THE CIRCUS CLOWNS

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10713, 14 December 1912, Page 5

THE CIRCUS CLOWNS

AND THE THUST LANDS TE.iJ.3T. MR HOGG WAXES FACETIOUS. Mr A, W, Hogg was unable to bo present at la<.st night's mooting of tlie Masterton Trust Lands Trust, but he addressed the following characteristic letter to tho chairman : "I regret chat I will bo unable to attend tho miccting of the Trust tomorrow night, as I intended to have spoken .somewhat plainly on the resolutions of which Mr Robinson has J given notice. His proposal that the Trustees should resign cannot bo seriously entertained, as apparently the meeting to which lie refers was a fiasco, and his motion seems to have l>een treated as a jest, only a few hands being held up for it. 'His second proposition to supplant the District High School by what he terms a "Free Place High School" with an "agricultural side," and "separate establishments for boys and girls," displays a lack of appreciation of tho national system of education of which New ( Zealanders aro justly proud. Nothing has yet been advanced. I submit, to show that an institution such as Mr Robinson and his supporters advocate would be an improvement on the existing High School. The clipping enclosed from to-day'a N.Z. Times shows that tho free, place system is not welcome in Colleges or High Schools where fees are exacted. Enclosed are copies of letters receiv- j ed by the Education Board relating j to Agricultural High Sehooht in Now South Wales and Victoria. In the case of Now South Wales th.< "Director of Education says: 'I am of opinion that High Schools in country towns providing Agricultural courses will not prove very successful; it will probably be more economical and more effective to establish a few such schools than to make the ordinary High Schools serve tho purpose of Agricultural Schools.' In Victoria, apparently, there is only one Agricultural High School that includes teaching and University courses, and we are told that, in other schoob the number of students taking the purely agricultural course has not reached expectations. lam not, however, adverse to a Farm School, and when the time comes T mean to render the establishment of isuch an institution all the assistance in my power. On tho other hand, I think tho proposal of Mr Robinson and his connections eminently unwise, Masterton has repeatedly pronounced against schools of a class or sectarian character, or Academics on the model of Dotheby's Hall, presided over by a Squeers administering brimstonea and treacle mixed up with devotional exercises. Mr Robinson's resolution off em a compromise—one of many—"Primary Education and Utility" are to be assisted, and what remains is to be "legalised endowment" for tho "Free Pkce High School." Do not the promoters of this movement resemble the circus clown on a tight ror» n . who strips himself almost nude? The first proposal wa.s to abolish all grants to the primary schools; next, special grants were to be allowed, but capitations were to bo c nvept nwnw Then agricultural syrup was to be administered, and Latin and. Greek turnip and potatoes was offered; but now wo have primary education an'' utility preserved, and what remains converted into a "Free Place High School" where tho boys and girls will be divided like the sheep and tho ■ goats on tho day of judgment. The proposal is surely ludicrous. Apparently the High School enthusiasts ' have, jettisoned everything, ,nnd like'; the circus clown they stand before ' tho community minus coat, vest, and • pants., with only light nyiamas covering their good' intentions, and ii .

yoking endle-s.-. merriment." When tho letter was road pt ]pk+ nighty meeting of the Trust, Mr C. E. Dank-ll moved that it he received. Mr H. O. Robingon, in seconding tho motion, said he did not propose to criticise Mr Hogg's letter, or Mr Hogg himself, hut the letter showed a praise-worthy, ami oven pathetic loyalty to his old friends in the attitude taken up in connection with, education.