OHAKUNE HIGH SCHOOL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 306, 17 March 1928, Page 9

OHAKUNE HIGH SCHOOL

OPENED BY MINISTER VALUE OF EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTER (From Our Own Correspondent) OHAKUNE, To-day. The opening of the new District High School took place yesterday at Ohakune, the ceremony being performed by the Minister of Education, the Hon. R. A. Wright. There was a large gathering present, among whom were Mr. R. W. Smith, M.P., the Mayor, Mr. F. J. Goldfinch. Mr. E. Larkin, Mr. W. H. Sandford, Mayor of .Raetihi, Mr. L. J. Plank, headmaster, Raetihi School. Mr. A. G. Laloli, Raetihi Borough Council, Mr. O. E. Willoughby, and Mr. E. Neary, Raetihi School Committee, the Rev. P. Stanly, members of the Ohakune School Committee, Messrs. E. O. List, W. G. McGregor, J. P. Cottier, F. Woodward, Henson, Wood, W. L. Jones and T. Hall. The scholars of the High School lined the approach to the school which is situated in ideal surroundings of bush and mountain. On the Minister’s arrival he was met by the headmaster. Mr. T. A. Blyth, who, with the school officials, escorted him to the school. Mr. E. O. List, chairman of the School Committee, presided. The Mayor, Mr. G. J. Goldfinch, extended to the Minister a most hearty welcome on behalf of the citizens. The Minister, in reply, said he was sure it was a red letter day for the young people, and it meant the opening to them of more studies in future. Young people were desirous of acquiring higher education, but it was of no use to them unless they could digest and assimilate it. Young people of this country were capable of assimilating higher education, and although there were diversified opinions regarding the curriculum, all were agreed that a sound education should be given. The syllabus should contain something that would be the means of developing a robust character. It was not only to the advantage of scholars but to those associated with them, and the State. Everything should be done to inculcate love of agriculture in our boys. There was a tendency to look upon the worker on the land as not being so high up the scale as other workers. This was not true. The man on the land was the bone and sinew of the country and the boy should be so trained in his young days that when he worked the land he did so on scientific lines. Continuing, the speaker *said it was difficult to know what to say to the girls. The girl who attended high school was better able to manage a home, and this was better for the country as a whole. There was a political side, however, as they all became voters. In Great Britain the franchise was being enlarged and women were going to have a great voice in affairs, and from every point of view there was every reason to educate girls as well as boys. With regard to buildings, they were adopting modern ideas for design and comfort. He wished the young people all success in the future, and said it gave him great satisfaction that they had now good rooms and teachers. The Mayor of Raetihi, Mr. T. A. Blyth, and Mr. O. E. List also spoke.