EDUCATION IN FRANKLIN

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 559, 20 August 1920, Page 4

EDUCATION IN FRANKLIN

POORLY SUPPORTED.

ENTHUSIASM AND GENEROSITY

THE NEEDS OF THE DAY.

At a social function held in the Premier Hall on Tuesday night Mr. Frank Perkins, chairman of the Pukekohe School Committee, when responding to the toast of "Education," said that he had had the pleasure of being chairman of the Pukekohe School Committee during the past seven years, and all the committee had done their best to further the interests of education in Franklin. Had it not been for some live men before his time a wooden school would now be in place of the old one that was burned down, instead of a brick structure. A science room had been secured in defiance of the higher authorities. Still they were crowded out, a room built for 45 scholars had to contain 75 right away. The growth of the district was gradual but wonderful. Mr. Perkins then dwelt on the high school question, and championed the building of such schools in the country instead of overcrowding the towns. If we became apathetic other districts would get ahead. No place in New Zealand that he knew of had better prospects than Pukekohe. The high school took four years of 9trenuoos endeavour, and after that seven acres of land were demanded before the school wa3 granted. They persuaded the local bodies (Pukekohe Borough Council and Franklin County Council) to come to the rescue. Through the help of the Minister for Education and the member for the district further land had been secured. Still one more acre was required, for which Franklin had to find £IOO, The response to appeals for this paltry sum was very poor. The business people would subscribe if they were asked, but as they had paid up before it was not fair to ask them again. However, Mr. Jas. Roulston had offered to "stump the district if necessary. (Applause.) It depended on the people of the district what sort of a school they got.