MOTUEKA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 65, 28 March 1902, Page 3

MOTUEKA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

OPENING CEREMONY. The official opening of the Motueka District High School took place on Wednesday afternoon, when there was a very good attendance of parents and those’interested in the establishment of such an important institution an outmidst. ‘

In response to the school Committee’s request Messrs Talbot (chairman) Baigent, Beuke, Phillips, and Lock members of the Nelson Education Board, together with Mr Stead Ellis, Architect and Secretary, drove overland, arriving in Motueka shortly befofe two o’clock,' There were also present His Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Hursthouse) Messrs Moffatt (chairman), Wratt and Bartlett of the local School Committee, Tairant (chairman of the Lower Moutere School Committee), A, Drummond (chairman of the Riwaka School Committee), Harris, ' Wilkes (Motueka schools), Easton (Headmaster of the Lower Moutere school) and representative citizens. *

At half past two o’clock Mr W. J. Moffatt. addressing those assembled in front of the building, said he was pleased to see such a large assemblage than afternoon and called upon Mr Talbot, Chairman of the Education Board, to officially declare the school open.

Mr Talbot said he-was pleased to declare the school open for the purposes of secondaiy education in such a rising district as Motueka.

Those present were then invited iuto the new room which was speedily tilled.

Upon taking the chair, Mr Moffatt said the lesiderits of the district arid the Committee were pleased to welcome those members of the Board who had come over to assist in the opening of the new building. The speaker referred to the establishment of a High School in Motueka and said the district had done .veil in the past in educational matters, and they would all agree that it was desirable in everyway that our present educational syst'm should be built up. The Education Act in force in New Zealand would compare favorably with any in the other colonies. Mr Moffatt concluded by stating that he had much pleasure in calling upon Mr Talbot to address them.

Mr Talbot said they had received a pressing invitation from the local School Committee to visit Motueka for the function and on account of the Board's business they had some difficulty in getting away. He was pleased to see so many ladies and gentlemen who took an interest in the educational advancement of the district, and also to meet so many bright boys and girls; as t.t.e chairman had said, the present occasion marked an epoch in the history of the rising Borough of Motueka. The Board had been anxious to establish the High school on a solid basis and the. fact that there was an attendance of thirty pupils was exceedingly satisfactory ; the advantages secured should be valued not only by residents of the Borough, but by those living in the neighboring districts. The speaker referred to other high schools established, particularly mentioning Westport which had started with 20 pupils and now had an attendance of over 50. He did nc>t think there was the slightest possibility of the attendance being less than twelve (the minimum number) and no-one would have cause to regret the establishriient of a high school in Motueka. To ensure its success he would ask the parents to make certain sacrifices, for the benefits gained by their children would; move than . compensate for the inconveniences they would be

subjected through allowing the* r attend school. The people had reason to boast of their educational advantages- Nelson, was highly spoken of. Mr Talbot said the funds to pay the teachers of the high schools were derived from the grant given by the Government, who allowed a stated sum per capita, and it would need an average attendance of not less than twenty to pay the teacher. After referring to the amount of money spent in New Zealand on Education, as compared with England, the speaker concluded by stating that he was pleased to see such a nice building and trusted the time w-as not for distant when they would have to enlarge it. He Wished them all prosperity in educational affairs in Motueka, and he earnestly hoped they would have no reason to regret the establishment of the secondary school, (applause ) The Chairman called upon Mr Beuke to address them, remarking that that gentleman had been mainly instrumental in securing the high school for the Borough. Mr Beuke, who was well received, said he was pleased to see that the high school was an established fact, and hoped it would be a success ; indeed, he had no doubt it would be. Years ago he had advocated the establishment of a high school in Motueka ; now the residents had got it, he hoped they would take care of it, and send their children ; the education was free and should be taken advantage of. Motueka had made great progress of late ; they had a Borough, a Wharf Board, and now a High School, and he trusted great success would attend it

Mr Lock expressed pleasure at addressing such a large audience, who oy their presence shewed they took an. interest in the education of the rising generation. He had been connected with the Education Boaivl for about eighteen years, and lately his views on higner education had undergone a change. At one time he was of opinion that <i child should be taught up to the 6th standard, and if parents wanted higher education for their children they should pay for it. The Nelson Board had taken advantage of the Act and established high schools within its teiritory ; with reference to the Motueka high school he felt sure with the excellent staff they had good progress would be made. After referring to the want of reverence shewn by children to their parents nowadays and the necessity* of training the children to habits of industry and self respect, the speaker concluded by congratulating the Chairman and local committee upon the establishment of the high school in Motueka.

Mr Moffatt said it was always a pleasure to listen to the previous speaker, as he dealt with so many questions. One question he had asked was, what would be done for the Collingwood and Takaka distracts ? The difficulty might be met by altering the system of scholarships at present in existence by euttirig the L 52 into two scholarships of L 26, which would be nearly sufficient to cover boarding expenses of any child coming from the localities mentioned to attend the Motueka high school. He held it was the duty of the residents of Motueka to advertise their educational advantages and to endeavor to induce the Government to give effect to his suggestion, which hadalready been advocated by the Inspector General, Mr Hogben.

Mr Thomas Baigent said it gave him great pleasure to be amongst them that day to witness the formal opening of the Motueka High School. He had always done his best to assist Mr Beuke in his endeavors to secure the present high school, and it was a source of gratification to him that the wishes of

the people of Motueka ■ bad -been met in this respect. He congratulated upon having such a fine building, which was an ornament to the district, and concluded by wishing teachers and pupils a successful career.

Mr Hursthouse said those presentcould congratulate themselves upon the successful issues brought about that day by the opening of the Motueka high school. He did not know who was the originator of the movement, but credit was due to the Chairman of the Motueka School Committee, and he ought to be a proud man that day on the outcome of his honest endervors to bring about the establishment of * the high school. He thanked the members for their presence, and counselled the Committee not to he carried away by success, or to let.there be any infringment of primary education; if they did they would regret it. The main object of the Education Act was to teach children up to the sixth standard, and it was recognised that they could not extend higher education to the poorer classes. It did not follow that because a man: had graduated he could not follow the plough ; honest labor should not be despised and it was much pleasanter to work with an educated mind. Education to-day was an absolute uecessity and it was a disgrace to any man or woman born in New Zealand to be unable to read or write. Everyone was born to ‘fulfil a sacred duty and to accept responsibilities. For many years he had struggled for household and aided schools for sparsely populated districts, and he thought he had done good work thereby. He wished to say to the people of Motueka that they must support the high school; the parents should also make sacrifices for the benefit of their children. Now, free education could be obtained; to educate his family he had had to spend hundreds of pounds. He was not at all ashamed of changing the views he formerly held .vith reference to secondary education and he was always pleased to see bright children receive the highest education obtainable free of cost. New Zealand had reason to be proud of her educated sons and daughters. When the residents of neighboring localities find they can get the advantages of secondary education at the Motueka High School they will support it, which will be beneficial to the school, the masters, and the Borough. He thought the School committee had made a good selection of teachers and he trusted they would uphold the reputation of the school, which he trusted would prosper. Mr Phillips stated that the members of the Board had all worked'to establish a high school in Motueka. The speaker stated he had always advocated establishing small schools in isolated localities. His aim now was to inaugurate technical education, so that the boys might be taught the use of tools and the girls instructed how to cut out dresses etc. If he could accomplish his purpose he felt his life would not be badly spent. Mr Moffatt said the duty devolved upon him as Chairman to move a hearty vote.of thanks to the Chairman and members of the Board for their kindness in coming over from Nelson to officially open the school.

Mr S. Wratt said he was pleased to second the motion, which, on being put to the meeting was carried by acclammation, the boys present at Mr Moffatt’s request giving three hearty cheers.

Mr Talbot briefly returned thanks, and the assemblage dispersed.