BALDWIN MEMORIAL ASSEMBLY HALL.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 24, 7 November 1929, Page 3

BALDWIN MEMORIAL ASSEMBLY HALL.

. A well attended meeting of the committee of the Hutt Valley High School Baldwin Memorial Assembly Hall Fund was held on Monday evening, Mr. L. T. "Watkins presiding. The chairman explained that a great amount of initial work had been carried out by tth.e executive since its formation. Details for a great canv'asing .scheme had been arranged and if appro ve:l by the general committee the collecting scheme would be launched immediately. Through the assistance of the Member for the District (Hon. T. M. Wilford), a very satisfactory interview had been secured with the Hon. H. Atmore, the Minister of Education who had stated that he was entirely sympathetic towaTds the proposal and when the had definite information of the cost, he would be prepared to aak Cabinet to place an amount on the Estimates for next year to meet it. T"ho meeting confirmed the suggestions of the campaign as outlined by thi executive. - Briefly, the method to be adopted will, be a noval "Brick " campaign Each pexson making a donation will (have his name endorsed on a picture brick which will be duly placed on re- 1 .cord in the annals of the school. In addition to this there will be a special "Briek 7' east for present scholars many of whom, have expressed a wish. to be associated wit& the effort. The Assembly Hall is the heaxt an.d soul of a-British Secondary School. It is here that the traditions of the school are formulated and fostered, that t&e corporate spirit is maintained. " Here, through the headmaster, by harangue and exhortation, by praise and encouragement of fine effort, and conduct, and by scorn of slackness/ dishonesty and evil-doing, the school exercises its influence. It is here tihat the main attack lis made on anything that is {lishonourj able or unsportsmanlike. It is here too that visiting speakers addrjess the' school. Many a lesson is taught the pupils at this ttheir most impressionable age that makes them better citizens thereafter, and many an intellectual activity is set afoot within them that I lasts throughout their life.!,

The Assembly Hall too is t&e scene of many of the school activities. Here the Dramatic Clubs perform their plays, school debates are held, and parents and pupils gather for the main school functions of the year. -• On t<he intellec-

tual side the British Secondary Schools can probably hold, their own, but in Hall or Chapel and,, on the playing fields they have exercised a more profoimd influence than tsre schools of other natons. The Hutt Valley High School has well equipped class-rooms, is forming fine playing fields but its Assembly Hall is lacking. At the present time the only place the school^ can. assemble as & body is outside the building and then only w&en the weather is propetious. ■ / '..

Fur information of the campaign may be obtained from any of; the following members of t2ie executive:—Messrs L. T. Wakins, chairman, W. Ei" Clabburn, J. A. Grimwood, Is. S. Knox, Capts. W. Olphert and J. E. Middleton (Lower Hutt)j A. Greening arid Cr; D. McEwen (Peton'e); W. Howe and P. Robertson (Upper" Hvtt.).;* and the Principal, Mr. H. P. Kidsori.