MODERN & BRIGHT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 December 1940, Page 4

MODERN & BRIGHT

REHABILITATED CENTRAL SCHOOL VISIT BY THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. NOTABLE GATHERING HELD ON SATURDAY. Modernised and gay in a new eoat of paint, the rehabilitated Masterton Central School building was officially opened on Saturday afternoon bysthe Minister of Education, Mr Mason, in the presence of a representative attendance of ex-pupils, parents and • others. A beautifully fine afternoon enabled the gathering lo be held out of doors. Among those present, besides the Minister, were the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan; Mr J. Robertson, M.P., and Mrs Robertson; Mr W. V. Dyer., chairman of the Wellington Education Board; Messrs J. D. O’Connor and W. R. Nicol, Masterton members of the Board, and Mr R. C. Drummond, a former headmaster of the school. Mr J. E. MeV. Caldwell, chairman of the Central School Committee, presided. A posy was presented to Mrs Robertson and button-holes to Messrs Mason, Robertson and Dyer. Mr Caldwell said he had great pleasure in extending a hearty welcome to the Minister of Education. The Education Board and its architect were to be commended on the very fine work they had done in having the building remodelled. It had taken, he added. 25 years before the work had been put in hand. He read a telegram of greetings from Mr W. H. Jackson, a former headmaster and apologised for the absence of the chairman of the Trust Lands Trust, Mr H. P. Hugo.

MR MASON WELCOMED. In extending a welcome to Mr Mason on the occasion of his first public visit to Masterton as Minister of Education and Justice,, Mr Jordan said he himself could claim a remote connection with this school, as he was at one time a pupil of one of the first headmasters of the old Masterton School, the late Mr J. J. Pilkington. It was particularly pleasing to be able to introduce Mr Mason, as there was no one more qualified to be Minister of Education than he was. Stating that in all three branches of education —primary, secondary and university—Mr Mason had distinguished himself. Mr Jordan pointed out that at primary school Mr Mason had won- a scholarship which' took him to secondary school, to “the finest secondary school in New Zealand.” where he ended up by being at the head of it and went on to university to win double degrees. His qualifications for the position of Minister of Education were thus unique in the history of this country. -

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES. After expressing his pleasure at being present on the occasion of the of- . ficial opening of the school after its rehabilitation, Mr Robertson said the event marked an important step in the development of the educational facilities of Masterton and district. It was interesting to note that two or three years ago a new school had been opened in. Masterton East, and also that in the last year or two a new school had been erected at Lansdowne, additions made to the Wairarapa High School, which was now a college while a new school at Masterton West was now under way. The completion of that programme, he said, provided very well for the education facilities of the town.

REHABILITATED CENTRAL SCHOOL

He congratulated all concerned with the splendid work done at the Central School. On a previous visit the then Minister of Education, Mr Fraser, had decided on the work to be carried out and this had now been brought into effect as an accomplished fact. The school was something" to be proud of and he was pleased to welcome MiMason. When the present Prime Minister held the portfolio of Minister of Education he gained a very warm place in the hearts of the people for all he did for education and in MiMason they had got the best man possible to succeed him. Mr Robertson said he was quite sure Mr Mason would carry on the good work begun by his predecessor and that Masterton would maintain the prominent part educationally that it had gained in past years. He wished the school every success in the future and said he was confident it would uphold the traditions it had established. Many distinguished men and women, had gone out from it into the world. The building represented the advances being made in facilities and when everyone looked through it he was sure they would be impressed with the changes that had taken place. The education of the young was the most important work they could undertake.

MODERN REQUIREMENTS. The occasion being celebrated that 1 day was an important one in the history of Masterton, observed Mr Dyer. Although the building was of an old type the alterations had resulted in it, being brought up to conform somewhere near the standard of modern requirements. During his term of office as chairman of the board, much progress had taken place in this district and he could claim a close association with these activities, which had been a delight to him to see taking place. Masterton, he said, figured very early in the records of the Wellington Education Board. He had thought that Mr W. H. Jackson would have been present, but he was not able to be there. There was no fault to find now, with the condition of the school. After referring to the appointment many years ago of Mr Robert Lee as an inspector—later he became chairman of the Wellington Education Board—Mr Dyer said the Central School building had been too good to scrap and the work that had been carried out to bring it up-to-date would be of benefit to the children as a whole. He commended the school committee and the residents for their persistence in looking after the education of the district. The two Masterton members on the Wellington Education Board also were always pressing for educational facilities and everyone had good reason to be proud of the school. He was glad the new West School building was well on the way. Those outside Masterton were jealous of the wonderful help received here from the Trust Lands Trust. Referring more particulary to the alterations carried out at Central, he said the contract price was £4600 and in addition £65 had been expended on incidental items. The, board found £lO6l 12s lid out of its maintenance account. That was a very big contribution indeed, though the board, recognised that something was due to this school. Other work had to be carried out, the painting of the annexe at something over £lOO and when that was done he thought they could consider Central School “well fixed up.” He congratulated the architect on his good work and the contractors, who had made a faithful and good job of the alterations.. Mr Dyer thanked Mr Coddington and his staff for the way in which they had carried on during the alterations and MiMason for coming to Masterton. He wished the school every success and was sure it would maintain the high traditions established in the past.

EFFICIENT SCHOOL. Expressing his thanks for the kind way in which he had been received, Mr' Mason said that he and Mr Jordan had known each other for a long time and it made it happier for him to come to a place where he could meet such old friends. The present headmaster. Mr Coddington. was another very old friend of his—one he had not met for a number of years. One of the headmasters of Mastertori School, the late Mr W. T. Grundy, was headmaster of the school he attended in Wellington. He remembered him most vividly and admired him for his wonderful character and influence. No one could ever forget him or fail to be grateful to him. It was rather difficult to believe that this school, with its modern facilities and bright appearance, was sixty years old. It was built in 1880 and was a striking tribute to the faithful work put into it. Had the original timber not been sound as a bell the extensive alterations and improvements would not have been possible. It had all the amenities of the most modern, recently built schools and in addition, the high, airy rooms and the assembly hall were features which more recent buildings lacked. The alterations gave them a wonderfully comfortable, efficient and attractive school. Structural alterations had also been made. Although these were not so obvious to the eye, they gave the school strength and stability and resistance to earthquakes and assured long life to the building.

FORMER HEADMASTERS. Reference had been made, said MiMason, to more than one old headmaster of the school. Although complaints were often heard about school staffs being changed too frequently, it was quite good to find few changes in headmasters at Masterton Central. During the sixty years of its existence it had only four headmasters. ■Mr Grundy opened the school with three assistants and he was succeeded by Mr W. H. Jackson, who had charge till 1923. In 1902 the first provision for secondary education in Masterion was made at Central, which became a district high school, until the Wairarapa High Scaool was established. Mr Jackson found time to take an interest in civic affaiis and became Mayor of the town. Mr Mason oaid he was very glad to know that Mr Jackson was still enjoying a long and happy retirement. Mr Jackson was succeeded in 1923 by Mr R. C. Drummond, who carried on worthily for ten years until Mr Coddington. the present headmaster, took charge. They had also established a special class in Masterton under an exchange teicrer who had gained experience in England. Referring to the early days of education in Mastertoil. MiMason said the records of the Wellington Provincial Council showed that

there was a school in Masterton in 1861-62. The teacher was Mr A. J. Skipper and there were ten boys and six girls'on the roll and the attendance was seven boys and five girls. The pupils paid a fee of Is per week and used a variety of books brought by the pupils themselves. In 1861 it received a Government grant of £l9 Is 6d and the size of the school was 20 by 14 feet. The next year a £2O grant was made and Mr T. C. Sampson was the teacher. There was then a roll number of 18 and ten attended. That would form some contrast to the developments of today. He was glad to see that the inspiration and example of the pioneers had not been lost as the. motto on the bead of the school's letter paper showed that' it was by enterprise and hard work that good things were won and not by seeking the easy path and slackness. He thanked those present for their kind reception and congratulated all and rejoiced with them .on this happy occasion. He hoped it would not be long before they would see the completion of the educational facilities of Masterton. Mr Robertson would not allow him as Minister to forget if they were not completed. He trusted all would inspect the building and see for themselves the fine improvements made. Mr Mason then officially opened the building. Song's were contributed by the children, “The Four-starred Ensign" and “One and All for Maoriland," the school band gave a good account of itself, and Standard Three girls entertained with a demonstration of drill. Afternoon tea. which was much appreciated. was served to those attending, the Parents' Association being responsible for the arrangements. Those present later inspected the school and the children's display of work.