PETONE DISTRICT HIGHSCHOOL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1049, 11 February 1911, Page 6

PETONE DISTRICT HIGHSCHOOL.

. ' —: ♦— —— . . • RURAL EDUCATION. A special meeting of tho Potono High School Committee was held last ovoning for tho purpose of discussing further the question of introducing an agricultural courso of training-, into the school curriculum. The members present were Messrs. M'Kenzie (chairman), Burd, Kirk, Abrahall, Hill, Cairns, and tho Row .A. Thomson. There were also in attendance Messrs. Fleming, Tennant, nnd'Bake.wcll, school inspectors, and Messrs.. Forster, ,and Lyskcy, headmaster and first assistant of tho secondary deportment, respectively. . Mr. M'Kenzie said that Inspector Fleming had suggested certain alterations, and it- was thought advisable to meet the inspectors. Mr. Fleming said that in discussing matters connected with tho Dis-' trict High School, tho conclusion was arrived at that a courso of- matriculation ( wns not satisfactory for all scholars. Tho 'best course for country schools was a rural courso. From the school roll today it appeared .that thero wero 23 scholars who would'take this agricultural course. That would mean about 20 pu--5.1*5. There was a number left, and what was to becomo of them? One requirement was provision for practical demonstrations in the agricultural course. Tho first question that must bo answered tho board was: Whero is your land? 'Petone was more of an industrial district and the question was which was the best courso for Petnno. If a rural course was adopted for' Potone, would it bo treating those other children, not taking agriculture, fairly? 'Was the committeo prepared to introduco agricnlturo to the detriment ol bthsr courses which would naturally bo crowded out?.' . Mr. Bakowcll eaid that as far as was known it was impossible .to carry on a rural courso and a matriculation course satisfactory together.' Was the committee prepared to forgo matriculation and go "eyes out" for a rural course? If it was possible to carry out tho two courses in one High School tho insoectors would not havo tho slightest objection. In answer to a question as to what Would become of punils who at the start did not tako a rural course, Mr. Fleming said-that it would bo compulsory for pupils tp take a rural course in.their first and 'second years Tho Rev. Thomson asked if this agricultural courso was adopted, could tho'children who did not tnko it applv to tho Wellington College for a frro place? Mr., Fleming said ho could not answer tho question as he had nothing to do with Wellineton College. _ Mr. Fleming, continuing, said that tho inspectors would want a longer guarantee than 12 months, as laid down by the com. mittce. Mr. M'Kenzie said that there would ho no difficulty about the ground for the courso fts the Mayor had given assurance in this direction Tho inspectors would know' definitely whero tho ground was at ft Inter date. . Mr. Hill wanted to know how tho narnes of pupils at the Hntt and Taita got on the list, handed to the inspectors. They must- havo been canvassed. Tho'chairman.: .They were not canvassed. They were waited upon and handed a circular. I will go to 'Wairnrnpa to mako this class a success, concluded tho chairman. Mr. M'Kenzie, on behalf of the committee, thanked the inspectors for tho information they had proffered; Ho would say that if such a courso woro established it would bo the best on tho 6chool syllabus. Mr. Bakewell said that an idea was abioad that the inspectors were not in favour of the mrnl course. That was not tho case. Tho inspectors wero. entirely in favour of this course.