The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1918.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 1918.

THE HIGH SCHOOL. . Owing to the refusal of the Government to grant more than £SOOO towards the rebuilding of the New Plymouth High School, the plans of the proposed building had I o be modified, an important part of the school, the assembly hall, being cut out entirely. As the public know, a contract was let for the remodelled building, which is now fairly under way. For some time past a committee of representative men of the town and district have been considering ways and means of raising money sufficient, at aily rate, for the construction of the assembly hall, and, if possible, for the carrying out of the original plans in their entirety, the result of which . is that a campaign is to be launched this week for the purpose. A direct canvass is to be made of the general public, of old boys and parents of the present boys. Members of the committee have themselves promised over £IOOO, so the fund has «a good start. The Government is to 'be approached for a £1 io% £1 subsidy. The importance and value of the school to Taranaki needs no stressing. The school occupies a high place among the secondary schools of the Dominion. It is to Taranaki what Wanganui College is to Wanganui district, what tho | Wellington College is to Wellington | province, what Christ's College is to ! Caotefbury. But in the past it has never had- the assistance that has been accorded the other secondary schools by the Government and also by private oenefioence. The Government indeed has consistently ignored its claims. It had an opportunity of making up for ite past neglect and parsimony when the new school came to he rebuilt, but continued its shameful treatment by cutting down the plans to the 'barest necessities. The least it could have done was to provide the assembly hall, without which the school can i.ever fully perform its purpose. The gymnasium was'destroyed at the time of the school fire, and for many years to come, the headmaster has pointed out, the assembly hall would have to he used as a gymnasium. It is also required as a lecture room, for concerts, drill in wet weather, prayers, the honors boards, etc. It is therefore quite indispensable. The school has had few legacies- Practically the only ones have been from ex-pupils who have given their lives in the present war. None of the wealthy men of the district who have paid tho debt of nature have remembered the school in their wills. Of course in the old days the school was r" 1 the power it is to-day. For instance the roll in 1012 was 66; in JBJ7 it was 240, of whom 108 ware

boarders. To-day the school roll is 272 and tliu boarders 121. The school's history during the past five or six years has been one of steady progress, and it would be most unfortunate if it were at all impeded by the lack of suitable accommodation- This possibility is one tliat cannot bo regarded bv the .public without apprehension, and it is clear that if the assembly hall and tiie full number of class rooms are to be built tlie money will have to be provided by public subscription. llonce the appeal Mat is now being made. At present there are many calls upon the public's purse, but there are special reasons why tlie cause of the school should not be overlooked. The school. Js now being rebuilt, and the assembly hall and other features can be added at a price which it would be impossible to oblain later. Besides it \vou]d be a reflection on the community for all time if it allowed the school to be opened in a state of incompleteness. The present, then, is the time to help the school, and we (■•rust the response to the effort about to bo made will he proportionate to the merits of a„ institution that is doing such real, lasting good in the whole of tlie province. The amount required for building the assembly hall is £2700, and for the other works necessary to complete the full plans a further sum of *2300 is necessary, making a total of .■£sooo—an amount well within the Power of Taranaki to supply, especially if the Government can, as it should, be induced to grant a £ for £ subsidy.