INFANT SCHOOL OPENED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18890, 12 December 1924, Page 12

INFANT SCHOOL OPENED.

CEREMONY AT ONEHUNGA.

FINE BRICK BUILDING.

The brick structure to replace the infant school destroyed by fire was opened at Onehunga yesterday by the chairman of the Auckland Education Board. Mr. A. Burns, in the presence of a large number of parents and the scholars. Mr. R. J. Speight, chairman of the school committee, who presided, read an apology from the Minister for Education, the Hon. C. J. Parr, who was to have performed the opening ceremony, and also from Mr. Alex. MacGregor, the former headmaster, and Mr. John Park. Mr, J. E. Cowell. Mayor of Onehunga, congratulated the committee on the fine building.

Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P., said he thought the finest buildings should be those in which, the children lived, whereas too often the best were devoted to less worthy objects. That was not the case in this instance, for they could all be proud of their new school. In declaring the school open, Mr. Burns said the headmaster had reminded him the main building now required painting, but it was only like dozens of other schools in this respect. He would like the building remodelled first, for it was sadly out of date'in lighting arid ventilation. The delay was not due to the school committee's chairman, Mr. Speight, who had almost lived at the Education Board office, and was always wanting something, but thev would admit the new building was well worth waiting for. It cost £9577, and contained 3627 square feefc of space, which would give the regulation space of 12ft. for each of the 300 children it was designed to accommodate. The headmaster, Mr. A. C. Trayes, called for cheers for the visitors, and the children, of their own accord, added three more for the headmaster. Afternoon tea was served by the lady members of the committee, and the rest of a pleasant hour was spent in inspecting the new infant school, and also the exhibits in the main building. These comprised an immenso variety of school work, and also a selection of cookery by the elder girls at the Technical School in the morning. A fine display of Swedish drill was given by the children during the afternoon.