HOROTIU SCHOOL.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17991, 9 April 1930, Page 7

HOROTIU SCHOOL.

VISITED BY MINISTER. PLEA FOR GROUNDS GRANT. (Special Reporter.) NGARUAWAHIA, Wednesday. Although the 85 children who attend the Horotiu School are fairly wellprovided for, both as far as classroom and ground accommodation are concerned, there is a hilly paddock next to the main building which would make an admirable football area if levelled. About six months ago, with the aid of voluntary labour, the school committee succeeded in laying down a hard tenni-s court. Over £SO was raised by the parents and residents of the district and a £ for £ subsidy was received from the Education Department. The further -improvement of the grounds, by means of levelling the proposed football area, was urged upon the Hon. H. At-more, Minister of Education, when he visited th'e school yesterday afternoon. Messrs R. Knight and L. J. Speedy, two members of the school committee, who made the request, pointed out that the expenditure on making the ground suitable for play would not he very great, and in view of what had already been done by the parents and committee they considered a straightout grant for this work would not be out of place. Most of the scholars were the children of employees at Hie meat works.

The Minister inspected Hie ground and was assured that if the Department made the grant for levelling the committee would undertake to apply fertilisers and render the soil capable of holding a good surface.

Mr Atmore advised the committee members to obtain an estimate for the cost of the'proposed work and submit it to the Department. He wju’d then see what could be done. He informed the deputation that the requirements of Horotiu were light when it was realised that at one school of the West Coast the committee had spent £250 in levelling a ground by blasting through rock. However, he appreciated what an advantage would result from the work and assured the committee that the malter would receive the fullest consideration .when an estimate of the cost was secured. Advice to Children. When he arrived at the school the Minister was greeted by Messrs Knight and Speedy and Mr J. Jack, the headmaster, who extended a warm welcome and told the Minister -that it was the first visit of its kind they had been privileged to experience. The memory of it would not quickly be forgotten. Addressing the children, the Minister spoke >on lines similar to those ho has followed during his tour. He reminded them that although they attended a small school and were few in number their welfare was just as near his heart as that of children belonging to the larger schools. If they could not all be at the head of the class many of them possessed qualities which could be turned into adaptable channels which should be developed to the fullest extent. The Minister impressed upon them the ideal of -service and asked for a whole day holiday to commemorate his visit.

Mr W. Lee Martin, M.P. for the district., and Mr A. Burns, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, -also spoke briefly. Three hearty cheers were given for the Minister before the party were entertained to an enjoyable afternoon tea by the teaching staff.