NEW SCHOOL PROMISED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 841, 9 December 1929, Page 11

NEW SCHOOL PROMISED

MINISTER AT MOUNT EDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS TODAY A model school in permanent materials on the site of the present buildings at the corner of Valley and Sherbourne Roads, Mount Eden, was promised on Saturday by the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, Minister of Health, and member district, speaking at the jubilee celebrations held in connection with the school. He has already been busy in that direction, he announced, and plans would be ready shortly. In introducing Mr. Stallworthy, the Mayor of Mount Eden, Mr. U. H. Potter, referred to the dental clinic which the Minister had secured for the district, and is to be erected in a few weeks. He suggested that the status of the school be raised to enable it to receive the recognition it deserved. Mr. Potter also congratulated the school on its jubilee. The district had grown during the past 50 years from a population of about 3.000 to nearly 20,000, and several schools were now needed to take care of the children.

Mr. S. E. Chappell, chairman of the school committee, recalled that the eminent scientist, Sir Ernest Rutherford, had been an early pupil. Many other men prominent in Auckland’s business world had also been educated there, including the present Mayor and Sir James and Lady Gunson. The Rev. P. S. Smallfield, headmaster from 1879 to 1882, and the present head, Mr. Alex Macgregor, also spoke.

Somewhat bedraggled, but happy nevertheless, school children in fancy costumes of varied hue and design helped to make the celebrations a decided success. Threatening skies'and early showers had combined fb keep away all but the more enthusiastic, but there were several hundred present when the opening speeches were begun. Stalls of all kinds were well patronised, and the tea rooms also came in for a fair measure of support.