SCHOOLS VISITED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 441, 5 December 1930, Page 8

SCHOOLS VISITED

MINISTER IN WANGANUI CENTRAL INFANTS’ AND ARAMOHO. The Minister of Education (Hou. H. Atmore) visited Central Infants’ and Aramoho Schools yesterday morning. He was accompanied by the Hon. W. A. Veitch (member for Wanganui), Air W. A. Collins (chairman) and Air W. H. Swanger (secretary) of the Wanganui Education Board, Air W. Adams (Education Board) and the Alayor (Mr W. J. Rogers). At the Central Infants’ the Minister was welcomed by Air J. Siddells, on behalf of the chairman of the committee. The children rendered a number of items in their usual appropriate manner and w'ere complimented by the Minister during an appropriate address. He stated that the children sang the songs and hymns in a very pleasing manner. The Minister wished them all a merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years, and stated that when on his Christmas vacation at Nelson, he would remember them. The Mayor, the Hon. Veitch, and Mr Collins also gave brief addresses, after which a section of the children rendered a canoe song with actions. The Minister inspected the School and surroundings in company with Miss Blennerhassett. At Aramoho. On arrival at Aramoho {School the Alinister and visitors were received by Air Codington, headmaster, and Mr A. Halligan, chairman of the School Committee, and members of the Committee. The beautiful lay-out of the grounds immediately caught the Minister’s eye, and he began to comment upon the splendid environment. The children were assembled on the lawn in bright sunlight and before the addresses were given the school mouth organ band rendered various items a most pleasing manner.

Air Halligan, in extending a welcome to the Minister, said that the parents and committee greatly appreciated the visit and hoped it would not be the last occasion on which he would visit the sA’hool. Usually when a Alinister came along it was customary to have a list of requirements drawn up, but he was pleased to say on this occasion that they had no such list. The committee realised that the country was passing through hard times, but they hoped when times were better to approach tbc Alinister for some little assistance in order to carry out further improvements. Air Halligan said he wished the Minister could have seen the grounds twelve years ago. From the main road it was only possible to see the roof uf the school. The grounds were full of pumice, which was blown about and created a nuisance. The Aramoho people had responded willingly and turned out tu improve the grounds. They had ove'. - 40 on occasions, all working. The speaker mentioned that with the grant they received to keep the stehool in order it was a difficult matter to make ends meet an-: maintain the grounds as (,hey should be kept. In the winter time the money went in firing, and it was only fu the summer months that they had a little left for improvements. The Alayor, Air Collins and the Hon. W. A. Veitch also spoke. Mr Codington said that the school was honoured by the Ministerial visit. He referred to Mr Atmore being respon sible for having prepared a report on education. The report, if put into practice, would do a great deal of good. The Alinister had done something to make his name remembered in the history of New Zealand by this one thing alone. He hoped that Mr Atmore would have the opportunity of at least putting a pan of the reforms ho advocated into practice. The report contained many proposals of great value from an educational point uf view. Air Atmore thanked the previous speakers for the kindly reference to the work he was trying to do. He stated that in travelling round, and travelling was no pleasure to him, he endeavoured to visit the private schools as well. It was necessary, if a Minister made an intelligent allocation, for him to see for himself the needs of various districts throughout New Zealand. Education Boards knew the requirements of their own districts, but that is only one section K and they did not know the requirements in other districts. It was necessary, then, for a Minister to find out the urgency of the works and allocate accordingly. Referring to his report, he said that he found that Boards were expressing appreciation of some portions of the report. He believed that they would find every recommendation on right lines. If carried into effect they would certainly remove some of the ancient landmarks which were costing a lot Of money and from which they were not getting the service. It was proposed to abolish some Boards and to give extension of powers. They found in the past that a large amount of money had been wasted because they had too many controlling authorities. This money should be used to good purpose. The Minister then paid a tribute to Aramoho School and said that il had set a high standard. The Alayor and City Council had been very helpful to him in the way of advancing secondary education in Wanganui. Air Atmore then complimented the mouth organ band on their playing, and stated that they were a fine asset to the school. He then thanked the headmaster and teaching staff for the manner in which they had received him.

The morning tea provided by the teachers and committee brought an interesting function to a close. The Alinister was heartily cheered by the pupils.