THE HIGH SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 227, 31 January 1911, Page 2

THE HIGH SCHOOL

FURTHER LETTERS. To the Editor. "Ex-pupil" writes: —Sir,— In youv( issue of Monday a correspondent signing himself "Parent" criticises the action of the High School Board of Governors in deciding to ask for the advice of an educational expert in conection with the alleged mismanagement of the High School. The letter contains much that is of the nature of a shriek, and little that is pertinent. "Parent" maintains, and that in most acrimonious language, that to ask for a thorough investigation is an acknowledgment of the Board's inability or unwillingness to adopt ne--1 cessary reforms. The Board's determinaj tion to make a thorough investigation does not imply any unwillingness to adopt measures that will tend to increase the efficiency of the school. It only means that in its deliberations the Board wishes to have the advice of an expert educationalist. Would "Parent" suggest that the petroleum companies were wrong in getting the advice of experts; or that the Harbor Board was wrong to consult outside engineers before it adopted a new scheme? Does "Parent"' object to getting the advice of electrical engineers and tramway experts before we make improvements in our town? Of course not. Then why object to the High School Board's actios in asking for the advice of an expert? "Parent" further complains that the Board is trying to avoid any unpleasantness, and is trying to make a "catspaw" of the Government. This is an equally nonsensical idea of 'Tarent's." If anything unpleasant has to be done, and "Parent" has convinced himself that there is, the Board will still have to do it. The fact that they have received official advice will not relieve them of their duty, be it pleasant or otherwise. To my mjnd, the Board shows much wisdom in adopting its present course of action, for it is determined to act in accordance with the advice of accredited educational experts, and not in accordance with that of "Parent."—l am, etc., . „ .. EX-PUPIL.

"Ex-pupil" (No. 2) writes:—Sir,—l see that "Mater" has a letter in your Monday's issue, and as adverse critics who arc guided more by prejudiee than reason seem to be having a somewhat long innings, I wish to show that their's is not the only opinion in New Plymouth on this High School administration question. On some points, "Mater's" letter is not very clear. Docs she blame or congratulate the Board on their having adopted a Maori motto for the school? Is it because of, or in spite of, the proposed j Agricultural course that parents do not "demand better train facilities to enable their children to attend the schqol." Let these pass, however. One thing I do see clearly, and that is that "Mater" is somewhat of an amazon; she stands forth like Deborah of old, and calls upon the governors to do mighty deeds of valor. She bids them gird themselves as for battle; to "prove themselves worthy of the great trust reposed in them;" to advance a "whole-souled fashion," and, brandishing their pruning knives, to cut to piecesno, to pick out the weak spots in the school management. So it has all resolved itself into a question of weak spots, has it? Well, well! I thought that "Mater" was working up to a grand and crashing climax. I thought thai she was calling for the destruction of the evil growth, root and branch; that she would have burnt the debris and sown the place with salt; that she would have echoed—since she loves the classics—"censeo delenda est.' But it is only weak spots that all her clamor is about. Of course, there are weak spots. In what institution this side of Heaven are there not? But the governors have shown their willingness and ability to eradicate any weak spots that have been found in the High School management, and to make the school strong where h once was weak. It was once a weak spot that the scientific training given at the school was inadequate, but now, thanks to the governors, we have in the school one of the best equipped school laboratories in New Zealand. We see, too, that there is in process of formation a thorough course in agriculture. It waß once a "weak spot" that there ffas no boarding accommodation at the school. The governors recognised this defect, and now we have an excellent boarding establishment. This boarding establishment, although only one year in existence, has some six or seven pupils in residence. These are just two examples of the way in which the governors have from time to time, and as occasion demanded, kept up the standard of all-round education that the school supplies. Just another word about that pruning knife. Had "Mater" been a gardener she would have known that there is a time to prune, and a time to refrain from pruning. The time to refrain is when the sap is rising. Such a time is it now with the High School. I would ask "Mater" to remember that the school is now better furnished, more efficiently staffed, and more comprehensive in its departments of instruction than ever before in its history. It is not a pruning knife that is wanted, but a determination on the part of such persons as "Mater" to rid their minds of prejudice and to recognise the important part that the High School is doing in helping to mould the future citizens of this Dominion.—l am, etc., ANOTHER EX-PUPIL.