HELENSVILLE TECHNICLE SCHOOL.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 May 1912, Page 3

HELENSVILLE TECHNICLE SCHOOL.

OFFICIAL OPENING,

The official opening of the Technical School took place on Friday, April 26th. before a large gathering including representatives from the district school committees and a large number of country residents. The school cadets and school children were lined up on either side of the entrance to the door of the boys' portion of the building from where Mr Gordon Coates, M.P. for Eiaipara, was to perform the openmg ceremony. Mr Hammond, Chairman of the Helensville School Committee, who were the principal factor in procuring the School, in a few remarks outlined the passage which the committee had taken in order to procure a technical school for Helensville, and thanked those who had assisted them, especrMr Stallworthy, their late member, for getting the grant put on the estimates j also the Waitemata County Council and the Helensville Town Board for their donations. He asked speakers to be brief, as several who had come from Auckland wished to returi; that afternoon. He had much pleasure in handing the key to Mr Coates, their present member, to open the building for the uses for which it was intended.

Mr Ooates, addressing those present, said he would not detain them long outside, •as he. understood' there were lots of'dainties^inside waiting for them. He thought the building was a credit to Helensvilie, and the education to be at the disposal cf the district. a great, boon. He was proud to be' present with such a number of cadets, boys and girls around. They had struck the right thing, as higher education was the most important factor of the age, as we must always go on progressing. The question of higher qualifications was a most inipoitant matter. It seemed to him that in the past after the age of 13 children had had no further education .to fit them for after life, now, when finished in primary school the boys could learn trades and otherwise prepare themselves for life's battle, while the girls could be put in the right way of becoming goodhousewives and mothers. The primary productive quality was the soil, and in this age it was necessary to receive a good agricultural education, Mr George George pays special attention to the education of agriculture and the children should all avail themselves of the opportunities given them. Ho agreed with all progress in technical education. He hoped the school would be the means of pro dueing some of the best men and women of the Dominion. Jt afforded him great pleasure indeed to formally declare the Technical School of Helensville open for the benefit of all who wished to make use of the opportunities offered therein. (Applause). On entering the boys department which was all laid out with benches and tools, the Chairman introduced Mr Q-eorge George, Director of Technical Education ior Auckland, who gave a very interesting address appertaining to technical education. Ho stated the flitting up of the room for the boys trades and tho room for the girls cooking and other classes together with tools and utensils would cost £1000, for which thej had to thank Mr Hammond, Chairman of the Committee, he knew it was that gentleman who kept pushing things along as he had had a deal of correspondence from him on the matter. The institution made manual training applicable to both both boys and girls;; Technical education is generally looked upon as pertaining to art or craft, as far as this institution is concerned this department a3 wookwork, drawing and building, the other as cooking and laundiywork work instruction, was to give boys and girls in this district a chance to get instruction such ash as been given in the city in practical work. The children want some medium of originality where their powers can be brought into play The boys theu come here to receive instruction for a limited two hours aw eek in tho use of tools, after Avhich they would commence to fashion articles themselves. Girl's natural function in life is to become a Avife and mother. At 11 years old sho should begin to leaxn cookery and laundrywork. She should be taught to make the utmost use of what she has ; laundry and washing is a very necessary adjunct to a wife and mother. In primary school needle work there is room for great improvement; better articles could be made at home than one could buy as ready made; bookkeeping and other classes would follow later. He wanted them to look on this as a start, and. when the railway was running properly the school would grow into something larger, He would do all' in his power to have a big school iv Hel ensville, the high, technical and primary schools combined. Small school corninitteea fought against this, but'where , you can get the children to a large school with a largo staff and better paid masters you got bettor education, Education begins on the day of our birth and finishes on the day of our death. On« of the glorious things-in this country is the chances of getting a good education, which would, stand them in stead uo matter what their calling. (Applause),

Mr Jas. McLeod had great pleasure in being present at the opening of such a school in the district, It was just 50 years since ho ariived in Helensville ; he came across to Helensvillo in a train; that train was, a blanket in his mother's arms, hzs homo was a Maori hut, and. he hud. no chance of gotting. any education till he was 17 years old. He knew what it was to be without the means of procuring ed-

ucation, and the parents of to-day ougnt to be proud to have such a school in their midst, where they could send their children. Captain- Hammond deserved every credit for procuring the school, together with 1 the other members of the school committee When the* Waitemata County Council were asked for their share, he was glad that members came forward in the proper spirit, and contributed from their different .ridings. " Mr - O'Neill, who was practically out of the district, but one of the old school, gave £10 for the Waitakerei riding; Mr Keris Taylor, £20 for Kutneu riding; MiDye, £10 for Kaukapakapa riding; and his riding, Mairetahi, £20, and he thanked them for what they had done. The Town Board also gave £40. This school was a step in the right direction, and as Mr George George had said, we would keep steadily in view the advent of a District High School.

The, gathering then proceeded to the girls department where a ladies' committee, including Mesdames D, Stewart, H. White, Hammond, J. A.' Wilson, Hill, J. L, Stewart, W. L, Bradley, Ellett, Sherriff, Sewell, Coa stable, Sinicock, Oxley,, Miss Rimmer and many others,'-had prepared and laid out afternoon tea and refreshments on a large scale, and over 1 03 sat down to an enjoyable repast, the raxniber of children present being treated afterwards.

The Chairman thanked the ladies for their kindness in providing' the refreshments, and called for three cheers, which were heartily given;