MINISTERIAL VISIT.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 May 1922, Page 4

MINISTERIAL VISIT.

ICON C. ,T. PARR IN HOKITIKA. DEPUTATIONS AT TOWN HALL. On Saturday evening Hon. C. .1. l >a * r Minister of Education and Public Health, who arrived in Hokitika from Christchurch ! >l 7 o’clock, met deputations at the Town llall at 8 o’clock, when some fifty persons were present. ’The Mavor (Mr G. A. Perry) presided, and Mr T. K. Y. Seddon M.P.. lions H. L. Michel, and J. Grimmond M's.L.C. with heads of Local Bodies were present. Mr l’errv cordially welcomed the Minister to Hokitika and he trusted he would have an opportunity to see some of the town. He was glad of the opportunity of extending a cordial welcome and hoped that his visit would prove an enjoyable one. Mr Seddon. M.P., on behalf of the people of Westland also extended a welcome. They had many matters of interest to bring before bun. He hoped that Mr Parr would he able to visit Westland and Mental Hospitals and he would ho able to see the actual position of affairs for himself. He was glad to have the opportunity of welcoming him to the district. Hon. H. L. Michel joined Ti Hie welcome. Referring to the Mental Hospital' he said Mr Parr had been the lust Minister to place on the Estimates substantial grants lor t-iC work. A gie.it deal was required and he was sure that their wants would have the very sympathetic consideration of the visitor. Hon. Mr Parr thanked the Mayor for his welcome. He appreciated the welcome given. He also thanked the Member of the district for his welcome and also Air Michel for his references. He had hoped to have come hero eailier in the year, but the late session had spoilt his plans. References I a;l been made to the Mental Hospital and he hoped to do something for these pour people, who should have the best they could give. A sum had lieen granted and if more funds were required lie hoped to be able to ask for and get the necessary money required. He would lie spending five days in Westlaud, though their excellent local paper had expressed a, wish for him to stay two or three months. He hoped that Westland’s future would he successful, and Hokitika in particular. Ho was going to visit both hospitals to-morrow. With regard to schools and hospitals, lie had brought his officers to look into matters on the ground. Ho would lie glad to hear the requirements of the district hut he warned them' that money was very tight at present and they must he moderate in their requests. The country was suffering, like the rest of the world, from the aftermath of the war though luckily their country was not suffering to the extent that other countries were suffering from. They had spent on education in 1!)H, £l,lOO- - ami this year they were spending millions. He Imped that the present large expenditure would be able to he maintained. Last year subsidies to lmspilals amounted to £120.000. He bail a refotin that would have lieen of advantage to this district, but Government were not able to find the extra £OO,OOO required to carry out liis proposals. They had, he thought, touched I lie bottom of the limineiiil position and looked for an improvement in the coming year. HOKITIKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE. Mr Seddon stated the first business to lie brought forward was in connection with ti|lie Hokitika. School Commiltoo. Tin* first ijuostioii w;is improveincut of aeeommodat ion for pupils in nth and (ith standards especially at Vic. toria District High School, also provision lor immediate renewal ol sanitary appliances. Mr .1. King referred to tlie necessity of extra accommodation in the School. In Standard 7j and 0 tlieie were 81 pupils with a Hour space of iG feet and in Standard 2 there were 02 pupils with a floor space of 82 leet. The school showed an increase of 12 pupils this year, the roll number being II J. A renewal of the conveniences was also very necessary.

Mr Shannon (Chairman) supported, pointing out that the matter had been under consideration for some time pnst but the Architect and the Inspectors bad been unable to find a satisfactory solution.

Mr 1 1 vine (headmaster) said there was a congestion in the oth and (>Hi standards and also in Standard 2. Mi* MeL'askill (Inspector) said the difficulty was to arrange for tlie pupils to be placed in dill'erent rooms. If :m additional assistant were provided the •matter could probably he arranged. Mr I’arr said obviously it would lie impossible for the Government to build schools that would suit all times. It was generally a matter fiq* arrangement. Jf there was 12 square feet for each pupil they would have to do the best they eould. lie would look at the position in .Monday and let them know li is decision later.

Ah* Seddon said the next matter was the question of the establishment of an liostel for hoys attending the District High School, also better railway facilities for scholars attending High School from Ross and intermediate settlements These matters were of great interest to the pupils residing at a distance, who desired to take advantage of the high school coiiry/e. Mr T. W. Bruce, said the difficulty of the district was the inability of finding places for those boys from outside districts desirous of attending the school The Committee desired assistance to establish a boys hostel on Hokitika. They asked for special consideration in connection with the funds at the disposal of the High School Hoard. They asked for pow er to take tlio Cl GOO held by the High School Board, to erect a hoys hostel. Ap present neither tlie Board nor Committee had power to use this money for a hostel.

I foil. H. 1,. Michel ,s«ill up to 1883 there was no provision for secondary education. At that time the Hokitika High School Act was passed. Several attempts were made to establish ft High School but there was sufficient support given. Later an amendment to the Act enabled a District High School to he formed. The Hokitika High School Board voted all its income to assist secondary education' in Hokitika District High School. Later it was made lawful to vote this money to assist secondary work in the local school. If the Hokitika School Committee were going to spend tho £I6OO which tho High School Board had- carefully conserved then they would he unable to provide anything to add to tho salary of tho

teachers in the secondary school as they had been doing for years past.

Mr Shannon endeavoured to givo a further explanation by Mr I’arr said he had heard sufficient to judge the position. lion. Mr Parr said the District High School serves its purpose and serves it very well in most places. The District High Schools were going to transfuse very easily with the proposed Junior High schools. He welcomed the expression of keenness for secondary education that had been voiced that evening. He would be pleased to give every assistance to secondary education here, in regard to the £l,«00, lie was of opinion that it had been locked up too long, lie thought he should ask the legislature to enable them to use that money. He did not approve of the way they had been augmenting the salary of certain teachers. He thought they could not do better than to erect a hoys hostel. He thought a clause in the Washing-up Bill would be sufficient.

Mr Seddon thanked the Minister for his suggestion.

Mr Shannon urged the consolidation of smaller schools and bicycle allowance for scholars attending High School from places where no regular ’bus service runs. After suggesting that the smaller schools neiii- Hokitika should be closed and the pupils be brought into Hokitika school, Mr Shannon referred to the penalising of children who have to come into town by bicycles and" asked for nssistnne for them. Mr I’a it said he was in favour of the consolidation of the smaller schools. Where there were good roads they should encourage tile consolidation of the smaller schools. They had to educate the parents to see that the central school was the best. With regard to the bicycle allowance, he could not mafTc any promise. The State was not in favour of providing for bicycles. In his young days he walked six miles to school and was none the worse for it.

The next matter was brought forward by Mr A. Aitkon who urged an Amendment to Education Act, to enable a district like Westland to be administered either by a Committee with enlarged powers or by Commissioners. The present system was too cumbersome and costly. Also that the discretion-

ary powers of Committees lie increased in choice of teachers where qualifications of several applicants for a post, are nearly equal. Mr Aitkon said in former years under the Westland Education Hoard the disliict. had been well served, hut since the change in districts there was much to be .desired. Instead of there being so much spent in administration they would prefer to have a local committee with enlarged powers or that the district lie administered by commissioners. It was very irksome and unsatisfactory under the present management and the schools were suffering accordingly. As an instance lie would 'mention that at Kumars, there was a disgraceful condition of affairs, which the Minister could see for himself. The school building there was absolutely neglected. If school committees, had extended powers belter values would be obtained than wen* being obtained at present. * The Committee also asked for an alteral ion in the regulations as affecting the appointment of teachers.

Hon. Mr Parr said the first question was for amending the Education Act in teparate Westland from Cantei limy. Their complaint was that under the new method of government of education they were not receiving the same assistance as in the pas;, lie confessed that the Yew Zealand system was unwicldly. and leads to mile!: delay, lie was not going in make any definite statement, lie e ml ! see willi Mr Ailken, flint there was room for improvement in the education system of this eountiy. lie thought il would he a had day for Yew Zealand if lliey did mu have the School Committees, lie would rather increase their powers lhau decrease them. Their request for a commissioner was a large older. If it were granted ii would mean an alteration to the law. lie thought there should he simpler method of local government. With regard to the appointment of tenehcis lh.it had been a vexed question for many tears lie was not going hack to the old days. The Inspectors knew the best teachers from actual experience. If they were going to have a classification scheme, then tlie best man on the elassiliention scheme should get the job. lie was going to stick to the present scheme. Mr Shannon said lie wished to thank Mr Parr for the kind attention given to their requests, and also wished to congratulate him on Hu l attitude he had taken up to inculcate loyalty in the schools. The people of Westland would give place to none in the matter ol loyalty to. King ami Empire, and lie assured Mr I’arr that they would heartily support him in any movement that had the object, of inculcating loyally to the King, among the young people. Mr Shannon’s very forcibly delivered statement was accorded a very hearty round of approbation hv those assembled. WESTLAND HOSPITAL HOARD. Mr Seddon introduced members of the Hospital Hoard, who had matters for atten t ion. Mr J. J. Breeze (chairman) said they desired an increase of the present subsidy to Health Department's schedule rate of tills oil, as equitable on valuation and popluaiioii basis, and also lor a special grant of I.’IOOO as Government had not given iclief hv increasing the subsidy towards tlie erection of the new wing at the Hospital. Mr Hreeze referred to promises made hv previous Ministers, stating that when the increased subsidy was not granted a vote ol Clooo had' been made. He urged that the rale of subsidy asked lor was a fair one, in fact it was in accordance with the recommendation of the Department’s own officers. Mr W. Jeffries (Chairman of the Westland County Council) in supporting the request for something to he done to relieve the taxpayers of this community, did so because ol the peculiar position of Mesiluiid. The County Council contributes more than ball ol its revenue for hospital maintenance, a total of over C.'1.000 last year. He asked for consideralion for an increase ol subsidy. Only one-third of the area of the ( booty was rateable, the balance being ( row'll Lands, lie also supported the application for (lie special grant ol Clooo lor the current year. He considered that Westland, and some other Boards, deserved special consideration.

Air Perry (Mayor) said the position of this district, was very dilfereid to other parts of New Zealand. Hokitika’s Charitable Aid Hate was Id and (he general rate (id, so it could ho seen how heavy it was. He thought they were justly entitled to every consideration with a view to granting the request pul forward by the other speakers.

Mr R. Wild (representing the Westland A. and P. Association) expressed warm appreciation on their behalf. They urged that the Hospital Bill shall

bo pressed through Parliament next ; session. He pointed out that Westland | paid in hospital rates I.RI on capital value, or 21s 7d per head. While Waitnki, the other extreme, were rated l-2(lil per pound, or .'L 3d per head. The cost per head at the West- ( land Hospital averaged £lf> lls .'1:1. The average for the Dominion was L'ldO per annum. Hi the whole of New Zealand there was only one place that cost less, and that was Nelson, Cl0(1. Last year C2:l-!o was given in donations to the hospital as voluntary contributions. This year the levy was C.T122, and the Government subsidy 12)818, the levy being 0s (bjil per bead. Under the Department's own proposal, the Government would provide emit) and the Local Hollies C2.G10. The ratepayers strongly recommended that tlie Hoard Ik* given an increased subsidy in the direction recommended by the Hospitals’ Conference. Mr Parr said the four gentlemen had put forward the question very clearly. When he came into office lie ioliiul the schedule in existence penalised the poorer district at the expense of the richer. He had endeavoured to have it altered to make it more equitable. His principle was that tlie district which rated itself, the higher should get the larger subsidy. He had put his proposals before Cabinet, and there lie was shipwrecked. Vie could not make any promise for assistance. It all depends oil Cabinet finance. ' He would bring it before Cabinet, but lie would not make any promise. He would look into the 1 question of a special grant. • This concluded the business, and Mr I Hreeze thanked the Minister for his patient hearing, and emphasised that , they wanted, and hoped to get. at least a LIOtIO grant. ; Mr Sechinn also thanked the Minister fur the hearing, and the promises made and that lie would give effect also to the ■ r.-quest for assistance for a Hoys’ llos- ' tel. , , [ Mr Parr reminded Mr Seddon that he had not made any promises, and told . M r Hreeze that if be could not find Clooo perhaps lie would find 0200. He 1 again expressed bis pleasure to be • present, and regretted be bail been im- • able to come to 'Westland before. It was pleasant for him to come and meet i them all. He might say that he had . lieen informed by Dr Wylie that they had an excellent hospital, well managed, and he eould assure them that he would not get that report from Dr ' Wylie if they did not deserve it. Ho : Stalin thanked them tor their kindly welcome. | VISITS TD HOSPITALS.' The Hon Minister for Public Health was astir early yesterday morning fin . a visit to the mental and public hospitals. Accompanied by Drs Hay and Wyllie lions Michel and Giinimoml. ' and Mr Seddon M.P.. with other gon- ’ llemen, the mental institution was first > visited. Dr Buchanan showed the Mmis ter in 1 party over the institution* till ‘ parts being se'eu. The first section of - the new administrative quarters is now in hand, and the foundations for the. | kitchen, bake house and storeroom are now put down. OIF this is to he oreited the two storey building for the accommodation ol the staff. So far nothing is in hand for the inmates, • bill the most urgent requirements are I attention to the drainage, and Hie • building of a i crept ion hall for new patients where they can have more peisonal (are and attention than at present. There is said to lie money 1 enough provided in the first vote ol US.(:::■!« now available, and these works I lie lion Minister is being; pressed !•> authorise forthwith. THE MENTAL lIOSPITAI . , In the round of inspection yesterday the various quarters in all the departments of the institution were seen. Some of the buildings are very old and ■ dilapidated. They are quite out of date, and altogether unsuitable lor modern uses. At one stage tlie Minister remarked on the absence of paint, but' it was pointed out tlie buildings ' wet* ten far gone for painting. Later, when the belter buildings were seen, it was observed the paint brush had not been idle, and the slit roundings were more at Iraetivcly pleasant. I lie culinary quarters . wen* inspected, also the rest rooms and the dormitories. Those l in what were the old gi’ol quarters were very foreboding. There was a drabness about the precincts winch was depressi ing. Everywhere, though, there was ' clerdiliness. The bedding and linen were l in good order, and tlie dormitories in most, seemly order. Some of the large dormitories gave palpable evidence of overcrowding, the beds taking up nearly all Hit* door space. Ihe day being line the pnticnls were able gen--1 erally to be about. A few wore abed, but were quiet, and snug. In raining weather when the patients have to remain inside, it. can well he understood ’ I here is a lack of irrrentioil room. , The living room has to he used a. the recreation room, and as the dav wears , on. it must be a rather trying time for ' some of the inmates.

Rut the whole institution is not tuiiformlv bad. There are various quarters, blight and cheery looking. There are large dormitories with lofty walls and well-lighted, which are in strong contrast to the portions which require rising to the ground. There is a building set apart for convalesee.nt females, which is a model ol homeliness. The patients had a cheery greeting for the visitors and there was till air of contentment which it was gratifying to observe. Yet always would recur thoughts of the other places where Hu* lot of the patients was .not as pleasant. and for whom a little might he done, which would mean a lot to them in creating more pleasant conditions and surroundings.

Tm the various exercise vanls. the pifienls were abroad. r l he grounds were in Irimlv order and the Hon Minister admired the outlook and splendid view from Hie elevation overlooking the sea-. A pnrtv of inmales lould he seen below on the ocean front a |v e, enjoying a morning walk along Hie sea bench. Those who * condition did not permit them to walk out. took exercise in Hie yards,, ‘whence clould be scent the magnificent panorama, of the mountains and the sea front stretching from Cape Fmilwind in the north to Abut Head in the South. The atmosphere was very clear in the forenoon yesterday, and Iho forest trees stood out clear and well-defined on the southernmost promontory running into the son. For outlook, the male patients are better served than the females. as artificial trees have hee’n allowed io grow up lo spoil Hie seasinpe view of the kilter. This is to he aßered before long when Hie work of general reorganisation is taken in hand v At llie Alenlnl Hospital, (here is a well equipped workshop. and there a great deal of the interior work for Hie m*w institution will be carried out. The grounds are not cropped to any great, extent yet, hut in some of Hie paddocks good feed was showing. Cultivation and fertilisation would help productivity greatly. The land having been forest clad is naturally damp, and no doubt liming would be of great service. Under proper treatment the land will (respond well, and though not first class, it, is at least the best ill second class land, if given a chance hv cultivation. There are several hundreds of acres available, and no doubt much of it could ho used to advantage for foresty purposes. Tmloed, a commencement hns been made in that direction

already, and seme ten a: res have been prepared for tbe purpose. The utilisation of the terrace lands oi the district for reafforestation purposes is undoubtedly a step in the right, direction. Dr Hay, the Inspector-General, seemed impiv seii with the urgent necessity for pushing on w itli the works considered most desirable, when consulted bv the Minister. The situation for the institution is ideal, and under effective organisation on modern lines, the place can be made fully equal to all require- 1 ii ion ts. Even .despite its drawbacks ill ; regard to buildings and sanitation, tlio j institution has a high record for re- ( eoveries and discharges. No doubt the t pleasant situation has something to do j with the matter, supplementing the I course of treatment and attention lor which the staff is responsible. The experts yesterday seemed to favor an institution built largely on the cottage system, limcli on the lines of the cottages set apart for the convalescent females. It certainly seems to have muelf to commend it, being more homelike apd avoiding overcrowding and congestion. The knowledge the Hon Minister gained in his hour's inspection yesterday forenoon must have impressed on bis mind Hie need for attention to the business of rebuilding, and ns tlio money is voted and available for the purpose, no doubt after cornußation with his advisers he will push foiwqrd the needed reforms at the Mental Hospital with all possible linste THE WESTLAND HOSl’l I AT, From the Mental institution tlie Ministerial pnrtv crossed over to the AN est--lii ml Hospital, when the party was met In Mr J. J- Breeze (Chairman). M " • 1 efflies (Countv Chairman) and otheis. Dr Rail'd, the Surgeon-Superintendent. conducted the party in a personal inspection of the institution. Ihe Munson and Ellis Wards were "lspcrte U also the operating theatre and the nurses quarters, the steam laundry .ml afterwards the site for Hie new bu.hl'|*i,i' old wooden wing to lie pro - selit.lv demolished, was seen, and then j an inspection of the building plans were in'H'le. and full information given to the. Minister of the scheme.. M. Ha closely examined the plans and asked ! maliv' questions in relation to the new I a -u-vs He expressed his opinion I that wiieii completed, the district i would have a very fine institution mI llt While inspecting the grounds and outbuildings, the Minister relei led . : the steam laundry, which he <•> - 1 | was excellently eqmp,.ed ~m. a Land . j vestment lor the L..aid. . . son. who was present, gave the ■ tor fell particulars ol the cost of I " I building and plant, and explained the ! e saving which had been made m ' caiTving out tbe work themselves. 11 Itainage and heating schemes will WYt.l Y„, ; a w ide idea of the proposa.s ol t : v ~,,| present and prospective. A Hreeze did not omit to press againt , ltd,; „f the district, for some sped attention, but the Alm.sier laughingly | pealed bis .statement that he did Pit | make aiiv promises’ Mad i '"‘ l ! ' te *

\ ISIT TO KANIERI

The A 1 blister com bided the forenoon l,v a brief visit- to Kanieri to look pers.'irillv into the rebuilding ol the local sihoi.i. The p-rty was met hv Messrs Sel'.v. (('ll*, irir.an). Wells-. I*. C hestermaii, and Morris representing: the School Committee and Mrs Malison, teacher in el,urge. The site ol the old Mb,.!, destroyed by fire a year ago. was first in -ported and generally approved as most suitable for ..LniLl.ntcUlerwnrds the parly repaired to tlie chi Fmdi-.h Clinch, winch is being used as a temporary scho.il. I'm buildin,, is an old one. eoiisiderni.-I.N •'"'*. <’* r< pair. II is ilLventdafed.* the Ik: ntlg ! •-!'; ;»iv jih :u*a s»*.vsi y in t>i, « > is lira uglily. Several win,l,, ws are broken-said to be n useful factor in summer for ventdalen purposes! There is a roll strength o bi in the one room, in winch all the standards are taught, there .m.»g: lift-s. Tb° '.*r>intiUons, nt lum. i.ii'kl. be very unfavourable lw WnehI ),, ibo b I weather are very Irving. It was slated by Airs Manson. who made out a strong ease to the Minister for rebuilding that the <od sin imth of the school ecidd he " ...used now. if Hie building weu a Idler one. Instances were given d ill'le.'.; contracted bv some « Hi. s« ' c district, would continue to rise, mud the •'.I tendance -t the. '■<!><’■ I v.ou.p i. • Air l’arr -l-ted he had not doe vet, what could be done. A new sd ol i i -si <‘l q;vi and there ntigli would cost on i - i ■ 1 .. i . difficulty about tlie money. , H'j ],,, couised xiTvctl irg ki d to There was a suggestion to use purl ions of the Kuniara ami l>. »m" * 1 , , r , ,dldin * at Hamer! but SCiKM'K l«.*1 I < • • , , ;n ii Jt'cidt* !bat point- ini 1,0 lie rmild ad 1 "" * 1 . , ,i,„ insneeted the northern schools ™ ,727 .1 ,v a- ~..,,1.1 a.-i I- !„■ done for Kameri. I .‘Y given tlmt the district would .■ ' r„ population, rather upset what lad I first thought of u. rejß.nl W <' bnildiim. That factor woul. e t. k n into account in dee,dun- " W ' u ' , would have a new building alt W l , .(he erection of a. building mainly •' .. S i„*plus material to he hnnu’M from the northern schools mentiriie, . was glad he had seen the eaml.f r:„s for himself. He felt the ~.,d to be met in some way atd " would endeavour to do so to the host o his resources availahle. was thanked both for his visit and tin reassuring promise given m regard lebuilding*. , , , ... Hon Air I’arr returned to town tm lunch and rested during the afternoon. Thi s morning at 0 o'clock the schools were inspected, and later the party left f« r the north, en route -for Greymouth. via Kimmra. The Hon Alimster had a Inisy day ahead ol him. VISIT TO STATE SCHOOL. At 9 o’clock this morning, tlie Hon (’. j Purr, Alinister of Education, accompanied hv lions. Grimmond and Michel. Ml* Seddon. M.l’., and the Chairman and several members of Hie Hokitika School Committee, as well as All Spencer, of the Education Department, ami Air MeCaskill, Inspector of Schools, visited the local Slate School. The party was met by the Rector (Mr lr-

vino) who escorted the .Minister through u..■ unions cinss rooms, where the conges' ion in ditfereut instances was noted. Tli'/ init.'a.. itif.i c('.• ivd in regard to L| -a ', 101 l i;> i' a school, to all'i.rd I, , c .1 mod ilinn for the cla: es. ; a .vis w. re put lorward,

oo ■ t i alio.-- so c / I t!: ' rooms by removing p:■ Lar s, and the other in view of f :• - » : I 1 >i; earns'antes, to appoint an extra a-sis.aat, so that the s;h a in! :! ih cla.. as coal.l.he separated. It. was agreed that one of tin se courses should he purs' fl alter lut ther invest igat ion, and A! r Shannon on kchall ol the Committee oaprt sreit stUsiaciion with the unde s audit:n car! "d. Another request to I rLi e windows to afford improved lighting and ticsli air to the class rooms, was put fur .card, also, and i. 10 he lai-tler i uie-H< r> d. An inspection of the outbuildings and grounds was. made, and furl In r matters in >e-.,-ard to urgeul requirements brought under the itoliee -.1 He authorities When in the Distrhi High School divisiou of t’-e school, lion I’arr hr icily addressfd the s.-hchrs, expressing his pleasure at being with thru). He urged thorn to pursue their studies diligently. Knovvledm- gained eoe.hl he stored for all tin:.-, hike wealth, it could not he | Littered away, hut would he an .asset j tii i hem always. A good education was i i-o hesl. legacy nareiits could leave their children, and he impressed mi his hearers the ue d for continuing . the high . eb.iol (-our e, hefore going out into the world. One year at the High School was not enough, two was an improvement. and a third hotter, hut if they could have a course of four years at the hi„h M-hool t 1 v would find the advantage ill the oxtia knowledge acquired all Id iron gill their lives. .When passing through the bunding, the a: tent ion of the Hon. Minister was drawn to the Mciit Foard in the main hali, containing the names of Hie scholars who had gained distinction m the public examinations of the Dominion. The names included those, of several ’men who are now prominent in the public service of New Zealand, as well as in other impoiTan 1 walks of life, end gave point to the Minister’s remarks that the local scholars had done veil at school, and no less hotter when they went nut into the busy competitive lite of the eveiy day world. Later the children were assembled outside, and were briefly addressed by the Rector, who expressed pleasure and

gratification at the vi.it of the .Minister of I'ldueution. On behalf ol the school, -Mr Parr was assured of the loyalty and devotion of the pupils and staff in the Hag, which was then saluted liv the assembled school, and the National Anthem sting. Hon. C. .1. Parr said lie was veiy pleased t:> he vvi'li them that day, an l eongramlaicd the school oil the manner in which the ceremony of saluting Hag was carried out. It vv-s the ...'glit soil it. to cultiv ate, for they owed i-vu’rv!hittg to the. Flag. It f ood far

r, tfi, honour and justice. No fo'.ti ‘rv I ltd (lone more for its colored racer t.mn i l;e llritisli Kinpire. It strove in all occasions to uphold the weak, and c o the right thing liy the slioug. 'l’he libelly they enjoyed was a great Icvitage. and they should bo zealous to see '{ maintained. It was well that they Mould he trained in theta y.nth to honour the Flag, and recognise iltir duty to tlieir eoiiutrv. New Zealand was taking the right course m t.ire school c- remoni. s. which were u " bo,m initiated in New South Wal'v Hit hpr p- ai.-e.l the school anil eongra to hit- ,.| all o:t the eredihah!- sltowi ,g. In lu-lusion he said next Saturday v odd he the King's bit I inlay. Til'll "' lot lie a school holiday, but to mark his visit he suggested a holiday on tie Imliwing M-inday in honour of the-r-:< a-

"ai i lie. call of the Rector, tin..-’marly cheers were given for Air Parr and one far the holiday. The school then repair- | rohjiiK, ami about 10 o'clock the Ministerial party departed north.