WEST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12571, 7 March 1919, Page 6

WEST CHRISTCHURCH SCHOOL

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONS. A deputation, comprising representsuves of the North Canterbury Board of .Education and members of the West Christchurch School Committee, was introduced to the Hon J, A. Ha nan tlii,s morning by Mr L, M. Isitt M.P., to urge upon the Minister for Education ned for improvements to tho school buildings. Mr C. H. Opio said that in September, 1918, tbo hoard made application for 1 a. grant towards the cost of the erection of five new class rooms to replace part of the present old wooden building, tho total cost being estimated at £3023, and 'the Dcpni-tmeut’s share at £1307 ; Tlie building was to bo of brick, with a slate roof. Mr W. B. Spencer visited tbe_ building and conferred _ with the chairman or the School Committee, but so far no definite reply had been received yet to the Iward’s request. Tho average attendance in the secondary department for 1918 was 221, and in the primary department 043, a total of 803. The hoard asked that the Department. grant its share of the cost of the five new class rooms, so that tho school work might be carried out under more favourable conditions. Dr Chilton referred .to the difficulties tho school had to work under. It was insufficiently staffed, and the accommodation was deficient. For five years they had been labouring under these disadvantages, and tho position had become acute. It was one of the disabilities that the headmaster had ho deal with scattered classes. ’ They wore anxious to see a structure thatVoukl be worthy of the school. Tho Mayor (Mr H. Holland), the Rev F. Rule, and Messrs Jameson and Barrett .also spoke. Tho Minister said .at the outset that he was satisfied of tho pressing need for the erection of a section of tlie new school. The question for him to consider before making representations to Cabinet was as to what amount'the Education Department should find.. From time to time tlie Department Had been making grants to enable old and worn-out buildings to. ho replaced.. The matter of the amount of the grant would have to bo gone into. He had recognised that the system established some years ago of providing money for replacing old and worn-out schools was not satisfactory and not businesslike. He was with them in their desire to have model schools, and was strongly of opinion that to save the nation and its children from certain tendencies setting in, they had to look to their, schools more than ever. In the matter of vitalising and visualising instrudkion by the. kinematograph as mentioned by Dr Chilton he had placed a small vote on the estimates for that purpose. There were some pictures shown in this country that were not fit for children, and the showing of such pictures undermined the good work done., by the teachers. He had discussed the question of pictures for the schools and hoped to secure suitable ones. Then there was the effect on young children attending pictures at night time, and its harmful effects on health, and this must he stopped. More attention should be paid to the instruction of the childreiy in a knowledge of the body, and physical education generally. MrHanan spoke at iength on the system of free secondary education, and said that 90 per cent of the pupils' attending secondary schools were the s'ons and daughters of wage-earners. The hoy or girl with ability should be given a chance, according to his or her bent. Liberal facilities ivere established in this country to enable hoys and girls to get a higher education. As to the West Christchurch request the plans would go up to the Education, Department, and lie would he pleased to pass on any recommendation to. ■ Cabinet. (Applause.)