The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1913. THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 222, 7 February 1913, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1913. THE HIGH SCHOOL.

It is pleasing to note that side by side with the incrca-iug activity in industrial and eomiiieicia] circles that is taking place, in the district the New Plymouth High School -the main educational institution in the province—is forging ahead with unprecedented success. Its progress, a- rell»eted in the attendance it the opening day of the first term of the new year, i~ little short of phenomenal. The icnii lias ushered in seventy new buys, and the figures for the girls likewise show a substantial advance. As a matter of fact, this year's roll call of 130 boys is equal to the total of boys and girls together last year. Several innovations introduced as the

i-i-.-.itlt of persistent eil'oit on the part of the principal (Mr. W. 11. Moyes) contribute largely to this happy state of affairs. In this connection full importance must be attached to the hanselling of the new preparatory department with 20 pupils, therein- bringing the school into line with the contemporary institutions in the larger centres. The establishment of tin's department, which enables the school to receive boys at a much younger ago than hitherto, uncovers the last scruple that might have in the past acted against certain parents sending their boys to the local institution. The comparatively recent erection of an up-to-date boarding establishment in connection with the school, which now houses 32 hoys, and the separation of the girls from the boys, have doubtless also made for progress. This much, and move, has been done, but the school lacks certain essentials to its welfare in the competition with like institutions in other provinces. As Mr. Moyes remarked in his annual report, read at the breaking-up ceremony in December last:

"A perusal of tlie Gazette will show that large sums are being spent in equipping those of our schools that are recognised as leading institutions. All these have swimming baths, tennis courts, large gymnasium, and a hundred and one things necessary for the mental and physical training of a boy. Buildings are, in many eases, erected by voluntary contributions. In the case of one southern school the voluntary contributions in 1010 amounted to over £SOOO. I take this opportunity of making an appeal to obtain for your school what is so badly needed —a spacious gymnasium and swimming baths.*' In the appeal of the principal there is much food for thought for all those who, with Mr. Moyes. cherish the hope and belief that '''should the support afforded the institution during the current year (1012) continue, the near future will see your school no longer one of a purely local character, hut one that can draw its hoys from all parts of the Dominion." Apart from its benefits in the cause of higher education, the school's handsome position roust work a "ood deal for the town in an indirect way. With the knowledge that New Plymouth is .served with one of the most up-to-date and efficient secondary schools in the Dominion, many people desirous of giving their children a sound education will undoubtedly be attracted to the town as permanent residents.