PALMERSTON NORTH SCHOOLS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 59, 3 December 1919, Page 3

PALMERSTON NORTH SCHOOLS

« INSPECTED BY MINISTER OF EDUCATION. By Teleeraph—Special Correspondent. Palmerston North, December 2. According to his promise to Mr, J. A. Nash, Sir Francis Bell, Minister of Education, paid a visit to Palmerston North to-day. lie arrived by tho Now Plymouth train at noon, and was met by Mr. Nash and a number of persons interested ill educational matters. The Minister was tirsti taken to .the Campbell Street School, where ho was shown over tho out-of-date premises which now do duty as a school. He was afterwards taken to the new site at Featherston Street, where four acres have been secured for the now school. The Minister inspected plans for the new school, and oventually agreed to tenders being called for alternative plans for a one or twostory building, in brick, tho latter providing all the accommodation required for some years, in order to see if it were possible for liiin I'-o find sufficient money to carry out the larger work. Sir Francis Bell expressed himself as exceedingly pleased with the new site, and also with the baths, which the committee has already erected tihereon, and more espccij ally with what is known as tho "Babies bath, for vounger children. On visiting the College Street School the Minister inspected tho section pro-posed-to bo purchased for increasing the playground, and on learning tliafi tilio property would cost MliOV agreed to tho Government finding -.£I2OO of that amount. Afterwards, tho Minister was taken to tho Terrace 'End School, where he was shown the liwo and a half acres on which the school was now compelled to exist, with a roll number of over 700. It whs explained that in order to. get the. ground it had at present the committee had been compelled to purchase a section. The Minister was urged to acquire an adjoining property, and also to find the money for the erection of two additional rooms which are much' required. 110 asked to be furnished with full particulars as to what was required, and undertook to give the matter immediate and personal consideration. The Ministor then visited iibe West End School, which is built- of-bnclt, and is the most up-to-date scho.ol in the district: lie expressed himself as- ploa'ed with everything, more especially with tine agricultural plots under the care ol' the pupils. The Minister was also taken over the High. Scliftol and the College House, and afterwards viMtod tho site wheio tho new Girls' High School, a very fine structure in brick, is fast approaching completion, and was grealiv pleased with the arrangements generally, more especially with the manlier in wi;iieh the grounds were laid out. both lov the school and the girK hostelry, which it is hoped to erect shortly alongside the new school. , The Mi. , ;i ; t n ria! party were entertained at luncheon bv Pit; Mayor (Mr. Nash) at the Grand Hotel.