THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18461, 26 July 1923, Page 9

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOLS.

ACCOM MO D ATI ON OVERTAXED ' V./:-' ' v ;j1 * .' V;''y.l DEEDS' OF SUBURBAN PUPILS USE OF OLD SCHOOL SUGGESTED. ' The. problem of providing additional accommodation for pupils at the four Auckland Grammar schools was discussed by the Board of Governors yesterday. The headmistress of : the Howe 'Street school. Miss Picken, reported. that whereas tho number of girls attending that school during the second -term last year was 471; during the second term this year there were 525, an increase of over 50. The school ■ had been' far too overcrowded this year, and the position .would be very serious if there was a corresponding increase next year. ( ' t ' ' ' , The . chairman, Professor A. P. W. Thomas, said the board would have to face the question ;of ' increasing accommodation for girls before very long. In the immediate future it was possible that room could be found for another hundred pupi-s at the ;Epsom girls' school. There were at present 438 pupils on the roll at Epsom and five classrooms were empty, in addition to the pavilion, which was a possibility in the matter of accommodation. Looking further , ahead, however, he saw the probability of using the old Grammar School building in Lower Symonds Street, at present accommodating the University College. The new Arts Building was expected to be opened in 1925, when the old buildings would be vacated. These buildings were in an excellent state of preservation . and would take 600 pupils. . The inconvenience ; placed ; upon pupils living .. at . the North Shore was a. difficulty which might ho met' if the . Lower Symonds Street building was thus utilised, continued Professor Thomas. A . number 'of boys who resided across the harbour were at present compelled to attend 'at Moiint Albert school. It might be possible some day to/build a school on the northern side of the harbour, but he 'believed an arrangement could be made by •'which it .would be dijier for them !to come to a" centrally-situ-ated school in the city. Besides accommodatingl pupils from the North Shore, the Symonds Street building would relieve the ■ existing . schools at Mount Eden and Mount - Albert. ;■. • 1

In conrieHion with the suggested use of the Lower ' Symonds Street building, there was' the question whether it was to be a boys' or a girls', school, or both. At one time, both ooys and girb went to this building, , with separate classes but the arrangement was not liked. '■ Professor Thomas also suggested that a school for boys might be necessary at some future' date in the eastern suburbs. When the Government proceeded with the proposed railway deviation, the board ought to build a school at Orakei or some other site in " that direction "to take pupils from country districts. Such a school would greatly; relieve the Mount Eden school. - V/, ; ..c Mr. J. P.- McPhail stated that a number of girls, who resided at,various North Shore districts, had to travel 3| miles before they reached the ferry, and then after crossing the harbour, had to take the tram to Epsom. It made a very trying day for such children, and the matter was giving North,' Shore • people a good deal of concern. • . It: was ' decided- to instruct the schools committee to go -into the question of providing more accommodation at the' four schools, with ! urgent reference to the girls' schools.. ~, -i.. , 6 ■-