BOYS' HOSTEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12081, 9 August 1917, Page 2

BOYS' HOSTEL.

OFFICIAL OPENING AT RICCARTON,

ADJUNCT TO BOYS' HIGH SCHOOL

The new boys' hostel at Harakeke Street, Riccarton, which is to bo. the boarding house of the Christchurch Boys' High School, was opened yesterday by Mr J C. Adams, chairman of the Board of Governors of Canterbury College. There was a large gathering of parents, and members of the governing body, as well as a fair attendance of boys. Mr Adams said that for some little time a certain number of country boys had been able to live at one of the master's houses, but later Mr G. W. Russell had propounded a scheme for erecting a boarding-house alongside the school. This plan, however, was rejected, .and properly he thought, owing to the limited ground space. The matter was left in abeyance until about two and a half years ago, when country parents began to inquire about town accommodation. Therefore, a hostel was opened exprriaicntally in Rolleston Avenue, but the accommodation became too small, and the board finally selected the present site, which offered ample building and playground facilities, besides affording certain "bounds," on the lines of the public schools at Home. The Boys' High School was not merely ;i town school, but was actually endowed for those who lived some, distance from the town. It was not proposed to make the boardinghouse tho residence of every boy who was not. living with his parents or near frier.ds in the city. It might be tha'u some parents would be able to board their boys more cheaply elsewhere than at the boarding-house, and the board had to accept the position, although regretfully, for life iji the school house would promote n. valuable esprit do corps, besides offering facilities for study that might not be afforded in a private home. The boarding-houso was no longer experimental, and although there was present accommodation for fifty boys, he looked to a great increase in numbers in years to come. The head master (Mr C. E. BevanBrown) spoke of the great significance of the day in the history of the school. He had always hoped for a boardinghouse, and ten years ago his representations had nearly been successful. Lodgings in town were not always satisfactory, and the school was suffering great loss because some parents would not trust their children to boardinghouses. Ho hoped that the institution would be a blessing to Canterbury, and a help to the High School. Tho house master (Mr J. G. Montr gomery) welcomed the parents, and expressed hi.s pleasure at the completion of the building. Fie assured the pavents that the comfort and welfare of the hoys would be well looked after. Mr Adams then opened the door, and declared the boarding-houso open for use.

After an inspection of tho new building, afternoon tea was served Jn the maiu study. Tho new building, which stands on four and a half acres of ground, with, lawns, orchard and a pleasant stream frontage, has accommodation for fifty boys, and twenty-four are already in residence. The dormitories and staff rooms are beautifully airy and well, lighted, and is nothing cramped about any of tho appointments.