HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1166, 17 June 1911, Page 6

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(FVom Our Special Correspondent.) 4 — PETONE HIGH SCHOOL. •V meeting of the,Pctone District High School Committee was held last evening. Present: Messrs. M'Kcnzie (chairman), Medhurst, Hewson, Abrahall, Kirk, Hill, Burd, Cox, and the Rev. A. Thomson. Mr. Foster (headmaster) intimated, in reply to a communication, that thero would be no difficulty in organising a school concert this year. He, however, would like a definite date decided on by the committee. Ho himself would suggest that the concert take place during the last week of the second term. A member suggested September, and, with this recommendation, the matter ■ was left in tho headmaster's hands. The Petone Council wroto stating that ' the piece of land near the gasworks had 1 been granted to the committee for rural • course purposes. Mr. M'Kcnzie remarked that ho was 1 glad that the council had come to such a decision. Ho did not intend to say anything further about tho matter, as it had been well "aired." The Petone ' Borough Council had been unanimous in ' favouring this scheme. He would move ', that tho Education Board be asked to establish a rural course at the school J r.t the beginning of tho year 1912. Mr. Hewson seconded. 1 Mr. Medhurst supported the motion. " It was a wise one, and figures from " Chmtchurch had shown its advantages. D When the Government were retrenching, ? the cry was "go on tho land." The 1 labour markets in the towns were glutted, " and nothing could be wiser in the general • interest than tho movement contemplated. 0 Mr. Thomson was surprised that tho ; question had come up again. It would, 1 however, do no harm-to fully discuss it. ■ He would opposo it, as it was utter nonsense. In his opinion the best way ; - to make a successful farmer was by giving ;1 practical knowledge. The headmaster r ought to give his views. How much of d this course was taught now? Those boys 11 who did not want this course, what of '- them ? It would do them harm, and even- - tuallv kill the High School.

Mr". Cox asked what course or courses would be dropped if this one were introduced. Mr. Thomson moved that the headmaster givo his views. The Chairman: I object to this. Mr. Thomson: How can you object to mv motion? Mr. Hill: I'll second this motion. We don't want to wasto time. The question has been "chewed over" long enough. Tho motion was then carried. The headmaster said that, if the rural course were adopted, matriculation and junior civil service preparation would have to be waived. The reports on the school had been excellent, and he would advise the committee not to alter a syllabus of a school which was a credit to the town. Mr. .Thomson moved, as an amendment:—"That this committee is not in favour of changing the syllabus at the present time." The amendment was lost, and the original motion carried.