THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 22, 16 June 1914, Page 8

THE HIGH SCHOOL.

PROIUIKSS AXD REQUIREMENTS. J.OAX TO BE RAISED.

The New Plymouth High School has in the last two years or thereabouts progressed by leaps and bounds, until it iias grown beyond the control of the Hoard's ordinal",. financial resources, and tlie Board must either raise a substantial loan for further development or refuse to take in any more boarders. That was the tenor of a discussion at the monthly meeting of the New Plymouth High School Board of Governors yesterday. /• AN OUTSPOKEN REPORT. The primary cause of the discussion was a report by the principal (Mr. Vv. H. Moyesj, in which he said:— ''The school re-opened on May 18. The roll now comprises 170. Of those in attendance at the school, 102 are free- : . jmijil't, 23 are paying fees, and 4-t iare ill the primary department. Th«i boarders now number 43. "I regret to say that I must report that it is o'ut of the question to continue u*der existing conditions. Boys are at present dftiing in the passages, and in every way the space is too limited. A glance at the wages sheet will show that the domestic staff is constantly changing, and it is quite impossible to keep a permanent staff unless more' buildings are erected. The chairman lias given me to understand that it is suggested that the new gymnasium can be utilised as a dormitory next year. Much as I regret to do so, I must emphatically protest -against any such scheme being put into' operation. 1 would again respectfully point out that tho private portion ot' the house, to which I am entitled under the conditions of (Spy appointment, is' still being used as part of the boardiugliousc. In Aug' ust the annual football tournament is to be held here, and as headmaster of voui school, I am bound to ask the headmasters of- the Palmerston and Napiei schoolß to. be nv.i guests. Am Ito ask 'these gentlemen to sleep on the verandah? I maintain that my family should be given three bedrooms, and that, in addition to these, I should have a room for a nurse-girl and-a spare room for visitors. I trust that the Board will not misunderstand my reason for writing in this way. Personally, Ido not mind what inconveniences I have to put up v.'Ttli, But being a married man with a family, I must, in justice to them, ask the Board to enable me* to live as comfortably .as I was ablij to when in a house of my own. I wish the Board to understand distinctly that I will not agree to carry on next year if conditions remain as at present, and I would be glad to know whether tho;. Board intends to consider the Ver.i reasonable request that I have repeatedly put to them." FINANCIAL POSITION.'

A statement of the estimated financial position as at the end of the second term showed receipts from the boys' school at £869 Os 3d, from the girls' school at £llß lis, rents" falling due £47, arrears £l5B Us 9d, capitation first term £498 13s 9d, Government rents £lB5 8s Id; total, £IB7O Gs lOd, less fees received ( £228 18s), £1641 Os lOd, cash in hand £ls 2s. Tli eßank limit was stated at £3OOO, amount ovedrawn at £1993 14s 3d, leaving balance receivable kom the bank of £IOO6 5a 9d, and a total of estimated receipts, £2662 IGs 7d.

THE DISCUSSION. Mr, Fraser remarked that the school had grown beyond the resources of the Board, and would continue to grow, The Board could not remain silent. Other schools were granted money while this one was starved. The Board must approach the Government in the best possible way, cither by putting the matter in the hands of the member for the district, or by forwarding a petition to the House.

Mr. Ewing: Perhaps a deputation should wait on the Department. I would like to see the Press lay emphasis on the fact that this school urgently needs money for its immediate development, and cannot get it from the Government.

Dr. Fookes mentioned the necessity for an isolation ward. Quite recently he bad been obliged to isolate a boy suffering from influenza by placing Mm in Mr. Moycs' own quarters. There was no other accommodation.

The chairman: The school increases, but our revenue remains stationary. Mr. Fraser: This system of having boarders scattered all over the place is wrong. They should be all under one roof. ■ Wo want about £3OOO. Mr. Hutchen: We must know definitely what assistance we are to get from the Government before we draw any further on our reserves. The gills' school has also urgent requirements.

Mr. Fraser remarked that "With the thirty boys to come in this term, we will be more pushed for room than ever. It is a scandal that the Government should leave us like this. Nelson and Waimate recently got big grants. The school has reached a crisis in its career." Mr. Ewing said that there was not one word in the report which was not absolutely correct, and lie doubted, whether any member of the Board would have put up with the inconvenience Mr. Moyes had to contend with.

Dr. Fookes remarked that Mr. Moyes had the interests of the school at heart, or he -would not have "put up with the inconvenience for so long. Mr. Ewing: The school's progress in the last two years has been marvellous, and its future loons almost as good. If we refuse to take boys now, it will be detrimental to the school. There are boys there with younger brothers who will be sent along, any time. We must borrow £SOOO or so. '

Mr. Hutchen: We have approached the Public Trustee, and have been snubbed, and the A.M.P. Society said the v. had no funds, but nevertheless I think another application to them might be successful.

Mr. Ewing said that According to his estimate the revenue for the year from the schools would he .£0152, and the expenditure £SBOO, leaving about £3OO to come and go on. The boarding establishment would pay the interest on its loan. "There are few schools," he continued, "so well supplied with reserves aa we are. Other schools can get large amounts, yet if we wapt to raise £3OOO there is trouble. lam astonished at the Department's attitude." Mr. Ewing late pointed out that when a boarding establishment was built the rent of Niger House ( £l2O a year) would be saved. After further discussion on those lines, it was decided that steps be taken to borrow £OOOO, to pay off the £3OOO borrowed from the Bank of New Zealand and provide boarding accommodation for the boys' and girls' schools. The raising of the loan was left to the Finance Committee, with the addition of Mr. Hutchen. ■lt was also decided that Mr. Moyes bo asked to furnish a special report on the school, to be forwarded to ttie member for the district, who will be asked to slipport the Board in approaching the Government for assistance, and for more adequate borrowing powers.