THE PROPOSED FOURTH SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 3327, 18 October 1873, Page 2

THE PROPOSED FOURTH SCHOOL.

A public meeting, to consider this question, was held at the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening ; Mr Street, Chairman of the Dunedin School Committee, in the chair. From the small attendance, little general interest appeared to be taken in the proceedings. The Chairman stated the object of the meeting was to strengthen the hands of the Committee in their endeavors te get a fourth school established. They had applied to the Corporation for a site on the Octagon reserve, but this was refused. However, they wore not pledged to that or any other site, and he hoped there would be no difference on that point, for it would result in raising difficulties. Dr Stuart proposed the following resolution That it is absolutely necessary that a fourth school should be established in Dunedin.” This resolution would not require many words to recommend it. Public education for the young was of the greatest importance, and it was a gratifying fact that in Otago the schoolmaster had kept up with the progress and increase of population. This seemed to convey an assurance that education was destined to have a bright career in this country. He had lately been pleased to notice in the country districts that the principal building at each was the schoolhouse. At Macrae’s Tlat and Naseby especially there were fine roomy buildings for this purpose. In truth the country appeared to have shot far ahead of the town in providing for elementary education. He was not unmindful, but propd of the Qtago University and the High Schdqlj au4 prized them, but what he desired far mqre tq see was a system proportionate to the present circumstances. Years ago the school accommodation was abundantly adequate, but through the _ steady growth of the' population, by immigration and natural increase, it was Utterly inadequate. There were row within the Dity appnt 3|ooo children of a school age, but the provision made for them was equal to only 2,000. Hr did not lay the blame for this upon any on#—most certainly not on the shoulders of the behoof Committee, for their reports had always urged the want of a fourth school. Well, what was to be clone ? They were aware of the efforts made by the committee, who were entitled to all the backing up the public could give, and he (Dr Stuart) regretted that hall was not crowded with parents to support in numbers those efforts. Jdowever, most good causes originated in small numbers, apd this was in the interests q£ ciyilisatiqp and knowledge, of justice and religion, of the Dunedin and Otago of a opining age. It would be a benefit to the proving if they cquld secure a fourth school, With a training department, _ Hf S° B i d testify that the citizens were mqre indebted to the Committee than was generally knQwp. They had much to carry oh. ’whu& w®y did with completeness and satisfaction, and much was owing to their policy of non-interference with the teachers. In justice to the teachers and to the children another school was necessary, and it would be crowded, with, the present population, without doing injustice to existing schools ; in fact, there was room for even two additional schools. Mf IlojjTN seconded the resolution with much pleasure.'** He wqs surprised at the carelessness shown by parents' in eb ** faW attending the meeting. r l here was no doubt that the present accommodation was insufficient; in the Middle District School 700 children were crowded into a place provided for only 150. The schools had been comfortable enough in times past, but nowmore accommodation was imperative. Dr gtpart had spoken so ably in moving the resoSutipix tf}ap ih* wind was taken out of his sails. What tvas wanted was hj W'Hfij *° V TO ' vide a good elementary education,-'apd fi they multiplied their buildings, they would multiply their teaching power. In the whole three schools there was not a single" male pupiljfeauhej:. They were greatly indebted to the young lady’teachers fqr fheip zealous and able Services, but these grew up an 4 left fchq 6?hqQls to fill other spheres. A normal achoql would enable them to train teachers who would remain teachers all their lives. The resolution was put and carried. Mr E. B. Cargill, whu wgs warmly received, moved the next resolution as follows i—That the proposed school should be situated in Bell Ward.” He might apologise for moving a resolution at a meeting so soon after his return to Dunedin, but he had beep requested to do so by the committee, and had great pleasure in ac» ceding to that request. He would say, tn passant, that that pleasure derived increased power from the hearty and agreeable welcome he had received on all spies, which had warmed up his feelings towards Dunedin to a greater heat than they possessed before. This question did not require much urging or much argument to be adduced by him. Some years ago a Bill had been introduced to ground a system of educatiow for the Colony, and while this was pending the Provincial Government was debarred from taking action in the matter, until it was seen what shape the change would take. The statement that 700 children were crowded into a space sufficient for only 450 rendered discussion unnecessary. The question of room; was of the first importance. Surely the citizens would be unanimous on the subject: as to the necessity for another school. As to the position, that Was a secondary consideration. At the same time it would he advisable to have it as convenient as possible for the general body of citizens, so as to render unnecessary superfluous travelling on the part of the children. One purpose of the meeting w*s to back up tbc Corporation to encourage them to give any land at their disposal for a school site, Tho Corporation would like an expression of the citizens’ opinion on the question of thoii giving a reserve for the purpose. If the citizens, ou their part, were determined, no consideration as to a particular site should stand in their way. He could not conceive a purpose to which the Corporation reserves could be more aptly apnlied as t'hey we re held in trust by them for the public benefit. Ho did nit think they could expect, nor did they want, a large piece of laud ip the centre of the City so as to form a

large playground, for this was scarcely neces* sary ; a quarter of an apre would be quite sufficient. He Was sorry there Was an idea that the Corporation and the committee were antagonistic on a question so near the interests of each, and the Corporation equally regretted such had got abroad, He quite sympathised with their hesitation and caution in dealing with public reserves, but trusted that they would take the expression of this meeting as a desire for the public benefit. Mr Shebwin, sen., seconded the resolution. He was in favor of the site of the school being on the east aide of George street. There had been a misapprehension as to the site, but as one of the committee, he could say they were not bound to the Octagon. A gentleman had placed it in his (Mr Sherwin's) power to offer, for a small compensation, the triangular section at the corner of Moray Place and Great King street, and this site he approved of. The Government had acted generously to them last year in passing a sum of money for a normal school, and anyone who knew these schools in Melbourne knew the advantages of them. The overcrowding of the schools was bad for the teachers as well as the scholars, and the present ones were such that he should demur sending his children to them if he had any. There was a school in every Ward but Bell Ward, and pressure ought to he brought to bear on the Corporation in the matter. The resolution was put and carried. Mr Stout, M.P.C., moved—“ That seeing the Provincial Government has no land suitable for a site for a fourth school, and that no money ha# been voted for the purchase of a site by the Provincial Council; and as large reserves have been vested by the Provincial Council in the City Council for municipal purposes, this meeting respectfully requests the City Council to aid the Government and School Committee in the obtaining a suitable site.” The committee had no desire to reflect on the Corporation, bnUHhfey had felt it their duty to come to the people for advice and assistance. The committee had not selected the site in the Octagon, but it had been suggested by the Government. It was never proposed to front the public highway, but to be in Moray place. The Government had no land or money voted for the purchase of land as a site for the school, therefore it was necessary to apply to the Corporation. If there were any delay in the matter, it might be many years before an opportunity would arise, so no effort should be spared to obtain a site. Almost all the Government sections had been handed over to the Corporation, not merely for revenue purposes, but to be held as other reserves, for the general use of the citizens, and the erection of a school was a most legitimate one to put them to. It was impossible to obtain one unless from the Corporation, and the Committee had not pledged thomselvp* tP any dgfinitq site. Several pad been suggested, ana the pro ; vincial Government, the Corporation, and the Committee should unite and fix upon one, There was one point to which he must refer, namely, the desire of the parents individually to have the school near their own homes. This reminded him of the candidate fop Parliamentary honors, who, to obtain votes, had to pledge himself to have •» bridge erected at each elector's door, Even if thg site were chosen near the old cemetery the children would not have more than a half-mile’s walk, therefore the citizens must bo satisfied with a site that will be convenient for the greater number. A large playground was not so strictly necessary as airy and healthy schoolrooms; for children being in school nearly half tho time during which they are out of bed, if the atmosphere is vitiated by overcrowding and bad ventilation, the result is sure to be prejudicial to their health. Statistics laid before the Privy Council show that children brought up under such circumstances were more liable in after life to consumption and chest diseases. The meeting was called to obtain an expression of the citizens’ opinion, so as to aid the Corporation and Government in selecting a site. In one respect he was pleased to see only a small attendance, as it showed that the public agreed with the action of the Committee on the subject, and knew that their wishes would be carried out by those present. It was useless for the top and bottom of the Ward to fight as to the site, for in that case they might not get one at all: they should unit# in a desire not to benefit a special part, but to' chqose the position vy-ffich *qu(d prove most suitable and healthy, Mr Sligo seconded the motion, affirming the necessity that Bell Ward had of a school, and thinking that it' should be equidistant between twq of the gthe'r schools. He could hot agree with MrStput 'at* tp %e dfafcnoe for (:lje cli{l; drento walk being immaterial, fqr m thij variable climate % long distance tp go through the rain was detrimental to health, and might indeed be as much a cause of the diseases mentioned by that gentleman, as insufficient accommodation. Their first «tep was to secure an efficient system of elementary education, and they should strengthen as much as possible the hands of the Committee, and bring pressure to bear on the Corporation—distinctly telling them that a school must be had in Bell Ward, that their reserves could not be vested in them for a better purpose, and that a site should be handed oyer at a peppercorn rent, or some similar arrangement. 'lup meptipg was pertain)y a small one, but he had expected 'nothing clsq, as in 13unedin little ‘interest was taken in public irmtters, uqless there had been $ good fight beforehand, and in this (£*9 there had been no excitement tu force it intq prominence. He hoped that a good and suitable site would be fixed upon at an early day, The motion was put and carried. Mr Sligo then rose again to move “That this meeting hereby acknowledges, its obligations, and offers its warmest thanks to the members of the Dunedin School Committee for the efforts they have made towards obtaining the establishment of this absolutely necessary fourth school.” These gentlemen had plenty to do in their own businesses, yet devoted them time, nithont fee or reward, to the public interest's in the blatter of education, and it wm therefore the duty of the citizens to' strengthen their hands, and thereby show that their services were appreciated. Mr Hobcraft seconded the motion, which was carried, as were all the preceding ones, Unanimously. .... Mt R.’ Gillies confessed to sympathising with the Oojiporatipi} and ratepayers in regard to the tewrvdtf,' which should jys iea: lously watched: Some'of th£’reserves, such as the Town Belt, were set apart for definite purposes, and of such he should deprecate the alienation ; hut others had been handed over tq tpj!e Corporation almost as gifts, and these might well he devoted to the present purpose, Thftt body had land at the l>leri, Cffitha, Waffifila, and other places ; and it was not fair to make the wholp country pay for the town school establishments. The mention of 7QO children crowded }ntq a room fitM’for offij 450, reminded him of the Black Hole of Calcutta, and showed that it would be most culpable to desist agitating uqtil a site for the school was obtained. At the first he had objected to the Octagon site, but on examining it found that it would be a fine open place, and not interfering with the general traffic. , , , A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings.