HAWERA.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1919, Page 3

HAWERA.

.(From Our Own Correspondent). Hawera, Jan, 14. Wo had something in the nature of a "double event." Both were entirely different, but each proved a decided success.. One was an indignation meeting ami the other was a farewell presentation. Both occurred at the same building and were presided over by the Mayor. The indignation meeting was by way of a protest at the treatment of Hawera in regard to the disestablishment of the High School, and the necessity for a grant to build a technical high school. What might have happened is hard to' say, but at. the last moment the Minister of Education practically capitulated and promised a grant, so that any hostile feeling was removed, as the grant was all Hawera wanted and had no desire to "rub the acid in" any further. Seen afterwards Mr. Murdoch expressed his pleasure at the very fine meeting, whilst' Mr. Masters stated it was one of the most interesting he had attended, and that is saying something. It was very noticeable that the latter was earefnl to refute any charge of "shuffling" against the Hon. J. A. Hanan and seeing that the chairman of the Education Board has practically as much experience as anyone in Taranaki with the Minister his statements quickly removed ill doubt 3 and the meeting continued with few disturbing elements. The presentation to Dr. MacDiannid proved a popular function. As our doctor listened to the eulogistic terms in which the Mayor, Mr. J. B. Murdoch, and the veteran journalist, Mr. W. A Parkinson, referred to his great work during the influenza epidemic he must have felt that his services had been valued, and when later on he found the Mayor handing him a beautiful entree dish it was some moments before our doctor could reply. When he did he was very happy in his remarks appreciating to the utmost the gift and kind wishes. Lest we forget I might add that the dish was inscribed: "From Hawera friends and co-workers in thankful appreciation of the skill and devotion shown by Dr. MacDiarmid in leading the fight against the recent epidemic of influenza,''

INDIGNATION MEETING. Those responsible for the holding of the indignation meeting in the Hawera Borough Council Chambers on Monday evening have every reason to feel satisfied with the results as the attendance was very satisfactory and the views of the various speakers thoroughly endorsed by thosi' present.

The Mayor, Mr. E. Dixon, presided, and in welcoming tho visitors, paid a warm tribute to the work of the Taranaki Education Board in South Tara naki. At one period Ha vera was opposed to leaving the Wanganui Board and joining the Taranaki Board, but had every reason to be satisfied with tho treatment received, Originnllv ha hai held a high opinion of the ability oF the Hon. .J. A. Hanan, but had modified this view owing to the treatment of Hawera in regard to the disestablishment of the district high school and the estal lishment of r„ technical high school. r lo stated that no Minister should havs the power to frustrate the wishes of th? people. There was now an indication that they were going to have their demands granted, but this v. as only after considerable fighting. He then read the following telegram:— "I am advised by the Department that adequate building accommodation 'oes not exist in Hawera for all pupils tak Jig technical high school fliil sccotidiliy courses, ard foi that reason it is undesirable at present to disestablish the district high school. In the meantime I am prepared to give favorable consideration to an application for a grant for a Technical high school building, provided the plans meet with approval, and I will endeavor to expedite matters so that the erection of the new building may lie put in hand and completed, if possible, J)y the end of the year.—J. A. Hanan." Mr. R. Masters, chairman of the Education Board, was the next speaker. He slated he was pleased to be present, but regretted it was necessary to convene the meeting. He appreciated the kindly reference to the Board's work in South Taranaki. They had spent a good deal of money in effecting improvements, and had gone through the whole district and carried out what work they considered necessary Some one had interjected that the Minister was a "shuffler," but from his (Mr. Master's) personal experience of the Minister of Education lie was quite satisfied that the Hon. J. A. Hanan was sincere when he sent the telegram, and it was a clear indication that the Minister intended to establish a technical high school in Hawera at the end of the' year. A technical high school was required and was proved by the attendance at the Technical day school during the short term. In ISIIO capitation earned totalled £134, 1017 ii had increased to £724, and for 1018 he believed it would lie approximately .C f KiQ When established he was sure the Department of Agriculture would be able to give practical instruction in dairying and agriculture, combined with general training. The Egrnont A. and P. Association could also be relied upon for practical sympathy, There was no rear-on why Hawera, with its line district, should not have a Technical High School and 200 pupils. He could promise the mealing to do everything possible to assist in securing the school. Mr, C. A. Wilkinson, JL.V, slso a member of the Education Board, prefaced his remarks by expressing keen appreciation of the work accomplished by the Mayor (Mr Dixon) on both the Wanganui and Taranaki Boards. .Regarding the telegram received that evening the speaker was satisfied the Minister meant something definite, and believed they would have the school built before the end of the year Re did not think there was any humbug in the telegram, which contained a definite offer to grant money for building. They should pass a resolution accepting the offer, and he was certain the chairman of the Board would see that application was made • and other details taken in hand. He thought they had every reason to congratulate the Hawera people on tlie pro■mising results attending their efforts Replying, to a question it was explained that the cost of erection would he paid for by way of a grant from the Education Department. Mr Eaves (Education Beard member) heartily endorsed the remarks of Messrs Masters and Wilkinson, and believed they would have the school established inside 12 months.

Mr. Pearce, M.P. for Egmoni, was pleased at the tone of the Minister's 'telegram. In the House he had suppCrted the establishment of the technical high school, and. was positive the school would prove a great success and also become a credit to the town.

Mr. J B. Murdoch, chairman of the Technical School Advisory Committee, said they might feel satisfied something ■would be done. He was sorry certain objections had "been raised to the disestablishment of tha Dwtiict High School^

hut the district required better secondary: educational facilities. Eighteen months ago they had canvassed the town for guarantors, and he was pleased to say the guarantors had not been called upon, ■to pay anything. He was also satisfied there would be 110 difficulty in securing accommodatioa for all the pupila. He SJsen moved: "That the Minister be .thanked for -the offer of a grant to build .the Technical High School, and the olfer be accepted." This was seconded bjplr. A Reid and carried unanimously. Mr. Murdoch further moved: "That the Minister at once disestablish the present District High School, when the 1 Hawera people will undertake to find theaccessary building accommodation for the pupils for the next 12 months." Ib this connection the speaker pointed out that they were not receiving capitatien on a number of technical school pupils, by amalgamation they came within the scope of the Act and earned capitation.

The chairman remarked that the Tech' nical School commenced with 40 pupils, and increased to 100. There should be no difficulty in accommodating 150 scholars.

The motion, seconded by Mr. Hooker, was then carried.

Mr. R. S. Sage, chairman of the District High School Committee, also favored a technical high school for Hawera. He took the opportunity to refer to the necessity for new schools at Nolantown and Whareroa, and then moved a motion in effect that the Education Board erect a new school at Tawhiti and that increased accommodation be made for 200 pupils at the main school, Hawera.—This was carried.

Customary votes of thanks to the visitors and also to the Mayor concluded a most enthusiastic meeting.