THE PROPOSED FOURTH SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 3331, 23 October 1873, Page 2

THE PROPOSED FOURTH SCHOOL.

This subject was again fully discussed at a meeting of the residents of the lower part of Bejl Ward and the higher portion of Leith Ward, held in tjje schoolroom, lower Albany street, last evening. It being held tb#t Councillor Barnes was not present in his official capacity, he was elected to fill the chair. The Chairman said they were there to consider the advisability of having the school in that part of the Ward. A sum of money bad been voted for the erection of schools. The schools at present in operation were too far from that neighborhood, and the children had to travel a long way in consequence ; but a greater objection was that an hour would not allow the children time to go home for their dinners, but compelled f;hem to carry their lunch to school with them, which was most injurious to their health. The ventilation was also insufficient. It would be preferable, in his opinion, to have a greater number of schools, though they were smaller than those at present in use. The ground on which they were had been granted foy a certain length of time, and

ho ttaf intflSttiftd tbjkt Mr N«ill, who held the adjoining section, was agreeable to give it up for the purpose named. Now if these two sites, were to fee joined, they would answer the proposed purpose admirably; as one might ne used for a playground, and on the other the school might be put up. Then again there was the other site at the bottom of Frederick street, which was only let from year to year, and if a school was put up there it would answer the purposes of both Leith and Bell Wards. He recom* mended them to take whatever steps they thought desirable through the School Committee, who would sec to their wants if properly represented.—(Applause.) Dr Richardson was of opinion that two schools were urgently required, and he was quite sure that if only one school were erected, it would not accommodate half the number of children who would apply for admission. Previous to the meeting held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, he had taken the trouble to walk round the City, and had come to the conclusion that the site adjoining the Asphslte Walks, near Cumberland street, would be a very good one. Of course, a great deal of the land there would require tilling in, butthat would notcost much. The Octagon was too near the Middle District School and would not. do for the children in that part of the town, where they were now wanting to have a school. He maintained, as Mr Barnes bad observed, that an hour would not give the children living so far away from the schools time to go home and get a hot dinner. They wanted sheds put up, and he had frequently written to the papers pointing out the necessity for their erection. He had often seen thirty or forty children standing outside the school on a wet momiug, and, on inquiring the reason, was told that the door* were closed till prayers were over. He would give another reason for the want of sheds. Children would go to school and sit down in their wet clothes, which was very dangerous ; but of course it was not so bad if they had been running about before going into school. He thought the observations in the papers too severe on the Corporation, because it was known that the original promoters of settlement in the Colony—Capt. Cargill and Mr M'Glashau—had foreseen this and made provision for it, viz , that two sections in every ten should be set aside, one being for religious and educational, and the other for municipal purposes. The sections provided by the former purpose had been by an Act passed in 1866 invested in the hands of trustees, and the third was now, he believed, handed over to the University. But he would like to know what became of this third, from the passing of the Act to the opening of the University ? And, again, was the University entitled to the whole ? 'lhoso who bad always wanted the matter tabled in the Provincial Council had always been outvoted. Some short time ago the sections were equally divided, but now the Corpora, tion qnly piuetppnj whifo trfye phurgq has twenty t\yo. Now this should nos bp. He hoped something better would be done iq future in the way of ventilation for tRe schools. The only place properly ventilated n the town was the Princess Theatre, and this was only since the place bad been altered. He was passing the Masonic Hall on Saturday as the children were coming out from the Bellringers’ performance, and some of their faces seemed almost to be scarlet. He hoped this very important matter would be looked to when the school was built. The Chairman would like to correct Dr Richardson with regard to the sites set apart. They were not intended for the small schools of the class for which they were then agitating, for although they were for educational purposes, they were for the high class education, as the University, and a school for teachers. Dr Richardson said the words were—- “ one tenth for municipal, and one-tenth for religious and educational purposesthey might interpret them as they pleased. Mr M‘Donald wished to move that the Superintendent be communicated with, and their views explained to him. His reason in proposing this was that the Superintendent was over both the Corporation and fchool Committee, and could give these sections away in face of either. Several persons present thinking the motion to be premature it was withdrawn. 1 Mr ‘ GRaNt,i to bring the matter to a definite issiie, Would moveI** 1 ** That this meeting resolve to appoint”a deputation tij 'whit on the Dunedin Educational ComtnitWhj' so as to lay’beffi'pe thfirh th§Urgent ftegeSgftt of having the fourth school erected in tn{R part of the City, and to give power to the said deputation to go further if necessary." It was his opinion that if a school was erected in that part of the City it would relieve both the Middle District and North Dunedin School; whereas if it were to be put up in St. Andrew street it would not relieve North Dunedin in tbe least. He understood that the Government intended to close the school down the harbor, and to give the children free tickets by the railway. Now, were this done, and tbe school placed just where they were, the children might be left -and picked up at the station at tbe end of the street. He thought no parent could say that tftp UpUgon was a fit site, and that any indtjber would be afraid of some aooideqt happening to her chili], considering pewpuhl be eifpoged to sp much danger. 'I he ' ape Referred to by Mp Richardson guc[ the phajripan provided that pne-fpprth of th e rpvenug derived from the sections get apart should be for educational, and one-fourth for church purposes. He had read it a number of times, having had it in bis possession for a considerable period. He would again read his motion, and hoped that it would be well debated.— (Cheers.) Dr Rjphapdsqn wa» told on the authority, but of course it was unnecessary to disclose the name, that one-third was for the University, and this showed the necessity of having a record of these things. He maiutained the sections were public property, and should be published at least once a-year. Mr Thomson would second the motion, but he should like to have added to it that those appointed should wait on the Superintendent and ask him to aid them in having a school in the north end of the town. A fourth school was necessary, as he knew some persons with a family of five or six-who bad tp gend some of their children to one and some to another ag the one was too crowded to admit all, Mr D. E. Hay (a member of the School Committee) had only attended to learn the feeling of the meeting in the matter. He would assure them that they (the Committee) were anxious to put the school in a place where it would suit the greatest number. The Inspector had frequently urged upon the Government the difficulty of supplying the schools with suitable teachers ; and had also pointed out that a fourth school was required. Building the school proposed would be killing two birds with one stone, as it would supply elementary education, and would be the means of establishing a training school, so that those who had an inclination that way might be instructed as teachers. The Inspector had looked over the City, and said that the only two places suitable were the’Optagop and spipe ofMrilqrdio's ppqpeyt'y below Mr Straphau’s brewery. The School Committee had received a communication from the Government/ saying that they were prepared to build a new school if a place were found, and that L 3,000 had been voted for the purpose. Tbe Octagon had been selected as it was a such a central spot, and as children from all parts of the town could go

Ihere. fie kneW from what the GoTtruue&t had said they would not sanction a spot so low down in the flat as this one was; besides which, the North School was not so crowded as the Middle Schoo', in which, although only provided for 400 scholars, 700 were instructed. At a meeting of the School Committee held the previous evening, the Secretary was instructed to write to the Reserves Committee requesting them to look through the town and select the best site. He would inform them that only one school would bo built this year, no provision having been made for more, but it was probable they would get a second next year. The Chairman said that from what he kncvT from facts, the Government were more inclined to the Octagon than to any other part of the town. Leith Ward was larger, as would be seen by the map, than both High and South Wards ; and Bell Ward was also larger than these Wards. Therefore, if the school must be a central one it should be in St. Andrew street. _ . Dr Richardson thought if a training school were required it should be in the country.— (A Voice :At Maungatua, doctor.) He did not see why land belonging to the City should be taken for the purpose of instructing teachers, who would be sent up the country to look after the schools. Let the Government provide Provincial lands for that purpose. Mr Grant’s motion was then put and carried unanimously ; and Messrs Barnes, Thomson, and Richardson were appointed a deputation to wait on the Committee. The chairman said that was the only business to be transacted.