FUTURE OF SCHOOL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21983, 14 December 1934, Page 16

FUTURE OF SCHOOL

KING'S PREPARATORY

aim of public ownership

RECONSTRUCTION OUTLINED Reference to the future of King's Preparatory School, whoso headmaster, the Rev. J. M. Beaufort, is retiring to establish a school near Cambridge, was made at tho prize-giving ceremony yesterday by Mr. J. E. Makgill, chairman of tho school board. He indicated that it had been decided to hand over control of tho school immediately to Mr. C. T. Major, who founded it, tho school to bo conducted in conjunction with King's College. "During the past year," said Mr. Makgill, "we have experienced what we hope may prove to bo an awakening of parents and citizens of Auckland, to tho realisation that the constitution and aims which have always been maintained for King's School, are thoso of public ownership. Our board has tried to maintain this trust, which was constituted by Mr. Major when ho first handed over to boards the twin organisations of King's College and King's Praparatory, and provided tho financial facilities to make possible his ideals, not only by largo loans, but by most generous gifts. Tho public has little knowledge of the magnitude of these gifts." Tho committee set up by the parents and tho King's Old Boys' Association had dono useful work, and the report which it had issued put clearly the results of the conferences that had taken placo between the committee and the board, and the proposals for the future which Mr. Major had outlined. Financial Problems Tho board was sorry that the committee deemed it impossible, at present, to obtain from the citizens of Auckland tho needful financial help, to allow it to meet the obligations to Mr. Major, or even avail itself of the scheme of partial repayment, with relinquishment 9f tho right of control of tho financial side of the organisation, which Mr. Major offered. Failing the required financial help, tho committee realised that it must face the position at once, largely owing to the need of tho appointment of a new headmaster. It therefore carried the following resolution at its last meeting:—"That, realising that it is essential for the continuance of King's School, that Mr. Major should be enabled at once to assume control of the school, it is resolved that all the necessary steps be taken to hand over, forthwith, to such new organisation or reconstructed board as Mr. Major may direct, tho full control and direction of tho affairs of the school; and that a committee consisting of Messrs. A. I. Johns and S. Hanna be appointed to confer with Mr. Major and to carry this resolution into effect." "Wo feel confident that the reconstruction which has been outlined will prove of great importance to the school," said Mr. Makgill. "We know that Mr. Major will take steps to obtain a new headmaster worthy to carry on the school. His inquiries will bo made both in the Dominions and Great Britain, before a final appointment is made.

Securing the Future "With our experience of Mr. Major's great knowledge of scholastic organisation and requirements, and his publio spiritedness, wo believe that we have taken the surest way to secure the future of King's School, under existing conditions. Our board and Mr. Major have all along co-operated in a most pleasant, cordial and helpful manner and a continuance of these relations would have been assured had it notbeen advisable to make the changes which arc now being made. These changes, however, with the projected representation of the various interests, will entail little difference from what has obtained in the past. Mr. Major's ideals remain the same, and his intention is to continue the school as a public institution, and not as a private venture for. personal gain. "The reconstruction will, of. course, mean changes in the personnel of the board, and, while some of us will not bo on the new board, I know that every member of the present board will be glad to see the advancement which we sincerely hope may attend the school under the new board. We will hand over to the new board, with the utmost confidence that King's School will continue to provide the satisfactory service that it has in the past."