THE HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1918, Page 4

THE HIGH SCHOOL.

At the last meeting of tlie High School Board a member, who had formed one of a deputation to interview the Minister of Education with a view to securing an additional subsidy for the completion of the new boys' school, was taken to task for adopting an unfavorable attitude towards the project when in the Minister's room. It was a most unfortunate and regrettable affair, and placed the board and citizens, who are striving to raise money for, the school, in quite a false position. The member's justification of his action, as given at the board meeting, is far from convincing, and it seems to us that the logical course for him to take, after the unanimous expressions of disapproval by his fellowmembers, is at once to resign. One member, in his criticism, stated that the delegate, by his utterances to the Minister, had lost the school a thousand pounds subsidy. This is hardly so, for, we fear, the damage was done before Mr. Trimble's arrival in Wellington. The board itself must accept much of the blame, for the whole project has from the beginning been mishandled- Tact has not always been exercised. The adoption of a "stand and deliver" attitude towards those whose support is wanted is an unwise policy at the best of times, but in a case of a Cabinet Minister and his officers it is rank foolishness. Then the Minister and the Department have been antagonised by the indiscretions of the evening newspaper, which went out of its way to attack the chief executive officer, and entirely without justification. For the loss of the subsidy the indiscreet newspaper is really more to blame than Mr. Trimble, while the board, for appointing the latter as its delegate before ascertaining his views, only added to its mistakes in the handling of the matter. It is a great pity that such a worthy cause has been prejudiced in this way. However, the public, we are sure, will see that the school building is completed. Already they have been very generous, subscribing over £2300. Another £2700 is required to complete the school building. The amount in hand and in sight will suffice to complete the assembly hall, and this work, it is pleasing to know, is being put in hand at once. The school is growing every week, and the class rooms that were cut out as a result of the Government's small vote will be absolutely needed by the end of the present year. Only a small part of the community, we understand, has so far been canvassed by the committee which has the matter in hand, so that the raising of the remainder should not be a difficult matter. The school is the secondary school of the province, and its work and progress during recent years entitle it to the fullest support. We are sure this will be forthcoming when the project is put before the public.