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THE MACARTHUR STREET SCHOOL
On the occasion of the visit of the City
and Town Councils to Geelong on the 13th
February, the Mayor of the City (Cr Bro
kenshire), as the result of an interview
with, tlie Minister of Education, (the Hon.
W. Gunr), succeeded in exacting' a promise
that the much needed adlditicms to the
Maoarfchhr Street State School would be
carried out almost immediately. This
information, which was published in the
columns of "The Star" at the time, gave
general satisfaction to teach era, parents,
and scholars. At a subsequent meeting
of the Ballarat City 'Board of Advice, some
doubts were expressed regarding the in
tentions of the department, and it was de
cided to again communicate with .the Min
ister. Unfortunately, these fears of the
'Board appear to have 'been well grounded,
and up to the present nothing further has
been heard <xf the additions. The head
teacher, Mr (Rattray, has in l his possession
am. ambiguous letter concerning the matter
which states, inter alia, that “authority
has been given the department to proceed
with .the work." Teachers, parents, and!
scholars have, however, heard so much of
“authority” that it would be a refreshing
change if the department .were a little
more practical in its methods. In the
meantime, the umaatdsfactoiy condition at
the school continues. The class rooms
are uncomfortably crowded, while in
Mingsf 3 Hall there are 90 children, aver
aging 10 years of age, to whom instruction
is imparted under very difficult circum
stances. Amkrthar instance of the (govern
mental method' of “how not to do it” is
afforded in .the case of the Invermay State
School, where, although tenders were ac
cepted some few weeks ago. the improve
ment works have not yet heen started. If
private schools were carried 1 on under simi
lar conditions—i.e.', a lack of 6pace_ for
each child—a .prosecution.would follow,
but it appears that that august institution,
the Education is immune
from any; attentions of, that description.
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