OPENING OF NEW WING AT SCHOOL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 144, 19 June 1931, Page 4

OPENING OF NEW WING AT SCHOOL.

MINISTER ATTENDS AT WEST CHRISTCHURCH

The completion of the building of the West Christchurch District High School, after several years of agitation, was celebrated yesterday afternoon when the new wing was officially opened by the lion Harry Atmore, Minister of Education, in the presence of the school children and a fairly large gathering of the public. The new r wing is constructed in brick in conformity with the first wing which was completed some years ago, and it replaces the old wooden structure which had been described b}' the Minister as “ the worst

school building he had seen.” After declaring the new wing opened the Minister unveiled a brass tablet in the main entrance hall, on which was the following inscription :

“ This tablet commemorates the opening of the new wing of this school by the Hon Harry Atmore, Minister of Education, June IS, 1931. W. A. Banks, chairman, Education Board. Committee: J. H. Jones, chairman, J. Capstick, A. Gray, A. F. W. James, J. A. Taylor, A. J. Deridle, A. Hat', J. A. Middleton, 11. S. Whitham. L. J. de Berry, M.A., Dip. Ed., head master.” A Fortunate School.

Mr A. Hay, deputy-chairman of the School Committee, who presided, apologised for the absence of the chairman of the committee (Mr J. H. Jones), who is in Auckland. He read apologies from Mr J. Caughley, a former head master, Mr A. M. M’Neill, senior inspector of schools, Mr L. F. Pegler, a former head master, and Dr H. G. Denham. The head master (Mr L. F. de Berry) said that three-quarters of a century 1 ago the school came into existence, not exactly as the West Christchurch School, but as the Christchurch High School. It was established by the Presbyterian Church in Oxford Terrace. Mr Walter Johnson, a member of the Canterbury Education Board, said he attended the school in 1565 at the age of nine, and he had -with him that afternoon a watch given to him at the age of twelve as a prize for knowledge of geography, history and arithmetic; The watch was still going strong. The board was very anxious to do everything in its power for the children, the teachers and for education, and in this connection the Government was deserving of thanks for the help it had given. Without the help of the Government the board could not do very much.

Before calling on Mr E. J. Howard, M.P., to speak, the chairman expressed his thanks for Mr Howard’s efforts in connection with the new school. Minister Thanked.

Mr Howard said that among the most distinguished old boys of the school were Dr J. Hight, Rector of Canterbury College, Dr J. B. Condliffe, who was doing good • work foj? the League of Nations, and the late Dr Charles Chilton. Continuing, Mr Howard said he wished to place on record his thanks to the present Minister of Education for enabling the school to be completed. The job was now completed, but it had not been an easy matter getting it carried out owing to differences of opinion that existed regarding the situation of the new wing. Minister after Minister had been brought down to see the old school and when Mr Atmore came down he said it was the worst he had seen.

The Mayor of Christchurch (Mr D. G. -Sullivan, M.P.) said he thought the occasion was worthy of the visit of the Minister of Education, especially as the school had been in existence for practically the whole of the national life of New Zealand. A school, like a nation, consisted of its past, present and future, and he\ was sure that the West Christchurch School would continue to play an important part in the progress of the nation and that the traditions already built up would be maintained. lie concluded by paying a tribute to the Minister of Education for his whole-hearted devotion to his duties. The Minister’s Speech.

The Minister said it was a very great pleasure to him to receive the invitation to attend and take part in the opening of the new wing of the school. It was true, as Mr Howard had said, that when he saw the old school he described it as the worst he had seen. There was a certain amount of criticism about Ministers travelling about the country, but as far as he was concerned, he considered that he had saved the country thousands of pounds by seeing things first hand. Most of the criticism of Ministers travelling round th.e country came from the cities, but the people in the country districts knew that it was better for a Minister to inquire into matters on the spot.

Mr Atmore stressed the value of education and remarked that when he heard criticism of the cost of education he wondered what the cost of ignorance would be if the country slowed down on education. It was to the school master that the country looked *° r L e - 1 ?- evelopmen t of character and the building up of the nation. There were great problems for the men and women of the future to solve. There were the problems of the ushering in ot universal peace and the stabilisation of prices. Expenditure on education was an insurance -against disaster Addressing the boys and girls, the -mister said that the aim of education was to enable them to give service. Ihe children of the present day had greater advantages than their parents and consequently they were expected to give more efficient service (Applause.) '

Q . made to the head master Should Minister that the children should be given a whole holiday in wi+J? Ur f '. le occasion, was received With enthusiastic cheers. erT , h e „ Minist er then formally declarea tne new wing opened for the eduschool ° f the b ° yS 3nd girls of the

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