The Premier’s Visit.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3624, 15 March 1906, Page 2

The Premier’s Visit.

OPENING OF THE SCHOOE.

The Right Hon. Mr Secldon, P.C., E.L.D., arrived in Foxton on Tuesday afternoon last by special train, and was officially welcomed by His Worship the Mayor (B. G. Gower, Esq.), and Councillors, Foxton School Committee, and Foxton Chamber of Commerce. After inspecting the School Cadets, he was driven to the new school in company witn His Worship the Mayor, John Stevens, Esq., M.H.R., and H. Baker, Esq., (chairman of School Committee). They were headed by the Borough Band, the School Cadets acting as an escort. On arrival at the school grounds the party were taken through the specially prepared arches of greenery to the new school frontage, where Mr H. Baker (Chairman of the School Committee) welcomed Mr Seddon, and, in his introductory remarks, expressed the hope that before long Foxton would possess a District High School. The Premier, in opening, congratulated the district on its new school. He dealt at length with matters of education. The number of Public Schools in the colony haa increased in the last three years by 149, and the average attendance by 5599; 178 adult teachers had been added, and the number of pupil teachers had decreased. Of late years, legislation was all to the advantage of persons engaged in the teaching profession, and whereas pupil teachers were dispensed with as soon as they required a living wage, things were changed now. Under the more liberal scale provided by the Teachers Salaries Act th; amount paid this year to teachers would be ,£491,506, an increase over 1902 of ,£72,491. In addition, the Teachers’ Superannuation Act would enable deserving teachers to retire at a salary of not less than a pound a week. Mr Seddon dealt with the question of school cadets and administered good advice. Explaining the circumstances that led to the erection of the new school at Foxton, Mr Seddon said that in May, 1905, the District Health Officer (Dr, Makgill) reported that the Foxton school was greatly overcrowded and so decayed it was questionable whether it was fit for publication. He recommended improved accommodation to the Board, and accordingly the Government made a grant of £Boo, the total cost so far being slightly over ,£ISOO. The yearly average attendance for the last five years had been 191, 207, 216, 215, 215. He was glad to hear there was an increase to 235 this quarter. The maximum attendance at the school had been 250, and he hoped they would soon have to apply for a further enlargement. In appealing to the parents to send their children to school regularly, he warned them not to keep them home lor milking which might mean immediate advantage, but it was injuring the children in life. Considering Foxton’s isolated position and the fact that they had the necessary equipment, an application for secondary education would receive careful consideration, bond applause followed this remark, and then the Premier declared the school open. Mr John Stevens was called on to address the assemblage, and after reference to educational matters generally, he recommended the children to follow technical education and promised to donate prizes of £2 2s, £1 is, and 10s fid to be boys who would write the best treatise on how to stock and work a farm of 200 acres, and similar prizes to the girls for essays on the economical management of a household. (Applause).' Mr Baker, on behalf of the Committee, thanked Mr Stevens for his gift. A little mite, Miss Phoebe Symons, had the honour of presenting the Premier with a floral bouquet. At the conclusion of the Premier’s speech, the school girls sang “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and again when he left the grounds. were also given for the Premier and Mr Stevens.

The Premier announced, amidst deafening cheers from the children, that the School Committee Had decided to grant the children a holiday next day in honour of the school opening. Afternoon tea was provided by the School Committee, and it is worthy of mention that Mrs Gray provided a bag of apples for distribution.

Most of the visitors took the opportunity of inspecting the school when it was thrown open, and the general verdict was that it is a building worthy of the district. The cost of the building was and Mr T. Rimmer, the contractor, has come in for much

kudos for tha general efficiency of his work.

Mr James, of Wanganui, the architect, was amongst the visitors. Also the whole of the teaching staff, viz: Messrs W. S. Stewart, 8.A., (headmaster), L. J. Furrie, and 1,. Jenks, Misses McDonough (head-mistress), Grace Wauklyn, and N. Dowling.

It should be mentioned that Mr J. E. Perrin, of Palmerston North, has acted as supervisor of the building, a full report of which will appear later.