THE SPEECHES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 30 May 1919, Page 6

THE SPEECHES.

Later Mr. V. Griffiths, chairman of the provisional committee, made a few remarks at the outset, apologising for the absence of his Worship the Mayor, Mr. C. H. Burgess, who found-it impossible to be present, Mr. P. H. White, a member of the Education Board, who was out of town, and Mr. W. W. Thomson chairman of the Ws-at End School Cimmittee, who was indisposed. Mr. Griffiths went on to express his pleasure at the large gathering which showed that the interest of tile Vogeltown and Frankleigh Park was behind the school. This was as it should bo and he hoped that all parents and residents would, continue the interest and show it in a practical way by standing loyally by the committee and sending their'children as regularly as possible to school. They also wanted the boys and girls to feel that it was their school, and hoped that they would take a pride in it, and that they would be attentive to their teachers and determine to make the most of the educational facilities provided for them. It was their school and in it they would receive the ground work of the education which would make them worthy citizens of the future. Continuing, Mr. Griffiths expressed the thanks of the residents of the district to the Education Board for the loyal co-operation and for their persistence in, advocating the claims of the district for a school. They were all delighted with such a fine building and in this connection he paid a tribute to the work of the hoard's oversew and his staff. In conclusion, ho expressed the hop© and belief that as time went on the standard of education sot in the school would he second to none in Taranaki, and then called' upon Mr. Masters, chairman of the Education Board, to address those present.

Mr. Masters, at the outset of has remarks, said that on© of the most pleasing duties connected with the position of chairman of an Education Board was the opening of a new school in a district, and therefore it was with a groat deal of pleasure he was present on this occasion to officially open the new school at Vogeltown. Proceeding. Mr. Masters gave a short history of £he negotiations which had led up to tin’, erection, going back over the last seven years, although lie understood the agitation was commenced some years previous to that. In May, 1012. the board made an application for a grant of £B6B for the erection of a school in brick. In April, 1913, and again in June, 1914, that application was renewed, but tne estimated cost had increased by this time up to £985. In July. 1914, the Department made a grant of £9lO, hut owing'to the outbreak of war all grants were withdrawn. Several applications for permission to erect the school had been mad© since that time, hut it was not until October, 1918, that the Department made a grant of £1657 for a. tworoomed building with porches, lavatories, septic tank, etc., and the position to-day was the fine school they saw before tliem. He thought the parents could well take a pride in the little school. "The barometer of the prosperity of any district could bo gauged by its schools. If new schools were being erected or additions were being madfe to existing schools then they oould rest assured they were living in a prosperous district, whereas on the other hand, if they saw empty class-rooms in schools or schools being closed and’ they could, rest assured that such district were not making progress. So far as Taranaki was concerned ho was pleased to say that applications for new schools or additions to existing schools were continuously being ;nad s and suoh buildings or additions were very necessary, too. Therefore it augured very well for the future of Taranaki so long as this state of affairs continued. It was a matter for congratulation that Parliament in its wisdom last session decided to increase its grants for suoh buildings by £300,000, and he could assure them'that the money was very badly wanted. Some

people were perhaps inclined to think that we were spending too much money in thin direction, but he contended that we could not spend too much money on education in New Zealand to-day. He had been very much interested in some remarks of President Wilson. Referring to the war. he said it was a war to make the world safe for democracy, and that if the people were to successfully achieve self-government and self-development, it was not only necessary hut most essential that democracy should be educated, but well educated and truly educated. These remarks applied equally to New Zealand. If we were going to have future prosperity, future happiness, and future power we must educate our children to the very best advantage. It was more important to-day than it had ever been that our children should have a sound education. ' Still more money was required in order to develop some • of the advantages which had been introduced into our educational'system during the last few years, notably for extending the scope of medical inspection of school children, and the dental inspection of school children, and he was democratic enough to say that the cost of these things should' ho home by the State. Further, all school books, he contended, should be free, and in this connection, too, ho was socialist enough to say that the man with no family and the single man should be compelled to contribute towards the cost of the necessary books for the education of the cliildren of the man with a large family. He hoped the time was not far distant when every school child would be provided with books free of cost. He hoped to see hostels provided, too, in connection with secondary schools so that the' children of country parents ! would get equal opportunities with those of the towns. Speaking to the boys and girls, Mr. Masters said this was a proud day for them, and ho trusted that they would make the most of their opportunities and fit themselves to take the places of the men and women of to-day—to make themselves good citizens. The country was doing its part for the children, and they wanted the children to do their part, to take an interest in their work, be regular in their attendance at school; they wanted them to cultivate habits of truthfulness, industry, perseverance, and carefulness, and «f they did this then they would grow up to be good men and women, to be worthy citizens. In conclusion'Mr. Masters congratulated Mr. Moore, the board’s overseer, on the design of the building and the excellent work that had been done, and expressed the hope that the growth of the district would be such that it would soon be found necessary to add on the additional rooms. Mr. H. Trimble, a member of the Education .uoaxd, made a few remarks extending his congratulations to the people of Vogeltown and district in having such a fine school erected. Although there had been a lot of delay in erecting the school, he desired to make it clear that this was not the fault of the Education Board. The board had always been sympathetic to the claims of the district, and as Mi - . Masters had said, had made repeated applications for the necessary grant. He expressed the iiope that the parent's would give the school committee their loyal support in laying out and beautifying the school grounds so that they could be made as attractive as possible to the children. He expressed the hope, too, that the parents would see that their cliildren attended school regularly, and hoped that the progress of the district would be such that additions would soon ho necessary.

In calling upon Mr, S. G. Smith, M.P.. to say' a tew words, Mr. Griffiths took the opportunity of publicly thanking him for bis constant advocacy of the claims of Vogel town and district for a, school. In Mr. Smith they had had a true friend, and they w’ere particularly pleased to welcome them that afternoon.

Mr. Smith, during his address, referred to the progressive policy of the Taranaki Education Board as outlined by Mr. Masters, and then went on to say that the earliest record ho had of any movement for the erection of a school at Vogoltown was contained in a clipping, from the Taranaki Herald of 1907 which said that a special meeting of residents had been hold for the purpose of considering the question. There may have been something don© even before that time, but fancy, said Mr. Smith, having to agitate for 12 years for educational facilities to be provided for the benefit of children of this district. He extended his hearty congratulations to the people upon having at last been successful. Mr. Smith, as chairman of. the Central School Committee, also extended their congratulations and good wishes for the future success of the school. Continuing, Mr. Smith said that personally he did not care whether the school turned oijt scholarhsip boys or girls hut lie did "want it to turn out boys and girls who would become good citizens, for it was good citizens that we wanted. He said ho would be failing in his duty if he did not remind those present of the fact that some of the credit for the erection of this school was due to the efforts and assistance which had always been readily given by hisi predecessor, the late, Mr. H. Okoy, M.P. Vogeltown, Mr. Smith continued, was the envy of all the other suburbs of New Plymouth, for none other had a school like that, and h© hoped that the residents would combine together in an effort to make the surroundings of the school worthy of the district and something tha.t »|ihe" district might be proud of. This was a matter which was entirely in the hands of the people. They had a progressive committee, and if the settlers would give their whole-hearted support, the grounds would soon he made attractive, and, further, ho believed that it was quite possible that that beautiful piece of Native bush which adjoined the school grounds could also be acquired for the district if the people themselves exercised sufficient pressure and showed faith in their district. He promised all the support he could give them in this connection, for he felt absolutely satisfied that such a lovely bit of bush should be preserved. ;j Mr. Smith, continuing, addressed a few appropriate words of encouragement and advice to the children, and wished them every success in the future. i Mr. C. H. Moore, overseer, was then called upon to formally hand over to the chairman the key with which to open the doors. In doing so Mr. Mooro said that in regard to the facilities, he thought the school was as well equipped 1 as any school in the Dominion. THE DOORS OPENED.

Mr. Masters then formally opened the building again, expressing the pleasure he had in doing so, and reiterated the hope that above everything else the school would turn out good citizens. The teachers had great responsibilities in this connection, and they realised it, too, for throughout Taranaki they were doing really fine work. Cheers were given by the boys and girls, and later afternoon tea was served by the ladies.