GLENBROOK

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 8, Issue 485, 27 June 1919, Page 3

GLENBROOK

NEW SCHOOL OPINED Tuesday, 24 th inst.. will be remembered as a red letter-day tor Glenbrook, the occasion being the official opening of the new schto!. The committee had plauned quite a memorable function, and favoured with a beautiful afternoon, and the presence of several members of the Education Board, nil arrangements passed off splendidly. After paretts, visitors, and children had inspected the building, the local chairman (Mr Haycock) welcomed all to Gltinbrook, and mentioned how very necessary had been the erection of this new building from the fact that close on 60 children had been for years crowded into the old obsolete schoolroom, which was only supposed to do duty * for about half that number

In introducing Mr J Boddie to the audience, Mr Haycock mentioned how heartily this gentleman and all members of the Education Board bad assisted them to get reasonable facilities for educating their children. Mr Boddie, in an interesting speech, heartily congratulated the residents in securing such a satisfactory and up-to-date building. He mentioned how he had accidentally called in at the old school some four years ago, and had seen the exceed ingly adverse conditions that the staff were working under and he expressed surprise at the very excellent results that had been obtained by the teachers, "for," said Mr Boddie " in all my experience and all my travels I never saw such a crowded, unhealthy, inadequate and obsolete building being used as a schoolroom." Mr Boddie mentioned that the old school had been erected in 1877, and had done duty ever since. However, now a most modern building had been erected, equal to anything of its kind in the country, and fitted up with all necessary conveniences. The total cost of the building, including two shelter shede, was about £BOO. There were two class rooms, 22 by 19, a large commodious porch, and accommodation for about 80 children.

Speaking a few words on educational matters generally Mr Boddie urged the present day necessity of imparting education of the highest order to the young generation ;he also paid a tribute to the good work done by school committees, for which they got little thanks. Speaking to the children he urged them all to take a pride in their school and to endeavour to keep it in the clean and tidy state it was that day. The chairman then introduced Mr Bond and this gentleman also offered his congratulations to Glenbrook Mr Bond spoke of the totally inadequate grants that were given by the Government for educational purposes and urged all householders to exert all pressure possible on their Parliamentary representatives towards increasing the grants for this purpose.

Mr Bell, secretary of the Mauku School Committee, also offered <m behalf of the Mauku Committee, hearty congratulation?, and hi .cialu thanked Gleubro-ik for invi i g a deputation fro u Mauku t. »..- present <'n apr p«.H ,| f l( .:n Vi .1 \\ |, a liberal n.u'.i • f m[, ; ! u * - corded tliH Ed..tan n i.„r • fur their ttttendai.ee A righ' royal afierno n I. a > - handed round \>y the la ie>, >o whi both young and old did ampU justice. The Glenbrnok committee can certainly be complimented on in aufrurating such a twees* ful func'ion to the i.pTMnjf i.f th~" new school.