THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 90, 18 April 1900, Page 2

THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION.

The Hob. W. C. Walker, Minister of Education, accompanied by his secretary (Mr. Aloysais Smith), arrived in New Plymouth late on Monday evening. On Tuesday, in company with His Worship the Mayor, Mr. MacDiarmid (Chairman of the High School Board of Governors), Messrs. D. Bairy, T. Shailer Weston, and J. E Wilson (Governors), and Mr. McAllum (Übairman of the Education Board), the Minister visited the High School, where the party arrived shortly after 10.30. After courteous greetings had been exchanged with the headmaster, the visitors were conducted through the class rooms, Mr. Walker addressing a few kind remarks and inquiries to the teachers. Occasion was taken to draw the Minister's attention to the withdrawal i of New Plymouth as a centre for matriculation examinations, Mr. Piilham explaining the difficulty of get ting boys to attend a distant centre. Mr. Walker said he was very much surprised, and assured Mr. Pridham that the matter had not reached bis ears. Possibly as no reason was given for this arbitrary act of withdrawal, and there being no question as to accommodation, now that the subject has been ventilated the remedy may follow, L'he wholo of the scholars were subsequently assembled in the large room after the honour boards had been .duly eximioed, Mr, MacDiarmid form- ' ally and appropriately introduced the Minister, who then addressed the pupils. He said that it aflorded him the greatest pleasure to pay a visit to the school, and he greatly regretted not only that he had not previously been to the school, but that owin" to the great number of schools in the colony he could not come very often to any school. It was a great pleasure to him co see a school so well managed and attended by pupils having such bright, intelligent faces. He was sure from what ho could hear, tint the scholars wore doing their best, and be impressed upon them the fact that if only the loast, lesson they learnt was to do their work as it ought to be done, their i.cLy&l tiuw would Bat ljj wasted, for it,

f was the experience of all, that in after ! life, the one regret was that more had not been done in their early days; therefore, whether at work or play, he advised the children to devote their whole mind to their occupations. He was glad to see that the school was mindful of its illustrious members whose names were recorded on the honour-board. It was good to remember in going through this world that one's name was carried on the scroll of fame of a school, so that in after life the scholars might point with pride to your career. He felt sure that all the pupils present would do credit to themselves and to the school. He then announced that in honour of his visit a holiday h id been granted to the scholars, and he trusted that even if they did not remember him by the words he had spoken they would do bo by tho holiday, Three lusty cheers were accorded to the Minister and acknowledged. The party then adjourned to inspect tho gymnasium, and while there Mr. MacDiarmid took advantage of the opportunity to broach the subject of the needs of a boarding-house being attached to the school, after the style of Wanganui. He pointed out to tho Minister that every element of success was present—the situation, the climate, and the large district to draw on for pupils, but tint funds were lacking. He explained that the Governors had not only discussed the matter time after time, but had succeeded during the last five years in accumulating a sum of between five and six hundred pounds as a nucleus for a building fund, and he expressed a hope that the Government might come to their aid with a £ for £ grant. The members of the governing body present furnished Mr. Walker with full information in reply to his inquiries, and while promising that the matter should have due consideration he said he could not remember a similar grant being made—the necessities of primary schools, he added, absorbed all the available money set aside for educational purposes. He also intimated his objection to high fees. Mr. MacDiarmid having expressed the thanks of the Governors, the visit terminated by an inspection of the playgrounds, the salubrious and elevated position of which commanding such extensive views, calling forth unmeasured praise from the visitors. On arrival at the

CENTRAL SCHOOL, he visitors were met by Mr. Cattley, a aember of the Town School Oommitee, and after Mr. Walker had ieen formally introduced by Mr. tfcAllum to Mr. Dempsey they rere conducted through all the clash eoms, Mr. Walker, as at the High School, conversing with each of the eachere. A prolonged stay was made a the second master's room (Mr. 0. fohnson'6) where some sixty scholars vere present, and the splendid disiipline throughout the school was nanifested be the perfect silence maintained, not a foot being heard scraping ;he floor. The visitors were all pleasantly astonished at the excellent ventilation of the class room, in al af which the air was fresh, pure am soDgenial to the important work car ried on. In Standard IV. (Mr. Gray there were 103 children, and the per tect order which prevailed greatly wa Bspecially noticeable. Standards V. am VI. were massed and gave two voca selections under the direction of Mr Gray, arquitting themselves with groa credit, tho finale of the last piece wit! its fih >ing " good night " being ver; effectives and particularly well executed The whole of the scholars were the marched into the gymnasium, the up right bearing of all, and th splendid physique of moat of then not failing to attract adm'rutioi. Mr. Walker, having been introduce by Mr, McCullum in a few fittin; words, then addressed the scholars, ex pressing hij great pleasure at meet in; them for the first time, and though i had taken him three years to accorn plish the visit he was very glad to hav setn and heard them. Very ajon, h said, the time would come for tho ol( folks to pass away and for those befor him to take their place. It was therefore, a great responsibility whicl devolved on the teachers to prepar the children for the duties o the future, and on the childrei themselves. He urged them t make the best progress that lay ii their power, no matter whether the; gained prizes or not, The greates lesson they could learn was to do thei: best. In conclusion, he announced tha in commemoration of his visit a specia holiday had been granted, (Loud ap plause.) Three very hearty cheer were given to Mr. Walker, who, ii acknowledging the compliment, ex pressed a very favourable opinion o the lung power of the scholars. A visit was then paid to the race course, and mounting to the top of tin grand-stand the magnificent view whicl was obtained from there elicited grea praise. After inspecting the officials rooms, the party entered the Eecreatioi Grounds, the beauty of which wai much admired. On being shown th< football ground great surprise wa evinced by the Minister at thi admirable manner in which thi natural trend of tha Burroundinj slopes had been turned to guul good account for m spectators. "No wonder," said Mr Walkor, on viewing the cxtensiv football field, "that Taianaki send such excellent men to the Transvaal. The party had just finished their tou of inspection when rain fell heavily In the afternoon Mr. Walker, unde the guidance of Mr. P. P, Corkil (chairman), inspected the hospital, an< was much pleased, not only with thi magnificent site, but with the excellen arrangements. After passing througl the wards and addressing welcom words of sympathy and inquiry to thi patients, Mr. Walker visited thi Refuge. Subsequently he was welcomei at the Glub, and afterwards procoedei to Henwood Road, being hospitably entertained by the Hon. Thos, Ivelly Today there is a projected visit t< Fitzroy School and Wuitara. The fiiendly, and uuostenta tious fhiiracter of the Minister's tour o tho disuict will not only enable him ti acquire considerable information wliicl »'ill be of service in tlie adminisl rUioi of his d« partuienfc, b it will alno sccui the frifi.dstiip and esteem of the grwi trrny of teachers over w'ljca he so abh yi'esid'S. lu addition to this, the tact h displays in his homely addresses an< sound advice given to tho children wil

convince thom that thu lie id of the Department is a kindly 1 beneficent personage, rather thanan abstract idea, and ono who has their real interests at heart. The effect should be most beneficial, and we confidently anticipate that the course taken by him will be productive of most satisfactory results, the creditof which he will justly be entitled to.