TE KUITI SCHOOL.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 346, 18 March 1911, Page 5

TE KUITI SCHOOL.

VISIT OP MR C. J. PARR. MEETING WITH COMMITTEE. Mr C. J. Parr, chairman of the Auckland Education Board, accompanied by Mr John Farrel), architect to the board, paid a visit to T« Kuiti to-day for the purpose of interviewing the chairman and members of the School Committtee on various matters connected with the accommodation at the local school. The Rev. R. Mitchell, chairman of the Committee, and the Rev. E. S. Wayne, Dr Zobel, Messrs'G. P. Finlay and D. J. Young, members of the School Committee, were present. Mr Finlay referred to the great growth of the town and the need for looking ahead in providing accommodation. The Rev. Mitchell mentioned that there would be some 40 or 50 children of school age not at school at all. Mr Parr then detailed the various steps taken leading up to the granting of additional school accommodation. On October 4th, 1910, the state of the school waa brought under the notice of the Education Board by the headmaster, Mr Power. Mr Parr further mentioned that the school had been enlarged twice by the addition of two rooms 30 by 22 feet in size, giving a total seating accommodation of 170 and all within four years time. The average attendance in 1906 was 64, in 1907 65, in 1908 120, in 1909 161, and in 1910 191. The Board had evidently kept fully before it the requirements of the school up to the period when Mr Power called the committee's attention to the matter in October 1910. The average attendance in 191.0 was 191.

Mr Power: The average in the December quarter 1910 was 210, and the estimate for the March quarter is 237. Mr Parr continued that the committee brought the matter before the Education Board in October 1910. Some people think the board has a large banking account and that immediately application is made to it the money should be forthcoming. Once the department was satisfied tenders were called and the money reached the board. The system was not satisfactory but the board was not to blame. It was only in October 1910 the local position became acute. "You admit the position has become acute in the last 12 months?" The architect: Additions were made to the last room in February 1909. The headmaster: The position is acute chiefly in one room. Mr Parr, referring to a remark by Mr Finlay, said they were all there that day to face the position of the great increase of attendance during the last six months. The inspector, on November Ist, 1910, reported that an enlargement was required, that the average attendance in October was 209, and that he wa3 satisfied it would increase. It seemed to be the infants who were outside school who were wanting to get in. It was a difficulty all over the province. Mr Finlay: The position is far more acute here than in the Auckland schools.

Mr Parr: The inspector recommended the erection of a separate infant school and stated that 108 out of the 232 in average attendance were in the primer classes. It is a very wholesome sign. I wish other places were like it. It is some comfort to come to Te Kuiti and find population increasing in this way. The board adopted the inspector's recommendation and lost no time in sending it on to the department. The tent applied for a was only temporary accommodation and held about 40 children. At the beginning of February £7OO was voted for the infants' department, MrFarrell was instructed, and tenders were receivable on Tuesday next. Mr Mitchell said the committee did not complain of the action of the board since October, but they did complain of the position before that.

Mr Parr: But you must have a case for the department. The department wants figures to see whether there has been an increase. Since the figures were brought before the board there had not been a moment's delay. Mr Mitchell: The average attendance in 1909 was 16]. Mr Parr: We built a building to hold 176. Mr Mitchell: In October 1909 when application was again made there were more children in attendance. Mr Parr: You are in error as to the average. It was for the quarter ending September 1909 and not for the year. But we are not seeking recrimination. Both Mr Mitchell and I are doing our best for the district. I only want to make it clear that there has been no neglect of your interests. What do you suggest for the future? We are building this additional room for 10S children. The average attendance last quarter was 210 and the estimate this is 236. Mr Mitchell: This month alone the attendance is nearer 250 than 240. Mr Parr: When the new building is up —and that will be in three months' time- -you will have accommodation for 276 and an average attendance of 237. Mr Finlay forecasted that the whole accommodation would be taken up by the time the new section was opened. The architect here reported that the measurements of the existing school allowing 10 square feet for each child, accommodated 184 children. Mr Parr: Then 184 added to 108 for the infants' school gives 292 places. Taking the average of 236 places up to March there would be vacancies for another 56. I will come up myself in a few months' time and see if the forecast is filled. I very much doubt whether you will have excessive attendance then. If the forecast was right the board would make the increased accommodation in hand. Mr Young said that if 20 houses were built to-day in To Kuiti there would be 20 families to take them. Mr Mitchell quoted that for one house there had been 43 applications recently. Mr Parr: I recognise that the town is built on a solid foundation. You

have rich country surrounding it. I am very pleased to find such a cheery belief in Te Kuiti, and I quite share it. Mr Parr promised to press for the appointment of an assistant master.