High School.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3524, 12 April 1880, Page 2

High School.

This school was declared open by His Worship the Mayor this forenoon. A large number of ladies and gentlemen assembled, among whom we noticed, Mrs Ehrenfiried, Miss Lush, Mrs Marshall, Mrs Aitken, Mrs Souter, Mrs Hall, Mrs Lear, Mrs Brown* Miss Bleazard, Miss Hazeldean, Eev. Y. Lush, Messrs Marshall, Speight, McCullough, Brown, Kilgour, governors of the school, Gibbons, Grigg, H. Phillips, G. N. Phillips, Osborne, Porter, Yon Bernewitoh, Souter, and a great many others. Scholars to the number of 20 were also present. The Mayor, as Chairman of the Board, said he had to offer his congratulations on the opening of the school, which event after years of agitation had been brought about by the perseverance of the Thames people. The act under which the school was opened was introduced by Sir George Grey in 1878, and in January of the last year, the first governors were appointed. From want of funds the .opening of the school was delayed, but the Government having granted an endowment and a sum of money, the board had been enabled to purchase the present premises and advance so far as to open the school, having also secured the services of such excellent teachers as Mr Adams and Miss Chitty. Mr Adams ihad. proved how possible it was to raise a large school from a very small beginning, for his last establishment afc Parnell had very few pupils when he undertook the management, and when he left it, the attendance was very large. In addressing the children, the speaker impressed upon all present the necessity for possessing a sound education. He intended offering for competition a scholarship tenable for three years, to be competed for by children attending the Government schools in the district. He then declared the school open. Rev. V. Lash said as he happened to be present at the induction of Mr Adams'* successor, Mr Hammond, in the Parnell school, he wished to bear witness to the high opinion entertained of Mr Adams by the scholars. A young lad named James, the captain of the school, gave a capital address, and repeatedly dwelt upon the affection and respect himself and the pupils in the. school entertained for Mr Adams, in fact each time the name was mentioned it was received with cheers. He hoped Mr Adams would not be discouraged with the small number of pupils he had to commence with, for he felt sure a large increase would soon take place. (Applause.) " Mr Speight referred to the conditions attached to the scholarship given by the Mayor, as he intended given another, but it would be thrown open to the children attending every school on the Thames. He reminded parents that although some might think the fees charged too high, the revenue for years would not by any means meet the expenditure. He bore testimony to the excellent opinion held of Mr Adams by all persons capable of judging of his abilities. Mr Brown said he was very pleased to welcome Mr Adams to his new school, and hoped he would be as successful as he had been in his last charge.

Mr Adams thanked the Mayor, the Governors of tbe Board and the ladies and gentlemen who had assembled to show their sympathy with the object sought to be gained by the opening of the school. There was not in his mind the slightest doubt but the school would be a succesi, and if he did not do it he felt sure others would be found who would, for it should not be said that such an enterprising place as the Thames would allow suoh a school to languish for want of support, if it was properly conducted. The lohool at one end touched the New Zealand University, and at the other a preparatoy school, and boys and girls who were desirous of qualifying themselves for a university

course or to take their place in the learned professions, would have every facility for qualifying themselves. The Mayor thanked all present for their attendance, which concluded the business. (Cheers.)