OPENING OF THE EAST CHRISTCHURCH MAIN SCHOOL.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 446, 18 November 1875, Page 3

OPENING OF THE EAST CHRISTCHURCH MAIN SCHOOL.

The opening of the Gloucester Btreet school by hiß Excellency the Governor took place yesterday morning, and was most successfully carried out in all its details, the arrangements made being exceedingly perfect and reflecting great credit alike upon the committee and the teachers. The children, to the number of over one thousand, assembled in the various rooms shortly after ten o'clock, and awaited the arrival of his Excellency, who reached the school with commendable punctuality, and was received by the chairman of the committee (Rev W. J. Habens) and the other members. The Governor then proceeded to inspect the various rooms, in one or two of which some pieces of music were sung by the children. This part of the ceremony over, the children, as soon as the Governor had passed through the rooms, filed out to the open space at the eastern front of the school, where their position had been marked out, the boys occupying the right and the girls the left of the platform which had been erected. This was most expeditiously and effectively Carried out, the children marching to their respective places, and taking them up with an alacrity and freedom from fuss, which showed great trouble and pains on the part of the teachers, particularly Miss Bolton and Mr Hill, in whose hands the arrangements for yesterday were placed. The children having been formed in lines extending across the open ground, with a passage dividing boys and girls, awaited the arrival of the Governor, to sing the National Anthem. The general public, we may say, in large numbers attended, and a number of ladies were accommodated with seats to the right of the platform. After a short interval, during which the children were marshalled into their places, his Excellency took his place on the platform, accompanied by his Honor the Superintendent and Hon C. C. Bowen, and attended by Capt La Patourel, A.P.C. On the platform were Bevs W. J. Habens (chairman East Christchurch committee), Giasson, Knowles, Zachariah, and Buller; his Worship the Mayor, Messrs J. Colborne-Veel, J. P. Jameson, H. Thomson, A. Kirk, J. S. Williams, W. B. Bray, W. Montgomery, A. C. Knight for Education), H. J. Tancred, J. Inglis, B. W. Mountfort, &c. On his Excellency reachipg the platform the children, under direction of Mr Hill, sang the National Anthem. Generally .speaking, the performance by an assemblage of Englishmen of this composition is a decided failure, but yesterday the singing by tthe children was capital, reflecting credit Alike upon them and their teachers, the rendering of the forte and piano passages being especially well done. This portion of the ceremony being completed, The Rev W. J. Habens came forward and read the following address from the school committee to his Excellency : "To the Moat Honorable George Augustus Constantine Marquis of Normanby, Earl of Mulgrave, Viscount Normanby, and Baron Mulgrave, a Member of Her Majesty's Most Honorable Privy Council, E-C.M.G., Governor of New Zealand, &c, Ac. " May it please your Excellency,—We, the committee of the East Christchuich Educational district, gladly avail ourselves of your Excellency's presence in this part of the colony, at a time when our central school is practically ready tor occupation, and most respectfully request you to declare the school open. " Not less than one-eighth of the whole number of the pupils of the district schools of *he province belong to this district. During Pne quarter of the present year 1661 children were in actual attendance at our schools. Ten years ago there were only 1716 children on the" books of all schools maintained or aided by the Board, the number present to-day, from this district alone, is 1223, with thirty two teachers. "Provisions for the instruction of the vounger scholars in the more remote parts of the district is made in smaller schools at Bingsland and at the South town belt but the great majority of the children are to be taught in this new school, which is planned to accommodate one thousand pupils, and will soon be furnished in full proportion to . that number. " The site (of nearly three acres in extent) has been acquired at a cost of £3262 10?. ' The principal contract for building is for . £7674. Other items of expenditure, either incurred or estimated, for furniture, fencing, j lavatories, commission, &c, amount to about, £2300. The total cost, therefore, is about : £13,250 for 1000 children, or £l3 5s for each • child. It was stated in the House of Comrmons debate upon the education vote for 1875

that the cos', per child in the buildings of the London School Board is £ls 7s 2d. " The cost of the school is borne chiefly by the Provincial Government, which supplies five-sixths of the required amount; the remaiuing one-sixth being raised by rates in the district. For this reason, if for no other, we aie constrained to acknowledge that the houor which attaches to the execution of so large a (•(•heme belongs not to us, but is rather due to the Provincial Government and Council, and to the late Board of Education, and wc desire to record in your Excellency's presence our high appreciation of the wise policy and able and liberal administration under which such results have been achieved.

" The measure of success already attained, and the solid foundation laid for future progress, as they are exhibited in the number of children this day assembled, and in the appliances which are now to be formally brought, into use, will doubtless be accepted by your Excellency as clearly evidencing that the system of education at present in force commands the confidence and commends itself to the sympathy of the people of the province. The position in which we stand to-day has been rendered possible by the determination of the people through their representatives to separate the work of secular instruction from what the great majority regard as the certainly no less important work of instruction in the elements of religious knowledge. Further, the energy and zeal which have characterised the local administration of the system depend largely upon the fact that those who devote their time and care to the management of the schools understand that, however beneficent in conception and effect are the principles upon which they are working, they are engaged not in the prosecution of the merely benevolent design of rescuing any one class from such ignorance as would render them in this age unable to sustain the competition for the most ordinary employments, but are rather superintending the process of an education so exact and thorough as to deserve to be considered, within certain local limits, truly national. It is our object to supply at least the elementary means of forming an enjoyable and useful acquaintance with the treasures of literature, and with the results of scientific investigation. " There is, we believe, no need for us to solicit your Excellency's favourable consideration on beha'f of the principles by which we thus profess that we are guided, but we may venture to express the hope that, whatever modifications may occur in the form of government under which it is our happiness to live, your Excellency's powerful influence will be exerted in favor of these principles, and for the maintenance in full efficiency of such schools as this which we now ask you to do us the honor of declaring open for the noble purpose for which it has been erected. " Signed, on behalf of the committee, " W. J. Habens, " Chairman."

His Excellency—Gentlemen—lt is, I can assure you, a matter of sincere gratification to me to be present on the occasion of the opening of this large and important school, and I thank you for the opportunity you have afforded me of identifying myself, in however small a degree, with the great svork which you have in hand. Of all the changes and advancements which have taken place in this age of change and progress, there is none more marked or, I believe, more conducive to the welfare of mankind than that which has taken place in the general education of the people through the world, and it is most gratifying to me to observe the strong desire which exists in New Zealand, and indeed I should add in all the Australian colonies, amply to provide for the education and instruction of the rising generation, to hands in future years will be entrusted the destiny of these great and rising colonies. Of late years it has been the wise policy of England to extend largely, not only in the mother country but also in her colonies, the political power and influence of the people ; and it is self-evident that, to enable them properly and wisely to exercise the powers entrusted to them, the state of ignorance which was formerly tolerated, if not in some instances even encouraged, can now no longer be permitted to exist with safety to the advancement and well being of the nation. Under these circumstances it has become the duty of the Government to interfere in educational matters in a manner which was formerly unknown, in order that that education, which is considered necessary for the welfare of the State, may be placed within the reach of all, even the humblest and poorest, of this population. With this object in view it is necessary to secure success that the education which is supported by the Government should be general, and that it should in no way interfere with the religious convictions of the various denominations in the country. [Hear, hear. | While, therefore, fully appreciating and to an extent sympathising with the feelings of those who are anxious to combine religious with secular education, I am forced to the conviction that, in schools which are supported by public money, such combination is impossible—[hear, hear"] — and I therefore agree with you in the opinion that you express, that the teaching in public schools should be purely of a secular character. [ Hear, hear.] I am the more ready to admit this conclusion, from the firm belief which I entertain, that even a secular system in no way implies a neglect of religious training, and that a child whose mind has been expanded by secular teaching is far more likely to appreciate and understand the pure doctrines of the Christian religion than one whose mind has been undeveloped by instruction. [Hear, hear.] I view with pleasure the opening of this spacious school as an evidence, not only of the increase of the population, but also of an increased appreciation of the benefits of education. I heartily wish you success in your undertaking, and have much pleasure in declaring this school open, f Cheers.] The Governor then intimated to Mr Habens his wish to address a few words to the children. His Excellency then advanced to the front of the platform and spoke as follows: —My young friends, having finished the more formal part of the proceedings, I now wish to say two or three words to you. Seeing, as you must do by the noble school before you, the efforts which are being made alike for your education and your comfort, it be-

cemes your duty to do all you can to take advantage of the facilities given to you so as to make the best use of them. This you can do by always remembering that you are all New Zealanders, and that in future days upon you will depend the character of your country. Do what in you lies to foster and cherish the best interests of your country, so that in future times it may worthily claim the name which has already been given to it of being the Britain of the South. [Loud chcGrSi i The liev W J. Habens said that as the Provincial Government had exercised such a large influence in the development of education in the province, and had been so liberal in grants in aid, it was only right that the representative of that Government, his Honor the Superintendent, should be asked to express his Bentiments on that occasion. [Cheers.] His Honor the Superintendent had discharged his duties as head of the province in regard to the question of education in no perfunctory manner, evincing as they all knew a very warm interest in all concerning it. With his Excellency's permission therefore he would ask his Honor the Superintendent to address them. [Loud cheers.J His Honor the Superintendent, who was warmly greeted on stepping forward said-~ Your Excellency and Gentlemen,—l need scarcely say that it is a great gratification to me to be present on the occasion of the opening of this school by her Majesty's Representative. We celebrate to-day the completion of one of four schools at the four points of the compass in this city, some of the largest that have been yet erected, or are likely to be erected, in the province. The occasion is one for congratulation, not only to myself, but to a number of gentlemen now on this platform, who in different capacitiessome as chairmen of the Board of Education in the past—have taken a prominent part, in conjunction with myself, in promoting education over what is a long period in a life-time, or in the history of a young colony. I am glad to think that the building is not unworthy of the purpose for which it is designed, and that the committee have shown their feeling that our school buildings should possess a distinctive character, indicating the prominence and value which attaches to education in the minds of the people. Mr Habens has put, in words more expressive than I am master of, the feelings which have animated the committee in the prosecution of the work which they have had in hand. He has told us that the object they have had in view has not been merely the " prosecution of the benevolent design of rescuing any one class frcm such ignorance as would render them in their age unable to sustain the competition for the most ordinary employments." He, and those who have hitherto laboured in this cause, have taken a wider view of the scope and nature of our work than to regard it simply as a means of fitting the rising generation to take their part in the ordinary business of life, of furnishing them with such information as shall prove a marketable commodity. We have not looked upon education only as an antidote to crime, or as enabling a freely governed people to take an intelligent part in their own Government, or with interested motives, in the belief that it will tend to modify asperities which may arise between class and class in the struggles which may spring up between wealth and poverty. All this we believe it will do ; but we look upon it as a national work undertaken by the whole people, irrespective of class, as a means of progressive self-improvement, having for its object to increase the sum of human happiness. With this object in view we have no narrow conception of our duties. W.e do not imagine that reading, writing and ciphering arc a sufficient or a " worthy equipment for reasonable beings." We place no limit on the standard to which we seek to attain, but such as is measured by the desire of the people themselves for knowledge, and by the necessities of the case. Our standard is daily rising. We see in schools such as tins, the first stepsof a graduated system, which is to culminate in far higher grades of learning. To numbers of the hundreds of children now assembled, we thankfully hope that a career will be opened which it will only need their own exertion to enable them to pursue to the highest positions of trust which are open to a cultivated intelligence. Nor is education any longer a class matter. We do not dole out a modicum of knowledge to the masses of the people from a position of superiority within such limits as we think fit. There was a time when the keys of knowledge were in the hands of a privileged tew. That time, from us at any rate, has passed away. The very words, " Educated classes," will cease to be a current phrase. Manual labor will by degrees cease to be contrasted with education. In our workshops, our woolsheds, our factories, problems bearing on the happiness of the people will be discussed with an intelligence and a knowledge hitherto confined to a few. I have spoken hopefully of what I believe will be the tendency of the spread of education. I have a few words to say in reference to the allusion made by Mr Habens to the energy and zeal of local administration. The beneficial results of a sustained vitality in local committees, composed as this is, whose successful work we are to-day celebrating, can scarcely be too highly estimated. The healthy working of these "units of Local Administration," their struggles, their difficulties,tbeir disagreements and discontents are an educating influence among the people whose elected representatives they are, as beneficial as the instruction of the children by their teachers in the several schools. My inclin?tion would be to increase rather than diminish their powers and responsibilities. Men will rise to the occasion according as trust is reposed in them. They should be touched from above only for the purpose of being helped. They should be controlled only so far as may be necessary for the purposes of general economy and efficiency, and this only in accordance with clearly defined regulations to insure among the several schools a higher standard than would otherwise be attained. What has been done in this province has given results of great value in the future ; but all who have had a hand in the work must feel how much remains to be done. There is a great field for future labor ; more certain and permanent financial arrangements require to be made

to secure education from being starved at one time or place, and overforced at others. The relations of the local committees to the central authority should be more clearly defined. Active inspection of every class of schools throughout the colony should be instituted, and training institutions for teachers fostered. Secondary schools, especially those for girlf, should have more prominent attention and become part of our system, leading up from the Primary schools to the Colleges and University; and lastly, more ample provision is wanted for scholarships in order that those who distinguish themselves in the lower schools may not be prevented by want of means from pursuing a higher class of studies. These matters cannot be dealt with a niggardly spirit ; we cannot afford to be parsimonious. Our whole future depends upon our dealing with them in a liberal spirit. The question is of such vital importance that we cannot measure our exertions by the amount of funds we may have in hand after making provision for securing material advantages. If we have not funds we must raise them to expend on this great work of self-improvement. For I venture to think, that to a good system of national education liberally pursued, more than to any other cause, we may look for a real national life which shall give us a distinctive character among the peoples of the world. Above all let us not be satisfied with the wretched notion that reading, writing, and arithmetic are all we need to provide. It is our duty to afford facilities for higher and better things than that. We must aim at the highest if we would not fall below mediocrity. It may be that only few will reach the higher eminence. It is for us to spread knowledge like the manna which lay round the tents of the wandering tribes, adapting itself in some way to everyone's state.and of which he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who had little, if well gathered and well stored, had no lack. In conclusion, I have to thank your Excellency for the honor you have done us in taking part in this day's proceedings. [Loud cheers ] His Excellency the Governor—My young friends, I have now something to tell you which will interest you far more, probably, than any part of the proceedings, and it is this, I have asked a holiday to-morrow for you, in order that you may commemorate the opening of this noble school. [Cheers.] This announcement was received with loud cheers from the children. His Excellency having shaken hands with the gentlemen on the platform, then retired. liev W. Habens said that as it would be probably inconvenient to the teachers only to come back to school for one day in this week, the committee had decided upon extending the time asked for by his Excellency to .Monday next. [Loud cheers. ] This concluded tne ceremony, the children filing off the ground in the same orderly manner in which they had marched on. The numbers present were as follows : Boys—Upper classes, 580; infant classes 117total, 697. Girls—Upper classes, 346 ; infant classes, 180 ; total, 526. Grand total, 1223 children, and 32 teachers. The following description of the school—the opening of which is chronicled above — will be read with interest: —

The style of the building may be termed Elizabethan, and presents a Jvery substantial if not handsome, appearance. The frontage is towards Gloucester street, the total length being about 300 ft. Projecting from the front of the main building are two arms, about 40ft apart—these having gable ends. The upper floor, which slightly projects from the lower walls, is supported by buttresses of stone, dressed with white rock, these giving increased stability to the floor, and also to the whole structure. The exterior of the walls presents a somewhat novel appearance, as' the skin over the uprights, which is of inch timber, is covered with diagonal scantling, placed on perpendicularly, and as the whole of the timber has been well seasoned, this must add to the strength and imperviousness of the walls. The windows are sufficient in number, and many of them have gable heads slightly ornamented. The roofing is of slate, and a bell turret of handsome desigu is erected in the centre of the main building. A brick wall running across the centre of the building divides the boys' and girls' portions, the rooms and arrangements in each half being similar. On the ground and upper floors a corridor, 240 ft long by 10ft wide, runs through the whole length of the building, communication being had between the divisions, if desired, by a door in the] corridor, erected in a line with the dividing wall. The main entrance on the ground floor to the boys' portion is at the south-west corner of the building. Before entering the corridor a conveniently situated lavatory is passed. An entrance door leads into the corridor, and on the right are two enclosures or bays, about 12ft square, having rows of hooks for caps, &c. At the opposite side of the corridor and running uorthwards is a schoolroom 42ft x 19ft, and 20ft high. This room has a second entrance through a porch at the northern side of the building. Leading out of this room is a class room 21ft x 20ft, which can also be entered from the corridor. Passing along the corridor a large room is reached 54ft x 21ft and 14ft 6in in height, and leading from this is another room 21ft x 20ft, which can also be entered from the passage. The approach to the upper rooms in the boys' division is through a porch at the western end of the building, which leads to a short flight of wide stairs, with landings at easy intervals to guard against accidents. At the head of the stairs the corridor is reached, on the right hand side of which is a schoolroom 57ft x 25ft, and 16ft high. Attached to this is a class-room 22ft x 17ft. On this floor there is an apartment fitted with hooks for caps and cloaks similar to those on the ground floor. This constitutes the arrangements in the boys' division of the school, and the girlß' is similar in every respect on both floors. There is a sft lado of New Zealand wood varnished, around all the rooms throughout the building, the remaining portion of the walls and ceilings being plastered and distempered. Very .creat attention has been paid to the ventilation of the rooms, a moveable ventilator )eiug placed in the ceiling of each, and per •orated cornices are also fixed at the top of r.he walls and in the skirting of the upper rooms. In each room there is a large brick

fireplace fitted with college bars, with white rock dressings, and here provision has also been made as regards ventilation, a number of apertures beiDg made to carry off foul air. The whole of the wood work throughout the rooms is substantial and neat, and the work altogether bears the impress of durability, andof thecontract in eachdepartmenthaviug been faithfully carried out. The amount of the contract, including extras, was about £BOOO. Mr W. B. Mountfort was the architect, Messrs Allen and Sous the contractors, and Mr W. Ness clerk of works.