (*-. J. Garland, chairman of the Newton Schools Committee, presided over the proceedings. Mr. P. M. Mackay (Board of Education) and the following members of the committee were present:—Messrs. T. McMaster, C. *"■. Bottrill, J. M. White, and J. M. French. Messrs. D. D. Metge (headmaster) and members of the teaching staff also attended. Apologies were received from Messrs. *»• Hobbs, W. Lambe and S. Luke (Board of Education). The Chairman, in the course of a few introductory remarks, referred in appreciative terms to the action of the Board of Education in placing on their estimates during the past year or so various sums enabling the Newton East School to obtain that splendid new schoolroom, and also a new infant department at the Newton West School. • The room they then found themselves in was designed by the Board's architects for the children of the upper standards, and he was sure that there, away from noise and bustle, they would find their work more pleasant than irksome. Mr. Muir, in declaring the new classroom open, said that he considered the present school accommodation (good as it was) was not anything like what it should be. Schools ought to be made attractive, for there was much that was not attractive about education. He referred to the prominence of the Newton schools in the matter of education, not only under the Board, but even in the colony, stating that they took a place in the front rank, and were amongst the most populous in New Zealand. Two things had conduced to thisan energetic and sympathetic school committee, and excellent headteachers and staff. Dealing with the playground accommodation at Newton East _ Mr. Muir said he considered it far too limited. But it was a difficult matter to deal with. In New Zealand all public bodies _ were troubled more or less with impecuniosity, and that was the difficulty in finding adequate playground room for that school. Both their chairman of committee and their headteacher had been continuously at him (Mr-. Muir) regarding the matter, and he hoped their importunity would lead to the desired result. The Board, however, had a master — the Premier—and could they have had Mr. Seddon there that day and shown him the real position, he (Mr. Muir) thought it would have melted the heart even of a Premier and have led to the school getting what they needed in the way of playground. He congratulated them on the fine addition to their school buildings, and declared it open, trusting that the success always attending the Newton East School would continue, and if possible, be increased through additions like that and through other improvements. Mr. P. M. Mackay also spoke, complimenting the school on the new classroomand Mr. J. M. White gave a brief address. On behalf of the staff and scholar*, Mr. D. D. Metge, headmaster, thanked Mr. Muir and the other gentlemen for their attendance, and expressed the hope that it would not be long before the chairmen of the Board would be called upon to open a new playground for them.