A GREAT EXAMPLE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12116, 18 April 1925, Page 11

A GREAT EXAMPLE

THE WILL AND THE WAY THE CIVIC SPIRIT OF MASTERTON “■WILL NEVER LOOK BACK.” “Wo are going to make it a great educational centre. With the people we have behind Masterton the town will never look 'back, and for years to come it will be regarded as one of the most progressive centres in the island.” The speaker is one of the best known men in all the Wairarapa. He was relating to a renresentative of the “New Zealand Times” how Masterton had secured a hostel for those who attend its high school. The need for a hostel was clearly recognised. The provision of the hostel was considered to be the job of the Department of Education. The Ministerial head of tho State education service not having in his departmental garden one of those trees on which pound notes grow prolifieallv, could not accede to the requests which were made to him to build forthwith. This did not deter Masterton. “If we find the money for three" years free of interest, will you go ahead with the building?” they asked the Minister. The answer is on the high school property to-day— a hostel worthy of the name. It cost about £17,000, and the money was foundi by the citizens and settlers of Masterton. No doubt, the Minister is .still as short of money as Ministers—in their departmental capacity—chronically are. and it is said that to the many who demand "a hostel like Masterton lias” he says: “Yes, if you are prepared to do what Masterton has done, you. too. will have a hostel.”

Masterton intends to make its High School a second Waitaki. What it has is not a school ground hut a young farm. There are twenty-nine acres of good Wairarapa land. Fine football field's, beautiful tennis lawns, everything that goes to make a school what it ought to be. This, and other things the monied men of Masterton have done for their town. They have not finished yet, and that is why the gentleman who provided a story containing an excellent example of civic patriotism says with confidence: “The town will never look back.”