The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, MAY 24th, 1922. EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, MAY 24th, 1922. EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Tiir. !<v.:il School Commit,tee has rfrnwH up a useful list of matters on which In interview the lion. Minister of Education wlit'ii he makes his fleeting visit to Hokitika next Saturday nil'll!. The urgent matters affection the school, are those dealing with the present over, crowding in sonic of the class rooms, and the need for a hostel for the accommodation of country scholars desirous of attending the sccunihvy school. Both are matters of imperative need, and it is to he hoped the Minister will he impressed enough to authorise an improvement. No douht Mr Parr will he reminded that the town is on the threshold of a marked advancement. The steady growth of the population of late emphasises the change which is taking place. Whom the Midland railway is ill daily motion next yi-dr, the fillip to this neighborhood wi Ihe so marked that population will increase rapidly: From wh:lt was dropped by the visiting members of tile Progress i.eague last week, it is evident many Canterbury business men will he establishing themselves here. There is warrant ry therefore for a legitimate request to enlarge the school and assist me scholars of the country to gain secondary education. 11l the latter matter, reference can he made to ’Professor Condliffe’s warm eulogy last Friday liignt on the ability of tho Westland scholars he has had under him of late, the Coast lias produced many bright Intis and many more would be forthcoming il tile country scholars had a better chance in regard to secondary teaching. Kcmote from the town and witn accommodation both difficult to secure and also costly, they are debarred from omi.latiiig the good work done by more favoured scholars. There should be an equal chance tor all, aim an opportunity should be afforded tile mils to attend me secondary seaool, by establishing residential quaitcrs for tne country scholars, j lie matter of relorm to tne Education Act, to permit of the district getting a better and moie economical seiviie is long oveidue. there has been much complaint since mis district was merged into the Cunternury Education district. It was a clumsy, costly way of management, and it has not turned out well. It has run long enouga now to show the weakness of the scheme, and some anienunieiu to the act is well overdue. Tne idea of administering the act here by mree Commissioners is an economical one, capable of effective serv.ee. Thclate -Mr Seddon contemplated tiying a modified scheme of provincial government on Westland us an experiment, but lie passed away too soon. Unuer tuiu scheme education would have been dealt wit.: by a single central body in the district. There is every reason winsome experiment as now s..ggcsLeo mig.it Ire adopted to give b c-K to t..e people that close attention they injoyed under the old s. heme of administration. There are all sorts of complaints abroad about toe neglect in leplying to (orrespondenee, and the overlapping of authorities in regard to administration. The tempers of in. ny School Committeemen are tried

breaking point, anil before til** existing system fails altogether, the Min ter might well lie pressed to introduce legislation which will give a t. in I to tho Commissioner system by way of an experiment.