THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2414, 1 February 1909, Page 3

THE HIGH SCHOOL.

ACTION BY THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

REQUEST THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS TO OBTAIN* OTHER PREMISES.

Air. AY. Morgan (secretary of the Gisborne High School Board of Governors) on Saturday, fit 11.40 a.in., received the following letter from Air. AV. File (secretary to the Gisborne School Committtee): “Dear Sir, —-I am instructed by my committee to notify your Board that tho following resolution was passed at the meeting larst night: ‘That tin Board of Governors .be requested to obtain other premises in which to establish their school.’ ”

To which iAir. 'Morgan sent the following ' reply .-“Your committee u few days ago, after nearly a month’s consideration, informed the Governors that they would not discuss arrangements with them on the ground that the matters ■were 'being arranged between tin Education Board and tho Governors. As you .preferred that course and hive delayed to change your views .until the eve of the opening of tho school, ■wo .propose to adhere to it. Our views have been submitted to tinEducation Board very fully, and wc have no reason to suppose they arc not receiving attention. The Gover nors have no wish to interfere with Air. Rowley’s control of the school grounds. Such n wish has never been expressed. The occunat’on by tin secondary classes for the short time it will last m ill be exactly as it was for years under Air. Mann’s mastership, when tho headmaster neve*, exercised any control ewer the secondary classes in the school. I think you must see that your committee bis left it rather late to attempt to prohibit the opening of the school for the first time on the eve of its opening, although the arrangements have been made with the full knowledge of the committee for some months.' A “Times” reporter was authoritatively informed that the Hig! School will bo opened in the Technical Classrooms this morning.

THE HIGH SCHOOL. (To thu Editor.] Sir, —I was disgusted on reading your report of the School Committee meeting jn Saturday’s issue to find that la majority of the committee had been so narrow-minded and spiteful as to attempt, to prevent the opening of the new High School on Alonday. I was surprised to find a gentleman like Air. Darton. who poses as a broad-minded and progressive citizen -&akin<v the lord in this matter. He. with "cithers, reems determined that tnere is going to be trouble, and theare the ones v. ho are going to make it, over the occupancy of the Technical School build ng.. by the pupils of the new High School. AYhy should there be? iS imply because they imagine they have been snubbed bv the Boat’d of Governors, ■when a review of the case c&hows that it is the exac! opposite. The committee knew over two months ago that the old High School vCis to be disestablished, and a new one with wider scope inaugu rated in its place. They were asked by the Board of Governors to attend a meeting to consider the matter and make the necessary arrangements, but because they did not approve of the proposed alteration they ignored the invitation, and only one commit teeman attended. Air. Darton even attempted to get the Education Board to interfere. The Board or Governors naturally did net feel it aviso _ to attempt another meeting, but carried on t.lieir arrangements for the opening of the new school. Now, surely these committeemen ia.ro aware that tho old High School was not sufficient to fulfil the requirements of secondary education in this district, and that parents who desired their children advanced had to send them to colleges and institutions in other parts of the Dominion. The alteration, I know, has been warmly welcomed by many parents. However, the School Committee instead of looking at the matter as broad-minded men should have done, have endeavored at tho eleventh hour 16 make it unpleasant and impossible for Hie High School to he re-opeued in -.building which has been erected by the Board of Governors in the School Committee’s grounds, and which has been in use by them for technical instruction. I admire tho sensible view of tlie matter taken by tlic Rev. Grant and Air. AYildish, but the action of the others I deprecate. Tinprop liecv that trouble will occur over the control of the High School chi - dren In tho committee’s playgiouiid is “only a red herring across the scent,”'and the whole affair is one of spite for fancied wrongs against the Board of Governors, and the commit tee’s action is childish and narrowminded, and unbecoming to gentlemen who are supposed to represent the householders for the advancement of education. —I am, etc., ~ “PARENT OF PUPIL. Gisborne. Jan. 31.