MINISTER FOR EDUCATION

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1925, 23 October 1926, Page 5

MINISTER FOR EDUCATION

HON. E. A. WRIOMT VISITS TE

AWAMUTU.

'INSPECTS TfHE PUIBLIC SCHOOL

The Minister for Education, Hon. R. A. Wright, reached Te Awamutu yesterday morning ishdrtly after 10 oi'clock travelling bty car flrom. 'Cambrlidge in continuation of his tour of inspection of schools in various parts of the Waikato an'dl King Country. . On arrival Mr Wright was melt by Mr G. S. Clarke and othla-r members of /the Te Awamutu District High School Committee, his Worship the Mayor (Mr L. G. Armstrong), the Town Clerk (Mr D. Bockett) and, members of the Te Rahu, Te Mawhai and Tokanuli "School. Committe'es.

The party at once motored Ito the district high school grounds, where the Ischolars were assembled Outdoors. The Minister, who was accompanied by Mr 'Stewart Reid, MjP. for Waikato, members of the Auckland iEducation Board, and hi s private secretary, was met by the headmaster Mr J. F. Roberts, who briefly welcomed him and called ithe children to attention. Mr Armstrong briefly introduced the Miriister, wiho was greeted with applause. Mr Wright told the children he was adopting the ischOol children of Te Awamutu Unto his large, family, which at present aggregated lfetween 25'0,000 ito 300,000—and it was increasing steadily year by year. . His family was spread over the whole Dominion from (North Auckland to Ithe Bluff, and while he appreciatied Ms family he hoped they would not all call upon ihim for afternoon tea at the one time. Va control, direct arid supervise such a large family he had had to obtain the assistalncte of deparftmenjtal officers, .boards of education, .school committeemen and teaching staffs —and all had' the isame benevolent feeling towards the young peoplle, . Mr Wright went on to introduce to tlhe children the Mayor of Te Alwamultu as. Ithje chief magistrate of the town. From what he had seen of tlhe borough its affalirs wtere in good hands. The towin appeared to be progressive and prosperous, and the time was coming when each child would take his or her part'in adivancing the town. He hoped thley would all' continue to do their.best to obtain a good sound education. Te Awamluitu school is a fine building—much 'finer than some hie had seeln —nice roomy, airy and substanftial. He would have liked to proviidla every centre w}th good school buildings, but money 'was not available. So he was doing what he could for those most needing new buiMngs. lEJvteny child should get as good an education as possible. He hoped many of the boys would take an agfricu'ltuirai courstei, to become farmers, for a life on ithe land was better than one in the towns—better for the individual and better for the .State. He concluded by granting the iwholle: school a half holiday in commemoratiion of his first visit to Te Awamutu school. (Loud applaud). A|b Mr Clarke's call, three cheers weire given the Minister.

Mr Stewart 'Rlaid, MJP., who was inItrodbced by Mr Wright as "a very Igoodi boy," said it was always pleasing to see a Minister visiting Te Awamutu. Mr Wright was doubly welcome, for he would :findi worthy calls for educajtlion .improvement.

At Mr Reid's call dieters were given for the Mayor, the teaching sftaff 'and •thp School Committee. Then the boys and girls exchanged cheers, and united for three marts'—'all given heartily. The singing of the National Anthem concluded the proceedings.