The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-02-13
SUGGESTIONS BY SUPERINTENDENT
STRONG PLEA FOR NEW BUILD.
lNCS AT THE REFORM
SCHOOL.
The Delegation Wanted TO Know
About Saiaries-Nornsl School
Quarters Believed Inadequate
One Language Sufficient

4 delegation OF Independent legis
lators pad visit 20 the Office Of Ala
tau T. Atkinson. Superintendent OF
Public instruction. yesterday after
noon. Before leaving they obtained
many facts and details concerning fhs
educational work as carried on in tb1
Territory OF Hawaii. not possessed Ue
fore calling upon the superintendent
and his stan as a COmmiJec Of in
quiry.
The Eisl-,urs desired light upon
ma diversified matters pertaining 10
school WORK In the course Of their
questioning. the opportunity was given
Mr.. Atkinson 70 bring before the body
a number OF very desirable reforms in
.1e mode OF conducting certain
branches Of the service. The legisla-
tors gave careful attention TO all that
was said. evincing great interest n
the educational department II seem
ed TO be the consensus Of opinion
that this branch of territorial govern
ment was most important. and that
beneficial legislation in its behalf
should receive prompt and careful at
tention at their hanGs.
The Normal School.
Mr.. Atkinson was asked TO explain
the workings of the .ormal school.
He was also interrogated as TO whe-h-
er he had suggestions TO make for
its Improvement The work of the
Normal and Training school was out
lined in detail although the legisla-
tors we're given TO understand that
while the Fort street buildings We're
at the present time Offering better ac-
commodations than for some years
previous. nevertheless the buildings
we're still inadequate for the growing
needs OF the school The number in
the training class at the present time
was given as co OF these "a are Ha-
waiian or part hawaiian. Mr.. Atkin-
son further indicated his belief that
the work OF the school would prove
more satisfactory if the institution
kept in closer touch with the common
schools of the city. The superintend-
eut hoped the time would come when
this matter could be more readily
accomplished.
Dual Language Discouraged
The Independents also desired Mr..
Atkiuson's opinion regarding the
teaching of Hawaiian in the public
schools. The Superintendent left
very little doubt as to where he stood
in this matter lor he promptly inform
ed the legislators that the introduc-
tion of the language would prove very
unwise rs well as a detriment 10 edu-
cational work in the territory. Mr.. At
kinson was OF the opinion that the
employment Of another tongue in
school work would only prove TO be
a great hiudrance. Ii would lower
the present standard in the schools
and simply be an obstacle tnrown in
the pathway OF progress. The Inie
pendents stated that they had not
considered the matter except in an
informal manner. their only object be
ing TO gain information on all points
which could be used eNpeditely after
the legislature had convened in reg
ular session.
The Reform School.
The Reform school was also a mat
ter that had aroused special interest
among the legislators. The methods
in vogue were explicitly explained "a
the delegation. Mr.. Atkinson suggest
ed several much-needed reforms in re-
gard to the management Of the insti-
tuition The superintendent also
strongly favored changing the name
OF the school. He believed the name
Reform" should be dropped. and In
dustrial' substituted.
A telling point made by Mr.. Atkin- /
son was that certain stigma is at 4
tached to every child sent TO an insti- /
tuition bearing the name OF Reform 4
school. which in time works great il I
jury 20 the inmates. He believed thst 4
Injustice could be averted from many 1
by changing the title OF the
institution TO that OF an 1
industrial school. Under the present
the school has proved /
beneficial 10 many children without
The girls ware given thor
ough instruction in cooking and sew
ing. The boys are taught many use
ful occupations. as the limited facili-
ties OF the institution viii allow.
The delegation was asked 10 con-
slider the matter of new building for
the school. as me present structure is
entirely inadequate for the growing
needs OF the Territory. Mr.. Atkinson
$4,000 would be q sufficient
sum 10 erect the building and estab-
lisk the school on a working basis in
the plans suggested the cost of main
tenance OF two departments. for male
ard female. would not exceed $4,000
a year. Mr.. Atkinson further believed
the boys school could be made almost
before many months
after its establishment on the lines
laid down in his suggestions.
School Sites.
A scarcity of school sites was also
brought up. The superintendent said
b had heen a most difficult matter 10