THE PREMIER.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8125, 24 April 1906, Page 5

THE PREMIER.

MASTERTON DISTRICT HIGH SOHOOL. , —*— '§l THE NEW BUILDINd. The Premier, accompanied by Messrs Robert Loe (Chairman of the Wellington Education Hoard) and F. H. Bakeffell, M.A. (Chief Inspector, under the Wellington Education Board\ arrived in Maatertou, yesterday, by the midday train, from •*■>:;" ' •■<'.„ rH n. VYoA.ljjgtion, and was met au „„,. _•_-»-. way station and welcomed by thft Mayor (Mr J. A. Renal!), and Messrs R. brown (Chairman of tbe Maatertou School Committee), R. T. Holmes (Chairman of the North Wairarnpa Benevolent Society), aud Or E. G. Eton. The party then drove to tbe Club Hotel, where the Premier was entertained at lunch. After luncheon the Premier and party were driven to the Masterton District High Sohool to perform the opening ceremony of the new portion of the buildings. Tbere were present, among others, Messrs A. W. Hogg and J. T. m. Hornsby, M's.H.R., the Mayors of Masterton aud Carterton (Mr Jas. Brown), Mes3rs E. Feist and A. H. Vile (members of the Euuoatiou Board, and Messrs E. H. Waddington, J. Heyhoe. W. A. Pendall, G. Townseud, J. Carpenter, aud IJ. J. O'Leary, representing tbo Masterton 1 School Committee, and Mr W. M. Easthope (Secretary). The Sohool cadets, under DaDtaiu N D. Bunting, were drawn up on either side of the entrance, and saluted tbo Premier on bis arrival. The party were then oonduoted by Mr W. H. Jaokson, Headmasterof the Masterton District High Sohool, to the steps of the new building, where Mr Seddon aud Messrs R. Brown and Robert Lee addressed a large gathering, comprising many of the public and a very large number of school children. Mr R. Brown, Chairman of tbe Masterton School Committee, said that the Premier, as Minister for Education, always took a great interest in educational matters. An example of that interest was the fine building which they saw before them, and which Mr Seddon had consented to open. He then called upon Mr Soddon to formally open the building. Tbe Premier, in tbe course of bis remarks, said that that day's proceedings marked an epoch in the history of Masteron, and was one that would be to its everlasting advantage. Anything , done to promote the cause of education was a step in the right direction, and it was not only an advantage to the children of to-day, but a lasting advantage to tbft town aud tbe colony. When he received the invitation to be present, he replied immediately that be would come, for be always gave bis attention to matters promoting the education of the young. In passing, he would like to say a word to the honour of tbe old settlers wbo promoted that valuable eudowance—the Trust Lauds Trust. Masterton was fortunate in possessing such a valuable assistance in tbe cause of education, and be was sorry to say that there were no similar bodies in other parts of the Wellington Province. Prom these trusts the Government received a 1 revenue of £2,000, and be was happy to say, half'of this amount went to promote education. He only wished that there were more lands tied up for such good purposes as it was undeniably for the good of the children of to-day and of those to come that these endowments were set apart. Tbe amount of land set aside in Wellington for endowment purposes was nothing like that in Canterbury and Otago, but there would be 204,000 acres shortly set apart in tbe Wellington district as endowments for education. The Premier then went on to give a resume of tbe educational work of tbe colony since' 1902. Dealing with primary education, firstly, be said that In 1902 there were 1,780 schools in tbe colony, and in 1905 there were 1,929, or an increase of 149. With regard to the attendance, be was proud to announce that there had been an increase of 5,599. "Ih ought to have been at least 15,0C0, and I hope that during the next three years there will be an Increase of 20,000," said tbe Premier. The number of teaobers employed in 1902 was and in 1905 the number was 3,135 or an increase of 178. Tbe list of pupil teachers had decreased by 69-—a result that had been brought about by the scale of staffs, -The amount paid to teachers iu salaries in 1905 showed au increase of £24,318 over that paid in 1902, by means of measures passed last session, a further increase of salaries would be made this year. Parliament bad realised bow much depended on tbe teaobers for tbe care and proper training of the cbildren, and it also realised that they bad been inadequately remunerated for their trouble. "What the teachers are to-day," said Mr Seddon, "so will the men and women be to-mor-row." When so muob depended,on tbe teachers it was reasonable that tbeir salaries should be raised to a fair umounfc. The salaries of the female teaoheis bad not been raised but he believed that this oould be done. Tbe Premier theu touched on the advantages of the Teachers' Superannuation Act, which bad been passed during last session. Regarding the syllabus, be said it bad been brought more up-to-date and was exacting a great deal in practical teaching, for, speaking as Minister for Education, be thought that in the past not enough time had been given to practical teaching. He then went on to deal with the question of grants to Sohool Committees. Tbe sum of £4,518 bad been granted to School Committees last year. The School Committees were in a muob better position today than they ever were. "They have not had a happy time of it," said tbe Premier, "and, like the Colonial Treasurer, there were great demands on them." Mr Seddon looked upon the consultation of committees in the seleotion of school teaobers as a very important question. He was aware that the committees bad a voice in the selection of teaobers, but that was as much as oould be said. He had been informed that committees had made recommendations for teachers, bnt their advice bad not been acted upon by the board, and he said that that was a glaring evasion of the spirit of legislation. One of the

first measures that; woold.be Bubtnitted to .Parliament next session would provide for, where there was one or more applications for the posltiojQ 6f teatfbership, the ecbool committee should be oonsulfced and theßoard act on their advice. Ou . tbe order and maintenance of schools had beefl spent in tbe year 1902-3 the earn of JG47.000, and in 1904-5 the sum of £51,506, or an inoreaae jf £7,506. The number of now lohoals established m 1904-5 was 121, and this Mr Seddon attributed to the catting up of largo edtates. Closer settlojuoofc meant fliore JUhook ""'- ■••-■.--.*..-. .«i. v-'-amouu« spent, on schools for the . same year was £47,816, and thirty-four teac-bors' irfisideuces had been erected at a cost of £10,490. The number of pupils attending Secondary School and the Seoondary Deoartraent of District High Sohoola' was 4,315 in 1902 and 6,374 in 1905, or an increase of 2,059. The number of pupils holding free phues in 1902 was nil, and in 1905 tbe number was 2he nwmbar of Distiofc High St3D6ole had increased from 3§ ? q gg t The amount pn.la m ftutsatcliaa in 1905 was sX**ft. The number of Queen's Scholarships ndft current was 33. He drow attention to the unfortunate position of affairs in Wellington, Which city, he stated, waa worse off than any of the other oltie3 in New Zealaud as far as sea-' ondary education was concerned. JNo man in the colony had done more for the cause of eduoation tnan Mr Hog*. The District High School had , been detablished on March Ist, 1902, and, on the application of the Education Board, Cabinet voted £1,60*1 for the purpose. The average attendance for the whole school was 711, and for the Secondary Department 74. During the quarter ended March 31st, the average attendance in the latter department had teen ' 72. Education was progressing in Masterton, and be Hhdnld cot be surprised if, in a abort time, he had an application to have established In Maaterton a High School on'he same principle as at Fair merafcon North and Dannuvirke.

The number of classes at the Maaterton Technical School was fifteen, aad the average ' attendance of all olnssaa was 131, i'he amount of capitation earned was £ll3. He would like to have agricultural classes established at all the schools In the colony, and capable teaohers to instruct the. farmers' sons in practical and up-to-date farming. 1 In conclusion he wished the school success, and anticipated that the results wool 3 be a credit to the dren, teaohers and parents. Mr Jackson then handed a silver key to toe Premier, who unlocked thu door of the school amid cheers. Mr Lee stated that the opening of the new portion of the school was a great event in the history of Masterton. As a visitor he was much impressed, and Masterton bad long "orossed the Kubioon" in eduda-, ttonal matters. For a town of its size It would be hard to beat Master-' ton as far as education was concerned. Masterton had reason to be proud of the now school building, which was the beginning of High School education or education on scientific lines. Had time permitted, be would , v have liked to speak on matters pertaining to University education,, apUe believed tbat wtaerra the Un,ty ; set • the. example,.

tbe Seoondary School:) followed.',.< f /n conclusion, he expreesedi&is pleasure at tbe geat progress qfeducation generally in thoij colony, Tbe Mayor then called for three cheers for the Premier, which were heartily given. ' Speaking, .to : the cadets, the Premier.,,. Shacked them for honouring him in the manner they had dope,;and impressed upon theia the, necessity of drill, obedience to their, officers, and snooting practice. He v stated that theie were about 10,000 < cadets in, the colony at tb« present? time, and under New Zealand's system of cadetship there was no need of conscription in.the colony. , The cadets gave three cheers for Mr Seddon on his departure. OPENING OP REN ALL SOLWAY HOME, v The Premier was driven to the Old Men's Home, at Sol way, and formally opened it. Mr LI. T. Holmes (Chairman of the "North IVairarapa Benevolent > Trustees), in welcoming the Premier, gave a brief history of the building. About three years the Trustees experienced a great difficulty in getting tbe old men of the distriot admitted into the Ohiro ' Home. The .Benevolent Trustees had to pat them into lodgings at/a cost of about £1 per week. The strain was found to be rather heavy on the Trustees, and about two anda-halr years ago they decided to have a Home in tbe district. He was sure that they wou'd not have had the Home had it not been for the labours of Mr A. W. Hoag, M;H.R., and the generosity of Mr J. A. Reufill. Tbe three and a-half aores of land on which the building stood was given free by Mr R«nali to the people of the North VVairarapa, and his aotion could not have been more generous.

Mr A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., said that the Homewus well built, well constructed and splendidly situated. Ho claimed no credit for the building for himself. Tbe credit was due to the Premier and Cabinet, who, 'when it waa found that £BOO was not sufficient for the construction of fiho Home, bad voted £3OO more,' Mr Bonall stated that in giving the land for the Hume ire bad (inly done bis duty towards the poor and needy. He would continue to take a keen interest in matters relating to the Home. Tbe Premier, when called upon to perform th« opeuing ceremony, said thaj; it was no figure c.f speech bnt what be was about to say flowed from bis honrt Ha, waa pleased to be with them and open the Homo for the old people. He was sorry that there v»as not more suoh Homes in the colony to alleviate tbe sufferings of the old perple. Tbe old age pensions bad done much in that respect. When the system was introduced, it waa said that the taxation would be increased, but be would say that there was no need for increased taxation, for niter spending nearly £2,000,000 in old age pensions and paying all liabilities, the country had a credit bal-, ance of £761,000. The amount I paid in old age pensions last year I

was £285,000, anr! ■ .■. tie end of the year Snore «ps n «.. .;,:a of £775,000. According to fi : «iven biro by the Registrar • » d the amount of pension mnn jl in th« Wairarapa sinoe . ''pptiou of the BCiheme waa £P ■-. ~and l«?t y @a * the earn of £) . ad been paidThere were 218 o pensioners '5 the VVairnrapi ( ore in receipt of £5,300 per., . ! ' . U& did not hesitate to sa-' the lawa pertaining to chat" aid should be The I were defective beoßugo they wore restrictive. During the past four years Masterton uau progresso.l considerably. The increased value of lands ia the county whs £640,000. The land under cultivation had increased by 7,000, acres, The increase in sheep had uot been very great, but there had beon an increasa ia cattle of 8.315. The population had increased by 751. Ilia capital value of the land in the borough had inoreased by £147,000. On all sides there was marked prosperity, and that prosperity waa greatly exemplified by the erection of the Home.. The giving of the land bv Mr Kenall waa a noble example, aud he only wished thorft were more people in the Colony who, bles ed with the world's goods, would give to suffering humanity. "All honour to tbe Trustees and all who helped to bring the building to this stage," said the Premier in conclusion. Tbe building was then christened "The Reuall-Solway Home" by Mrs Nioholls who performed the ceremony by breaking a bottle of champagne. Mrs Nicholls handed a key to the Premier, who formally declared the building open. On the motion of Mr Seddon, cheers were given for the promoters of the Home, and Mr Kenall, and on the motion of the faster, cheers were given forthe Premier. Refreshments were served to the visitors in the inside of the building, and tbe toast of Mr, J A. Renfdl was proposed by the Premier, and drunk w'th musical honours. After inspecting the vineyard of Mr W. G. Lamb, the Premier returned to town.

JJEFUTATIQNS. ' ■ PROPOSED MASTERTON SUPREME COCRT. A deputation, oonsiating of Messrs d. A. Pownall, A. R. Bunny, B, J. Dolan and D. K. Logan, waited on the Premier with regard to the establishment of a Supreme Court circuit at Masterton, and.the erection of * new Courthouse. Mr Pownall stated that gfiOQ nad ; been put on the estimates for a new Courthouse. The site bad been practically Obtained by exchange with the Trust Lands TruHt. The establishment of a Supreme Court circuit in Master-, ton was an urgent necessity,: as it was at the present time case 1 } from i this district had to be sent to Palmerston North and Wellington. If a supreme Court were held in Masterton considerable expense would be Baved. Considering the present prosperity of the town there was no reason why a new Courthouse should not be erected here. The Supreme Court, Mr Pownall contended, would follow. The Chief Justice favoured a Supreme Gourt for this distiiot. The experiment of having a SuDreme Court at Palmeraton j North had proved successful, and ; there was no reason why the estab lisbment of a circuit in Masterton should not be as equally successful. Mr Bunny endorsed Mr'Pownall'a remarks. , Mr Seddon said he would bring the matter under the notice of the Minister of Justice, and ask him to consult with the Chief Justice as to whether it would be*advantageous to establish a circuit in Masterton. If the Chief Justice 'was satisfied that a circuit was neoessary that would carry considerable weight. As to a new Courthouse, tbat matter could be left in Mr Hogg's hands. RAILWAY STATION ACCOMMODATION.

Mr J, D. Oruiekshauk, representing fad JMaaterton Chamber of Commerce, waited on the Premier with reference to,extra yard accommodation at the railway station, and, al§o, having a weigh-bridise erected at the station. Mr Cruickshanb:'further, brought under, the Premier's •notice the desirability of having telephone communication between thejWairarapa and Wellington. Mr Seddpn said that be would strongly urge the Actine-Minteter of ,! Railways to give attention to the He saw no. reason why the request shouU not be granted. With'regard to the telephone communication be saw no reason why Wairarapa should not be put on the same footing as Palmerstou North, which had telephone communication with Wellington. He had just been informed by Judge Mair.;th&t the Maoris in one district were ereolng fiheir own telephones. Forty miles of wiros bad been put up at only a oost of £1 10a per mile. He intended to ask the Postmaster-General to obtain a report as to the suitability of this kind of line for the back block oountry. CHARITABLE AID.

The Mayor and Mr '• S. Brown (Town Olerk) waited on the Premier with, Regard to the administration of nbaritable aid, snc) c'dser settlement in the Mastertorijdistr'iot. Mr Brown J said that it was considered desirable that the United Wellington and Wairaraoa Charitable Aid Board should he separated, and that the local bodies iu the Wairarapa should contribute only charitable aid ex- ■ pended in tbe Wairarapa district; Mr aeddon, in replying, said that the present Charitable Aid Board disrlcts were very unwieldy and should be sub divided. Legislation would have to be introduced shortly to deal with, the whole matter of charitable aid administration. The methods of distributing relief were entirely wrong. If a person leaving one district applied for his relief in another within a period of, say, twelve months,' that person should be obarged to the district from which be came. The Government contributed a large amount towards charitable aid, but bad no control over the money. Legislation in the matter was certainly desirable. CLOSER SETTLEMENT. With regard to closer settlement, Mr Brown said that ft was considered that steps should be taken to oat ap

I Home.of tbe Jargeestates in the vioiI mtj of Masterton. Mr Seddoa said'that lie woud not foeat about tbe bush in tbe matter. Where laud was suitable for closer settlement it was essential tbat tbe Government a could take steps iu tbe matter. Tbere was one difficulty jn the way. Tbe machinery they ""fa* was defective. Tbe Land Purchase i*o''.- l,: d repeatedly stood in the way of the government with regard to tb« purohase" ot tbe estates. If closer settlement was*4 e l Elired ia tbe Wairaiapa be would go tfle mattor carefully. Tbe Board bad thwarted tbe wishes of, the Govern ( meut ia a number of oootfaious, and I h,g considered tbat one time and an-! other the colony had lost about j £500,00.0. WORKMEN'S HOMES. A deputation consisting of Messrs J. Mackay, Eli Smith, T. Smith, aoJ John Savage asked the Premier to have Workmen's Homes established ia Masterton. Mi' MflGk'Hj? said that iiier'e was 1,000 aores, the property of Mr Mathews, bounding Masterton, which would be suitable land for the Government to acquire for working men's homes. .Tbe land bounded the Waipoua River and Lausdowne. Mr Sedddu said the best course to pursue would be to forward a petition containing the names of those desirous to obtain workmen's homes in Maatei'ton. This would give tbe Government some grounds to work on. The Lands Purchase Inspector would then be asked to visit Master- j ton and report with regard to suitable land. / Mr Mackay said tbat be would obtain signatures, to a petitiou, and have it forwarded to the Premier.