The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1878.

Kumara Times, Issue 413, 22 January 1878, Page 2

The Kumara Times. Published Every Evening. TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 1878.

The formal opening of the new State School, which takes place to-night, marks an era in the history of Knmara. Not only is the handsome and spacious building a fitting monument to the success of our national system of education, but it bears testimony to the fact that the Government has confidence in the permanency of the premier alluvial goldfield of the colony. The new school has not been run up hurriedly for the moment; it has about it all the evidences of substantiality, and will doubtless be "as good as new" when the hundreds of pupils enrolled daring the past two days are themselves taking a parental interest in educational matters. While on the subject of the building and the playground attached to it, we are reminded ot the great moral influence that these have in moulding the characters of the children. The Duke of Wellington used to say that Waterloo was won on the playgrounds of Eton ; and but the other day we have the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Hercules Robinson, bearing somevthat analagous testimony. The occasion was the annual celebration of the Sydney Grammar School, and referring to tbe place in which they were assembled, His Excellency said:— I have visited schools in all parts of the I world, and I have never in my experience seen any school of the number and importance of this one, in which the accommodation for the boys, both inside and outside, is so thoroughly defective. The building, which is altogether too small for 400 boys, is on the edge of a thoroughfare. The cluss-rooms are dingy and dreary, and any one acquainted with the arrangements of modern schools must see that it is absolutely impossible, in a place like this, to carry out the regularity and discipline, as well as the cleanliness and tidiness which are essentM in an educational establishment. Tlrink of the. 'effect which this must have on a boy's after life. A boy who is surrounded with such conditions at i school will probably grow up a dirty, slovenly, and untidy man. Again, at the back of the school there is nothing but a ) small steep inclosure, which is generally i ankle deep m either dust or mud ; there j is no proper ground for cricket or football, ! no gymnasium, and, in short, no provision whatever for that physical education which is, in my judgment of great importance. There is a werld of wisdom in these remarks which perhaps only those whp like Mr Phillips, the respected head master of the State School Kumara, have had practical experience in the management of large public schools, can fully appreciate. We, therefore, congratulate him, the scholars, and the Westland Board of Education that what Sir Hercules Robinson describes as the " essentials in an educational establishment" are here provided for •to the fullest extent. And in fairness to the Mayor, Mr Seddon, it must not be forgotten that not a little of all this is to be credited to his personal foresight aud energy. Having taken a portion of Sir Hercules Robinson's able speech as a text, we cannot do better than close this article with two more, extracts. Addressing the boys, his Excellency gave them this admirable advice : The men of the future, the judges and lawyers, the legislators and magistrates, the ministers and teachers, the philosophers, statesmen, and public writers—the men, in "short, of all occupations, who in the next generation will leave their mark upon the page —are now all boys like you. (Cheers). It is well for every boy to realise this, to look round on the inheritance which awaits him, and to prepare himself to enter on. its possession. In this country the responsibilities of citizenship are brought home to all. As educated men you will all take an interest, and many of you will doubtless be engaged, in public affairs. I would say, then, do not jump at conclusions on public questions without the same degree of thought and care which you -tfould feel bound to exercise in regard to your private concerns. Still speaking to his youthful audience, but, we fancy, looking somewhat over their heads, Sir Hercules continued— Remember that opinions may vary without insincerity or dishonesty, and that a case is always weakened by vulgar i vituperation. A time will no doubt come td each of you in public controversy when your blood will wax warm, and when the hitting will become hard and fast; but, however hot the combat, remember these simple rules : Treat your .adversary ; fairly—never impute motives—never descend to personalities—in a word, never hit below the belt.

It is to be hoped that -when the boys who listened to these words become members of Parliament, journalists, barristers—aye, even if feverish ambition land them on the giddy height of Borough Councillorship—they will bear in mind his Excellency's sage advice— Suaviter in modo j fortiter in re.