HIGHER EDUCATION

Wairarapa Age, 15 November 1919, Page 5

HIGHER EDUCATION

LAST NIGHT'S MEETING,

A HIGH SCHOOL FAVOUBED. ■ His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. H. Tackson) presided over a large attendance of interested citizens in the Municipal Hall, Masterton, last night, when the subject of higher educational facilities for Masterton was fully jonsidered. Among the audience were i number of ladies, including the Mayoress (Mrs. Jackson). The Mayor stated that the matter before the meeting was to arrive at the selection of what was the most beneficial educational institution for Masterton. Great credit was due to ;hose who had worked so hard for the jause of education in Masterton, and he was pleased to .see so many educational enthusiasts present at the meetng. The Rev. G. T. Brown thanked tho Xlayor for calling a public meeting. So said that all were united in the me respect of being out to accomplish ;he vory best possible for the children. (Applause.) He urged the establishment of a secondary school that the Wairarapa would be proud of. Mr. 3rdwn stated that he was an optimist, ind he felt sure" that the meeting vould be united, and present a united cront. If so, the matter would be i :arried. The speaker stated that he ,vas present as the representative of i he Masterton Progressive League, | md was right out for a High School, )ure and simple—an institution on the inos of the Wellington College, where i boy could study to the B.A. degree md then go on to the University. Mr. Brown referred to ( the failure of the Technical High School at Hamilton, ind the of administration, stc, and urged" that the Technical School be improved and remain as at present constituted. (Loud applause.) Mr. Drummond |Lansdowne School) itatod that the majority of boys who mtcred the School did" not ako an academic course. In his the establishment of a Teehlical High Schooj would best serve he interests of the many. Mr. D. H. Picketing referred to the lenefits derived £rom tho Technical Ichool. It had thrived, and would ;ontinue to do Bs. But the School Committees' Association was right out 'or the establishment of a High chool, and he disclaimed the fact that the Committee was out to block ae progress of education. Mr. Picketing referred to the failure of Techlical High Schools in America, and ead extracts in .that connection from >rbminont New Zealand educationalsts with special knowledge of the Vmerican institutions and their later isbandment. Ho stated that Masteron should be the: hub of the educaional wheel of the Wairarapa. Mr. J. M. Coradinewas in favour «f a Technical High School, but he aid the proposal'' did not emanate rom the Technical School Managers, le said that our best ingredients had o be mixed; then why not combine ill classes under one roof? He had card a good deal'about the failure of his kind of school}'but, he asked, had t been given a fair trial. In referace to the cry of; class distinction, he tated that an institution on these ines, where all ''. would be together, rould eliminate a'; great deal of that ;nfortunate contention. The Techdcal School night work must go out, ie said, if wo were going to raise the >resent educational age. In concluion, he thought if such an institution were established %in Masterton, it vvould be an example to' New Zealand. Mr. W. T. Grujidy stated that Dr. Vnderson Education) said ;hat,. as Masterton .was growing so •apidly, he thought it inadvisable to ;ombine the two institutions. It ;eemed to him that primarily the interests of tho ;children should be lOnsidercd. If they would allow them ;o advance to a University standard, a iistinct advantago would be secured •or Masterton. Mr. Grundy thought jhat two distinct? institutions would jest serve the district, and would be ;ho only safe* course. (Loud ipplause.) Mr. E. G. Eton that Masterton had a very fine Technical School, svhieh could be improved. He referred to the offer of the Trust Lands Trust site, which would cost Of the Government nothing, and the money could be devoted to the' establishment of a fine educational institution. In conclusion, he complimented Mr. Coradine upon his work and keen interest in education.

Mr. H. M. Boddington stated that ho regretted that the old cry of class distinction had been dragged in. He did not think that if a High School was established the Technical School would suiter.

Mr. J. W. Blackman supported the proposal for the establishment of a Technical High School. Mr. C. E. Daniell, who was received vith loud applause, regretted that the noeting had not been called six months jooncr. He stated that he would not ihallengo the expert evidence of the Vlinister and Director of Education. -3e much regretted that unworthy suggestions Ifad been propounded, Mr. .Daniell hoped that a conclusion worthy •>f Masterton would be arrived at by the meeting. i Mr. E. Brown thought that separate institutions would be most suitable, md did not approve of the idea of a Technical High School. He then moved: That, in the opinion of this representative body of citizens, a High School would bo most suitable for Masterton. This was seconded by Mr. A. W. Chapman, and carried unanimously, with loud applause. Mr. F. W. Temple moved: That, in the opinion of the meeting, the Trust Lands Trust site of twenty-six acres was the most suitable for the proposed institution. This was also carried unanimously. The Mayor stated that he would like it known that, in his opinion, the Lansdowrie educational site should be retained for that special purpose. He hoped to see a Girls' High School established there some day. The Mayor therefore moved: That the Government be requested to retain that site for the purposes of higher education. i Tula was ftecoadtf by Mr. C. E.

Daniell, and carried by acclamation. The Mayor stated that it was his intention to telegraph the Minister, forwarding the resolutions, and asking hini if he considered the visit now necessary.

It was also resolved to leave the arrangements in l connection with the visit of the Minister in the hands of the Mayor,

A hearty vote of • thanks to the Mayor for presiding concluded a very enthusiastic meeting.