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Hokitika Guardian, 25 November 1929, Page 4

The proposal put before the High School Board by the Rector (Air Partridge) this week in regard to an intensive campaign to augment the attendance at the secondary school, has much to commend it to favourable decision. In these days when so much is being spent oil education, it is only right that this community should enjoy equal opportunity with other centres of receiving, secondary education under the most favourable circumstances. A well equipped mind is a very good asset for young people going out into the world. There are grfeatly improved facilities now for this to come to pass, and oh that account there should be the local effort to take advantage of circumstances as they offer here. It is rather strange that the subject lias not been taken up U'frvm but having now been mentioned, the matter might well be locked into closely and the possibilities fully explored. Mr Partridge suggests action to bring under the notice of parents, both in ‘town and country, the scope of the education facilities' available in Hokitika, - and endeavour to secure a larger roll strength from those eligible to join no. To encourage country puoils scholarships are •suggested, and that appears desirable if the same opportunity is to be offered to country scholars as to town dwellers. There is also the more ambitious suggestion of providing hostel accommodation for the benefit of the country pupils, and to that end the residence in Sowell street, the propelty of the Board, has been suggested as a suitable building lor the purpose. The Board is taking up the matter with interest, and lias called for a report on the cost of placing Government House in the necCsary condition for a hostel, and, in' addition, is to eo ' closely into the finance available to carry on. If the funds can be secured, the Board will be well advised to take up the proposal. The Hokitika School has an excellent record, and the present staff is maintaining that record. There is every reason why the- good name of the school should be used to ensure great-, er advantage being taken of the instruction offering. The Board members appeared very favourably impressed with the Rector’s statement, and Mr Partridge -is to, be congratulated on his well-directed enthusiasm for so desirable an objective as he has set out. Parents of the district could help at this juncture' (it appears to us) if they were to acquaint the Board of introspective, pupils under favourable conditions, and it would be helpful, too. Tf business people would indicate their requirements in the way of recruits for their staffs and the class of instruction required in regard to special tra'Lyng for special positions In that way very useful encouragement to the proposal would be forthcoming.