NEW GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16214, 27 April 1916, Page 9

NEW GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

, OPENING BY GOVERNOR. CEREMONY AND SPEECHES. SCHOOL'S PROUD RECORD. • The formal opening of the new Aucklan , Grammar School at Mount Eden too i placo yesterday, tho ceremony being pel ; formed by His Excellency the Governoi , the Earl of Liverpool, who was acoom panied by the Countess of Liverpool About 3000 peoplo attended, and amon those present were the Hon. J. A, Ha-nar Minister for Education, the Hon. J. Allen Minister for Defence, the Hon. '. M Myers, Minister for Munitions, Sir Itober Stout, Chancellor of the University o ; Now Zealand, tho Hon. F. W. Lang M.P., Speaker of the House of Represen i tatives, the Hon. Major Harris, M.L.C. , the Hon. George Fowlds, Mr. 0. J Paw, M.P., Mr. C. H. Poole, M.P., th Hon. J. A. Tole, Dr. Roberton, Dr. A W. Averill, Anglican Bishop of Auckland Mr. J. H. Upton, and Mr. A. Kidd Apologies for unavoidable absence wer received from the Prinio Minister—am others. A guard of honour was formed by 20 picked senior cadets, and Their Excel Icncies were received by Professor A. P W. Thomas, vice-chairman of the Boar* of Governors, the Hon. J. A. Tole, Mr A. Kidd, and Colonel Hume. Then th main north door, which had not beei used during tho occupation of the school was unlocked by the Governor with ; golden key, after which His Excellency inspected the guard. Tho addresses were given in the mail hall, before a huge gathering, the grounc 11 for, the four galleries, and the adjoininj e isles being crowded. Professor A. P. W Thomas presided in the absenco of Sii Maurice O'Rorke, chairman of the boar*. His Excellency's Address. His Excellency the Governor, who was enthusiastically received, said the Auckland Grammar School had developed ink one worthy of the size and tho citizens oi the city. Ho had heard that tho schem* provided for tho future accommodation of boarders. It was heresy, but he believed that during school life boys should bo away from the associations of homo. The moral effect and influence of the school then was all the greater, and when school life was over the pleasures of the home were the more appreciated. Alluding to the question of a site for tho new University College, His Excellency observed that the present was not a time for controversy. In settling the question, ho suggested that the future should be considered. Tho time was comingGod grant that it might bo soon—when they hoped to be celebrating! a lasting peace, honourable to the flag of the Empire and those of her allies. Then the citizens of Auckland would be wondering'how they would be best able to honour the memory of those who had fallen in the great war. Frequently memorials were erected, which, when unveiled, were objects of regret. But no one could ever regret a memorial taking the form of a university college which would send forth scholars who would become great and good citizens of Now Zealand. Concluding, His Excellency said it gavo him great pleasure to be present with tho Countess of Liverpool at the opening of the school. Tho chairman, in his address, traced tho history of events leading to tho erection of the new school. Ho pointed out that the increase in _ the number ol scholars roso rapidly in 1905, with the introduction of the system of free second, ary education. That increase had been continued. Commenting on the fine appearance of tho building, the chairman paid tribute to the builder, Mr. W. E. Hutchison, and to tho architects, Messrs. Arnold and Abbott. Democratic Education. Tho Hon. J. A. Hanan, Minister for Education, congratulated the people of Auckland on tho splendid "work of the old Grammar School, as well as the erection of tho beautiful new building. The success of tho old Grammar School, as was known throughout New Zealand, was duo largely to the headmaster, Mr. J. W. Tibbs. (Applause.) That school had done much for the City and Province of Auckland. Its traditions had been ennobled by the magnificent spirit of modest, vet noble, self-sacrifice shown by old boys of the school, who had offered their lives in the service of the Empire. (Applause.) Schools must bo made potent factors in maturing good citizenship, and that enlarged patriotism on which tho life of the Empire depended. The need of the new Auckland Grammar School gave striking evidence of the trend of educational policy, resulting from the rapidly-develop-ing spirit of social democracy in education. . . ~ High schools, said the Minister, could do much to solve the problems of social, political and industrial life. Twenty years ago, the high schools wero largely class schools, catering for those whoso future was to bo related to a very restricted rango of profession; to-day, over 80 per cent, of the pupils of New Zealand's secondary schools came from the primary schools. They represented not a selected class, but interests and destinies as wide as life itself. In regard to secondary school reform, it was better that criticism and reform should como from within rather than that it should bo imposed from without. At present, said the Minister, he was devoting chief attention to primary education, because ho wished to build from tho foundation to tho To secure harmony in tho whole educational system ho would plead for more simplicity in curricula,' with consequent con-1 centration and thoroughness. There should be no want of coherence between primary, technical, secondary, and university edu-! ration. The standard should bo efficiency, in character and in achievement. Value of Environment. Sir Robert Stout, alluding to the fine site of the new school, emphasised the educational valuo of good environment. It was- in such surroundings, where thero was no fresh air, he said, no sunlight, nothing lovely to meet the eyes, that the " submerged tenth" had como into existence. But from tho now Grammar School one could view the far-stretching sea, the distant islands, and all tho glories of a beautiful situation. The history of tho school must also have somo influence on its pupils. No school in New Zealand could show a better record than -he Auckland Grammar School. Its success liad become part of the pupils' history, vnd of their being, and that fact also must ift'ect their future lives. It was a school Free from sectional differences. Citizens :ould not be expected to have a true national life if they were kept, as it were, in separate watertight compartments. People should be liberal enough to recognise that ill citizens could not think alike. Individuality must bo safeguarded. Remarks by Mayor and Headmaster. The Mayor, Mr. J. H. GunKon, in his )fficial capacity and as an old boy of th& Auckland Grammar School, congratulated -he board, tho teaching staff and the boys' lpon tho possession of such a magnificent ( wilding as tho one which had just been ipened. Tho headmaster, Mr. J. W. Tibbs. nvitod all present to inspect the school md the grounds, and in doing so, ho expressed regret at the absence, through illless, of the chairman of the Board of jovernors, Sir Maurice O'Rorke, who, he aid, was regarded as the founder of ligher education in Auckland The opening ceremony concluded, an exlibition of drill was given in the playing ields by the Grammar School Cadets.. Selections were rendered by tie Onebunga land. .