HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE WAIKATO FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1192, 17 February 1880, Page 2

HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE WAIKATO FOR B OYS AND GIRLS.

To THE EDIToK. Sir,- I suggested at oue c>f the Em,t suniltDii school Committee meeting the tiavih-ibility of at oiicu taking the ucuusbuvy for tlio hcttlumcut ot a High School iv the Wuiktitu. Notluu^ *y-

parently having been dose in the matter, . u d a new school committee elected, I may be pardoned for taking this mode of ringing the question prominently before he Waikato community, feeling assured sir, not only of your sympathy, but your able advocacy for the establishment of tjjose seats of learning in our midst, that •will place us upon a par with larger towns and greater centres of population. The number of our seminary schools as already established under the Education Board are as follows : — Borough of Hamilton 2 schools 375 scholars daily [average Cambridge ... x >> i<*> » » Kihikihi 1 „ 5° » » Te Awamutu . . 1 „ 40 „ „ Alexandra ... 1 » 60 „ „ Ngaruawahia ... 1 „ 4° » » Ohaupo 1 ;, 40 „ „ Hautapu 1 » 20 „ „ Pukenmu ... 1 » 25 » » Huntly 1 „ 15 n .» Taupiri 1 >, 15 »» . »» Rangiriri 1 „ number not to hand. Eight hundred and forty average attendanoe, to which are to be added Rangiriri returns, not to hand, with the demands of Kirikiriroa and other districts for public schools acknowledged by the Education Board, but not sanctioned, shows the necessity of immediate action by the various school committees. If we expect the children to take rank and place with other portions of the general community, we must not be behind in giving them equal advantages for the attainment of that knowledge that will fit them for those positions. We must also, before the day of giace is over, secure a revenue from the State to aid in maintaining those establishments lhe Te •Aroha block is not yet alineated from the Grown. 'he Thames, with smaller claims, but with greater energy than the Waikato, has taken oare to secure 3000 acres for this object. Can we afford to sleep on? There are near 900 children average attendance at our pubtio schools. Supplement this with the many private schools, and enforce the compulsory clauses of the Act and you have a grand"cotal,as near as can be calculated at present of about 1400 ohildren in the Waikato upwards of live years of age. If I borrow the wings of futurity, in a brief space of time I see the great trunk lines ef rail, whioh are already commenced, spanning the distance between the Waitoa and the Waikato Rivers via Hamilton (including Cambridge) intersected with a net work of light tramways in place of castly macadamised reads. Some will cross the great estate of the Swamp Company, which with settled centres of population that such lands, aided by the capital and enterprise that has distinguished their career alone can command Anticipate this, which is our duty under the circumstances (judging from the past and present) and those High Schools cannot be dispensed with longer without greatly prejudicing those fo»* whose benefit they were designed. In justice to the future we ought to have apportioned us the means to aid those children who need it in maintaining themselves while competing for those honours that await study and perseverance. From all authentic sources of information we are upon the eve of having a very large influx of emigrants, most of whom are expected to be of the middle class of society. It is our duty, knowing the position of the colony, and foreseeing the demands that will be made upon it, to at once apply ourselves to the task of obtaining a {"University" centrally situate affiliated, if deemed advisable, with the University of New Zealand. If we foster and encourage higher education by the establishment of high schools it may be that they have attained the present standard could not afford to take advantage of a University at a great distance. Therefore, in order to give the successful candidate, who may happen to be so circumstanced, the chance of residing near home. This would be a stimulant of itself, and if we could obtain from the Crown a grant of land for the purpose, it may re that some of our wealthy colonists would contribute towards the buildings and endowment. I hope I shall not be considered out of plaoe in noting this bo'ough being now made the centre of railways offers from its geographical position the most suitable site for the establishment referred to. — I am, &c. Albbet Potteb. Hamilton, February 16, 1880.