HIGH SCHOOL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2460, 26 March 1909, Page 6

HIGH SCHOOL.

visit of mr. Macdonald, m.p

As Mr. W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P., is spending a few days m town, Mr. C. A. deLautour, chairman of the High School Board -of Governors, asked him to visit the new Gisborne High School. Mr. MacDonald readily accepted the invitation, and with Messrs A. F. Matthews, J. Coleman, F. T. Morgan, T. H. Mann, and W. Morgan, visited the school yesterday morning. The High School Board has asked the Hon. James Carroll to endeavor to obtain the consent of the Minister for Education, (the Hon. G. Fowlds) to the enactment of a Local Bill, vesting two education reserves necessary for the accommodation of tlio school building and a playground, in the Board. If they obtained that so net km the Government would proceed .to a dyer rise' a Local Bill, and take, the necessary steps for its submission to Parliament when the House meets, hoping- to -obtain the passage of the measure early in August. In the meanwhile the Governors would be prepared to go on with the preparation of plans, and would Start building immediately they had authority, the school to be ready for entering into occupation in February. Mr. MacDonald informed Mr. deLautour that- lie was willing 7 to give every assistance possible, being particularly anxious•that the country boys should be. afforded every opportunity of benefiting by the" institution. . ' During a conversation with Mr. do Lautour and the gentlemen present it was explained’to Mr. MacDonald that the Governors were’ anxious to establish a wool. class in connection with’the Technical School, the only.trouble being the ’ securing of the; services of a suitable man who had the required knowledge, and would-be able to impart that knowledge. Such a -class would also embrace.:the .class. Of sheep suitable for this district 'and the development lambs. Mr. J. G. Field had interested himself in the. .proposal ; and -had ’promised his assistance. There was a difficulty the Governors felt, however,' and that was to ascertain what the- farmero. really . wanted., .... My ny; , Mr. deLautour also stated to Mr. MacDonald that the authorities were very, anxious to obtain the!running’ off something after, the style of a in ilk: train on. the local railway,, for they: would be able to bring in 20' or 30 pupils a day. Arriving as the train did at present at 11 o’clock, it was of no assistance. The visitors inspected tlio classes at work, and it was ascertain os! from the headmaster (Mr.. A. R. Gatlandj that the school roll was 98, the average attendance last week-being 92.5, and the average since the opening of the school at-,tho beginning of February 86.3; •• Later on an inspection, was made of tlio two education reserves at-the west end, one. comprising 5 acres, being situated in Stanley Road, and the other,about 7 acres, in Childers Road, near the stock reserve.. The Governors are desirous of having both these sections vested fix themselves,- which would- require the passage of a Local Bill, as - mentioned above. The- Stanley-' Road reserve would' be practically fully; occupied with the school buildings,; since, there, is a peculiar-sand ridge running through it. .Tiro Childers-Road section was desired as a sports ground- Twelve acres, Mr. deLautour remarked, would bo none too large, for-'the: felt sure they would have 400 or 500 pupils beforo very long. / > r